Crossing Souls (2018)

Set in the summer of 1986 in California, Crossing Souls follows a group of friends who stumble upon a mysterious pink stone that grants the ability to travel between two distinct realms. This extraordinary discovery sets the stage for an unforgettable adventure, entangling them in a government conspiracy and testing their courage, intelligence, and teamwork. Players take control of five young characters, each possessing unique abilities, as they fight, solve puzzles, and strive to protect their families and the world.

Characters and Abilities

The game features five main characters: Chris, Matt, Charlie, Big Joe, and Kevin. Every character comes with distinct skills and a personal combat style. Players must strategically switch between them to overcome challenges, master different fighting techniques, and tackle complex puzzles. As the adventure unfolds, new items and abilities become available, enhancing each character's effectiveness and opening fresh gameplay opportunities.

Gameplay Mechanics

Crossing Souls combines action-adventure with RPG elements in a meticulously pixelated version of California. Combat is conducted in real-time, where players face street gangs, secret armies, supernatural monsters, and ghosts. Puzzles range from simple interactive challenges to complex brainteasers that demand strategic planning. Boss fights provide climactic confrontations requiring tactical use of each character's unique abilities. Additionally, the game includes special levels inspired by 1980s arcade games, adding variety and nostalgia to the gameplay experience.

Story and Setting

The narrative is firmly rooted in 1986, incorporating cultural references from iconic movies and media of the era, including The Goonies, Gremlins, and Back to the Future. Players navigate a dual-realm journey, moving between life and death while unraveling a conspiracy involving government forces, ancient beings, cowboys, pirates, and other eccentric characters. Everyday 80s culture, such as ice cream, pizza, cheeseburgers, and basketball, enriches the setting and creates a fully immersive retro experience.

Visuals and Animation

Cutscenes in Crossing Souls are inspired by 1980s cartoons, featuring original animation styles never previously seen in video games. This artistic choice enhances the nostalgic feel of the game while providing a visually distinct and engaging storytelling method. The pixel art design reinforces the retro aesthetic and complements the era-specific references throughout the game world.

Music and Audio

The soundtrack blends original compositions influenced by John Williams and Jerry Goldsmith with high-energy Synth-Pop reminiscent of the 1980s. This diverse audio design enhances both exploration and combat sequences, reinforcing the retro atmosphere while energizing players during key moments of action and puzzle-solving.

Combat and Strategy

Combat in Crossing Souls is fast-paced and requires tactical thinking. Players can engage multiple enemies simultaneously, leveraging each character’s strengths to maximize damage and efficiency. Success depends on a combination of strategic planning, skillful execution, and timely use of unlocked abilities. The difficulty of fights and puzzles progressively increases, challenging players to adapt and refine their strategies throughout the game.

Exploration and Adventure

Exploration is central to the experience, encouraging players to investigate the California-inspired environment, uncover hidden items, and discover secrets across two interlinked realms. Progressing through the game rewards curiosity, careful observation, and clever problem-solving, making each playthrough engaging and rewarding.

Conclusion

Crossing Souls delivers a nostalgic, story-driven adventure set in the heart of 1980s California. With its pixel art visuals, original animated cutscenes, retro soundtrack, and a combination of action, puzzles, and strategy, it offers a fully immersive experience. Controlling five unique characters, players face a variety of challenges, uncover a mysterious government conspiracy, and explore a world where the lines between life and death intersect, all while enjoying a faithful homage to the pop culture of the 1980s.