Rainbow Cotton, developed by KRITZELKRATZ 3000 and published by ININ Games, brings a nostalgic yet modern twist to the classic shoot-’em-up genre and Cotton franchise. But while the game attempts to revive the charm of its Dreamcast predecessor and other Cotton titles, it delivers a mixed experience on the PlayStation 5.
Rainbow Cotton follows the witch Cotton as she embarks on yet another whimsical adventure to retrieve stolen magical candies. As good a cause as any, we say. The narrative is light and whimsical, staying true to the series’ roots. While the storyline is straightforward and may lack depth, it maintains a charming and fantastical atmosphere that fans of the series will appreciate.
The gameplay of Rainbow Cotton blends classic rail shooter mechanics with a few modern updates. Players guide Cotton through various vibrant levels, dodging obstacles and blasting enemies. However, the controls can work against you at times. The aiming system feels imprecise by modern standards, and the overall control scheme can be clunky, leading to potentially frustrating moments during intense action sequences – detracting from the otherwise enjoyable and fast-paced gameplay.
It’s also worth pointing out that the control issues can lead to a steep learning curve, especially for players who are only really accustomed to the more refined control systems you’ll find in modern games – you’ll need a bit of retro experience in order to be more forgiving towards this one. Because while the game tries to stay true to its classic roots, this is an area where more modernization would have greatly benefited the overall experience.
Visually, Rainbow Cotton impresses with its colorful and vibrant graphics. The game does a fantastic job of updating the visual style of the original for the PS5, featuring detailed character models and lively environments that pop with color. The audio complements the visuals with a cheerful and catchy soundtrack that fits the game’s whimsical tone as well, and fans of previous Cotton titles (many of which were re-released in recent years) should enjoy this one as well.
With its gameplay issues, Rainbow Cotton primarily excels in its nostalgic appeal and vibrant presentation. Long-time fans of the series will find joy in the familiar aesthetics and whimsical narrative. However, the game’s outdated control scheme and occasional technical issues hinder its potential. The imprecision in aiming and the clunky controls can detract from the overall experience, making it less accessible to new players and occasionally frustrating for veterans as well. This makes Rainbow Cotton a mixed bag that successfully revives the colorful charm of the original but struggles with modern gameplay mechanics and control precision. Fans of the series will likely find enjoyment though.
Score: 6.4/10
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