CrossOver: Roll For Initiative

CrossOver: Roll For Initiative is an ambitious genre mash-up that takes the language and rituals of tabletop role-playing games and collides them head-on with fast, real-time puzzle mechanics. Developed by Gaterooze, Ink in collaboration with MicroProse Software and published by MicroProse, the game immediately signals that it is not interested in playing things safe. Instead, it builds an experience that feels like a chaotic tabletop session brought to life, where dice, character sheets, enemies, and player decisions all compete for attention at once. The central idea is both clever and unusual. Players begin by creating a tabletop-style character, choosing from different races, classes, and stat distributions in a way that mirrors traditional pen-and-paper RPGs. That character sheet then becomes the literal battlefield. Enemies invade the sheet itself, attacking stats, armor slots, and character components, while players must fend them off by matching dice in a puzzle grid. Each successful match generates resources that translate directly into attacks, spells, items, or defensive actions, creating a constant feedback loop between puzzle performance and combat effectiveness. This fusion of match-three puzzle gameplay with real-time tactical defense is where CrossOver most strongly defines its identity. Matching dice is not simply about clearing tiles for points; it is the lifeline that powers every action. Larger or smarter matches unlock stronger abilities, while inefficient play quickly leaves players overwhelmed by enemies chewing through their character sheet. The result is a frantic multitasking experience where players must juggle puzzle optimization, enemy prioritization, and long-term survival simultaneously. It can feel exhilarating when everything clicks, but it also demands intense focus and quick decision-making. Progression systems help give structure to this chaos. As players advance through campaigns, they earn gold, gems, and unlocks that persist between runs. Shops allow for the purchase of weapons, armor, and mercenaries that offer passive or active bonuses, while new races and classes introduce fresh playstyles and strategic considerations. These RPG layers give the game a roguelike flavor, encouraging experimentation and replayability rather than a single linear path through the content. Each run feels like a build in progress, shaped by both preparation and moment-to-moment performance. Narrative elements are presented in a playful, self-aware way that leans into the tabletop theme. Campaigns are framed as “books,” and between encounters players are often presented with branching story choices reminiscent of classic choose-your-own-adventure books. These moments do not dominate the experience, but they add flavor and context, reinforcing the idea that this is a living tabletop scenario spiraling out of control rather than a conventional fantasy epic. The tone is lighthearted and clever, embracing the absurdity of its premise. Content variety is one of the game’s strengths. Campaigns span multiple thematic modules, blending fantasy and science-fiction elements, and there are well over a hundred levels to tackle. Beyond standard campaigns, the game includes endless modes, challenge runs, and leaderboard-driven play for those who enjoy refining strategies and competing for high scores. Cooperative play further expands the experience, allowing two players to split responsibilities—one focusing on dice matching while the other manages combat decisions—which can significantly reduce cognitive overload and turn the chaos into a more coordinated effort. Visually, CrossOver adopts a pixel-art style that deliberately evokes old-school RPG aesthetics and character sheets. Dice trays, stat blocks, and enemies are all rendered in a way that feels intentionally busy, reinforcing the sense that multiple systems are colliding at once. While this aesthetic fits the theme, it can also contribute to visual clutter, especially during intense encounters where puzzle elements and enemies demand simultaneous attention. The interface is functional but dense, reflecting the game’s complexity rather than hiding it. The most divisive aspect of CrossOver is its pacing and mental load. Because puzzle matching and combat happen in real time without true pauses, the game can feel overwhelming, particularly for new players. Each system works well on its own, but together they create constant pressure that leaves little room for reflection or long-term planning mid-battle. Some players will thrive on this intensity, enjoying the challenge of mastering multiple mechanics at once, while others may find it exhausting or disjointed, wishing for clearer separation between puzzle and strategy phases. Despite these challenges, CrossOver: Roll For Initiative stands out precisely because of its willingness to experiment. It does not aim to be a relaxing puzzle game or a traditional RPG, but something louder, stranger, and more demanding. For players who enjoy hybrid mechanics, tabletop references, and high-intensity gameplay that rewards multitasking and adaptability, it offers a genuinely distinctive experience. While it may not appeal to everyone, its creativity, depth, and refusal to conform make it a memorable and bold entry in the indie space, especially for those looking for something far outside standard genre boundaries. Rating: 7/10

You don't have to be an experienced Role-player or D&D expert to enjoy this game; but it does help! When the firefights start, it gets addictive quick! GAMEPLAY REVIEW : GAMEPLAY : https://youtu.be/k10MGWGcr78 ⚠️ I am NOT good at this game, but I think I lasted quite well in the end? [h3] Key GAMEPLAY Elements [/h3] 🔵 A Player Creation sheet is in front of you & it is everything! 🔵 Your HP, Abilities, Weapons, Spells & upgrades are on the sheet and enemies attack them! 🔵 Each of your weapons, magic spells and Helpers have a cost. 🔵 To earn money, XP and gather runes there is a side game you need to play at the same time! [table][tr] [td] Sim UK HONEST REVIEWS [/td] [th]https://www.youtube.com/c/SimUKReviews[/th] [/tr][/table] [h3] POSITIVES [/h3] ✔️ Fun. ✔️ Excellent price. ✔️ Nice amount of ever progressing difficulty a you progress through each campaign. ✔️ Challenge is progressively incrementing and you need to be on top of it all. ✔️ Nice explosions, audio and variety. [table][tr] [td]🍿 Watch LIVE GAMEPLAY [/td] [th] https://www.youtube.com/SimUKUltimateRealism [/th] [/tr][/table] [h3] NEGATIVES[/h3] ❌ Information overload (for a total noob like me) ❌ Seems there is a limited amount of stuff you can buy....(I am a total noob) ❌ UI could be improved in a few areas (comparing existing and new equipment for example) [table][tr] [td]Join Our Curator for more REVIEWS[/td] [th]https://store.steampowered.com/curator/27020841-Sim-UK/[/th] [/tr][/table] [h3] STAR FEATURES[/h3] ⭐ Just a lot of fun to play. ⭐ Not too expensive and lots of gameplay hours [h3] MY RECOMMENDATIONS [/h3] 💡 Longer tutorial perhaps? 💡 Transitions between levels. [table][tr] [td]🔵 POI[/td][td]✔️ Pos[/td][td]❌ Neg[/td][td]💡 Ideas[/td][td]🍿Video[/td][td]⭐ STAR ITEM[/td][td]⚠️ NOTE[/td] [/tr][/table] [h3]STEAM is rife with fake & copy/paste Reviews, Forums are Toxic & Endorse Censorship[/h3] [table] [tr][td] JOIN Sim UK for HONEST REVIEWS [/td][td] https://www.youtube.com/c/SimUKReviews [/td][/tr] [/table]

Сделана интересно, сочетает в себе разные жанры комбинируя их в интересную и увлекательную смесь, но не хватает глубины. Может увлечь на пару десятков вечеров, даже есть ощущение какого-то разнообразия и нестандартности. Интересно играть разными классами и использовать разные подходы и механики в истреблении монстров. Управление удобное, музыка очень классная. Большой минус: нет русского языка и надо вчитываться во многие моменты повествования, описания предметов и заклинаний.

I really loved the idea from the moment I began playing. Nothing to complain ingame. Just a perfect (non) relaxing match 3 game for dnd enjoyers. Only cririque I have is outside the game that the achievements on Steam don't pop up when you get them ingame. 11 out of 10 would recommend again.

A fun and challenging game for multitaskers. Love figuring out how each character type works and balancing the various resources. The sound effects are well picked and the art for event and chapters is very well done. Sometimes enemies may be hard to see and if just one is attacking you, you are able to exploit it by rolling dice in the meantime. Can't wait to play more, just wish I could change my dice colors. Overall solid game, interesting and engaging.

[H1] イニシアティブロールを振れ！ [/H1] 夜中にTRPGのキャラクターシートを書いていたら、ポータルからちっちゃいモンスターが現れてシートを攻撃しはじめた。やっつけなきゃ！ ･･･という、何かを飲みすぎたような設定のゲームだが、意外と良くできている。 雑に説明すると、タワーディフェンスとマッチ3パズルの悪魔合体である。 ファンタジー編とSF編の2つがあり、武器や種族の設定は異なるものの基本ルールは同じ。 まあ、元ネタはD&Dとトラベラーであろう。 1回のキャンペーンは複数回の戦闘から構成されており、それぞれの戦闘も複数ウェーブから成るので、この部分はタワーディフェンスの感覚に近い。 戦闘の合間にちょっとしたイベントのようなものはあるが、あくまで突き出し程度の内容なので、要はすべての敵をぶっ倒すことがキャンペーンクリアの条件となる。 ちなみに、各ウェーブでポータルから出現した敵は、トコトコと歩いてキャラクターシート上に書かれたステータスの数値や装備品などを手あたり次第に攻撃してくる。 そのまま放っておくとステータスが下がり、装備がぶっ壊れ、ヒットポイントが削られていくので、魔法や武器攻撃でやっつけていくわけだ。 よくよく考えなくてもシュールな光景である。 やめて！　アホになって魔法が効かなくなるからINTをかじらないで！ 攻撃には武器や魔法の種類に合わせたコストが必要なのだが、なんとそのコストをマッチ3パズルで獲得する方式となっている。 たとえば「2d4」のダメージを出す武器攻撃であれば、1回の攻撃につき4面体ダイスが2個必要なのだが、4～20面体までの各種ダイスが敷き詰められたマッチ3パズルで4面体ダイスを消すと、消した分をコストとして獲得できるようになっている。 当然ながらスキルに対応していないダイスを獲得しても何の役にも立たないので、必死で4面体を探しては消していくわけだ。 戦闘のクリア報酬で新たな武器や魔法を獲得すると、使用できるダイスの幅も広がるのだが、欲しい装備やスキルが落ちるとは限らないし、職業によっては持てる数にも限りがある。 そう、本作ではキャンペーンの開始時にキャラメイクを行い、種族と職業を決め、ステータス値をロールするのだ。 ステータスによる補正はそれなりに大きく、職業によって初期装備が異なるので、キャラメイクはなかなかに楽しい。 80年代の黎明期にドはまりしたTRPG老人会のオッサンには、特にオススメしたい。 [table] [tr] [th]言語依存度[/th] [th]★★★☆☆[/th] [/tr] [tr] [td]難易度[/td] [td]★★★☆☆[/td] [/tr] [tr] [td]新和赤箱度[/td] [td]★★★★☆[/td] [/tr] [/table]

What a fun concept and actually very fun game. Innovation on the match 3 game, a fun roguelike campaign, and a fun anxiety rush trying manage my character and match dice to get resources. Lots of fun metal multithreading, im looking forward to putting more time into this.

[h2]A mashup of three game genres that's less than the sum of its parts. I would rather play the match-3 individually and either have the shooter automated or not present at all. I wish I could give a neutral review - this isn't bad, but it isn't good enough for me to recommend, either.[/h2] [h3]The Good:[/h3] [list] [*]The art for the races/species and for the events is beautiful, done in a fun sketchy pencil style. [*]The idea of combining a top-down shooter (it's not really a tower defense, despite the label), an rpg, and a match-3 is really fun, and there are some genuinely good ideas here (like having the match-3 work as ammunition, where if it works out well you only have to match-3 in the lulls between enemy waves, or the random items/spells/money you get after each completed arena) [*]You can pause the game at any time to check the glossary and strategize, or even just stare at the dice box for another match. [*]If you go too long without making a successful move in the match-three, it will point out a match to you. [*]The match-3 dicebox actually has some interesting strategy - instead of the dice always moving in the same direction, they move in the direction of your last swap. This is weird to get used to, but provides some interesting situational stragegy for getting 4+ combos. [/list] [h3]The Bad:[/h3] [list] [*]You can't rebind the hotkeys, or swap the sets of physical and magical hotkeys. It's terrible practice to use the function keys for hotkeys, and not allowing rebinding is just embarrassing in this day and age. Hotkeys also don't select a spell unless it's cast-able, so you can't hotkey to a spell to wait for its cooldown to finish or to see a visual indicator that it's out of "ammo" the way you can with mouse selection. [*]The different dice just aren't distinct enough in shape and color to make pattern recognition easy, even on high contrast. The only ones that I could reliably pick out are the d6s (a plain square). This makes playing the match-3 both stressful and frustrating. [*]The interface is too busy and too unclear. There should be cast counts beside the spells, not off in the corner where my eyes will never be drawn to in battle. The monsters and your own spells often obscure your character sheet, including your spell lists. [*]Which one of these spells is AOE? which one has an effect? What do the little symbols near the monsters mean? Where is my next match? Better pause the game! This is nice as an option, but terrible as a requirement - no matter how skilled I am, the design of the game will force me to stop in my tracks so get my bearings or risk loss. [*]The core conceit of the monsters directly attacking your stats sucks. It leads to a slow spiral where the more monsters there are, the more you unavoidably get hit, the less likely you can recover even with buying mercenaries or using items. I'm sure it's meant to feel stressful and strategic, but since you have no way to choose which stats are targeted, you can only take strategic losses if they happen to crowd around your dump stat. [/list]

awesome!, just really fun gameplay loop

The Gibbonator minigame made me eat my hair