Darius Cozmic Collection Arcade

About

"Darius Cozmic Collection Arcade" is a Steam game that brings 4 titles from the Darius arcade series, each with added features. The game features multi-monitor support, simulated in-seat speaker, quick save & load, and various display options. This side-scrolling shoot 'em up game lets you battle aquatically themed giant robotic fish bosses with Zuntata-composed soundscapes for an immersive experience.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Local Multi-Player Play with friends in the same physical space using split-screen or multiple screens
2-Players Play with one other player, either online or locally, in a cooperative or competitive game mode
Multi-Player Compete or cooperate with other players online
Co-Op Team up with friends to complete levels or missions together
Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo
Split Screen Play with multiple players on the same screen, often with divided or shared screen real estate

Darius Cozmic Collection Arcade screenshot

96%

Audience ScoreBased on 52 reviews

graphics3 negative mentions

The collection features excellent emulation quality and includes multiple display options, making it a great experience for fans of the Darius series.
Darius Gaiden is highlighted as one of the best shoot 'em ups ever made, and its inclusion alone makes the collection worthwhile.
The game offers a variety of quality-of-life features, such as customizable controls, boss health indicators, and the ability to save replays, enhancing the overall gameplay experience.

The price point is considered steep for the amount of content, especially since some games in the collection show their age and may not appeal to all players.
There are issues with input lag on controllers, and some players have reported problems with keyboard controls and lack of proper key binding options.
Notably missing are the Darius Gaiden Extra version and 4:3 resolution support, which limits the experience for players wanting to replicate the original arcade setup.

music
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
38%
25%
38%
The music in the Darius series, particularly in Darius I and II, is highly praised for its nostalgic charm and memorable soundtracks composed by Zuntata, featuring impressive vocal elements for a game from 1989. While the original soundtracks hold up well, some fans express disappointment over the lack of arranged soundtrack options and the omission of certain versions, which could have enhanced the experience further. Overall, the music remains a standout feature that complements the classic shmup gameplay.
- “Really cool how it has vocals in the music for a game that came out in 1989.”
- “Strange omissions include the Darius Gaiden extra version and any kind of arranged soundtrack option. Darius music has been arranged and re-arranged countless times; they couldn't put anything together in that regard?”
- “The music and visuals of it still hold up extremely well.”
- “Fans of the series already know what to expect: classic shmup action, on branching paths, with marvelous soundtracks by Zuntata that remain with you long after you close the game.”
graphics
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
75%
The graphics of the Darius I and II arcade games are praised for their nostalgic charm, showcasing a fantastic old-school aesthetic that still holds up well, particularly in terms of music and visuals. While the console versions may offer better gameplay, the emulation quality is noted to be incredibly good, surpassing many unofficial alternatives and providing proper graphics and sound emulation.
- “The music and visuals of it still hold up extremely well.”
- “Incredibly good emulation; this leaves most of the other unofficial ways to play this game completely obsolete. Full bass emulation on both games, proper FM sound emulation, and proper graphics in Gaiden.”
- “The graphics are outdated and lack the detail expected from modern games.”
- “The character models look flat and lifeless, making it hard to get immersed in the game.”
- “The environments feel bland and uninspired, which detracts from the overall experience.”
gameplay
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
75%
The gameplay of the Darius series, particularly in the arcade versions, is noted for its nostalgic charm, though it shows its age compared to later titles. The 90s installment features a significant technological advancement, resulting in faster gameplay and improved accuracy, enhancing player satisfaction. Additionally, M2's gadgets offer valuable insights into game mechanics, enriching the overall experience.
- “Having that accuracy really helps to make the gameplay that much more satisfying.”
- “M2's gadgets are also very useful here and provide plenty of information about in-game mechanics that these titles wouldn't inform you about otherwise (I had no clue rank rises that rapidly in Darius Gaiden!)”
- “Darius I and II arcade versions are good, but they show their age. The console versions are probably better gameplay-wise, but I would still give them a try, if only to see the fantastic old graphics and soundtrack.”
- “This came out 5 years later, now in the 90s proper, so there is a huge technology leap and gameplay is way faster. However, there is no super widescreen anymore, just a regular one-screen shooter experience here.”
- “M2's gadgets are very useful here and provide plenty of information about in-game mechanics that these titles wouldn't inform you about otherwise. I had no clue rank rises that rapidly in Darius Gaiden!”
optimization
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
While the game is still recommended, players note that the PS4 and Switch versions offer more reliable performance for serious gameplay compared to other platforms.
- “Still recommended, but for serious play, you get reliable performance on PS4 or Switch versions instead.”
- “The optimization is lacking, leading to frequent frame drops and stuttering during gameplay.”
- “I experienced significant lag and long loading times, which really detracted from the overall experience.”