Hey gang, Valkor here. After spending a couple of hours deep within the RPG trenches, I prefer to cool off with a game that’s enjoyable but quick in and out. And that’s when Cotton Fantasy: Superlative Night Dreams slid across my desk. It’s the time of 2D action that I long for as it’s easy to dive into and so much fun! Let’s check it out!
Cotton Fantasy is the latest in the Cotton series to hit the consoles, marking the 30th anniversary of the franchise. In Superlative Night Dreams, you play as Cotton, the cutest little witch with a fairy sidekick, who enjoys eating these candies called Willows. However, something evil lurks and wants to take all the Willows away. Cotton is duped... I mean volunteers her abilities, hoping to get to the bottom of the disappearing Willows, with the promise that she can get all she can eat. The game starts you off with six characters to choose. But no matter who you pick, Cotton remains the focus. And gameplay will differ upon which character you choose. For example, Fine is time-based, meaning you’ll have to gather crystals in order to keep her going.
Once you’ve chosen your player, you’ll blast your way through 8 stages, plus bonus areas to boost that high score. If this is your first time traversing into the shmup world, the game serves up a training mode to help you adjust to this type of gameplay. And it’s better to get in as much practice as you can because there’s a lot tossed at you all at once. The controls are simple as one button performs your main attack, while another tosses out a bomb that not only clears the area of monsters but it also turns their projectiles into fodder for points. While Cotton Fantasy offers plenty of challenges, getting through it is a quick run-we’re talking a good 40–45 minutes, including the cut scenes. But it’s more than enough to scratch that itch when you’re looking for quick gaming fix.
Cotton Fantasy also serves up some extras such as unlimited play, except your score drops to zero when you continue, a couple of unlockable characters, leaderboards, and stages. It would have been nice if there more extras added. But that’s getting ahead of myself. The lack of extras doesn’t take away any of the fun. And that’s what the Cotton Fantasy is all about. With that, let’s dive into the TOV Breakdown!
The Good:
What can I say that will sum up Cotton Fantasy: Superlative Night Dreams? As Shoot em ups go, This. Game. Is. Fire! Cotton Fantasy is the type of game that's super cute, offers intense gameplay, stellar graphics, and a rocking soundtrack that yoinks you into its world and causes you to hold on for dear life. Okay, maybe that was extreme, but I still had a lot of fun with the title. The controls are simple and go well with the on-screen action, allowing you to dip and dive between shots at ease. Graphically, the game’s 2.5D world is beautiful, with lots going on in the background that catches your eye. And there were plenty of times I died because I focused on something in the backdrops. The soundtrack serves to complete the game as it adds to the intensity! I loved the distinct characters you get to choose from and how they change up the gameplay. And when you complete the game, you get to play as the main villain Tacoot. As of this review, I haven’t tried the character yet, but I'll give her a try in my next session. So, while the game is short, it has plenty of replayability. And you’ll not only want to master each character’s abilities but achieve the highest score as well. And that’s what the fun is all about when you play Cotton Fantasy. Because this game is worth diving into again and again!
The Bad:
Again, the game is short. So, if you’re looking for something with more meat on it, then you may want to look elsewhere. I wouldn’t recommend it, especially if you’re looking for a good time. Finally, there could have been more extras tossed in, such as an image or music gallery, being able to watch the cut scenes, or even including past versions of the series.
The Ugly:
N/A
Cotton Fantasy: Superlative Night Dreams is available now for the PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch. And if you’re looking for something that’s mad entertaining that’ll make your palms sweaty from all the intensity, then this is the one for you. I highly recommend it! So, out of TOV 5 stars, I’m giving Cotton Fantasy a solid 4!
