Firefly Online Cortex

About

The Cortex is your ultimate destination for Firefly Online news and information. This companion app is a great way to stay current with the game’s progress, take advantage of special offers and gain access to exclusive content!

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

43%

Audience ScoreBased on 1,154 reviews

music20 positive mentions

story3 negative mentions

The app serves as a great companion for Firefly fans, providing updates and a glimpse into the Firefly universe.
The interactive map and mini-game are enjoyable, allowing players to earn Brownie Points (BP) that will convert to in-game currency once Firefly Online is released.
The developers initially showed promise and engaged with the community, making it a fun way to support the upcoming game.

The game has been abandoned, with no updates or communication from the developers for years, leading to disappointment among fans.
Many features are locked behind a paywall, and the app is not a standalone game, which has frustrated users expecting more content.
The lack of transparency and the eventual silence from the developers have left many feeling scammed and disillusioned.

story
46 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
4%
89%
7%
The story aspect of the game is designed to immerse players in the Firefly universe, featuring exploration missions and collectible cards that enhance the narrative experience. Players can engage in various missions that include detailed descriptions and character interactions, aiming for a progression that feels authentic to the original TV show and film. While the gameplay is somewhat limited and requires purchasing additional content for full access, the conversational mission style and potential for future quests promise a rich storytelling experience.
- “The concept and story will make it worth playing.”
- “Some of the locations come with detailed descriptions for those who really like backstory.”
- “I'm hoping for a decent enough story for it to feel like a natural progression from the TV show and film.”
- “The only actual gameplay available in the game used to be purchasable for $5, and it included some exploration missions on the map of the verse, rewarding players with cards and badges/items for the future whole game.”
- “Yes, it requires you to wait for missions to unlock, and yes, you can speed up your progress of card-collecting by buying more cards with real money.”
monetization
42 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
7%
45%
48%
The monetization strategy for this game has been widely criticized as a cash grab, with many users expressing disappointment over the deactivation of in-app purchases and the game's prolonged development delays. Although initially free, the game is viewed as a placeholder and an advertisement for a project that may never be completed, leading to frustration among players who feel misled by its marketing. Overall, the monetization practices have left a negative impression, with concerns about potential pay-to-win elements and a lack of transparency from the developers.
- “It's a free application, but it has microtransactions in order to gain money for development.”
- “I was more than happy to make some in-app purchases knowing that my contribution will get the full game completed and released that much faster.”
- “The FFO cortex does allow you to make some in-app purchases, like 'card packs'.”
- “This is a cash grab by the developer to string along the grift of vaporware for Firefly Online.”
- “About the only way you're going to complete series 3 now is by spending tons and tons of cash on the store booster page, an obvious cash grab worthy of EA or Activision; not only that, but the store page hands out older cards already.”
- “Advertising it in the Steam store as 'free' is dishonest and should not be rewarded with a positive review.”
music
34 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
59%
32%
9%
The music in the game has received widespread praise for its twangy guitar melodies, which evoke nostalgia and enhance the overall atmosphere. Many users appreciate the background music as a delightful accompaniment, often enjoying it even when not actively playing the game. Overall, the soundtrack is described as gorgeous and functional, making it a standout feature that adds significant value to the experience.
- “The music is absolutely gorgeous.”
- “I really enjoy the background music, and the flavor of the 'verse, and the cards as well.”
- “The music, look and feel of the game all seem right too.”
- “For now, this free app plays music, and does nothing else.”
- “It's just a tool for fans, created so that they can keep track of news updates in a firefly-themed GUI with a Firefly-esque soundtrack.”
- “Oh, and the music?”
gameplay
26 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
15%
73%
12%
The gameplay is criticized for being extremely simplistic and repetitive, with users noting that there is minimal actual gameplay available, often taking less than a minute to complete. While the map is visually appealing and the mini-game mechanics can provide brief entertainment, the overall depth and engagement of the gameplay are deemed lacking. Additionally, the removal of purchasable game packs has left players feeling frustrated, as these were previously the only means to access more substantial gameplay content.
- “The map itself is beautiful and the minigame-like mechanic can be fun to waste time for a few minutes waiting in line for things.”
- “The devs have stated the removal of the game pack sales is due to server complications, and that they are so nice, they would rather you have smoother gameplay than earn extra money.”
- “Login hitches a bit but it's not detracting in any way from the gameplay.”
- “Needed to have at least 5 minutes on record to post a review; there is less than 30 seconds of gameplay.”
- “Almost no gameplay - it's extremely simple and repetitive.”
- “Depth of gameplay was misleading; it is incredibly simplistic and dull.”
graphics
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
50%
25%
The graphics of the game are noted for their high quality, reflecting advancements in computer graphics technology. However, some users report that the demanding visuals can overheat their graphics cards, indicating a potential issue with optimization. Overall, the visuals are praised, but performance concerns may affect the experience for some players.
- “The music, the visuals, the trading cards.”
- “Considering how far computer graphics have come, they certainly could come up with seasons 2, 3, 4, and 5 in the game.”
- “It stresses out my graphics card to the point of overheating (even when I haven't logged in yet).”
- “Considering how far computer graphics have come, they certainly could come up with season 2, 3, 4, and 5 in the game.”
grinding
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
75%
Players express frustration with the grinding mechanics, particularly regarding the recent changes to loot crate drops that now include cards from all series, making it tedious to complete the latest series. This shift has led to an increase in unwanted duplicates and a more cumbersome experience, as players feel compelled to invest significant time to gain reputation and bonuses before the game's official start. Overall, the grinding aspect is seen as a necessary but frustrating part of the game.
- “Now in the past, when a new series was released, loot crates you earned would only give you cards from the most current set. To get previous sets, you had to buy packs from the store (therefore supporting the game's production, a fair trade since Cortex has been around a while). Today, on the release of series 3, without telling anybody or mentioning it, they made it so all loot crates drop for all series of cards, to those who already have the previous series completed. It's a tedious click fest of menus; it's a crappy thing to do. Not only does it slow down completing series 3, it gives out useless dreck more often. I don't need any more series 1 and 2 cards. Why does it have to change with no warning?”
- “Right now, the Cortex is all about grinding to get a nice reputation before the game actually starts.”
- “All the while giving them a bit of a head start and some bonuses at the game's release if they are willing to put in some time grinding trade routes.”
stability
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game suffers from significant stability issues, with frequent crashes during launch and in-game freezes that require forced restarts. Users have reported persistent bugs that limit gameplay to specific devices, undermining the promised cross-platform functionality. Overall, the app is described as highly unstable and problematic.
- “The game crashes multiple times before it eventually launches, sometimes it freezes in-game forcing a forced restart of the game.”
- “As far as the cortex performance, there are some bugs that have been persistent; I can only play on my PC, not from other devices like it claims.”
- “This app is just buggy; I had registered an account some time ago.”
humor
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is characterized by playful suggestions for adding comedic elements, such as negative effects for each ship in the fleet, which could enhance the experience. Users appreciate the lighthearted tone and express a desire for more funny interactions, indicating that humor is a valued aspect of gameplay.
- “Though it might feel a bit weird to start with a small fleet ^_^ (okay you can only pilot one at a time but still, it would be hilarious if each ship had some negative effect too like a debt or maybe it was really cheap as it was 'found' somewhere, or it created a rival... etc.)”
- “Please hit thumbs up and the funny button if the code below helped you gain the overland for free!”
- “Again, please hit thumbs up and the funny button if the code helped you gain the overland for free!”
replayability
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game has been criticized for its lack of replayability, with multiple users stating that it offers little incentive to play again after the initial experience.
- “Replayability: does not exist”
- “Replayability: does not exist”
atmosphere
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
150%
The atmosphere of the game is described as highly engaging and immersive, creating a compelling experience that players find difficult to resist. Many users note its addictive quality, suggesting that the overall ambiance effectively captures the intended mood.
- “The atmosphere is incredibly immersive, drawing you into the game's world effortlessly.”
- “The game's ambiance creates a perfect blend of tension and excitement, making every moment feel significant.”
- “The rich and detailed environment enhances the overall experience, making it hard to put the game down.”

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70h Median play time

70h Average play time

70-70h Spent by most gamers

*Based on 2 analyzed playthroughs

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