Xanadu Next

The main pros of the game

• Strong Atmosphere and Music: The game features an atmospheric soundtrack that complements the exploration and storytelling, creating an engaging mood throughout the adventure.
• Interconnected World Design: Players appreciate the well-designed, interconnected map that encourages exploration and revisiting areas, reminiscent of classic games like Dark Souls and Metroidvania titles.
• Satisfying Gameplay Loop: The core gameplay loop of exploring dungeons, returning to the hub for upgrades, and tackling challenges is described as addictive and rewarding.
• Character Progression and Customization: The game offers a variety of skills, weapons, and stat allocations, allowing players to develop unique builds and strategies.
• Engaging Storytelling: The narrative unfolds through environmental storytelling, lore tablets, and NPC dialogue, creating a rich world that feels alive and immersive.

The main cons of the game

• Repetitive Combat Mechanics: Some players find the combat simplistic and repetitive, lacking depth compared to more modern action RPGs.
• Key System Frustrations: The requirement to purchase keys to unlock doors can lead to tedious backtracking, disrupting the flow of exploration and causing frustration for players.
• Technical Issues: Some users reported bugs, particularly with controls and visual glitches, which can detract from the overall experience.
• Grinding Requirements: While some players enjoy the challenge, others feel that the game requires excessive grinding for levels and resources, which can feel tedious.

The features or elements that are missing from the game according to users

• Quality of Life Improvements: Players noted the absence of modern conveniences such as quest markers or fast travel options that could enhance the overall experience.
• More Depth in Combat: Some reviewers expressed a desire for more complex combat mechanics, such as dodging or parrying, to add variety and challenge to battles.
• Enhanced User Interface: The menu navigation and overall UI could benefit from refinement, as some players found it clunky and not user-friendly, particularly when using a controller.
• Clearer Puzzle Instructions: Certain puzzles, especially those involving box mechanics, were mentioned as unintuitive, leading to confusion without clear guidance on how to solve them.

Summary

• Overall, Xanadu Next is praised for its nostalgic charm, engaging exploration, and atmospheric storytelling, but it also faces criticism for repetitive gameplay mechanics, technical issues, and some outdated design choices.

Summary generated on: November 24, 2025