Cosmos: Stella Returns

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Cosmos: Stella Returns is a single player action adventure game with a science fiction theme. It was developed by SEEP and was released on October 2, 2023. It received mostly positive reviews from players.

Cosmos: Stella Returns is a metroidvania that will bring you to the mysterious planet of Memoria. Shoot, jump, collect materials and new items in this action-platform with a vintage flavor!

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Play Modes

Single-Player

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69%

Audience ScoreBased on 16 reviews

music2 positive mentions

gameplay3 negative mentions

Cosmos: Stella Returns features a nostalgic pixel-art aesthetic and solid level design that pays homage to classic Metroidvania games, providing a focused and enjoyable exploration-driven experience.
The combat system is straightforward yet engaging, requiring precision and timing, with well-paced enemy design that keeps encounters interesting without overwhelming players.
Exploration is rewarding, with hidden rooms, optional upgrades, and collectibles that encourage curiosity and backtracking, enhancing the overall sense of discovery.

The checkpoint system is criticized for being too sparse, leading to frustrating backtracking and a sense of artificial difficulty, especially after challenging sections.
Boss fights are often seen as too easy and repetitive, with limited attack patterns that can be easily exploited, detracting from the overall challenge.
The game suffers from linear level design, lacking the interconnectedness and depth typically expected from a Metroidvania, which diminishes the exploration aspect.

gameplay
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
37%
38%
The gameplay is characterized by a focused exploration-driven action platformer design that emphasizes mechanical clarity and discovery, featuring engaging combat and well-paced enemy encounters. While it adheres to classic genre elements and offers solid level design, some players feel it falls short compared to its predecessor, particularly regarding its health mechanic. Overall, the game successfully balances traditional gameplay elements with a clear respect for its roots.
- “From the very beginning, the experience communicates a clear intention: to deliver a tightly focused exploration-driven action platformer that prioritizes classic design sensibilities, mechanical clarity, and a steady sense of discovery over spectacle or narrative excess.”
- “Boss fights serve as clear milestones, testing both mechanical skill and understanding of newly unlocked abilities.”
- “I find it inferior to the first game in terms of gameplay.”
- “While the combat system doesn’t introduce radical twists, it remains consistently engaging thanks to tight controls and well-paced enemy design that avoids overwhelming the player with unnecessary mechanics.”
- “It's got all the elements you'd expect from a game of its kind (exploration, backtracking, sealed off areas, items, levers, etc.) so I won't be describing the gameplay in detail.”
graphics
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
43%
14%
43%
The game's graphics feature a nostalgic pixel-art style that pays homage to 1990s action platformers, with colorful and appealing visuals that enhance the overall aesthetic. While many players appreciate the artwork, particularly in the card collection, some find the visuals to be somewhat uninspired. Overall, the graphics contribute positively to the game's charm, despite some critiques regarding the game's narrative elements.
- “Visually, the game embraces a nostalgic pixel-art aesthetic reminiscent of 1990s action platformers.”
- “Game was great; nice micro-vania pixel art is nice, and the card collection artwork is awesome. A good sequel to Cosmosbit.”
- “Graphics are nice and colorful.”
- “Visuals were fine but uninspired, and the story was messy with tons of grammatical errors and typos.”
- “Cosmos: Stella Returns is a nicely done but somewhat short metroidvania with a 'cute' aesthetic.”
- “While it is set up a bit like a metroidvania, it is much more of a linear 2D platformer with a metroid aesthetic.”
music
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
33%
The music features a synth-heavy, atmospheric soundtrack that enhances the sci-fi theme during exploration and combat, though some users find it underwhelming overall. While certain upbeat tracks energize specific moments, the EDM dance music during fights is considered a low point by some players.
- “A synth-heavy, atmospheric soundtrack underscores exploration and combat, reinforcing the sci-fi tone without overpowering the experience.”
- “The music was fine, I guess; nothing great, although the aforementioned gauntlets had an upbeat and adrenaline-fueled song to motivate you.”
- “The EDM dance music for these fights really makes them a low point.”
replayability
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players appreciate the replayability of the game, as optional content and collectibles cater to completionists, encouraging multiple playthroughs and enhancing the overall experience.
- “Optional content and collectibles add replay value for those who enjoy completionist goals, extending the lifespan beyond a single playthrough.”
- “The variety of choices and outcomes encourages multiple playthroughs, making each experience feel fresh and engaging.”
- “Different character builds and strategies allow for unique gameplay experiences, ensuring that no two runs are ever the same.”
story
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The story is criticized for being messy and poorly written, featuring numerous grammatical errors and typos, which detracts from the overall experience.
- “The visuals were fine but uninspired, and the story was messy with tons of grammatical errors and typos.”
- “The plot felt disjointed and lacked coherence, making it hard to stay engaged.”
- “Character development was shallow, leaving me disconnected from their motivations and actions.”
atmosphere
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game's atmosphere is enhanced by a synth-heavy soundtrack that complements exploration and combat, effectively establishing a sci-fi tone. Players appreciate the polished and sincere experience, which combines classic action-platformer elements with a captivating and immersive world.
- “A synth-heavy, atmospheric soundtrack underscores exploration and combat, reinforcing the sci-fi tone without overpowering the experience.”
- “For players who appreciate classic action-platformers built around exploration, incremental growth, and atmospheric sci-fi worlds, the game offers a focused and enjoyable journey that feels sincere, polished, and comfortably familiar without being derivative.”
emotional
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
"Cosmos: Stella Returns" is praised for its emotional depth, blending retro-inspired gameplay with a heartfelt narrative that resonates with players, showcasing a unique identity within the metroidvania genre.
- “Cosmos: Stella Returns is a retro-inspired metroidvania that wears its influences proudly while carving out its own modest but heartfelt identity.”

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Frequently Asked Questions

Cosmos: Stella Returns is a action adventure game with science fiction theme.

Cosmos: Stella Returns is available on PC and Windows.

Cosmos: Stella Returns was released on October 2, 2023.

Cosmos: Stella Returns was developed by SEEP.

Cosmos: Stella Returns has received mostly positive reviews from players. Most players liked this game for its music but disliked it for its gameplay.

Cosmos: Stella Returns is a single player game.

Similar games include Xeodrifter, Primal Light, Alwa's Legacy, Teslagrad 2, Guns of Fury and others.

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