Crossing Souls

The positives surrounding Story of Crossing Souls revolve around its nostalgic 1980s setting, heartfelt storytelling, and emotional depth. Critics like COGconnected praised the game’s “surprisingly deep story centered on themes of friendship and sacrifice,” highlighting engaging character interactions and a moving ending. Game Informer lauded its “heartfelt narrative centered on friendship, adolescence, and sacrifice,” while The Games Machine called it a “nostalgic love letter to the 1980s” with metafictional elements tying the developers’ real-life journey to the characters’ fictional one. Many reviewers, including The Digital Fix and TheSixthAxis, appreciated its blend of 80s adventure film influences (e.g., The Goonies, Back to the Future) and its focus on character-driven moments, with God is a Geek noting “well-realized characters” and a mix of mystery and adventure. The game’s ability to evoke nostalgia while balancing humor and emotional stakes was frequently cited as a strength, particularly in its exploration of friendship and personal growth. However, negatives centered on the game’s reliance on clichés, underdeveloped writing, and narrative inconsistencies. DualShockers criticized “flat writing, unconvincing dialogue, and a lack of originality,” while Guardian called the characters “clichéd” and the plot “lazy.” RPG Fan and NintendoWorldReport similarly dismissed the story as derivative, comparing it to overused tropes from Stand By Me and Stranger Things, with the latter noting a “derivative and over-reliant on nostalgia” approach. Critics like EGM and IGN Japan pointed to issues with the ending, calling it “muddled” or “weird,” while GameSpot and Eurogamer Italy criticized the lack of character nuance and disjointed genre blending (sci-fi, horror, fantasy). Additionally, several reviewers, including Digitally Downloaded and PlayGround.ru, highlighted repetitive dialogue, underdeveloped romantic subplots, and a failure to fully capitalize on its nostalgic premise, resulting in a “listless” or “predictable” experience. The overall consensus among critics is that Story of Crossing Souls succeeds as a heartfelt, nostalgia-driven adventure but struggles with originality and execution. While many praised its emotional resonance, character dynamics, and homage to 80s pop culture (as noted by COGconnected, The Games Machine, and God is a Geek), others felt it leaned too heavily on familiar tropes without adding fresh ideas (DualShockers, Guardian, NintendoWorldReport). The game’s strengths in storytelling and atmosphere were often overshadowed by its narrative flaws, such as underdeveloped characters and an uneven pacing, as highlighted by EGM, GameSpot, and IGN Japan. Despite these criticisms, the majority of reviewers acknowledged its charm and emotional core, suggesting it appeals most to fans of 80s nostalgia and coming-of-age tales, even if it falls short of groundbreaking innovation.

The gameplay of Crossing Souls is widely praised for its innovative character-switching mechanics and dynamic integration of diverse elements. Critics like COGconnected and Game Informer highlight how the ability to switch between characters with unique abilities enhances both combat and puzzle-solving, creating strategic depth. EGM and JeuxActu commend the game’s variety, noting its blend of top-down adventure mechanics, arcade-style segments (e.g., side-scrolling chases, Galaga-inspired shooters), and nostalgic nods to 80s classics. The creative use of realms and the Duat mechanic, as emphasized by God is a Geek and The Digital Fix, adds layers to exploration and challenges, while the party system’s evolution throughout the story is seen as a strength. Many reviewers also appreciate the engaging puzzles that require thoughtful use of character-specific skills, with Nintendo Life and Areajugones praising the escalating difficulty and clever design of boss fights. However, several critics point to significant flaws that detract from the experience. Repetition and lack of innovation are recurring issues, with DualShockers and RPG Fan criticizing the simplistic, repetitive combat and underdeveloped puzzles. Precision platforming challenges, particularly in later chapters, are a major frustration for DarkStation and PlayStation Country, who note that some sections feel unfairly difficult or poorly designed. Control issues also plague the game, as Digitally Downloaded and CGMagazine describe clumsy mechanics, imprecise movement, and problematic inventory systems. Additionally, the reliance on nostalgia over originality is criticized by DualShockers and IGN Japan, while NintendoWorldReport and Switch Player highlight how frequent character-switching disrupts flow. The final acts are often seen as anticlimactic or poorly polished, with Eurogamer Italy and GameSpot noting uneven difficulty spikes and a lack of meaningful progression. Overall, the critics present a mixed but balanced view of Crossing Souls’ gameplay. While its core mechanics—particularly character-switching and nostalgic design—are celebrated for their creativity and strategic potential (as noted by EGM, God is a Geek, and The Digital Fix), the game’s execution faces challenges in consistency and polish. Many reviewers acknowledge that the blend of genres and mechanics offers an engaging experience, but issues like repetition, control flaws, and uneven difficulty temper its impact. Despite these drawbacks, the game’s ambition and love for retro influences resonate with several critics, suggesting it appeals to fans of classic action-adventure titles. The consensus leans toward a recommendation for players who prioritize creativity and nostalgia over flawless execution, though its shortcomings may frustrate those seeking deeper innovation or smoother gameplay.

The graphics and visual design of Crossing Souls are widely praised for their evocative 1980s aesthetic, with critics highlighting its nostalgic charm and meticulous attention to retro details. Multiple reviewers, including COGconnected, DarkStation, and Game Informer, commend the game’s pixelated visuals, which channel the era’s Saturday morning cartoons, VHS effects, and hand-drawn art styles. JeuxActu draws comparisons to classic LucasArts adventures, noting vibrant neon colors and a "stretched-tape effect" in cutscenes that mimic 80s animation. RPG Fan and The Games Machine emphasize the game’s ability to recreate an immersive, cohesive atmosphere through detailed environments and hidden 80s memorabilia. The art direction is frequently described as a standout element, with GameSpot calling it "visually striking" and CGMagazine praising its "fantastic" alignment with the era’s cinematic aesthetics. These elements collectively create a strong sense of nostalgia that resonates across platforms, from PS4 to Nintendo Switch. However, several critics point to technical and design flaws that detract from the visual experience. TheSixthAxis criticizes the top-down camera angle for hindering platforming and combat visibility, while JeuxActu notes navigation challenges due to a lack of perspective in environmental design. Vooks argues that the pixel art feels overly detailed for an 80s-inspired title, diverging from the simplicity of NES/SNES games, and XGN calls the style "derivative," lacking originality. Nintendo Life highlights issues with vertical stage clarity, and Hooked Gamers mentions technical hiccups like awkward camera angles and environments that can trap players. Additionally, some reviewers, such as GameStar, note that while the visuals effectively recreate 80s charm, they often feel "derivative" compared to other retro-inspired titles. These critiques suggest that while the aesthetic is strong, its execution occasionally falters in terms of functionality and innovation. Overall, critics agree that Crossing Souls succeeds as a nostalgic homage to 1980s gaming and media, with its pixel art and visual design serving as a core strength. While DualShockers and Game Informer acknowledge the game’s "meticulous attention to period-specific details," they also note that these elements cannot fully compensate for gameplay shortcomings. The consensus leans toward appreciation for the art direction’s authenticity and charm, even as technical issues and derivative aspects are acknowledged. Digitally Downloaded and Switch Player highlight the Switch version’s optimized visuals, while Eurogamer Italy praises the "vibrant and nostalgic 80s-inspired world." Despite mixed feedback on originality and polish, the game’s visual identity remains a defining feature, earning it praise as one of its most memorable aspects.

The sound design and music of Crossing Souls are overwhelmingly praised for their immersive 80s nostalgia and thematic cohesion. Critics like DualShockers and EGM highlight the soundtrack’s authentic synthpop tracks and John Williams-esque orchestral elements, which perfectly complement the game’s retro aesthetic. COGconnected and DarkStation emphasize the thumping synths and disco-pop influences that evoke a vivid 80s adventure movie atmosphere, while JeuxActu and The Digital Fix note how VHS distortion effects and animated cutscenes enhance the nostalgic immersion. The music is frequently described as “emotionally resonant” (DualShockers) and “sweeping and adventurous” (Nintendo Life), with specific tracks like “Dreams” praised for their dual synthwave and string compositions. XGN and RPG Fan also commend the blend of retro film scores (e.g., Back to the Future) with modern synthwave, creating a cohesive and heartfelt experience. While most reviews celebrate the soundtrack’s nostalgic charm, some critics find it unremarkable or lacking in originality. Gameblog.fr and PlayGround.ru criticize the music as “average” and “unremarkable,” noting that while it aligns with the 80s theme, it fails to leave a strong impression. Guardian and CGMagazine mention the absence of detailed sound effects or voice acting, which could have added depth to the audio experience. Additionally, GameCritics and GameSpot provide vague praise, focusing only on broad mentions of John Williams-inspired themes without elaborating on musical variety or innovation. These critiques suggest that while the soundtrack effectively channels 80s nostalgia, it may not break new ground in terms of originality or technical complexity. Overall, the consensus among critics is that Crossing Souls’ sound design and music are a standout feature, successfully capturing the essence of the 1980s through synth-heavy compositions and nostalgic references. Multiplayer.it and AusGamers highlight the contributions of composers like Chris Köbke and Timecop1983, while God is a Geek and PlayStation Country praise the “superb” audio that enhances immersion. Though a few reviews note minor shortcomings—such as lack of innovation or detail—the majority agree that the soundtrack elevates the game’s retro charm and emotional depth, making it a key component of its appeal. The mixed reactions reflect a balance between admiration for its thematic execution and expectations for greater originality in the broader gaming landscape.

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The technical performance of Crossing Souls varies across platforms, with notable positives highlighted by reviewers. On PS4, God is a Geek acknowledges the game’s "overall positive design" despite challenges like difficulty spikes and checkpoint issues, suggesting that its core mechanics are well-received. For Nintendo Switch, God is a Geek praises Overcooked! 2’s smooth online play and improvements over the original, while Switch Player notes the game’s strengths despite technical hiccups. On PC, critics like Areajugones commend the "visual charm" of the design, and CGMagazine highlights functional core mechanics, indicating that the game’s foundation holds up well despite flaws. These positives suggest that Crossing Souls maintains a solid framework across platforms, even if not without issues. However, technical shortcomings are more pronounced on each platform. On PS4, PlayStation Country criticizes "extended platform sections" and "cheap deaths," while TheSixthAxis points to graphical bugs and camera-related enemy visibility problems. God is a Geek also notes difficulty spikes that frustrate later gameplay. For Nintendo Switch, Switch Player highlights collision bugs and forced restarts, which disrupt the experience despite the game’s strengths. On PC, 3DJuegos criticizes "imprecise controls" in platforming sections, and GameCritics lists control bugs like "random upward dashes," while IGN Japan laments "ambiguous collision detection" and a lack of save points. These issues collectively point to inconsistent performance, with PC and PS4 facing more severe technical challenges than Switch, though all platforms struggle with certain aspects. Overall, the critics agree that Crossing Souls suffers from significant technical flaws across all platforms, but the severity and nature of these issues vary. The PS4 version faces criticism for platforming mechanics, checkpoint systems, and graphical inconsistencies, as noted by PlayStation Country and TheSixthAxis. The PC port struggles with control precision, performance hiccups (like lag in crowded areas per CGMagazine), and repetitive design elements. Meanwhile, the Switch version, while praised for its online stability and improvements, still encounters bugs like collision issues. Despite these challenges, reviewers consistently acknowledge the game’s core strengths, suggesting that technical problems are more about polish than fundamental flaws. The consensus leans toward a mixed reception, with the game’s potential hampered by platform-specific technical hurdles but not entirely undermined by them.

The reviews of Crossing Souls present a mixed but nuanced perspective on its replay value, with some critics highlighting elements that could encourage multiple playthroughs. God is a Geek emphasizes the game’s strong cooperative gameplay and local wireless support, which they argue make it an appealing choice for multiplayer sessions, suggesting a unique angle for repeat engagement. Similarly, GamingTrend notes that exploration for collectibles, hidden areas, and side content adds some replayability, even if the main story is relatively short. These positives are often tied to specific mechanics or features, such as the retro-inspired narrative appeals noted by TheSixthAxis, who acknowledges that fans of 80s nostalgia might find the story-driven experience engaging enough for a second run. While these points suggest some potential for replayability, they are frequently overshadowed by broader criticisms. However, the majority of critics highlight significant limitations that detract from long-term appeal. Guardian and TheSixthAxis both point to the game’s challenging difficulty and repetitive design as major drawbacks, with Guardian noting that frequent deaths and the need to replay sections may deter players seeking a more forgiving experience. XGN and 3DJuegos criticize the game’s average design, unfulfilled potential, and tedious mechanics, arguing that the dual-world concept and initial novelty fail to sustain interest over time. GameStar and Hardcore Gamer further emphasize the lack of originality and linear structure, with the latter lamenting missed opportunities for expansion despite the presence of collectibles and side quests. These critiques collectively paint a picture of a game that struggles to maintain engagement beyond its initial release, particularly due to repetitive combat, derivative design, and a reliance on nostalgia rather than innovation. The overall consensus among critics is that Crossing Souls offers limited replay value, with most agreeing that its shortcomings outweigh its strengths. While God is a Geek and GamingTrend identify specific features—such as co-op play or exploration—that could justify multiple sessions, these are exceptions rather than the rule. The broader sentiment leans toward disappointment, with critics like TheSixthAxis, XGN, and 3DJuegos emphasizing that the game’s repetitive mechanics, lack of originality, and unfulfilled potential hinder its ability to retain players. Despite some praise for its nostalgic appeal or multiplayer elements, the majority view Crossing Souls as a title best experienced once, with its flaws—particularly in design and difficulty—dampening long-term enthusiasm. This divide between niche positives and widespread negatives reflects a game that, while not entirely without merit, fails to deliver a compelling reason for players to return.