Cosmic Express

Genre: Puzzle

Players: 1

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Review:

(Note: This game is included in the Draknek and Friends Puzzle Bundle, along with Sokobond, A Good Snowman is Hard to Build, and A Monster’s Expedition. It is also in Draknek & Friends Puzzle Bundle (5 Games), along with the above mentioned games as well as Bonfire Peaks. Additionally, this game is included in Draknek & Friends Puzzle Bundle (6 Games), along with all of the above mentioned games, as well as Bonfire Peaks and Patrick’s Parabox. However, none of those bundles are currently available, although one bundle that is still available is Draknek and Friends Puzzle Bundle (2024), which contains all of the games named above plus Sokobond Express.)

Cosmic Express is a family-friendly Puzzle game first released on PC and mobile devices in 2017 and ported to Nintendo Switch in 2021. This game has players playing drawing train routes to deliver color-coded aliens to their homes before reaching an exit.

Cosmic Express features a simple presentation, using simple, brightly-colored, cartoony 3D models for the pod-like train and its compartments, the aliens, the structures and environments. This is backed by a dreamy synthesized soundtrack that perfectly fits the relaxed nature of the game. In short, this isn’t an especially impressive presentation, but it is nevertheless well-suited to the game.

As for the gameplay itself, Cosmic Express is a fine example of doing a lot with a little. All players do here is draw rail tracks and start the train when they believe they have the proper solution. They can make tracks turn at 45-degree angles, but can’t have a track cross over itself. Each train compartment can only hold one alien at a time, and compartments will be boarded by the first alien adjacent to a compartment, with that alien departing as soon as it is adjacent to a like-colored destination. These mechanics are easy to pick up, yet the game works them into configurations that make for some extraordinarily clever puzzles that will make you consider the space you have, the route you take, and the order you pick up and drop off passengers.

As the game progresses, it adds additional elements to the formula while maintaining the simple gameplay – you may have additional compartments to transport passengers, or you may have to pick up slimy aliens that contaminate compartments so only slimy aliens will use the compartment after them (so you’ll want to pick them up last in your route), and some levels use a portal to transport your train instantly from one spot to another. These gameplay additions make for great added variety, and provide new depth to the game’s already-excellent puzzle design.

The traditional gamepad controls here work perfectly fine, but those who prefer do have the option of using touchscreen controls that are also sufficient. I think both control schemes here have their merits, and I don’t think you can go wrong either way. In terms of value, A Good Snowman is surprisingly robust, offering over 120 puzzles for $10, with a few puzzles needing to be solved multiple ways via alternate solutions, and the game features hidden secrets as well.

All told, Cosmic Express is a superb Puzzle game that takes a simple concept and explores it wonderfully with some clever puzzles, a fair amount of variety, a respectable amount of content, and a charming presentation. If you’re a Puzzle Game fan, this game is absolutely one you’ll want to check out.

tl;dr – Cosmic Express is a family-friendly Puzzle Game where players create train routes in various space colonies to deliver aliens to their homes. The gameplay here is simple but well-crafted, with some really clever puzzle design. There’s also a good amount of content here, some good variety, and an adorable presentation. If you enjoy Puzzle games, this is definitely one you’ll want to get.

Grade: B+

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This game has been nominated for one or more of eShopperReviews 2021 Game Awards:

Runner-Up: Most Overlooked

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