Darius Cozmic Collection Arcade
- November 17, 2021
- M2 Co.,LTD
"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.
Reviews
- Darius Gaiden is considered one of the best shoot 'em ups ever made, with fantastic visuals and music that still hold up well.
- The collection features excellent emulation quality by M2, providing a comprehensive experience with multiple display options and quality of life features.
- Fans of the Darius series will appreciate the inclusion of various versions of the games, along with helpful gadgets that enhance gameplay and provide useful information.
- The collection is perceived as overpriced, especially considering that it primarily includes only three main games, with some feeling that the price should be lower.
- There are notable omissions, such as the Darius Gaiden Extra version and proper 4:3 resolution support, which detracts from the overall experience.
- Some players have reported input lag and controller issues, which can affect gameplay, making the experience less reliable compared to console versions.
- music8 mentions
- 38 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 38 % negative mentions
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. Overall, the music enhances the classic shmup experience and remains a standout feature of the games.
“Really cool how it has vocals in the music for a game that came out in 1989.”
“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.”
“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?)”
“Fans of the series already know what to expect: classic shmup action, on branching paths, with marvellous soundtracks by Zuntata that remain with you long after you close the game.”
“The music and visuals of it still hold up extremely well.”
- graphics4 mentions
- 75 % positive mentions
- -50 % neutral mentions
- 75 % negative mentions
The graphics of the Darius I and II arcade games are praised for their nostalgic charm, with many noting that they still hold up well despite their age. The emulation quality is highlighted as exceptional, surpassing other unofficial methods, and the visuals adapt to different PC settings, enhancing the overall experience.
“The music and visuals 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.”
“Graphic resolution changes according to your PC settings as well.”
“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.”
- gameplay4 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The gameplay of the Darius series, particularly in the arcade versions, showcases a blend of nostalgic graphics and soundtracks, though they feel dated compared to later releases. The gameplay in the 90s iteration is notably faster and more satisfying due to improved accuracy, while M2's gadgets enhance the experience by providing crucial information about game mechanics that were previously unclear.
“Having that accuracy really helps to make the gameplay that much more satisfying.”
“This came out 5 years later, now in the 90s proper, so there is a huge technology leap and gameplay is way faster, although no super wide screen anymore, just a regular 1-screen shooter experience here.”
“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!)”
- optimization1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
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.”