Double Cross
Preview
A Pleasant Surprise
EA SCOUT the last line of defense for buying on Steam's Early Access
by Amber Hall
previewed on PC
The Butterfly Effect in Effect
Double Cross is a science fiction platformer where you play as a RIFT agent, people in charge of monitoring different dimensions and those who travel between them. Each dimension functions more as a parallel universe with one small change in the world as we know it has lead to a butterfly effect of changes. One such example is a world where the dinosaurs never went extinct. This means that they evolved into intelligent life forms and created their own advanced society. I really love the premise and, if you like what you're hearing so far, keep reading to see if this is the game for you!
My First of Pleasant Surprises
The first thing I noticed about Double Cross was its art style. From just looking at the main character, I was a little dismayed that the game would have a very usual anime style which is, in my opinion, a little over done these days. However, the game was quick to flip this view on its head. Because most characters aren't human, many of the alien characters look very unique in this style. Each has unique looks something surprising about them. For example, the trainer in the game was, as you might imagine, a large buff dude. However, he is also an alien type that looks like a flower, and so while he is as masculine as his character type suggests, he is also framed with something traditionally feminine. Meeting other aliens in Double Cross is always fun because the game keeps its characters visually interesting.
However, the game's visuals aren't all about its characters. Indeed, Double Cross' worlds are just as varied and interesting. As I said before, each world is one that branched away from our own timeline through a small change in history that changed everything as time progressed. This means that each environment is vastly different than the last, offering a bunch of new ways to platform and fight through the level. Different elements of each world make you think in a different way and create different puzzles and obstacles for you to traverse.
Another Worry, Squashed!
It was in the first world that my second worry came into play, and that was about the controls. The controls are great, actually, and there's so many different ways to move through a space that that alone is super fun. You have a move that lets you grab onto anchors and fling yourself around the level. You can do this over dangerous pits of spikes too, because the game slows down if you do this while in the air. It's overall snappy and responsive and makes platforming so much more than just hopping from one ledge to the next.
What my initial concern was, however, was with the attacks. There's a heavy attack and quick attack and, at first, that is it. That's not always a problem in games, but when held in contrast with the amazingly fun controls to move your character around, it comes off as pretty lackluster. And so I was super pleased to get more moves after gaining some XP for completing a level. I do think that it would have been good to start with a dash and maybe some weak, yet more advanced moves, just to avoid that concern. There are moves like an AOE attack and a fireball attack, but these require charge from fighting enemies rather than adding to the initially lackluster base attacks. A dash move, in particular, would make the movement that much more snappy in the beginning, as it feels rather slow when moving around the world on foot.
A Game That'll Only Get Better
Overall, I am pleasantly surprised with Double Cross. It's a game that feels great from the beginning other than some things that I think can be a bit more polished. The story, controls, and even the characters become more interesting as you progress, and most of my initial (and minor) issues with the game were quickly resolved. Double Cross is currently in beta on Steam, and I cannot wait to see the finished product!
Recommend
There are no guarantees - but we'd bet our own money on this one. If you're going to take a chance with yours, odds are good this one will deliver.
