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- T
- Assemble Entertainment
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- Assemble Entertainment
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- Assemble Entertainment
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- Assemble Entertainment
XEL
Released On: Jul 14, 2022
43
4.3
Where to Buy
Where to Buy
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Metascore
Generally Unfavorable
Based on 9 Critic Reviews
43
0% Positive
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
44% Mixed
4 Reviews
4 Reviews
56% Negative
5 Reviews
5 Reviews
Metascore
Generally Unfavorable
Based on 9 Critic Reviews
43
0% Positive
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
44% Mixed
4 Reviews
4 Reviews
56% Negative
5 Reviews
5 Reviews
The game XEL is quite unique and original but brings that classic 3D RPG action-packed game genre to the Nintendo Switch. It’s a very easy-to-play game that doesn’t require many control buttons to use or a long time to acknowledge what you must do next. Everything is easily explained and the major portion of the game is to explore the world while finding hidden objects and upgrades to help you along the way.
If 3D platforming, action-adventure, and puzzle games are your thing, XEL is going to fulfill your needs and then some. It comes with a compelling story, solid gameplay mechanics, and a beautiful world that is yours to explore freely. But until the bugs are solved, this incredible title is going to continue to be held back not by its design flaws, but by its mechanical ones.
User Score
Generally Unfavorable
Based on 6 User Ratings
4.3
33% Positive
2 Ratings
2 Ratings
17% Mixed
1 Rating
1 Rating
50% Negative
3 Ratings
3 Ratings
User Score
Generally Unfavorable
Based on 6 User Ratings
4.3
33% Positive
2 Ratings
2 Ratings
17% Mixed
1 Rating
1 Rating
50% Negative
3 Ratings
3 Ratings
There are no user reviews yet. Be the first to add a review.
XEL takes many of its cues from the Zelda franchise, with combat and puzzles that keep things interesting throughout as well as a charming, fun cast of characters. However, technical glitches in the Switch version make it difficult to enjoy at launch. There is the potential for a great game in here, possibly after a hefty patch to fix some of the bugs, but despite its obvious promise it fails to live up to its potential in its current state.
XEL looks great on the surface, but unfortunately it has too many bugs and technical issues to warrant recommending it to anyone. The framerate drops and slow-loading zone transitions alone can cause some frustrations, but add in an uncontrollable camera that is overly distant from the action, difficult to detect enemies, and terrain that is easy to get stuck to - forcing you to reload from your last save point, and you have a game that is near unplayable in its current state. Patches may resolve these issues, but as of right now XEL is too frustrating to fully enjoy.
XEL has the potential to be a great game, but too many elements are left unpolished. Hopefully, a patch will be able to fix these issues, and then it may be a solid adventure game.
It doesn’t differentiate itself enough from the other indie Zelda-like games that are available on Switch from a gameplay perspective. Titles like Death’s Door, Cross Code, and Blossom Tales offer a much more refined and unique take on the ideas Zelda is known for and run fantastic on Switch. XEL has little character to enjoy, there’s no story to keep you fully engaged, and gameplay feels contrived and repetitive. And that’s before we get to the frankly abysmal state that this game was released in. I was holding off this review to see if the game would be updated before its release, but quite frankly it seems that updating and fine tuning XEL will be an effort that I personally don’t think is worth it.
XEL isn’t a great game. It’s not even a mediocre game. It’s a half-finished mess that shouldn’t have been released in this state.
Summary XEL is an epic 3D sci-fi fantasy action-adventure. Explore the mysterious world of XEL and help protagonist Reid to uncover her enigmatic past. Make new friends and foes along the way and collect exciting gadgets to master challenging dungeons and solve time bending puzzles.
Rated T
for Teen
Platforms:
- PC
- PlayStation 5
- Xbox Series X
- Nintendo Switch
- PlayStation 4
- Xbox One
Initial Release Date: Jul 14, 2022
Developer:
- Tiny Roar
Publisher: Assemble Entertainment
Genres:
