Crossings Review – An Epic Nordic Roguelite

Crossings is a Norse-inspired first-person VR soulslike set in the afterlife. Here’s my review.

You have fought this boss before. They obliterated you last time. You dodged their heavy attacks, parried the light ones, and physically inflicted a flurry of swings with your fire-imbued axe when stunned. And yet, it was not enough. They disappeared at the last strike, only to reappear behind you and deal a final blow. But you are back and stronger than ever. This will be their end. It’s the afterlife, and with a single drip of sweat scurrying through your temple, you are the one who decides when enough is enough. That is what Crossings is all about.

There are plenty of roguelite and Norse-inspired video games out there, even more so in VR, but where Crossings stands out from the crowd is its unique offerings. The parry, which, if it is important on a “flatscreen,” means make or break in virtual reality, has one of the most remarkably memorable sensations among its peers. The sleek visual nod to get ready to move your blade in the correct position; the impactful sound when your sword/axe/club clashes with theirs; the exaggerated animation of them being briefly stunned after the stunt you pulled. It is a momentary delight in the grand scheme of every battle, but pulling it off feels oh so fulfilling.

Spawning in a small cave with the three aforementioned options, the faint whisper of a voice is trying to remind you of your plight. Being in the Norse afterlife means there is a reason to keep going, even in death. Once holding your weapon of choice, a wooden door must be destroyed by swinging it. Alas, before embarking once again on a run, there are different tunics and hats to wear; some can be bought with the currency obtained after a hard-earned incursion. The light of the bonfire signals safety, albeit briefly, before the dawn of battle.

Stepping out into the foggy woods, the lack of a map in this strange dimension makes you rely not only on your sight and sounds but also on your mind. Goblins are heard grumbling in the distance as they cook their latest victim. If you stay put for too long, a ghost akin to the Grim Reaper will appear to either hurry you or claim your soul. There is a sense of urgency as soon as the run starts. Swinging your sword mercilessly once the enemies spotted your careless moves, you notice several chests and vases that can be broken for coin. And then, you will have to do it again. To say Crossings is a physically demanding experience would be an understatement.

If you are lucky, as they are all randomized, golden chests will reward your efforts with higher-tier weapons. The possibility of creating new builds is also an option, as strange statues offer upgraded skills like more powerful magic spells or doing more damage with your arsenal. Overpowered bow skills that make the arrow explode on impact can be imbued in your quiver, but be careful because the ammo is precious and in low quantities. Stronger magic is always favorable, as the blizzard spell freezes enemies in place, incapable of moving once you have conjured it by flailing your arms around in a certain way. Every choice made works towards the true challenge: the final boss of each level needed to reach the next area.

All of this knightly challenge is rendered mostly superfluous when fighting with friends. As there are no difficulty settings, learning the ropes and fighting on one’s own is much more difficult than with friends. This is due to several reasons. One, if you die, you can be revived by your fellow teammates with no penalty. Two, if timed correctly, most enemies are stunned as their life bar is drained if you time your attacks correctly. And three, fighting massive trolls together gives a sense of unity that is quite difficult to replicate elsewhere.

Asking players to explore the same levels over and over again might seem like madness, but there is a method to make it work. I have seen it. Crossings triumphs in delivering a two-fold experience: a relentless one-man army against the horde of the undead or a seamless, collaborative union amongst warriors. Put another way, Crossings: the daunting challenge or the incredibly fun medieval romp. Laid out like this, there is no wrong choice.