Space Adventure Cobra - The Awakening stands out as an action-adventure platformer that brings the classic anime to life on PC. Players step into the boots of the legendary space pirate Cobra, tackling a cosmic mystery filled with high-stakes chases and intense confrontations. This game captures the essence of a retro-inspired journey through vibrant planets, blending fast-paced action with clever puzzle elements drawn from its source material.
Gameplay
In Space Adventure Cobra - The Awakening, the core loop revolves around navigating side-scrolling levels packed with platforming challenges and combat encounters. You control Cobra, who dashes, jumps, and climbs across exotic environments while fending off waves of enemies. The Psychogun serves as your primary weapon, allowing for precise shots that can lock onto targets, while secondary tools like the Colt Python 77 provide additional firepower for close-range threats.
Gadgets play a key role in progression, with the grappling hook enabling swings over gaps and the cigar functioning as a throwable explosive to clear obstacles or groups of foes. Levels test your reflexes through traps and enemy patterns, requiring a mix of agility and strategy to overcome bosses like the menacing Crystal Bowie. The game incorporates full-motion video sequences from the original anime to advance the plot, creating a seamless blend of gameplay and narrative.
Game Modes
The main offering is story mode, where you follow Cobra's quest to rescue three mysterious sisters and thwart the Space Pirate Guild across multiple planets. This single-player experience lets you choose from three difficulty settings, ranging from accessible options for newcomers to tougher challenges that demand mastery of movement and combat.
For those seeking company, a two-player co-op mode allows a second player to join as Lady Armaroid, Cobra's robotic companion. Together, you tackle the same levels, coordinating attacks and maneuvers to escape pursuers and defeat shared threats. This mode emphasizes teamwork without altering the core structure, making it a straightforward way to enjoy the adventure with a friend.
Story and Setting
Drawing directly from the first 12 episodes of the Cobra anime, the game unfolds a tale of interstellar intrigue involving a legendary treasure and shadowy organizations. You encounter a cast of memorable figures, including the Royal Sisters whose fates intertwine with Cobra's path, all set against backdrops of diverse worlds from bustling spaceports to treacherous ruins.
Is It Worth Playing?
Space Adventure Cobra - The Awakening appeals to fans of retro platformers and anime adaptations, delivering solid gunplay and faithful storytelling that resonates with its origins. With a Steam rating of 75% positive from 108 reviews, it has garnered appreciation for its charming visuals and action sequences, though some note occasional balance issues in combat. If you enjoy skill-based challenges with a narrative twist, this title offers a worthwhile romp through a sci-fi universe, especially in co-op. Newcomers to the series might find it a fun entry point, while veterans will value the nods to the classic show.
