Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Code Lyoko: Fall of X.A.N.A. strikes a balance between narrative-driven exploration and strategic combat, splitting its action between a 2D school environment and a fully realized 3D Lyoko world. In the school segments, players guide each character through corridors and classrooms to collect intelligence, interact with familiar faces like Sissi or Jim, and trigger story events. These sections serve as a welcome change of pace from combat, encouraging players to piece together X.A.N.A.’s next move and plan their team composition before heading into the digital realm.

Once the squad virtualizes, the game transitions seamlessly into Lyoko’s virtual sectors. Here, the combat plays out in a turn-based style reminiscent of classic JRPGs. Each character brings a unique skill set—Ulrich’s swift sword attacks, Aelita’s healing abilities, Jérémie’s tactical support—and players must choose not only which action to take but also which enemy to target. The addition of data packs and Lyoko Points adds depth, allowing customization of health boosts, special powers, and devastating combo moves that can turn the tide of battle.

Between skirmishes, upgrades are the name of the game. Accumulated Lyoko Points unlock new digital powers, while data packs found during missions improve overall stats. Deciding whether to spend points on stronger shields or unlock Aelita’s signature teleportation move becomes a strategic decision that can alter the difficulty curve significantly. Combined with a checkpoint system that only ends the run if all heroes re-materialize at once, the gameplay loop stays engaging, challenging players to balance risk and reward throughout their quest.

For those seeking competitive play, Fall of X.A.N.A. offers three multiplayer modes: Classic Team Deathmatch, Bet mode (where prizes are staked on victory), and Challenge mode, which imposes custom rules like disabling certain powers. While the matches tend to be short and intense—ideal for handheld play—network stability can occasionally falter, especially in Bet mode where stakes heighten tension. Nevertheless, these modes provide extra value and extend replayability beyond the single-player campaign.

Graphics

Visually, Fall of X.A.N.A. leans heavily into the aesthetic of its animated counterpart, embracing bold, cel-shaded textures and vibrant color palettes. The school environments feel faithful to the original series, with recognizable lockers, hallways, and the iconic factory where Jérémie’s supercomputer resides. Character models capture the spirit of Odd, Ulrich, and the rest of the team, though polygon counts and texture resolution are understandably modest given the DS hardware limitations.

Lyoko’s virtual sectors showcase more ambitious graphical flourishes: sweeping digital landscapes dotted with geometric obstacles, pulsating towers, and ethereal particle effects that accompany powerful special attacks. Enemies—ranging from classic Hornets and Tarantulas to X.A.N.A.-infused Mephistos—are well–animated and highlight the game’s commitment to the series’ sci-fi vibe. Transitions between 2D and 3D sections are smooth, with minimal loading times, keeping players immersed in both worlds.

Particle effects during combat, such as flying data streams and energy blasts, stand out as highlights, especially when executing high-level digital powers. Although the frame rate may drop slightly during the most hectic encounters, the overall presentation remains solid. The user interface combines futuristic holographic motifs with clear on-screen prompts, ensuring players always know which action to choose and which upgrades to pursue next.

Despite the DS’s technical constraints, the game’s art direction consistently evokes the show’s atmosphere, making it a visual treat for fans. Whether navigating the shadowy halls of Kadic Academy or racing across a neon-lit Lyoko plateau, the graphics succeed in bridging the gap between handheld gaming and animated storytelling.

Story

Set squarely in Season 4 of the Code Lyoko saga, Fall of X.A.N.A. picks up with Aelita now living among her friends in the real world. The sinister X.A.N.A. virus, having seized control of William, sets off a chain of events that threatens both Earth and Lyoko’s digital integrity. When Jérémie fashions a replica of the original tower, the team embarks on a desperate mission to break X.A.N.A.’s grip on William and foil the AI’s plans for world domination.

The narrative unfolds through a combination of in-engine cutscenes and dialogue exchanges in both the school and the factory, allowing players to experience key emotional beats—Aelita’s conflicted loyalty, Ulrich’s fierce determination, and Odd’s trademark humor. While licensed voice clips are scarce due to hardware constraints, the well–written dialogue and carefully placed musical cues capture the spirit of the show and keep long-time fans invested.

Pacing is one of the game’s strong suits. Early 2D school missions build tension by revealing X.A.N.A.’s latest schemes, while Lyoko excursions deliver high-octane confrontations that constantly raise the stakes. Side tasks and collectible logs deepen the lore, offering background on virtual anomalies and hidden subroutines. Although newcomers might find themselves occasionally puzzled by character relationships established in the series’ earlier seasons, the core plot—rescue William, shut down the tower—remains universally engaging.

The final act succeeds in delivering a climactic face-off that blends strategy with emotional resonance. Players witness the culmination of years-long character arcs, with heartfelt moments that reward those who have followed the team’s journey. Even casual players will appreciate the straightforward stakes and the satisfying resolution to X.A.N.A.’s latest uprising.

Overall Experience

Code Lyoko: Fall of X.A.N.A. offers a well–rounded package that appeals to fans of the series and strategy enthusiasts alike. Its dual gameplay style—mixing 2D exploration with 3D turn-based combat—keeps the campaign varied and prevents monotony. The upgrade system and checkpoint design encourage careful planning without punishing newcomers, while multiplayer modes add longevity for players seeking competitive thrills.

Though hardware limitations occasionally surface in texture blurriness or minor frame dips, the game’s strong art direction and faithful adaptation of the show’s ambiance overshadow technical hiccups. The seamless transitions between school hallways, Jérémie’s lab, and Lyoko’s stunning digital arenas maintain immersion and reinforce the feeling of stepping into the cartoon universe.

Story pacing is generally effective, weaving character-driven moments into every mission. Long-time fans will relish seeing their favorite Lyoko Warriors in action, while newcomers will find the premise straightforward enough to follow. The absence of robust voice acting is mitigated by solid writing and well–timed musical stingers that heighten both suspense and triumph.

In sum, Code Lyoko: Fall of X.A.N.A. stands as a worthy sequel to the DS original and a fitting tribute to its source material. It rewards strategic thinking, explores beloved characters in depth, and delivers a satisfying conclusion to X.A.N.A.’s latest threat—making it a compelling purchase for anyone eager to defend the world alongside the Lyoko Warriors.

Retro Replay Score

6/10