Cosmic Star Heroine

88%
Game Brain Score Based on 749 reviews
  • story
  • music
  • gameplay
Cosmic Star Heroine Game Cover
Cosmic Star Heroine is not only a fantastic old school experience but one that goes above and beyond with art and music and happens to be a perfect fit for the PS Vita
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In Cosmic Star Heroine, you play as Alyssa, a galactic spy uncovering a plot to destroy the galaxy. Assemble a team of heroes, each with unique abilities, to save the day in this classic-style RPG with turn-based combat. Navigate political intrigue, uncover conspiracies, and enjoy a vibrant soundtrack as you embark on this interstellar adventure.

  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Play​station 4
  • Play​station 5
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Play​Station
  • Play​station Vita
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

88%
Audience ScoreBased on 749 reviews
story183 positive mentions
grinding64 negative mentions
  • Engaging and unique combat system that encourages strategic planning and use of abilities.
  • Beautiful pixel art and a nostalgic soundtrack that captures the essence of classic JRPGs.
  • Fast-paced story with a variety of characters and settings, providing a fun and light-hearted experience.
  • Shallow character development and a predictable story that lacks depth.
  • Some bugs and glitches that can disrupt gameplay, including occasional freezes and UI issues.
  • Linear progression with limited exploration and side quests, making the game feel somewhat constrained.
  • story646 mentions

    The story of "Cosmic Star Heroine" is generally described as engaging yet simplistic, often moving at a brisk pace that leaves little room for character development or emotional depth. While some players appreciate its nostalgic homage to classic JRPGs like "Chrono Trigger," many criticize it for being cliché and predictable, with characters that feel flat and underdeveloped. Overall, the narrative serves its purpose in driving gameplay but lacks the complexity and richness that some players desire in a role-playing experience.

    • “Incredible game so far, perfect balance of story, character and gameplay.”
    • “The story, writing and worldbuilding are top-notch, leaving a strong Cowboy Bebop aftertaste.”
    • “The story is nice, but nothing epic.”
    • “Unfortunately, the vast majority of the plot feels like it was trying too hard, only the storyline feels shallow with writing that you wished it could have done better.”
    • “The characters are all cardboard cutouts, the world is a smattering of lifeless tropes, and the pacing of story beats is straight-up bewildering.”
    • “The story didn't give me any reason to invest myself in the characters; the combat system was nice but it wasn't enough to finish the game over either.”
  • music297 mentions

    The music in the game has received widespread acclaim, with many reviewers praising its catchy, varied, and immersive soundtrack that complements the gameplay and visuals beautifully. Composed by Hyperduck Soundworks, the soundtrack features a mix of genres, including jazz and electro-rock, which enhances the nostalgic feel reminiscent of classic 16-bit RPGs. While some noted occasional repetitiveness, the overall consensus is that the music significantly elevates the gaming experience, making it a standout feature.

    • “The soundtrack is absolutely brilliant!”
    • “The music had me bobbing my head the whole way through.”
    • “The music is fantastic with plenty of great tracks to listen to that fit the game so well from the title screen all the way to the final dungeon.”
    • “Music can be a little repetitive at times.”
    • “The soundtrack isn't quite diverse, and gets a bit repetitive.”
    • “Aside from the main, battle and ending themes (which I found rather catchy), most of the other soundtracks ranged anywhere from generic to decent for me.”
  • gameplay257 mentions

    The gameplay of "Cosmic Star Heroine" is characterized by its innovative turn-based mechanics, including a unique "style" and "hyper" system that encourages strategic planning and experimentation. Players appreciate the depth and customization options available, although some find the combat can become repetitive over time. Overall, the game successfully blends nostalgic elements from classic RPGs with fresh mechanics, making for an engaging experience despite some critiques regarding the narrative and character development.

    • “The recruitment mechanic adds a layer of depth, with choices that subtly influence the world around you.”
    • “In terms of mechanics for turn-based RPGs, this game feels fresh.”
    • “The gameplay is the strongest aspect of the game.”
    • “The combat mechanics are a little weird but you get the hang of it in no time, as well as the equipment mechanics.”
    • “Rather boring battle system; it seems the developers have played a few old RPGs, ripped the basics of gameplay from them, and then chose to put more of their budget into background art than into getting their team to figure out how to make their actual gameplay fun.”
    • “The stats in this game include things like 'cunning' and 'hackitude', which aren't self-explanatory and if you miss early game tutorials on how these work, there are no readily available resources for teaching you how some of these mechanics work and it can be confusing.”
  • graphics174 mentions

    The graphics of the game are widely praised for their charming 16-bit pixel art style, reminiscent of classic titles like *Chrono Trigger* and *Phantasy Star*, with vibrant colors and detailed environments that enhance the nostalgic experience. While some reviewers noted minor graphical glitches and inconsistencies, the overall aesthetic successfully captures the retro feel while incorporating modern enhancements, making it appealing to fans of old-school RPGs. The combination of beautiful visuals and a fitting soundtrack contributes to an immersive atmosphere, although opinions vary on the execution of certain graphical elements.

    • “The pixel graphics are really good with incredible use of color, set pieces, and scenery that makes you just want to stop and stare at it.”
    • “The graphics are stunning, the music is amazing, and all in all it is a fun and humorous homage to the JRPGs of 16-bit yore.”
    • “The visuals harken back to the Super Nintendo days with the likes of Chrono Trigger, featuring detailed well-animated sprites, gorgeous backdrops, and expansive maps for exploration, all backed by a magnificent soundtrack.”
    • “Like all RPG Maker games, the poor quality engine displays badly in fullscreen and doesn't have full HD support or any graphics tweaking options.”
    • “The graphics seem to have a slightly inconsistent aesthetic between level design, interface, and character portraits, and I have often found the transitions between different modes to be particularly jarring.”
    • “One downside might be the graphics, but if you're here for a 16-bit styled sci-fi RPG plot, you only really care if it looks authentic or not.”
  • humor89 mentions

    The humor in the game is generally well-received, characterized by witty dialogue, charming characters, and playful references to retro games and pop culture. While many players find the humor engaging and enjoyable, some note that certain jokes may fall flat or feel juvenile, and a few reviews mention a shift towards a more serious tone that diminishes the comedic elements compared to previous titles. Overall, the game successfully blends humor with its RPG mechanics, providing a lighthearted experience that appeals to fans of the genre.

    • “In the first part of the story, there's an extra layer of humor that adds personality to the characters you'll be playing as.”
    • “The game has a good sense of humor, having a serious motivation for the characters but still able to poke fun at itself and tropes.”
    • “The whole game has the sort of snarky, self-aware, tongue-in-cheek sense of humor that I enjoy.”
    • “The dialogue is so poor, it feels like someone reached into a lucky dip box and pulled out random plots, routines, and responses. Unlike Family Guy, this game is not funny at all.”
    • “The humor falls flat and feels forced, lacking any genuine wit or cleverness.”
    • “I expected some laughs, but the jokes are stale and the comedic timing is completely off.”
  • grinding73 mentions

    Overall, the game is praised for its minimal grinding, with many players appreciating the absence of random encounters and the ability to complete the game without extensive level grinding. While some optional content and higher difficulty levels may require grinding, the majority of the gameplay is designed to be engaging and strategic without the tedium often associated with traditional RPGs. The streamlined combat system and quality-of-life features contribute to a more enjoyable experience, allowing players to focus on exploration and story rather than grinding for levels or resources.

    • “Lovely graphics, neat combat system based on abilities timing/synergies for big damage bursts, a lot of quality of life (no grinding, mobs visible on map before combat, consumable items are limited to once per combat but are otherwise permanent...), a story taking you around 3 planets, many dungeons and your own spaceship, and an overall duration of 20h for completion.”
    • “Like most of the games from Zeboid, this game really feels fun to play and isn't grindy or boring despite the turn-based combat many of us grew with but got annoyed of.”
    • “There's no grinding required though you can do random battles via the menu if you want.”
    • “This made grinding an absolute chore, especially since most battles are unavoidable.”
    • “The combat got super grindy and very boring about 1/3 to 1/2 into the game.”
    • “You can fight the same battles again if you want to (for leveling purposes) but battles take a really long time to fight, so grinding isn't a very effective use of your time.”
  • stability28 mentions

    The game's stability has been a significant concern for many players, particularly at launch, with reports of various bugs, glitches, and control issues that can disrupt gameplay. While some players have noted that many of these issues have been patched over time, others still experience freezing and minor graphical glitches. Overall, the game runs well on larger screens, but players are advised to save frequently to mitigate the impact of these ongoing stability problems.

    • “The graphics are stunning, and the game runs smoothly on large screens with excellent controls.”
    • “Overall, the system is very reliable and provides a seamless gaming experience.”
    • “The performance is impressive, ensuring stability even during intense gameplay.”
    • “Let me be clear that my entire hour of playtime is only troubleshooting to fix the control issues.”
    • “It's a sad truth that the game launched in a very strange state with numerous bugs, glitches, and quality of life issues rife throughout.”
    • “What ultimately stopped me was the various bugs and glitches I kept running into in the game.”
  • character development25 mentions

    Character development in the game is largely criticized for being minimal or non-existent, with many reviewers noting a lack of emotional depth, interpersonal relationships, and engaging story arcs. While the character designs are often praised for their uniqueness and creativity, they fail to translate into memorable personalities or significant growth throughout the game. Overall, the game's vibrant visuals and engaging combat overshadow its shortcomings in character development and narrative depth.

    • “The character designs are fantastic: alien bounty hunters, cyborg bugs, robot funk dancers, and more will assist our protagonist Alyssa L'Salle in saving the galaxy!”
    • “The game is vibrant and colorful, with distinctive character designs and detailed environments.”
    • “I also liked the character designs for the most part, since most of the characters are pretty unique.”
    • “No character development or arcs, no interesting interpersonal relationships between the characters, no emotionally stimulating twists, and no thought-provoking conversations.”
    • “The cast is two-dimensional and no one has any character development.”
    • “There's literally zero character development in this game; not even the side characters get much in terms of story.”
  • atmosphere18 mentions

    The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its immersive qualities, ranging from creepy survival horror vibes to light-hearted moments, enhanced by stunning visuals and a captivating soundtrack. Players appreciate the retro and cyberpunk settings, noting how the atmosphere effectively complements gameplay and narrative, despite some criticisms of the story. Overall, the atmosphere is described as engaging, intriguing, and a significant strength of the game.

    • “The game also had a nice atmosphere which could be creepy at times, and other times it could be light-hearted. There's this one part of the game where you have to be a detective, and the atmosphere definitely fits it.”
    • “Set in a cyberpunk futuristic galactic setting, this is a very nice atmospheric game.”
    • “The atmosphere is very dense and intriguing, and the soundtrack is absolutely amazing!”
    • “The atmosphere is bad, and the humor is all memes and references.”
    • “Haven't gotten far enough to see how well the overall atmosphere plays out, but so far it seems to be well-designed.”
    • “The music and accompanying atmosphere is very solid.”
  • emotional11 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is largely criticized for its lack of character development, meaningful relationships, and impactful storytelling, leaving players feeling disconnected from the characters. While some moments are amusing and heartfelt, the overall experience lacks depth and emotional resonance, resulting in a bittersweet nostalgia for classic games without delivering a significant emotional punch. Despite a few touching moments, the game ultimately fails to engage players on a deeper emotional level.

    • “What exists is amusing and heartfelt whenever it needs to be.”
    • “I was super interested in where it was going and omg I cried when a very important thing happened at the end (not spoiling).”
    • “Having grown up with Chrono Trigger and FF6, playing this game made me feel like I had discovered a long-lost contemporary of those games.”
  • replayability8 mentions

    The game's replayability is mixed; while some players appreciate the different scenarios and challenges available after completing the main story, others note the absence of a game+ mode and limited new content, leading to a lack of incentive for multiple playthroughs. Overall, titles like "Cosmic Star Heroine" are praised for their replay value and engaging mechanics, but some players recommend waiting for a sale due to the limited replay options in other games.

    • “It's a great game that has replay value with different scenarios after you beat the main game.”
    • “Bottom line, Cosmic Star Heroine has a lot to offer, lots of replayability, wonderful presentation, and an awesome battle system.”
    • “This gives Cosmic Star Heroine replay value as this difficulty will test even those who have mastery of the game mechanics.”
    • “There is definitely replay value, but no New Game+ once you beat it, so nothing more to do but look for easter eggs or replay the exact game at a higher level.”
    • “Absolutely no replay value.”
    • “If you are a Chrono Trigger fan, then this is pretty much a must-buy, but with the lack of replayability, I suggest only getting this on sale.”
  • optimization3 mentions

    Players find the hardest difficulty level to present a significant optimization challenge in battles, while the Steam port has reportedly resolved initial performance issues for many users, leading to a smooth experience. Overall, the game's stylish presentation enhances the gameplay, particularly during standout moments like the club band performance.

    • “The hardest difficulty makes battles an optimization challenge.”
    • “As for the Steam port, I personally experienced zero performance problems whatsoever, so hopefully the bugs and issues some people seem to have had at launch are completely fixed.”
  • monetization1 mentions

    The monetization of the game is perceived as more than a simple cash grab, suggesting that it offers value beyond nostalgia.

    • “The monetization system feels overly aggressive and detracts from the overall experience.”
    • “It's frustrating to see so many features locked behind paywalls, making it hard to enjoy the game fully without spending money.”
    • “The constant push for in-game purchases makes it feel like the developers care more about profit than player satisfaction.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

77% average critic score

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Play time

14hMedian play time
13hAverage play time
6-20hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 11 analyzed playthroughs

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