Indie Masterpiece: Cross-Code

[Lucero777]

DISCAIMER: I AM IN NO WAY AFFILIATED WITH THIS PROJECT, I AM SIMPLY A FAN OF THE GAME WHO WANTS TO SHARE IT WITH OTHERS AND SUPPORT THE CREATORS!


I noticed we didn't have a thread for this game yet, so I figured I would be the guy to make it. Recently I came across this indie title which is still in development known as Cross Code. The game itself is 2D action RPG set in futuristic times, developed in HTML5 and with the impact.js engine. What's really cool about this game (er...demo, since the actual game isn't out yet) is that it can be played in browser, and it looks just as amazing as if you were to download it and play it directly from your hard drive.

In the developer's own words...

Take the best out of two popular genres, find a good balance between them and make a great game. That’s what CrossCode does. And it works pretty well. You get the puzzles of Zelda-esque dungeons and are rewarded with the great variety of equipment you know and love from RPGs. During the fast-paced battles you will use the tools you find on your journey to reveal and exploit the enemies' weaknesses and at the same time will be able to choose equipment and skills for a more in-depth approach in fighting your enemies.

That description is quite the statement, and personally, I think what they've shown off of the game so far lives up to that description 100%. Below is an animated gif from the game itself. As you can see, the game is entirely made up of retro like pixel art. In my mind, it's almost like the art-style from Cave Story, but stepped up a notch.



For a few more animated gifs, open up the spoiler.

Spoiler

There are so many cool features and aspects to this game, including but not limited to the soundtrack, plot, in-game dialogue, alternate game modes, and so on! I would highly encourage you to check out the demo of this game right now! And like I mentioned above, you don't even have to download it, you can run it in browser! (Chrome is recommended for optimal experience). All you have to do is go to http://cross-code.com/ and click "play in browser". Though feel free to download it if you would prefer that. (I haven't noticed any differences between the two). 

And the last reason I'm sharing this title with you is because it's still in development, and currently running an indiegogo campaign to try and raise funds. For those who aren't familiar with indiegogo, it's much like a kick-starter in which someone can ask for funds for a project that they plan to create. Generally people who contribute money to the projects are rewarded when it is finished. The developers are hoping to raise a total of €80,000. So for those interested in this game (whether you are planning on contributing or not), go check out the indiegogo campaign. Click here to visit the campaign page.

Within that link there's all sorts of details regarding the plans and future of Cross Code. Even if you don't plan to contribute, it's still a really cool page with lots of information regarding the game. The developers have goals to release this title for Windows, Linux, Apple, Steam, and maybe even the Wii U at some point. The game has already been greenlit by the Steam community. Should the developers reach their goal of €80,000, the game is estimated to be released in Q1 of 2016.

With all that said, what do you guys think about this upcoming title? What did you think of the demo? Feel free to discuss anything and everything regarding Cross Code!

AGAIN, I JUST WANT TO MAKE IT CLEAR THAT I AM IN NO WAY AFFILIATED WITH THIS PROJECT, I AM SIMPLY A FAN WHO WANTS TO SHARE IT WITH OTHERS AS WELL AS SUPPORT THE CREATORS.

[E-Man]

If you wanted to spread the word about this game, then why didn't you ask the creator of this game to make an account here himself/herself and post about the game himself/herself?

[Shade]

If you wanted to spread the word about this game, then why didn't you ask the creator of this game to make an account here himself/herself and post about the game himself/herself?

I don't see any fault in spreading the word. The problem I see here is that Lucero777 posted this in GameDev, when they specifically said they are in no way affiliated and definitely not assisting in development. Maybe a thread in Gaming Discussion or a post in gamedev lounge would be more appropriate for something like this.

I will say, it looks interesting. Might give the demo a whirl later on.

[Silversea]

Nice nice nice, it is exactly the sort of top-down RPG game I've always wanted to make but lacked the time.

[Lucero777]

If you wanted to spread the word about this game, then why didn't you ask the creator of this game to make an account here himself/herself and post about the game himself/herself?

No disrespect to this community, but I think the game dev has higher priorities than posting here personally. I fail to see why it matters who posts the information so long as news is being spread? Besides, this community isn't the biggest place on the internet, it's rather small if anything. I'm simply spreading the word on behalf of the team as a fan. I'm not a dev, and I'm not claiming any ownership whatsoever. I see how this could pose as a problem, but at the end of the day, there was no plagiarism, only spreading awareness of a new game, while showing off the pixel art to a community of spriters.

[Vipershark]

Moved to Gaming Discussion.

[Koh]

A friend linked me this before, and it looks bloody awesome. THIS is how spriter's need to use their awesome sauce powers. Look at how SMOOTH those animations are, even for their relatively low resolution. This is what I meant before regarding there being absolutely no excuse to have choppy animation with 16x16 sprites or higher, because you've plenty of space to work with. The little things add up to something greater.

[Iceman404]

I am more than reminded of RanMaster27's work

[Koh]

I don't know if anyone noticed, but when she levels up, she does it extremely similar to Ark from Terranigma. That's a nice reference.

[recme]

As you can see, the game is entirely made up of retro like pixel art. In my mind, it's almost like the art-style from Cave Story, but stepped up a notch.

im baffled because this game looks nothing like "cave story stepped up a notch" whatsoever.



if anything, crosscode looks more like a konjak game. maybe secret of mana.

speaking of the game, it looks like fun. im still surprised on how zelda still hasnt taken a rpg approach when it comes to equiping clothes, weapons, etc.. i guess its a good thing that this game did it first

[TomGuycott]

Definitely some Mana feels in there, can't tell if it's closer to classic or to the Gba and DS games on my phone, though. Also has a Terranigma vibe.