If you are hunting for an indie title that blends classic adventure vibes with a vibrant sci-fi setting, XEL is a game that definitely deserves a spot on your radar. As a colorful 3D action-adventure, it stands out among modern PC games by offering a mix of old-school dungeon crawling and futuristic elements. In this article, we will dive into why this visually striking journey is a fun addition to your digital library. While it had a bit of a rocky launch, the charming, puzzle-filled world is totally worth exploring when you just want to kick back and lose yourself on a mysterious alien planet.
Storyline
The narrative kicks off when the main protagonist, Reid, crash-lands on a strange, breathtaking world known as XEL. Suffering from a classic case of amnesia, she has absolutely no memory of who she is or how she got stranded there. Accompanied by her sassy robotic companion, Chap, you must guide Reid through dangerous biomes and ancient dungeons to uncover her forgotten past. The story is a fun mystery that slowly unravels as you dive deeper into the planet's history, giving you a solid reason to keep exploring and collecting quirky gadgets along the way.
Gaming experience
Playing this title feels like a massive love letter to classic exploration adventures, but with a unique sci-fi twist that keeps things fresh. The gameplay loop heavily focuses on hacking and slashing through exotic wildlife and cracking some seriously clever environmental puzzles. The coolest feature is the time-bending mechanic, which lets you jump between the past and the present to alter the environment and unlock new paths. Even if the combat can occasionally feel a bit simple compared to other hardcore PC games, the gorgeous art style and satisfying puzzle-solving make it a super relaxing adventure.
