Crossing Souls

Crossing Souls may not be the deepest adventure to release in recent years, but it’s got plenty of heart. From its pixel-perfect retro-style presentation and cartoon cutscenes to its pumping synthwave score, it’s a game that does a great job of capturing the spirit of the era it aims to replicate. It’s just a shame that the writing and pacing often feel at odds with the story the game is trying to tell. Because with a bit more polish, Crossing Souls could have been a modern classic. Despite these nagging issues, I still found myself glued to my controller for the entire experience.

Varying play styles means that puzzles aside, there is a lot to figure out in terms of strategic gameplay. It ticks so many boxes in terms of what makes a great indie game; a beautiful art style with fun animations, a chilled immersive soundtrack, an emotionally deep story, and fresh innovative gameplay. Just a few factors in terms of balance prevent Crossing Souls from becoming an indie darling. FourAttic will be one to watch for the future.

When you emerge from the nostalgia-induced stupor, it's hard to deny that the characters and plot that underpin it all could definitely be more substantial. Crossing Souls has good mechanics, and its facade is a visual treat that is easy to be seduced by, but it fails to achieve a level of holistic enjoyment that raises it past the giant pile of references.