Game Info
GAME NAME: Cosmophony
DEVELOPER(S): Moving Player/Bento Studios
PUBLISHER(S): Moving Player
PLATFORM(S): Nintendo Wii U
GENRE(S): Rhythm Shooter
RELEASE DATE(S): October 30th, 2014
The last Moving Player game I reviewed was Evofish for the Wii U which was a slow and drawn out game. Cosmophony from Bento Studios and Moving Player is anything but sluggish as it mixes the rhythm, runner and rail shooter genres quite masterfully. Originally a mobile title, Cosmophony makes the jump to home console flawlessly.
In a game where you wouldn’t imagine a story, there actually is one. There is a God-like being that is trying to keep harmony in the universe, but at the cost of failing, she is locked away inside a crystal. You then take control of this beings heart to fly through levels avoiding obstacles and shooting triangles.
Like in most mobile games, completing levels grants you starts as rewards. You can garner up to 4 stars by playing through the titles two game modes: Practice and Normal. In practice, you are given the ability to use the checkpoints that are littered through the level to restart from and can also rewind and fast forward to these points, by using the L or R shoulder buttons, if you desire. There is a tutorial level which shows off these abilities before they throw you into the fray. Practice mode awards you 2 stars, but those next 2 are where the game gets sadistic.
In normal mode, toss all the hand holding and helping out the window. This mode isn’t for the feint of heart. One star can be earned for completing the level (which is a task within itself) and the other is earned by blasting all the enemy triangles. There is no checkpoints or fast-forwarding and rewinding in normal mode, just one shot to beat each level. There are only 5 levels in total, but beating each one on normal mode requires such precision that it will actually take you a while to accomplish this. Still though, more levels would have been a nice touch.
The games graphics scream of style but with a simplistic and subtle touch. The blend of colors are gorgeous and there is just enough interesting background noise going on to distract you and make it even more difficult. The actual models of everything in the game lack the same appeal as the color blends but they work for the most part. The Drum and Bass soundtrack along with the perfectly timed enemy and object placement is brilliant. You will be moving and shooting in perfect rhythm to the song that is playing at the moment. The developers really did a great job perfecting the action to match visually what was happening in the music.
The Recommendation
Cosmophony does a lot of things right and blends together 3 different genres quite well. The level design and how it follows the music is crafted wonderfully. The only knock here is the somewhat bland models and the lack of content. This is a great pick up and play game and a really good foundation for sequels. If you are a fan of brutally tough arcade games this is one you shouldn’t miss.
