Xel Review (Steam)

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Our XEL Review takes us to this 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.

Xel Review Pros:

  • Beautiful graphics.
  • 8.55GB download size.
  • Steam achievements.
  • Full controller support.
  • Graphics settings – resolution, window mode, v-sync, and graphics quality preset.
  • Can rebind controls for both keyboard and the controller.
  • 3 save slots.
  • Action adventure gameplay.
  • In-game cutscenes.
  • Can cut and fast forward cutscenes.
  • Minimap and big map that shows all points of interest and chests etc.
  • Tutorial signs as you play.
  • Save points also act as a respawn point.
  • Puzzle heavy set pieces.
  • Loot chests to find.
  • Isometric view.
  • Hack and slash combat with rolling and blocking.
  • Can upgrade gadgets.
  • Colorful characters.

Xel Review Cons:

  • Minimal graphics settings.
  • Not the best performance with stuttering and dropped frames.
  • Cannot control the camera in any way.
  • A lot of pop-ins and the slowdown in places.
  • The combat and general flow feel off.
  • Takes absolutely ages to get going.
  • The map is not a lot of help.
  • You get very little help in terms of what needs to be done or where to go.

Related Post: Thymesia Review (Xbox Series S)

Xel:

Official website.

Developer: Tiny Roar

Publisher: Assemble Entertainment

Store Links – 

Steam

  • 6/10
    Graphics - 6/10
  • 5/10
    Sound - 5/10
  • 6/10
    Accessibility - 6/10
  • 6/10
    Length - 6/10
  • 6/10
    Fun Factor - 6/10
5.8/10

Summary

Xel first intrigued me as it boasted a Zelda-like experience. Within an hour I was not impressed and no matter what it didn’t ever pull me out of it. The combat initially started off fine as it was old school, you have to learn patterns and dodge roll out of the way but in reality, it’s just mashy and unfulfilling mostly because no matter your skill, you will get cheap deaths and blatant bullshit calls against you. I didn’t like just how much puzzles play a part, in the first hour it was more puzzle than combat and exploration, OK so the game opened up a bit more but the central point always felt like it was a puzzle first then combat and exploration second. The camera is set and that adds even more frustration as it obscures enemies and platforms, it is far away and you can’t always make things out. I honestly think I and Xel just had a Xel of a time and couldn’t ever get on the same page. There is a game in there but you will have to work at it and let frustrations wash over you.

Jim Smale

Gaming since the Atari 2600, I enjoy the weirdness in games counting Densha De Go and RC De Go as my favourite titles of all time. I prefer gaming of old where buying games from a shop was a thing, Being social in person was a thing. Join me as I attempt to adapt to this new digital age!