Jump to content

Cosmonious High: Difference between revisions

Add links
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous edit
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
SootSmudge (talk | contribs)
348 edits
mNo edit summary
→Reception: (Added Push Square rating.)
 
(42 intermediate revisions by 17 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Short description|2022 video game}}
{{AFC submission|d|nn|u=SootSmudge|ns=118|decliner=Theroadislong|declinets=20220419093421|ts=20220419091951}} <!-- Do not remove this line! -->

{{Short description|Virtual-reality adventure videogame}}
{{Draft topics|video-games|media|entertainment}}
{{AfC topic|media}}

{{Infobox video game
{{Infobox video game
| title = [https://cosmonioushigh.com/ Cosmonious High]
| title = Cosmonious High
| image =
| image = Cosmo high.png
| developer = [[Owlchemy Labs]]
| developer = [[Owlchemy Labs]]
| publisher = [[Owlchemy Labs]]
| publisher = Owlchemy Labs
| engine = [[Unity (game engine)|Unity]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://blog.unity.com/games/made-with-unity-2022-in-review|title=Made with Unity: 2022 in review|last=Saver|first=Michael|work=[[Unity Technologies]]|date=2022-12-27|accessdate=2023-07-31}}</ref>
| platforms = [[HTC Vive]], [[Oculus Rift]], [[Oculus Quest]], [[Oculus Quest 2]], [[Valve Index]]
| platforms = [[Windows]]<br/>[[PlayStation 5]]
| released = March 31, 2022
| released = '''Windows'''<br/>March 31, 2022<br/>'''PlayStation 5'''<br/>February 22, 2023
| genre = Adventure, Narrative, Space/Universe
| modes = [[Single-player video game|Singleplayer]]
| genre = [[Adventure game|Adventure]]
| modes = [[Single-player video game|Single-player]]
}}
}}


'''''Cosmonious High''''' is a [[virtual reality]] [[adventure game]] developed and published in 2022 by [[Owlchemy Labs]] for [[Steam (service)#SteamVR|SteamVR]], [[HTC Vive]], and [[Oculus Quest 2]] through [[Windows]] in which students attend a colorful and chaotic high school in space with a cast of quirky alien classmates.<ref name=foo>{{Cite web|last=Takahashi|first=Dean|date=March 31, 2022|title=Cosmonious High debuts for the Meta Quest 2 and SteamVR|url=https://venturebeat.com/2022/03/31/cosmonious-high-debuts-for-the-meta-quest-2-and-steamvr/|access-date=April 26, 2022|website=[[VentureBeat]]|archive-date=April 24, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220424223006/https://venturebeat.com/2022/03/31/cosmonious-high-debuts-for-the-meta-quest-2-and-steamvr/|url-status=live}}</ref> A port for [[PlayStation VR2]] was released alongside the system's launch on February 22, 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wing |first=Kaitlyn Red |date=2022-11-02 |title=Owlchemy Labs Reveals Cosmonious High is a February 22nd Launch Day Title for PlayStation®VR2 |url=https://pressreleases.triplepointpr.com/2022/11/02/owlchemy-labs-reveals-cosmonious-high-is-a-february-22nd-launch-day-title-for-playstationvr2/ |access-date=2023-07-15 |website=TriplePoint Newsroom |language=en-US}}</ref>
= Cosmonious High =
'''Cosmonious High''' is a [[virtual reality]] [[adventure game]] developed and published in 2022 by [[Owlchemy Labs]] for [[Microsoft Windows]], [[Steam VR]], [[HTC Vive]], [[Oculus Quest]], and [[Oculus Quest 2]], in which players attend a colourful and chaotic high school in space with a cast of quirky alien classmates.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Cosmonious High Game Review {{!}} Common Sense Media |url=https://www.commonsensemedia.org/game-reviews/cosmonious-high |access-date=2022-04-14 |website=www.commonsensemedia.org |language=en}}</ref>


== Plot ==
== Plot ==
Upon starting the game, the player takes on the role of a "Prismi", the first of their species to attend Cosmonious High. Their first day immediately begins with chaos when their space bus collides with the side of the building, due to a malfunction of the school's inbuilt [[artificial intelligence]], Intercom. This turns out to be the first of many malfunctions encountered throughout the game, which the player can combat with a range of powers which manifest as and when they need them. Alongside the other students, the player attends a variety of different classes with humorous [[amalgamated]] names, such as "Chemosophy", "Visualetics", and "Astralgebra". The other students all belong to one of three other species already enrolled at the school: Flans, Bipids, and Trisks. They all must work together to get the repeated malfunctions of the Intercom under control, all while the school's principal is hiding in his office.
Upon starting the game, the player takes on the role of a "Prismi", the first of their species to attend Cosmonious High. Their first day immediately begins with chaos when their space bus collides with the side of the building,<ref name=fee>{{Cite web|last=Denzer|first=TJ|title=Cosmonious High is Owlchemy Labs' next VR title|url=https://www.shacknews.com/article/126474/cosmonious-high-is-owlchemy-labs-next-vr-title|date=September 2, 2021|access-date=April 26, 2022|website=[[Shacknews]]|archive-date=April 22, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220422140626/https://www.shacknews.com/article/126474/cosmonious-high-is-owlchemy-labs-next-vr-title|url-status=live}}</ref> due to a malfunction of the school's inbuilt [[artificial intelligence]], Intercom. This turns out to be the first of many malfunctions encountered throughout the game, which the player can combat with a range of powers that manifest as and when they need them.<ref name=foo/> Alongside the other students, the player attends a variety of different classes with humorous [[wikt:amalgamate|amalgamate]]d names, such as "Chemosophy", "Visualetics", and "Astralgebra".<ref name=fii>{{Cite web|last=Takahashi|first=Dean|date=September 2, 2021|title=Job Simulator maker Owlchemy unveils Cosmonious High VR game|url=https://venturebeat.com/2021/09/02/job-simulator-maker-owlchemy-unveils-cosmonious-high-vr-game/|access-date=April 26, 2022|website=[[VentureBeat]]|archive-date=April 22, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220422113054/https://venturebeat.com/2021/09/02/job-simulator-maker-owlchemy-unveils-cosmonious-high-vr-game/|url-status=live}}</ref> The other students all belong to one of three other species already enrolled at the school: Flans, Bipids, and Trisks. They all must work together to get the repeated malfunctions of the Intercom under control, all while the school's principal is hiding in his office.


Once the Prismi has successfully rebooted the school using all of the powers they have developed throughout the game, it is revealed that the school's founder, Yuwin R. Cosmonious, had planned all the disruptions specifically for the Prismi's first day as part of the "New Kid Protocol". It had been his greatest ambition to foster cooperation between species in this way. The game's main storyline ends with a dance in the Sports Dome, for which all previously encountered characters are present, to celebrate the Prismi's arrival. Subsequently, the player can still complete any outstanding social quests as well as earn any remaining credits.
Once the Prismi has successfully rebooted the school using all of the powers they have developed throughout the game, it is revealed that the school's founder, Yuwin R. Cosmonious, had planned all the disruptions specifically for the Prismi's first day as part of the "New Kid Protocol". It had been his greatest ambition to foster cooperation between species in this way. The game's main storyline ends with a dance in the Sports Dome, for which all previously encountered characters are present, to celebrate the Prismi's arrival. Subsequently, the player can still complete any outstanding social quests as well as earn any remaining credits.


== Gameplay ==
== Gameplay ==
The plot of the game progresses in a [[Nonlinear narrative|non-linear]] manner as the player unlocks more and more parts of the school, being rewarded with credits for completing assignments, extra-curricular tasks, or for cleaning up the school using their array of powers. There are a range of social quests the player can complete for different characters, as well as 100 total credits to be collected. The Prismi's abilities, too, can be unlocked in a different order depending on how the game is played. They include water, ice, crystals (used to fix broken power cables by connecting to ends to one another), [[telekinesis]], wind, [[telepathy]] (used to read other characters minds and extract items from their thoughts), resizing, and fire.
The plot of the game progresses in a [[Nonlinear gameplay|non-linear]] manner as the player unlocks more and more parts of the school, being rewarded with credits for completing assignments, extra-curricular tasks, or for cleaning up the school using their array of powers.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Sutrich|first=Nicholas|date=March 3, 2022|title=Cosmonious High hands-on: Job Simulator for the alien kid in all of us|url=https://www.androidcentral.com/cosmonious-high-hands-on|access-date=April 26, 2022|website=[[Future plc#Since 2016: Expansion|Android Central]]|archive-date=April 22, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220422140629/https://www.androidcentral.com/cosmonious-high-hands-on|url-status=live}}</ref> There are a range of social quests the player can complete for different characters, as well as 100 total credits to be collected. The Prismi's abilities, too, can be unlocked in a different order depending on how the game is played. They include water, ice, crystals (used to fix broken power cables by connecting to ends to one another), [[telekinesis]], wind, [[telepathy]] (used to read other characters minds and extract items from their thoughts), resizing, and fire.<ref name=faa>{{Cite web|last=Denzer|first=TJ|title=Cosmonious High interview: From Job Simulator to space cartoon|url=https://www.shacknews.com/article/127488/cosmonious-high-interview-from-job-simulator-to-space-cartoon|date=November 3, 2021|access-date=April 26, 2022|website=[[Shacknews]]|archive-date=April 21, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220421113835/https://www.shacknews.com/article/127488/cosmonious-high-interview-from-job-simulator-to-space-cartoon|url-status=live}}</ref>


The player is given a large amount of creative freedom in how they complete a task.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Apr 1 |first=Sam {{!}} |last2=Review |first2=2022 {{!}} Oculus Quest |last3=Review |date=2022-04-01 |title=Cosmonious High [Quest 2] {{!}} REVIEW |url=https://www.useapotion.com/2022/04/cosmonious-high-quest-2-review/ |access-date=2022-04-14 |website=Use a Potion! |language=en-GB}}</ref> Using the [[Motion controller|motion controllers]] to represent their hands, players interact with the virtual environment similarly to how they would in real life. Most objects within the player's reach can be interacted with either through touch or through one of the Prismi's powers. They traverse the environment by teleporting using the motion controllers' [[Joystick|joysticks]].
The player is given a large amount of creative freedom in how they complete a task.<ref name=foo/> Using the [[motion controller]]s to represent their hands, players interact with the virtual environment similarly to how they would in real life. Most objects within the player's reach can be interacted with either through touch or through one of the Prismi's powers. They traverse the environment by teleporting using the motion controllers' [[joystick]]s.


== Characters ==
== Development ==
Development of the game was announced in September 2021 to some anticipation,<ref name=fee /> due largely to the success of Owlchemy Labs' most notable title, ''[[Job Simulator]]''. It was stated that ''Cosmonious High'' itself would be the largest VR space Owlchemy Labs had ever built, and that it would fundamentally change the player's experience to be able to interact with "live" characters in this setting.<ref name=fii/> The developers expressed their excitement at how technology had progressed since their earlier virtual reality titles, as well as the opportunities this offered.<ref name=faa/>


The game also garnered some attention prior to release through the developer's collaboration with the creators of ''[[Among Us]]'', including a crewmate as an [[Easter egg (media)|Easter egg]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Makuch|first=Eddie|title=Among Us Crewmate Enters 3D World Of Cosmonious High In New Collab|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/among-us-crewmate-enters-3d-world-of-cosmonious-high-in-new-collab/1100-6501905/|date=March 25, 2022|access-date=April 26, 2022|website=[[GameSpot]]|archive-date=April 1, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220401162221/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/among-us-crewmate-enters-3d-world-of-cosmonious-high-in-new-collab/1100-6501905/|url-status=live}}</ref>
=== Fren ===
The first classmate, and member of the Bipid species, the player meets as soon as their space bus crashes. Fren is very friendly, energetic, and encouraging, always cheering on her classmates and looking out for them. As such, she appears to be friendly with every other student, regardless of their differences. She delights in making [[Pun|puns]], which are often badly received by other characters, and has a penchant for hot sauce.


=== Blort ===
== Reception ==
{{Video game reviews
A member of the Flan species, and a small one at that, Blort is presented as a loveable underdog; they love sports, most notably "Planetball", though they aren't very good. Another hobby they have is [[Shipping (fandom)|shipping]] characters from their favourite show, "Starlost", peppering in many contemporary pop-culture references into their dialogue. They have an all-consuming crush on Honk, the star of the Planetball team, and the player has the opportunity to help the two of them start a romantic relationship. Blort is one of several characters in the game who uses [[Gender neutrality in languages with gendered third-person pronouns|gender-neutral pronouns]].
| MC = 86/100<ref name="MC">{{Cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/cosmonious-high/critic-reviews/?platform=pc|title=Cosmonious High for PC Reviews|website=[[Metacritic]]|access-date=April 26, 2022|archive-date=April 26, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220426082755/https://www.metacritic.com/game/pc/cosmonious-high|url-status=live}}</ref>
| PSQ = 8/10<ref>{{cite web|last=Tailby|first=Stephen|date=March 3, 2023|url=https://www.pushsquare.com/reviews/psvr2/cosmonious-high|title=Cosmonious High Review (PS5 / PSVR2)|website=[[Gamer Network#Partnered|Push Square]]|publisher=[[Gamer Network]]|access-date=September 10, 2024}}</ref>
| SN = 8/10<ref name="SN">{{Cite web|last=Denzer|first=TJ|url=https://www.shacknews.com/article/129723/cosmonious-high-review-be-cool-stay-in-space-school|title=Cosmonious High review: Be cool, stay in space school|website=[[Shacknews]]|date=April 8, 2022|access-date=April 26, 2022|archive-date=April 26, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220426082800/https://www.shacknews.com/article/129723/cosmonious-high-review-be-cool-stay-in-space-school|url-status=live}}</ref>
| rev1 = [[Future plc#Since 2016: Expansion|Android Central]]
| rev1Score = 4.5/5<ref name="Android">{{Cite web|last=Wacholz|first=Charlie|date=March 31, 2022|title=Cosmonious High Review: a VR playground full of friendly faces|url=https://www.androidcentral.com/cosmonious-high-review|access-date=April 26, 2022|website=[[Future plc#Since 2016: Expansion|Android Central]]|archive-date=April 24, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220424022429/https://www.androidcentral.com/cosmonious-high-review|url-status=live}}</ref>
}}


''Cosmonious High'' received "generally favorable" reviews according to [[review aggregator]] [[Metacritic]].<ref name="MC"/>
=== Speks ===
Out of all the energetic characters at Cosmonious High, Speks is the most frenetic. She is the first Trisk the player comes across – a small floating character whose limbs aren't technically connected to her body. As a Trisk, she is able to see and exist in multiple dimensions simultaneously. Speks is also tasked with protecting the universe from the "Worldender", an evil multidimensional being, although their relations seem more amiable than initially presented. She is somewhat scatter-brained and prone to misplacing her belongings, which the player can help her find.


''[[Shacknews]]'' highlighted the game's colorful appearance and charm as its strong points, expressing excitement at Owlchemy's continued expansion of VR design.<ref name="SN"/>
=== Honk ===
The star of the "Planetball" team, this Bipid embodies the "harmless [[Jock (stereotype)|jock]]" stereotype. He is kind, if a little oblivious, and has something of a one-track mind, focusing all of his considerable energy on his favourite sport. As the only person at the school unaware of Blort's feelings for him, it turns out that he reciprocates them, once the player has helped Blort woo him.


[[Future plc#Since 2016: Expansion|Android Central]]'s review claimed it will be remembered as a classic VR game, though admitted it may not be quite as ground-breaking as ''Job Simulator''.<ref name="Android"/>
=== Gleg ===
This Flan represents the [[Goth subculture|goth]] stereotype in both appearance and mannerisms. Gleg wears dark colours and speaks in a monotone voice, making frequent references to [[Depression (mood)|depression]], [[nihilism]], and the [[Heat death of the universe|inevitable heat death of the universe]]. He does, however, take joy in music and becomes inconsolable while the "Auditoriology" classroom remains inaccessible.


Regarding its suitability for children, [[Common Sense Media]] rated it favorably, praising its positive messages and role models.<ref name="oop">{{Cite web|last=Chapman|first=David|title=Cosmonious High|url=https://www.commonsensemedia.org/game-reviews/cosmonious-high|date=March 31, 2022|access-date=April 26, 2022|website=[[Common Sense Media]]|archive-date=April 20, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220420012821/https://www.commonsensemedia.org/game-reviews/cosmonious-high|url-status=live}}</ref> ''[[VentureBeat]]'' further emphasizes the range of accessibility features, which includes a mindful color palette, the option for single-handed play, and dynamic subtitles, amongst other things.<ref name=foo/>
=== Dr. Mika Roscope ===
This Bipid is notably bigger in size than any of the other members of her species at the school. She teaches "Chemosophy" and "Astralgebra" and has a somewhat unusual speech pattern, omitting the subject and articles in most sentences. She can be seen as fulfilling the "[[mad scientist]]" trope, as she is more than happy to experiment on the player to try and bring about new adaptations in perilous situations. During a later lesson, it is revealed that she used to smuggle ice cream illegally under the [[pseudonym]] "Midnight Cinnamoon", with her dark past now catching up to her and again placing her students in peril. When she isn't on the run from the law, she likes to encourage independent learning by allowing students to come up with their own [[Hypothesis|hypotheses]] and experiments.


During the [[26th Annual D.I.C.E. Awards]], the [[Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences]] nominated ''Cosmonious High'' for [[D.I.C.E. Award for Immersive Reality Technical Achievement|Immersive Reality Technical Achievement]] and [[D.I.C.E. Award for Immersive Reality Game of the Year|Immersive Reality Game of the Year]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.interactive.org/games/video_game_details.asp?idAward=2023&idGame=1901 |title= D.I.C.E. Awards By Video Game Details Cosmonious High |publisher=[[Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences]] |access-date=21 July 2023}}</ref>
=== Li Tahn ===
The player first meets Li Tahn in her favourite location, the "Visualetics" classroom. She is very artistic and loves to experiment with different methods of painting. Her personality appears laid-back and cool, but still approachable, taking the player under her wing like a big sister of sorts. Despite her otherwise calm and collected demeanour, she has been known to set her own artwork on fire if she feels dissatisfied with the outcome, claiming this is all part of the process.

=== Professor Plapew ===
The teacher for "Visualetics" and "Auditoriology" has a decidedly dramatic streak: when things start to go wrong in her classroom, she declares unequivocally that "art is dead". This tendency for drama is rooted in her genuine passion for her subjects, and her desire to familiarise her students with everything her chosen field has to offer. Much like Dr. Roscope, she also has a hidden past, having been part of a popular "Gooth" band called "Forgooten", with whom she may or may not be embarking on a reunion tour.

=== Xip ===
It is a running joke that this shy Trisk often gets mistaken for a plant, due to their green colour and timid nature. They mostly keep to themselves and can be encountered in out-of-the-way locations. Xip's biggest passion is collecting, caring for, and think about "blebs", small spherical creatures that can be encountered throughout the game. With their guidance, the player can collect all the different types of blebs by interacting with them in different ways (e.g. freezing them, spraying them with coffee, etc). Xip is another character using gender-neutral pronouns.

=== Zanesha ===
A mysterious and somewhat chaotic Bipid who often speaks in the third person, referring to herself as "Detective Z". This switch to her [[Noir fiction|noir]] detective [[alter ego]] is accompanied by her donning a [[fedora]]. She shares many [[Conspiracy theory|conspiracy theories]] with the player, some of which are decidedly outlandish, while others turn out to be true. She is friends with Oog, whom she likes to pull pranks with, but who also joins in her game, adopting the alter ego of "Boss Oog", a mafia boss [[Foil (narrative)|foil]] to her detective persona.

=== Penk ===
This [[preppy]] Trisk is the current student council president and takes her job very seriously. She is very organised but also very caring, and has lots of school spirit. When Prismi first arrives, Penk is the one to fill in for Principal Glob and give them their orientation. Sometimes she appears irked by her fellow students' chaotic behaviour. Li Tahn is her closest friend, and they are working on the school yearbook together – a task the player can also assist with by taking pictures of all the characters.

=== Principal Glob ===
The principal of Cosmonious High is an easily scared Flan who runs and hides in his office as soon as things start to go wrong around the school. Not only is he shown to be a coward, but his total lack of authority means he gets bullied by one of the students, Oog. Though this bullying is largely light-hearted, he obviously internalises a lot of what is said, and he can be heard listening to a relaxation tape to combat his anxieties.

=== Oog ===
Effortlessly cool and laid-back, Oog is the school's most notorious prankster. After talking to this Flan for some time, they will divulge stories about their many past exploits, the most legendary being the "Oogcident", which several characters refer to but never wish to elaborate on. They have a close friendship with Zanesha and go as "Boss Oog" when joining in her fantastical games. In the running to be Penk's successor as student council president, Oog is in direct competition with Prax, who also has his heart set on the role. Oog is another character using gender-neutral pronouns.

=== Prax ===
A trisk with a square-shaped head and a fondness for bowties, Prax is also in the running for student council president. He strongly disapproves of Oog's antics and believes himself to be a much better candidate. His speech and mannerisms come across as self-important and stuck-up, not least because he often declares that his "fathers will hear about this". Later in the game, he is shown running a bake sale, having created his own currency for the occasion. It appears that in the setting of the game, currency has been made obsolete; this is alluded to in a humorous way by Prax saying he is "only experimenting with [[capitalism]]".

=== Coach Leti ===
Filling not just the coach position, Leti also acts janitor, IT support, substitute teacher, secretary, as well as many other roles around the school. A is a true [[Jack of all trades, master of none|jill-of-all-trades]], she is also very energetic, like most Bipids.

=== Jalam ===
This female Flan speaks using a strong valley girl intonation and seems generally disinterested at what anyone else has to say. Instead of fully representing the "mean girl" stereotype, however, Jalam's true passion lies in a competitive trading card game known as "Gooniverse". The player is able to collect cards she has left around the school, hoping to recruit a worthy nemesis. M. Nesk describes her as "very empathetic", though Jalam goes to great pains to hide that aspect of her personality.

=== M. Nesk ===
The teacher for "Socionics" is a Trisk who becomes displaced in time as he is meant to be teaching his class, leaving the students to once again take matters into their own hands. His classroom has a very relaxing atmosphere and includes tea-brewing, meditation, music, and general relaxation and self-care techniques. He also has a pet "feesh" named "Sunspot", who the player can pet and interact with.

=== Intercom ===
The school's chronically malfunctioning AI is in control of everything from the space bus to the door mechanism. It continually causes problems for the player and their classmates, until it is successfully rebooted in the final sequence of the main quest.

=== Yuwin R. Cosmonious ===
The founder of Cosmonious High appears to have been a slight oddball during his time as principal of the school. He did, however, care greatly about cooperation and friendship between alien species.

== Reception ==
Video game review website ''Use a Potion!'' gave Cosmonious High 8/10, praising the game's unpredictable versatility, saying "It’s a wacky game, but in that brilliant way where you just don’t quite know what you’ll be doing next."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Apr 1 |first=Sam {{!}} |last2=Review |first2=2022 {{!}} Oculus Quest |last3=Review |date=2022-04-01 |title=Cosmonious High [Quest 2] {{!}} REVIEW |url=https://www.useapotion.com/2022/04/cosmonious-high-quest-2-review/ |access-date=2022-04-14 |website=Use a Potion! |language=en-GB}}</ref> However, they also acknowledge that the game's "lack of challenge and the focus on experimentation might not be for everyone."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Apr 1 |first=Sam {{!}} |last2=Review |first2=2022 {{!}} Oculus Quest |last3=Review |date=2022-04-01 |title=Cosmonious High [Quest 2] {{!}} REVIEW |url=https://www.useapotion.com/2022/04/cosmonious-high-quest-2-review/ |access-date=2022-04-14 |website=Use a Potion! |language=en-GB}}</ref> ''UploadVR'' calls it "Owlchemy’s latest – and greatest – iteration on how best to introduce newcomers to the medium [of virtual reality]."<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-03-31 |title=Cosmonious High Review: A Rich World For VR Newcomers |url=https://uploadvr.com/cosmonious-high-review/ |access-date=2022-04-14 |language=en-US}}</ref> Common Sense Media rates it favourably for children specifically, saying it "stands out for positive messages and positive role models."<ref>{{Cite web |title=Cosmonious High Game Review {{!}} Common Sense Media |url=https://www.commonsensemedia.org/game-reviews/cosmonious-high |access-date=2022-04-14 |website=www.commonsensemedia.org |language=en}}</ref>


== References ==
== References ==
{{Reflist}}
<references />


== External links ==
== External links ==
* {{Official website|https://cosmonioushigh.com/}}


[[Category:2022 video games]]
* [https://cosmonioushigh.com/ Official website]
[[Category:Adventure games set in space]]
* [https://www.oculus.com/experiences/quest/4554248281328321/ Oculus website]
[[Category:Single-player video games]]
* [https://store.steampowered.com/app/1491490/Cosmonious_High/ Steam website]
[[Category:Video games about extraterrestrial life]]
[[Category:Windows games]]
[[Category:Meta Quest games]]
[[Category:HTC Vive games]]
[[Category:Valve Index games]]
[[Category:High school-themed video games]]
[[Category:Video games developed in the United States]]
[[Category:Owlchemy Labs games]]
[[Category:PlayStation VR2 games]]

Latest revision as of 13:41, 10 September 2024

Cosmonious High
Developer(s)Owlchemy Labs
Publisher(s)Owlchemy Labs
EngineUnity[1]
Platform(s)Windows
PlayStation 5
ReleaseWindows
March 31, 2022
PlayStation 5
February 22, 2023
Genre(s)Adventure
Mode(s)Single-player

Cosmonious High is a virtual reality adventure game developed and published in 2022 by Owlchemy Labs for SteamVR, HTC Vive, and Oculus Quest 2 through Windows in which students attend a colorful and chaotic high school in space with a cast of quirky alien classmates.[2] A port for PlayStation VR2 was released alongside the system's launch on February 22, 2023.[3]

Plot

[edit]

Upon starting the game, the player takes on the role of a "Prismi", the first of their species to attend Cosmonious High. Their first day immediately begins with chaos when their space bus collides with the side of the building,[4] due to a malfunction of the school's inbuilt artificial intelligence, Intercom. This turns out to be the first of many malfunctions encountered throughout the game, which the player can combat with a range of powers that manifest as and when they need them.[2] Alongside the other students, the player attends a variety of different classes with humorous amalgamated names, such as "Chemosophy", "Visualetics", and "Astralgebra".[5] The other students all belong to one of three other species already enrolled at the school: Flans, Bipids, and Trisks. They all must work together to get the repeated malfunctions of the Intercom under control, all while the school's principal is hiding in his office.

Once the Prismi has successfully rebooted the school using all of the powers they have developed throughout the game, it is revealed that the school's founder, Yuwin R. Cosmonious, had planned all the disruptions specifically for the Prismi's first day as part of the "New Kid Protocol". It had been his greatest ambition to foster cooperation between species in this way. The game's main storyline ends with a dance in the Sports Dome, for which all previously encountered characters are present, to celebrate the Prismi's arrival. Subsequently, the player can still complete any outstanding social quests as well as earn any remaining credits.

Gameplay

[edit]

The plot of the game progresses in a non-linear manner as the player unlocks more and more parts of the school, being rewarded with credits for completing assignments, extra-curricular tasks, or for cleaning up the school using their array of powers.[6] There are a range of social quests the player can complete for different characters, as well as 100 total credits to be collected. The Prismi's abilities, too, can be unlocked in a different order depending on how the game is played. They include water, ice, crystals (used to fix broken power cables by connecting to ends to one another), telekinesis, wind, telepathy (used to read other characters minds and extract items from their thoughts), resizing, and fire.[7]

The player is given a large amount of creative freedom in how they complete a task.[2] Using the motion controllers to represent their hands, players interact with the virtual environment similarly to how they would in real life. Most objects within the player's reach can be interacted with either through touch or through one of the Prismi's powers. They traverse the environment by teleporting using the motion controllers' joysticks.

Development

[edit]

Development of the game was announced in September 2021 to some anticipation,[4] due largely to the success of Owlchemy Labs' most notable title, Job Simulator. It was stated that Cosmonious High itself would be the largest VR space Owlchemy Labs had ever built, and that it would fundamentally change the player's experience to be able to interact with "live" characters in this setting.[5] The developers expressed their excitement at how technology had progressed since their earlier virtual reality titles, as well as the opportunities this offered.[7]

The game also garnered some attention prior to release through the developer's collaboration with the creators of Among Us, including a crewmate as an Easter egg.[8]

Reception

[edit]

Cosmonious High received "generally favorable" reviews according to review aggregator Metacritic.[9]

Shacknews highlighted the game's colorful appearance and charm as its strong points, expressing excitement at Owlchemy's continued expansion of VR design.[11]

Android Central's review claimed it will be remembered as a classic VR game, though admitted it may not be quite as ground-breaking as Job Simulator.[12]

Regarding its suitability for children, Common Sense Media rated it favorably, praising its positive messages and role models.[13] VentureBeat further emphasizes the range of accessibility features, which includes a mindful color palette, the option for single-handed play, and dynamic subtitles, amongst other things.[2]

During the 26th Annual D.I.C.E. Awards, the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences nominated Cosmonious High for Immersive Reality Technical Achievement and Immersive Reality Game of the Year.[14]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Saver, Michael (2022-12-27). "Made with Unity: 2022 in review". Unity Technologies. Retrieved 2023-07-31.
  2. ^ a b c d Takahashi, Dean (March 31, 2022). "Cosmonious High debuts for the Meta Quest 2 and SteamVR". VentureBeat. Archived from the original on April 24, 2022. Retrieved April 26, 2022.
  3. ^ Wing, Kaitlyn Red (2022-11-02). "Owlchemy Labs Reveals Cosmonious High is a February 22nd Launch Day Title for PlayStation®VR2". TriplePoint Newsroom. Retrieved 2023-07-15.
  4. ^ a b Denzer, TJ (September 2, 2021). "Cosmonious High is Owlchemy Labs' next VR title". Shacknews. Archived from the original on April 22, 2022. Retrieved April 26, 2022.
  5. ^ a b Takahashi, Dean (September 2, 2021). "Job Simulator maker Owlchemy unveils Cosmonious High VR game". VentureBeat. Archived from the original on April 22, 2022. Retrieved April 26, 2022.
  6. ^ Sutrich, Nicholas (March 3, 2022). "Cosmonious High hands-on: Job Simulator for the alien kid in all of us". Android Central. Archived from the original on April 22, 2022. Retrieved April 26, 2022.
  7. ^ a b Denzer, TJ (November 3, 2021). "Cosmonious High interview: From Job Simulator to space cartoon". Shacknews. Archived from the original on April 21, 2022. Retrieved April 26, 2022.
  8. ^ Makuch, Eddie (March 25, 2022). "Among Us Crewmate Enters 3D World Of Cosmonious High In New Collab". GameSpot. Archived from the original on April 1, 2022. Retrieved April 26, 2022.
  9. ^ a b "Cosmonious High for PC Reviews". Metacritic. Archived from the original on April 26, 2022. Retrieved April 26, 2022.
  10. ^ Tailby, Stephen (March 3, 2023). "Cosmonious High Review (PS5 / PSVR2)". Push Square. Gamer Network. Retrieved September 10, 2024.
  11. ^ a b Denzer, TJ (April 8, 2022). "Cosmonious High review: Be cool, stay in space school". Shacknews. Archived from the original on April 26, 2022. Retrieved April 26, 2022.
  12. ^ a b Wacholz, Charlie (March 31, 2022). "Cosmonious High Review: a VR playground full of friendly faces". Android Central. Archived from the original on April 24, 2022. Retrieved April 26, 2022.
  13. ^ Chapman, David (March 31, 2022). "Cosmonious High". Common Sense Media. Archived from the original on April 20, 2022. Retrieved April 26, 2022.
  14. ^ "D.I.C.E. Awards By Video Game Details Cosmonious High". Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences. Retrieved 21 July 2023.
[edit]
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/enwiki/w/index.php?title=Cosmonious_High&oldid=1245006094"