Space Adventure Cobra – The Awakening blends old-school 80s anime with modern gaming. The result is a simple but effective platform title that will appeal to anime fans. Moreover, if you love the franchise, you will adore the cutscenes, characters, and plot. I’ll admit that this isn’t my favourite series, but I was impressed with the cheesy one-liners and the fast-paced combat.
This action platformer was developed by Magic Pockets and published by Microids. It is a single-player and couch cooperative title. Furthermore, it uses classic side-scrolling movement to navigate each world. On top of this, there are some Metroidvania elements as you unlock new equipment and return to explore otherwise unreachable areas.
Space Adventure Cobra – The Awakening tells a dramatic story.
If you love the series, you’ll appreciate the accuracy of each mission. The gameplay tackles the opening 12 episodes and is broken down into bite-sized quests. This approach was appreciated as the run-and-gun mechanics can be a little tricky. Furthermore, dodging, sliding, punching, and shooting your way past thugs can be a little tiring.
You control Cobra, the space pirate. This badass killing machine is equipped with his trusty Psychogun, climbing boots, grappling hook, and powerful right hook. As he explores each level, he must tackle crazy bosses and rescue 3 sisters whose lives are intertwined with a fabulous treasure.
Simple gameplay.
Though the developer has incorporated some nice combat and parkour elements, the gameplay is simple. The hero must use their unlocked skills to overcome an array of obstacles. Moreover, they must find upgrade fragments to improve fighting prowess, health, and much more.
As you progress, the levels become larger and more outlandish. Traps become more commonplace, and death is all but guaranteed. Thankfully, the hero is armed with some special tricks to activate switches or kill multiple enemies at once. The result is an OTT game that captures the anime essence.
Each of the bosses requires a methodical and calm demeanour. Observing weaknesses and patterns is key if you wish to progress. I’ll admit that this was the toughest part of Space Adventure Cobra – The Awakening. I failed repeatedly, and plenty of trial and error were required to understand what was needed.
Space Adventure Cobra – The Awakening lacks modern polish.
I loved the cutscenes! The fuzzy imagery, retro art, and gaudy colours filled me with nostalgia. Moreover, I adore the storytelling and the short but effective anime snippets. What wasn’t so good was the dated core gameplay. The lack of detail and the simple character models were disappointing. Additionally, the animation wasn’t perfect, and this delivers low-key graphics that cannot be considered “next-gen”.
The audio was relatively bland. Though I enjoyed the upbeat soundtrack and the often amusing one-liners, the developer played it too safe. The sound effects lack originality, and it feels very repetitive as a consequence.
The controls were a pain!
I rarely struggle with platform games. I like tight controls and a refined UI. Unfortunately, Space Adventure Cobra – The Awakening features a bizarre aiming system that disrupts the gameplay’s flow. Attempting to shoot your foes and run was frustrating at best. Subsequently, I spent much of my time stationery while annihilating every enemy.
Though the combat wasn’t as smooth as I liked, there was plenty of replay value and longevity. Alongside the Metroidvania elements, you can undertake special missions. Furthermore, there is treasure to find and plenty of other collectables. Therefore, if you wish to lose additional hours, you can do so with ease.
Space Adventure Cobra – The Awakening will be a niche experience.
I’m not sure if Space Adventure Cobra – The Awakening will appeal to a large audience. The story is extremely niche, and the theme will only draw a small audience. However, fans of the series will enjoy the action and the plot. Moreover, the excellent cutscenes will make them smile. I wasn’t impressed by the controls, and I wish the audio were a little more adventurous. However, despite these issues, I enjoyed it and recommend buying it here! Can you unravel the mystery and save the day? Relearn your skills, unlock your gear, and become a hero.
