Taking cues from the RPGs of old, Zeboyd aims to bring more modern game design ideas to what players have come to expect from retro RPGs. The combat has been reworked to flow naturally and to reward tactics over zoned-out grinding. The world alternates between linear and open-ended segments to allow for a number of entertaining sidequests. Later in the game, players will even be able to upgrade their ship. While the aesthetic appears decidedly old-school, complete with Sega CD-style cutscenes, the underlying design clearly plays with the tropes established over the last few decades. Zeboyd has always injected humor into its games, and Cosmic Star Heroine made me laugh several times with winks and nods at the absurdity of RPG tropes while also making use of them to great effect. Treasure chests stand as a fine testament to this. While moving through areas, I came across a number of chests and items, only one or two of which proved to be useful, like a laser cannon so amazing that the party stopped to talk about how incredible it was. The remaining chests had various lines of text about how a previous adventurer must have found it first or how something edible two centuries ago had become a nasty gelatinous mass.

 

The level I played revolved around a research facility in the depths of a jungle. L’Salle and her companions had worked their way to the gates of the building, but found them locked. I began to explore the branching paths into the surrounding trees and shrubbery, eventually coming across a strange looking plant. Interacting with the plant initiated an amusing exchange of dialogue between party members and then launched me into battle against the conspicuous bit of vegetation.

 

The turn-based combat in Cosmic Star Heroine feels surprisingly satisfying. Like Chrono Trigger, there are no transitions between exploration and battle; both take place on the same screen. Once battle begins, turn order is shown on a bar on the right side of the screen. Each party member can equip seven abilities and a single defend move that recharges the other abilities. With some exceptions, most abilities may only be used once before they need to be recharged. On top of this, characters can use programs that act as secondary abilities. This leads to a delicate balancing act between when to use each skill and choosing the best moment to recharge abilities.

 

Battles also have an interesting dynamic labeled “style.” As players use abilities, they gain style points and their abilities become more effective. Certain moves “burst,” consuming all style points for a colossal effect. This adds another factor to consider when selecting which abilities to use. Moves that inflict status ailments are more effective when at high style, while a burst ability might do enough damage to finally take down that boss you’ve been fighting for the last ten minutes. Combat rewards planning and patience.