Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Xor challenges players with a series of fifteen interconnected labyrinthine puzzles, each of which can be tackled in any order. You control two avatars simultaneously, navigating tight corridors to collect all the whimsical masks scattered throughout the level. Every move counts: you must gather every mask and reach the exit before your finite pool of moves is exhausted. This adds a constant sense of urgency, turning what might look like a leisurely stroll into a tense strategic exercise.

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Although the core mechanics are straightforward, the dual-avatar control introduces layers of complexity. You’ll often need to split your attention, planning the path for one character without losing sight of the other. This means thinking several steps ahead—one wrong turn can strand an avatar or force you to backtrack, burning precious moves. Puzzle veterans will appreciate how each labyrinth demands both spatial reasoning and resource management.

Replayability receives a huge boost from the built-in level editor and support for user-made content. Once you’ve conquered the developer’s fifteen labyrinths, you can dive into new challenges crafted by the community or design your own. This effectively turns Xor into a sandbox of brainteasers, ensuring your investment of time pays dividends far beyond the original puzzles.

Graphics

Seventeen years after its initial release, Xor has been given a fresh coat of paint. The Windows conversion features significantly enhanced sprite work, richer color palettes, and smoother animations that breathe new life into the classic block-pushing puzzles. Walls, floors, and mask icons all benefit from higher resolution textures, making each level feel more polished than ever.

The developers went a step further by including an alternate tileset, letting you switch between a modern look and a style that pays homage to the original release. This toggleable option is more than cosmetic—it allows longtime fans to relive the retro aesthetic, while newcomers can enjoy a cleaner, more contemporary presentation. Sound effects have also been upgraded, with sharper audio cues that help reinforce every move and collision.

Another subtle but welcome enhancement is the expanded view of the map. The playfield is now slightly larger, giving you a better perspective on your avatars’ positions and the labyrinth’s layout. This wider viewport reduces the number of frustrating surprises around blind corners and lets you plan with greater confidence. Overall, the graphical improvements elevate Xor from a nostalgia trip into a visually inviting puzzle experience.

Story

True to its puzzle-game roots, Xor places minimal emphasis on a sweeping narrative. Instead, the game weaves a lighthearted thread around the collection of comedic masks, each one sporting an increasingly outrageous expression. Your mission is delightfully simple: gather these playful totems and make your way to the exit before time (or moves) runs out.

While there’s no deep lore or character arcs, the whimsical mask designs inject personality into each level. Whether it’s a mask grinning maniacally or one sporting oversized eyebrows, they serve as fun goalposts and bring a touch of humor to your challenges. The masks themselves almost feel like characters, each with a unique face that rewards you with a small thrill of discovery.

The user-generated levels sometimes add their own narrative flourishes, ranging from short notes that set the scene to puzzle themes that suggest a mini-story. This community creativity stretches the “story” element of Xor, proving that even a minimalist framework can spark players’ imaginations when given the right tools.

Overall Experience

Xor strikes a fine balance between nostalgic charm and modern polish. The core mechanics remain as engaging today as they were seventeen years ago: maneuver dual avatars through intricate mazes, optimize your moves, and collect every mask. Enhanced graphics, improved sound, and a broader viewport ensure that the game feels fresh rather than dated.

Beyond the original fifteen levels, the inclusion of a level editor and support for fan-made puzzles transforms Xor into a lasting puzzle platform. Whether you’re a completionist aiming to master every official labyrinth or a creative mind eager to design fiendish new challenges, you’ll find plenty to sink your teeth into. The community’s contributions help sustain the experience long after the credits roll.

In sum, Xor is a must-play for aficionados of classic brain-teasers and puzzle newcomers alike. Its intuitive yet demanding gameplay loop, combined with robust customization options, delivers hours of cerebral satisfaction. If you appreciate cerebral challenges wrapped in a clever presentation, Xor is well worth adding to your collection.

Retro Replay Score

null/10