''Cobalt'' is an
action
Action may refer to:
* Action (philosophy), something which is done by a person
* Action principles the heart of fundamental physics
* Action (narrative), a literary mode
* Action fiction, a type of genre fiction
* Action game, a genre of video gam ...
side-scrolling video game
A side-scrolling video game (alternatively side-scroller) is a video game viewed from a side-view camera angle where the screen follows the player as they move left or right. The jump from single-screen or flip-screen graphics to scrolling grap ...
developed by Oxeye Game Studio and published by
Mojang Studios
Mojang AB, trading as Mojang Studios, is a Swedish video game developer based in Stockholm. A first-party developer for Xbox Game Studios, the studio is best known for developing the sandbox and survival game ''Minecraft'', the best-selli ...
. It was released on 2 February 2016 for
Microsoft Windows
Windows is a Product lining, product line of Proprietary software, proprietary graphical user interface, graphical operating systems developed and marketed by Microsoft. It is grouped into families and subfamilies that cater to particular sec ...
,
Xbox 360
The Xbox 360 is a home video game console developed by Microsoft. As the successor to the Xbox (console), original Xbox, it is the second console in the Xbox#Consoles, Xbox series. It was officially unveiled on MTV on May 12, 2005, with detail ...
and the
Xbox One
The Xbox One is a home video game console developed by Microsoft. Announced in May 2013, it is the successor to Xbox 360 and the third console in the Xbox#Consoles, Xbox series. It was first released in North America, parts of Europe, Austra ...
consoles.
Gameplay
Game modes
''Cobalt'' has a story mode and 5 other multiplayer modes:
* Deathmatch: A type of the game mode where various weapons and throwables are spawned across the map, which are to be picked up. Players can play free-for-all deathmatch, or with teams. Up to 8 players can play in a multiplayer match.
* Team Strike: At the beginning of each round, players buy one of six classes, which each have certain advantages and disadvantages. Players then play in 4 vs. 4 eliminations. As soon as a team is eliminated, a new round begins. They can play in their character's current condition, repair their character, or sell it to get a new class. 8 players can participate in a multiplayer match.
* Plug Slam: Like deathmatch, various weapons are placed on the map. A plug is placed in the middle of the map. The goal is for the player to get the plug into the opponent's goal.
* Survival: At the beginning of a wave, players buy equipment, then must survive attacks, occasionally receiving objectives. Once a wave is over, players have the ability to upgrade their equipment.
* Challenge: These are time-driven challenges which test players' ability in speed and combat.
** Speed: Speed challenges are time-based and require players to pass through all checkpoints until they get to the end. Obstacles may be present, such as enemies, turrets, and environmental hazards.
** Combat: Combat challenges are also time-based and have targets that players must kill. Their score increases by performing actions like saving prisoners and taking out optional enemies.
Players play as the main character, known as Cobalt. Some key mechanics of the game include
bullet time, rolling (to deflect bullets and/or increase speed), attacks, both ranged and melee, using various weapons of both kinds, which can deal damage and knock back throwables, all of which a player can combo together to produce an advanced level of play.
Development
Alpha
''Cobalt'' was released in its
alpha
Alpha (uppercase , lowercase ) is the first letter of the Greek alphabet. In the system of Greek numerals, it has a value of one. Alpha is derived from the Phoenician letter ''aleph'' , whose name comes from the West Semitic word for ' ...
stage of development. Updates to subsequent versions of the game are free. The alpha version was initially only available for the Windows
operating system
An operating system (OS) is system software that manages computer hardware and software resources, and provides common daemon (computing), services for computer programs.
Time-sharing operating systems scheduler (computing), schedule tasks for ...
. A macOS version was released on 27 June 2013, but the game was later developed as Xbox 360, Xbox One and Microsoft Windows exclusive.
The alpha version's main goals were:
* Local multiplayer
* Introducing both the single-player and co-op Adventure mode
* Introducing the level editor
Beta
Additional features were planned for the beta stage including a fully working level editor (and multiple editors), in-game level sharing between players, as well as the macOS and Linux ports of the game. Of these, the editors and the macOS port were released during the Alpha stage.
The Beta was never officially released as the game left Alpha, and the game was instead launched directly into its Gold version.
Gold
The final version of the game includes tools for sharing
user-generated content
User-generated content (UGC), alternatively known as user-created content (UCC), emerged from the rise of web services which allow a system's User (computing), users to create Content (media), content, such as images, videos, audio, text, testi ...
(on
Steam
Steam is water vapor, often mixed with air or an aerosol of liquid water droplets. This may occur due to evaporation or due to boiling, where heat is applied until water reaches the enthalpy of vaporization. Saturated or superheated steam is inv ...
), a complete story mode, and same computer co-op multiplayer. Unlike the alpha, the main game's engine is powered by
Autodesk Stingray (as opposed to the in-house engine DaisyMoon). The macOS and Linux ports were ultimately scrapped in favor of prioritizing networked play.
[http://www.oxeyegames.com/cobalt-launches-february-2/ ]
Xbox port
The game was ported to the Xbox 360 and Xbox One by
Fatshark. This version of the game has not been updated since release.
Reception
''Cobalt'' received "mixed or average" reviews, according to video game
review aggregator
A review aggregator is a system that collects reviews and ratings of products and services, such as films, books, video games, music, software, hardware, or cars. This system then stores the reviews to be used for supporting a website where user ...
Metacritic
Metacritic is an American website that aggregates reviews of films, television shows, music albums, video games, and formerly books. For each product, the scores from each review are averaged (a weighted average). Metacritic was created ...
.
See also
* ''
Cobalt WASD''
References
External links
*
{{Portal bar, Video games
2016 video games
Action games
Early access video games
Indie games
Linux games
MacOS games
Mojang Studios
Multiplayer and single-player video games
Oxeye Game Studio games
Video games developed in Sweden
Video games with Steam Workshop support
Windows games
Xbox 360 games
Xbox One games