CrossCode is an rpg characteristically dense with information, nuances, and intricate skill trees that take time to introduce and flesh out, so fair warning that it's entirely possible the game might not hook you very quickly. Beyond that, however, CrossCode is a sterling exemplar of action-rpg design in the vein of the Legend/Trials of Mana series with an engaging core gameplay loop well-expanded upon as the game progresses, a compelling, if unoriginal system of progression that does an excellent job of leaving tangible impacts on moment-to-moment gameplay, and a story well-told with interesting themes and fun, well-developed characters.

The game plays at its core from a top-down perspective using real-time combat that can be augmented in various ways through equipment, skills, elemental powers acquired over time, and even the environmental design if you feel like it, and most importantly, these augmentations can be tangible enough to feel quite meaningful. Hand-in-hand with the core gameplay is the superb level and environmental design that makes full use of and often cheekily plays around with the top-down perspective to make the absolute most of each and every tile of the world you find yourself in. Lastly are your party members, which make their presence well-known and are legitimately useful, just reliable enough, and behaviorally adjustable, as well.

Progression is, all things considered, your standard affair of money, items, experience, levels, skills attached to trees, and equipment, so the most there is to be said is that it's expertly executed, if potentially too slow to start off.

Narratively speaking, CrossCode is, overall, a somewhat unique story of self-discovery under distinct circumstances that come with various trials and trepidations to overcome. The characters and environments involved are illustrated beautifully with a cohesive aesthetic that can escalate to wonderfully exciting degrees. They're also fleshed out quite well through the main plotline and various lore entries to be found across the world; the world and the people you spend your time with therein feel tangibly, believably real and it's a joy to experience.

Overall, CrossCode is damn ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ good and I highly recommend playing it.