Cosmic Star Heroine

83%
Game Brain Score Based on 1,134 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

83%
Audience ScoreBased on 1,134 reviews
story265 positive mentions
grinding94 negative mentions
  • Engaging and unique combat system that encourages strategic planning and use of abilities.
  • Beautiful pixel art and a vibrant sci-fi setting that pays homage to classic JRPGs like Chrono Trigger.
  • Catchy soundtrack that enhances the overall experience and fits the game's tone.
  • Shallow story and character development, with many characters feeling one-dimensional and underexplored.
  • Pacing issues, with the plot moving too quickly and lacking depth in key moments.
  • Some bugs and glitches that can disrupt gameplay, including freezing during battles and unclear mechanics.
  • story939 mentions

    The story of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players noting its fast pacing and lack of depth in character development. While some found the narrative engaging and fun, reminiscent of classic JRPGs, others criticized it for being clichéd and predictable, often feeling rushed and superficial. Overall, the story serves as a backdrop to the gameplay, which many found enjoyable, but it lacks the complexity and emotional investment that some players desire in a narrative-driven experience.

    • “Incredible game so far, perfect balance of story, character and gameplay.”
    • “Story, writing and worldbuilding are top-notch, leaving a strong Cowboy Bebop aftertaste.”
    • “The story here is great and although it is short, it is concise to the vision of the game being on the '16-bit' era.”
    • “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 is pretty bland.”
  • music432 mentions

    The music in the game has received widespread acclaim, with many reviewers praising its catchy, varied, and evocative soundtrack that perfectly complements the gameplay and visuals. Composed by Hyperduck Soundworks, the soundtrack features a mix of jazz, electro-rock, and nostalgic 16-bit vibes, enhancing the overall experience and immersing players in the game's world. While some noted that the battle music could become repetitive, the overall consensus is that the soundtrack is a standout feature, making it a memorable aspect of the game.

    • “The soundtrack is absolutely brilliant!”
    • “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.”
    • “The music is superb, characters are likable, and the battle system is so cool.”
    • “The storyline didn't grab me, and neither did the music.”
    • “It can be a risky choice to go with modern sounding music with throwback visuals, because those two aspects don't always mesh well.”
    • “Though the otherwise modern soundtrack might be slightly strange when compared to the fully SNES-style graphics, it is otherwise perfectly fitting for the various areas and battles.”
  • gameplay391 mentions

    The gameplay of "Cosmic Star Heroine" is widely praised for its innovative turn-based mechanics, particularly the unique style and hyper systems that encourage strategic planning and experimentation. While some players found the combat engaging and reminiscent of classic JRPGs like "Chrono Trigger," others noted a steep learning curve and occasional confusion due to insufficient tutorials. Overall, the game offers a satisfying blend of nostalgia and modern gameplay elements, making it a compelling experience for fans of the genre.

    • “Incredible game so far, perfect balance of story, character, and gameplay.”
    • “The gameplay is really good; it's a turn-based system that can be very fair with plenty of customization when it comes to powers. Each character in your party has their own unique abilities, making it fun to customize attacks and special moves.”
    • “The turn-based gameplay and mechanics are really well done, and mastering it felt really good.”
    • “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 and making every small rock have a hitbox that prevents you from moving at your already glacial pace (and that’s with running turned on) than into getting their team to sit down together and figure out how to make their actual gameplay fun.”
    • “My only complaint is that some of the game's mechanics are cryptic and difficult to figure out (what's physical vs magic, what counts as a 'tech', etc.).”
    • “A ton of the game's mechanics aren't explained, not as some intended means for difficulty, but as in the way a lot of things work aren't explained to you.”
  • graphics256 mentions

    The graphics of the game are widely praised for their nostalgic 16-bit style, reminiscent of classic JRPGs like Chrono Trigger, featuring vibrant pixel art and charming animations. While some reviewers noted minor graphical glitches and inconsistencies, the overall aesthetic successfully captures the retro vibe, appealing to fans of the genre. The combination of beautiful visuals and a fitting soundtrack enhances the immersive experience, making it a standout for those seeking a nostalgic gaming experience.

    • “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.”
    • “Various beautiful locations, from gritty wild-west towns to abandoned factories and lush forests, the game never feels repetitive to the eyes, and the amazing soundtrack complements the visuals and immerses you into this futuristic cyberpunk adventure.”
    • “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.”
    • “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 (combat, conversation, differing music, the screen goes black when a character leaves/joins a party, game over screen) to be particularly jarring.”
    • “The graphics borderline 'meh,' as sometimes it seems to have difficulty communicating what's important, where to go, or just feels inconsistent.”
  • humor127 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 to be a highlight, some critiques mention that it can be hit or miss, with certain jokes falling flat or feeling juvenile. Overall, the game successfully blends humor with engaging gameplay, though some players feel it doesn't reach the comedic heights of previous titles by the same developer.

    • “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.”
    • “That's one major thing this game has going for it -- there's a big-time Cowboy Bebop vibe here, with quick one-liners, funny gags, and fantastic music, all set within spectacular looking environments.”
    • “The dialogue is so poor, it feels as if someone reached into a lucky dip box and pulled out plots, routines, and responses. Unlike Family Guy, this game is not funny, not even cool or hip.”
    • “The humor in this game falls flat, lacking the wit and cleverness that one would expect. It's more cringeworthy than comedic.”
    • “I found the jokes to be forced and unoriginal, making it hard to enjoy the game. It feels like they tried too hard to be funny but missed the mark completely.”
  • grinding102 mentions

    Overall, the game is praised for its minimal grinding, with many reviewers noting that it can be completed without the need for extensive level grinding or random encounters. The combat system is designed to be engaging and strategic, allowing players to enjoy battles without the tedium often associated with grinding in traditional RPGs. While some optional content may require grinding, the game respects players' time by offering a brisk pace and quality-of-life improvements that eliminate the need for grinding in most scenarios.

    • “I enjoyed this no grinding version of a 16-bit classic RPG with no separate battle screen.”
    • “No grinding required!”
    • “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.”
    • “It's not difficult, it's just tedious.”
    • “While this spares you from the grinding many JRPG-like games suffer from, you lose the sensation of adventure and makes you wish you shouldn't walk around at all since you will just spam the A button until you can finally do the next fight.”
    • “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.”
  • character development36 mentions

    Character development in the game is largely criticized for being minimal or nonexistent, with reviewers noting a lack of character arcs, emotional depth, and meaningful relationships. While the character designs are often praised for their uniqueness and creativity, they fail to leave a lasting impression due to the shallow storytelling and insufficient development. Overall, players feel that the engaging gameplay and visuals cannot compensate for the weak narrative and character growth.

    • “The writing so far has been really good, the graphics and environments are nice, and the character designs have a great style reminiscent of Phantasy Star (which is a huge plus, in my book).”
    • “Cosmic Star Heroine does several things right, starting with an original combat system that never feels like a grind and keeps the game feeling fresh throughout, great artwork, character design, and music (from HyperDuck).”
    • “Character designs are memorable but we don't get to hear or see them enough.”
    • “No character development or arcs, no interesting interpersonal relationships between the characters, no emotionally stimulating twists, and no thought-provoking conversations.”
    • “There's literally zero character development in this game; not even the side characters get much in terms of story (e.g., best friend who is a badass gunmancer pretty much stays that way the entire game from introduction to even the special character ending).”
    • “The downside to the fast-paced story is that there really wasn't enough time for character development, so it's hard to get attached to any of them.”
  • stability34 mentions

    The game has been reported to have significant stability issues, particularly at launch, with users experiencing various bugs, glitches, and occasional freezes. While many of these issues are minor and have been patched over time, some players still encounter control problems and save corruption. Overall, the game's charm and enjoyable gameplay have encouraged players to overlook these stability concerns.

    • “Graphics are great, runs smoothly on big screens, excellent controls, and a solid system overall.”
    • “It's very buggy, and after 5 hours of play, my save got corrupted from a bug.”
    • “I ran into a few freezes and controller issues.”
    • “Some of the negative reviews point out that the game was buggy on release, which is true.”
  • atmosphere26 mentions

    The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its engaging and varied design, ranging from creepy survival horror elements to light-hearted moments, complemented by stunning visuals and a fitting soundtrack. Players appreciate the retro and cyberpunk settings, with specific highlights on unique areas that enhance immersion. However, some critiques mention inconsistencies in the atmosphere, particularly when humor relies heavily on memes and references.

    • “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 pixel art is detailed, the soundtrack catchy, and the atmosphere and unique setting pull you in.”
    • “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.”
  • emotional16 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is largely criticized for its lack of character development, depth, and meaningful relationships, leaving players feeling disconnected from the characters. While some moments evoke strong feelings, particularly towards the end, the overall narrative fails to deliver a consistent emotional impact. Despite nostalgic comparisons to classic titles, the game does not aim for serious emotional engagement, resulting in a missed opportunity for a more profound experience.

    • “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.”
    • “Again, it's a shame there wasn't any emotional punch backing any of it up.”
  • replayability14 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 perception of low replay value. Cosmic Star Heroine, in particular, is highlighted for its engaging battle system and presentation, offering replay opportunities primarily through difficulty adjustments and easter egg hunting. Overall, players suggest that while there is some replay value, it may not justify a full-price purchase for everyone.

    • “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.”
    • “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.”
    • “There is definitely replay value, but no game+ once you beat it, so nothing more to do but look for easter eggs or replay the exact game at a higher level.”
  • optimization4 mentions

    Overall, the optimization of the Steam port appears to have improved significantly since launch, with some users reporting no performance issues at all. While there were initial bugs, many players now enjoy a smooth experience that enhances the game's stylish presentation and engaging action sequences.

    • “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.”
  • monetization2 mentions

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

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
5-22hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 20 analyzed playthroughs

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