^(Oh gosh, what should I say first?… I wrote and rewrote this for over an hour!😖)
Crosscode is a bit like a Zelda game (but the puzzles are often real-time) mashed together with an MMORPG; its combat system is a diverse and distinct blend. The developers lovingly reference pop culture.
If you decide to buy this good game, be aware that the ending is behind paid DLC. Main complaints I’ve heard about the game revolve around:
1. Terrain height differences being unclear.
2. Timed puzzles being difficult; you have to run around the room doing the right thing at the right time or start over again.
Things I found outstanding about Crosscode were:
1. The elemental system: You actively switch between four elemental Modes (kinda like stances) that play several roles, including: special combat abilities, hindering enemies (even bosses iirc) with status effects, emphasizing certain stats, *and* solving puzzles in dungeons! To keep things in balance, you have to switch off elemental modes briefly or risk the penalty of being locked out for several seconds. The non-elemental mode has combat abilities and stat boosts (half of which carry over when using other elements), but aren’t *generally* as powerful. Crosscode’s skill tree is tied to these four (technically five) elemental modes.
2. Fun Farming/Grinding: Enemies drop items that are used to ultimately make weapons, armour, and items for healing and buffs. When enough enemies are beaten in a short space of time, the game changes its music to [a high energy thumping track](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k2gTdwsky-c), while also increasing the item drop rate and enemy respawn rate.
3. I found the timed puzzles in dungeons to be creative with how they used the elements, I’ll say no more!
4. The emotions a pixel face could evoke.
5. The pop culture references man!
by Chillyeaham