Crystal Veins Guest Review by MDULTRA1992x2

The following review for Crystal Veins, is a guest review by MDULTRA1992X2. At Complete Xbox, we always welcome your views, and we love to share and promote them within the wider gaming community.

First off thanks to Dave for giving me the chance to take a look at Crystal Veins, and the opportunity to review it for Completexbox. I’ve known Dave a little while now from my own community, the Xbox Game Pass Club on X and Discord, and I am really grateful for the platform.

What is Crystal Veins all about?

Crystal Veins is a 2D Platformer adventure that blends light-hearted cartoon visuals with intense subterranean challenges. In the game you’ll take control of Toby, a rookie miner who wakes up trapped deep underground after a mysterious cave-in. With only his pickaxe, helmet, and a flickering lantern, he must dig, dodge, and dash his way through a forgotten mine full of secrets and dangers

Presentation

The game from a visual perspective looks attractive and pleasant. Level design is where the game really excels, it’s a real highlight of the game for me, it really pulls the game together.

Crystal Veins offers a straightforward style of combat and platforming, that feels fresh and unique the more you play. The cartoon visuals being displayed throughout really add to the whole package and experience.

But how does the Crystal Veins play?

Well, the experience is straightforward & fast paced. You’re equipped with a hammer which allows you to smash through little pots, big pots & crystals as well. In fact, your hammer really comes in handy, as you jump, dash through the air & interact with doors, to get to where you need to go.

Now what about the Crystals? Crystals play a very important role in the levels, especially if you want to progress through every level. There is a grand total of 30 throughout, and some backtracking maybe required to obtain them all.

One thing i will say at this point, the game is a little short. I Completed the game in one sitting, clocking in at 1 hour and 12 minutes. Is it too short?

I think it all depends on your playstyle. I can see people taking their time with it or doing the opposite and breezing through it. It’s a tricky game at times if you’re not careful. However, once you get the hang of the process, Crystal Veins offer’s an easy 100% completion for those who finish the experience.

One last thing….

Watch out for those enemies, they’re very aggressive when they see you. So keep your distance, as you can’t fight them off, the dodge mechanic will become your friend.

I nearly forgot to mention the Bats too… having said that, literally every enemy in this game is dangerous, so beware!

Final Verdict

I really enjoyed the levels in Crystal Veins. The Level design was a joy to be hold for this type of game. Level 13 was easily my favorite part in the game, so look out for that if you get the chance to play it. I also loved the fact that the gameplay is so simple, with the offering of just a hammer which you use for pretty much everything.

The art style used in Crystal Veins is a fantastic fit and complements the game’s flow. Add to that smooth movement, and you get a stunning little game, if a little short.

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