Screenshots & trailers
Review sentiment over time
Weekly positive-review rate (green) and review volume (bars). Dashed lines mark significant patches; the amber line is the start of the current scoring window. Hover the dots to see what drove a dip or a jump.
How this score was computed
The VGC Score is a weighted blend on a press-comparable 0-100 quality scale. Steam approval rates are first calibrated (95% positive on Steam ≈ 89.5 quality, since Steam approval skews high). Press and tracked creator reviews each count ~2x a player review and share one cap against player evidence (creator buy/skip calls pool into an approval rate, calibrated like Steam approval); all-time sentiment is capped and halved (it's context, not verdict); reviews of the current build carry the most weight when a fresh patch anchors the window; and a 'typical game' prior keeps small samples from pegging the scale. Because press reviews and Metacritic user aggregates describe the launch build, their weight decays as the game ages (3-year half-life after a 1-year grace). That's how a game that launched rough can outgrow its old reception once updates win players over. Reviews under 2h playtime (the refund window), non-Steam activations, and free copies are downweighted.
| Component | Positive | Quality (0-100) | Weight (pseudo-reviews) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Press reviews (OpenCritic) | – | 81 | 7 |
| All-time Steam reviews | 92% | 87 | 469 |
| Metacritic user ratings | – | – | 0 |
| Post-patch Steam reviews (trust-weighted) | 100% | 97 | 4 |
| Calibration prior (typical game) | – | 72 | 50 |
Scoring window: last 30 days (no significant patch detected) · 10 reviews sampled · 9 total reviews in window · weighted 5.8 up / 0 down · computed 7h ago · full methodology →
Press & Creators reviews (27)
Individual verdicts from outlets we track: scored reviews first, most trusted outlets first among them. The small badge is each outlet's trust score: how well its scoring history aligns with players.
- 60
“This is not a revolutionary title that set the Japanese gaming world on fire and crossed the Pacific with spectacular expectations. Xanadu Next is instead a game that had to wait eleven years after its original release to cross the Pacific (unless the N-Gage release played by approximately seven people counts), but at least it's a solid title. Falcom tends to deliver worthy action RPGs, and this one is definitely worth experiencing for anyone interested in hacking and slashing to victory.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“For fans of Falcom’s works, dungeon crawlers, action RPGs, or just anyone looking for a new addiction, I can’t recommend Xanadu Next highly enough.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“It's not uncommon for a video game to borrow ideas from other titles. However, it is very rare to see something like Xanadu Next. It takes full advantage of every influence to deliver an absolutely terrific adventure. The engaging combat is bolstered by a variety of sub-systems. These ideas are seemingly disparate in their inclusion yet harmonious in their execution, which is exactly why they work together to create something very unique and impressive. Despite being released in 2005 by a developer that didn't have a lot of experience with 3D graphics, the game has aged quite gracefully. Falcom's sound team delivers an atmospheric soundtrack that is simply stunning. Altogether, this makes for a classic game that genre enthusiasts should pick up immediately.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“Xanadu Next is an excellent action RPG which will undoubtedly keep players coming back for more for the duration of its 15 hours long adventure. Nihon Falcom has expertly crafted an engaging mix of exploration, puzzle solving and combat that can stand proudly beside other classics in the genre.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Xanadu Next is a pretty decently made RPG. I had no idea it existed, but after playing it, I think a lot of fans of the dungeon crawler genre will have a decent time with it. There are a few issues here and there which I mainly chalk up to it being an 11 year old game at this point, but for the most part, players looking for a decent action RPG with a little bit of loot thrown in will find a fun time with this Japanese dungeon crawler.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“The classic RPG series returns with numerous labyrinths, brutal challenges, and plenty of old-school charm. Its visuals are dated, but don't let that deter you from experiencing one of the finest action-RPGs on PC.”
read full review ↗ - 68
“On a whole I loved playing Xanadu Next. It does have controller interface issues if you are using a real controller and the key system that was put into place could be annoying but that’s all it was. A minor annoyance compared to the rest. The skill system is a lot of fun to use especially when passive abilities are discovered such as adding fire to your weapon or being able to do more damage from behind. All of these little features add up to a fun Action Adventure RPG that takes place in an interesting interconnected environment.”
read full review ↗ - 75
“Xanadu Next is the kind of throwback action-RPG that we don't see much of anymore. It lets the story trickle out slowly while all of the needed mechanics are presented early, leaving the player without a guide much sooner than contemporary JRPGs. It helps that the gameplay is strong, and the difficulty can be appreciated more now that the public seems to dig games that punish the player. It's not a game for everyone, and some won't like the older presentation, but genre fans will appreciate that this title has an official translation and can play on more modern machines.”
read full review ↗ - 85
“One of those games that can be appreciated regardless of how long it’s been around, Xanadu Next makes some brilliant use of videogame elements that we have all come to love, and although the player often lacks meaningful choice the game is never truly restrictive.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“The dungeon design is very strong and the structure makes the game light on backtracking. Unless you run out of keys, you'll always be pushing through new areas, uncovering new loot, fighting challenging new foes and gradually growing stronger. Xanadu Next isn't a perfect experience, but those willing to master the controls will find a satisfying title that's absolutely worth playing through.”
read full review ↗ - 95
“Xanadu Next encapsulates the design philosophies of the early-to-mid 2000's Falcom, culminating in one of the best PC games I've played in years. You owe it to yourself to give this game a shot.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Xanadu Next is a charming RPG title that seems to have sprung out of the past for new life. It reminds us of the old-school principles of gaming, with labyrinthine levels, a vast array of enemies… and an off-beat lore centred around an epic English poem.”
read full review ↗
RPGamer
Gamer Escape
Cubed3
Gaming on PC
ZTGD
PCMag
Chalgyr's Game Room
Worth Playing
GameGrin
JRPG.moe
TechRaptor
GameSpew…and 15 more tracked reviews.
Patch history
No patch announcements found on Steam yet.