Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

XZR: Hakai no Gūzō offers a unique blend of RPG progression and action-platforming, set against a richly detailed 12th-century world. You take control of Sadler, a skilled Persian assassin tasked with infiltrating courts, tracking down allies, and ultimately eliminating the Caliph to protect the future of Islam. Early on, you’ll receive a series of quests that send you across warring territories, pitting you not only against rival factions within the Muslim world but also against Crusaders to the west and Mongol forces to the east.

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The game’s structure alternates between a traditional top-down view in towns and villages—where you buy weapons, upgrade armor, and manage your party—and side-scrolling segments inside dungeons, castles, and enemy strongholds. Town exploration emphasizes conversation and resource management, while action areas demand precise platforming, timing, and combat skills. You’ll face a steady stream of foot soldiers and elite opponents, each requiring a blend of swordplay, knife strikes, and occasional magical attacks.

One of XZR’s more controversial mechanics is its drug system. Rather than abstract “magic potions,” Sadler and his companions consume substances such as hashish, cocaine, LSD, and heroin to temporarily boost hit points and attack strength. Overusing these narcotics produces psychedelic screen distortions and risks fatal overdose, adding a layer of risk versus reward. Your party can number up to four, but only Sadler is directly controlled; AI-driven allies complete specialized side-quests and must be reunited afterward, which can introduce frustrating detours if they wander off before you’re ready to progress.

Graphics

Visually, XZR embraces Falcom’s classic 16-bit-inspired aesthetic, delivering finely detailed sprite work in both overhead town screens and side-scrolling dungeons. Towns are bustling with townsfolk, market stalls, and madrassas rendered in warm, earthy tones that evoke medieval Persia. When you enter a dungeon or enemy castle, the palette shifts to cooler greys and blues, heightening the sense of danger and claustrophobia.

The animations are surprisingly fluid for a retro-styled RPG. Sadler’s sword swings, dodge rolls, and back-flips are all crisply drawn and responsive, which is vital during boss fights and platforming sections. Enemies are distinct—Crusader knights in chainmail, Mongol horse archers, and internal traitors in lavish robes—making each encounter visually memorable.

Drug effects are represented through deliberate screen distortion, color saturation changes, and jittery frames that simulate a hallucinatory state. While this mechanic can be jarring, it reinforces the perilous nature of Sadler’s reliance on narcotics. Environmental details, such as flickering torches and drifting sand dunes, further immerse you in a world torn by political intrigue and religious conflict.

Story

The narrative in XZR is ambitious, weaving historical events with a speculative twist that reaches 800 years into the future. The Muslim world, fractured by internal strife, faces existential threats: Crusaders besiege the west, Mongols ravage the east, and rival caliphs vie for legitimacy. Amid this chaos, Sadler’s mentor assigns him the near-impossible mission of assassinating the reigning Caliph, an act that could either unite the faith or condemn it to further bloodshed.

Throughout the journey, you’ll recruit three fellow assassins, each with unique abilities and personal motives. Their side-quests explore themes of loyalty, honor, and the cost of violence. Dialogues and in-game codices delve into the theological and political philosophies of the era, making XZR more than a simple hack-and-slash. It challenges players to consider whether murder can ever be justified in the name of a higher good.

Despite its grand premise, the pacing occasionally falters when side-quests extend beyond the main plot or when party members stray at inconvenient moments. However, these detours often yield compelling backstories, revealing how each assassin’s personal struggle echoes the larger conflict. By the time you confront the Caliph’s inner sanctum, you feel the weight of every choice you’ve made—both in combat and in dialogue.

Overall Experience

XZR: Hakai no Gūzō stands out as an inventive fusion of action RPG and platformer, with a mature storyline that grapples with morality, faith, and the far-reaching impact of political violence. Its hybrid gameplay keeps exploration fresh, alternating between strategic town management and tense, fast-paced dungeon crawling. The inclusion of real-world narcotics as a gameplay mechanic is controversial, but it underscores a world in moral decay and forces you to balance power against peril.

While controlling only Sadler can sometimes feel isolating—especially when your AI-controlled allies pursue side missions of their own—this design choice emphasizes the solitary path of the assassin. Combat is challenging yet fair, with the emphasis on skillful swordplay and timing rather than overpowered spells. The learning curve is steep but rewarding once you master the drug-boosted combat and platforming segments.

Ultimately, XZR is best suited for players who appreciate retro-styled RPGs with historical flavor and aren’t put off by darker themes. Its richly textured world, complex narrative, and mixture of gameplay styles offer a distinctive experience that lingers long after the final assassination. If you’re looking for an RPG that blends action, strategy, and moral ambiguity, XZR: Hakai no Gūzō is well worth your time.

Retro Replay Score

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