Neither Cross Nor Crown
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About Neither Cross Nor Crown
Neither Cross Nor Crown is an adventure game with indie roots that blends punishing combat and medieval lore. Developed by Bolt Lock Argent and released November 3 2025 it drops you into a world inspired by the Peasants' War of 1525 where you fight knights and bizarre creatures. The game leans into souls-like difficulty with a focus on mastering dodges parries and heavy attacks. You’ll scavenge for weapons and armor while navigating eerie atmospheric locations. It’s a single-player experience that prioritizes challenge and exploration over hand-holding. If you like grinding through tough enemies and piecing together lore from scattered items this is your jam.
Gameplay
You spend most of your time locked in brutal one-on-one duels against knights and twisted foes. Combat feels weighty with a noticeable delay between attacks forcing you to read enemy patterns. After each death you respawn at a campsite losing all collected resources unless you revisit the fight and reclaim them. Progression revolves around upgrading your gear with materials dropped by enemies each weapon and armor set offering unique stats. Exploration is linear but dotted with optional side areas filled with tougher enemies and rare loot. Sessions often end in frustration but also satisfaction when you finally beat a boss. The controls are responsive but the difficulty curve is steep, expect to die a lot before mastering the rhythm.
What Players Think
PlayPile users rate it 91% with Metacritic at 88/100. Average playtime is 18.5 hours and 78% of players finish the main story. Community moods are split: 85% positive but 15% frustrated by difficulty spikes. Completion rates for collectibles hover around 62% with 92% of players saying the challenge feels fair. Reviews highlight the "punishing but rewarding combat" and "cohesive medieval world design." Some call it "overly harsh for newcomers" while others praise its "soul-like polish." Achievement data shows 120 total unlocks with 35 hours needed for full completion.
PlayPile's Take
Priced at $39.99 it’s a mid-tier pick for souls-like fans who don’t mind repeated deaths. The 120 achievements add replay value but the core experience leans heavy on combat mastery. Skip if you prefer casual play or dislike permadeath penalties. For those who enjoy methodical progression and atmospheric medieval settings it’s worth the investment. Just be ready to replay tough sections multiple times, this isn’t a game that hands you victory.
Game Modes
Single player
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