Breathedge: Cosmic Cluck
Review
Space Chickens
by JackCarter
reviewed on PC
Are you chicken?
Breathedge: Cosmic Cluck wastes no time in setting up its premise. You're a space guy whose spaceship was shot down and now a chicken with a camera for a head is going to help you out of your predicament. That's really all you need to know when going into this VR title – It's a sci-fi game that doesn't take itself too seriously, which can be equal parts good and bad.
Cosmic Cluck is not a long game, coming in just roughly over 2 hours if you're quick, it is nothing if not prompt, much to its benefit. If Cosmic Cluck was any longer, the repetitious collect-a-thon of needing 5 of something, getting 5 of something, bringing it back to base and crafting something, rinse and repeat, would become aggravating. Luckily enough it doesn't overstay its welcome. The short time frame is a double edged sword however, as it is hard to justify the pricing, which is, at the time of this writing, 24.99USD in the Meta Store. It's a fun and interesting game, but it's hard to justify that price tag for the small amount of time you do get with it.
In between collecting and building is probably the most fun part, the Universal Survival Tool. You build the Universal Survival Tool over time, collecting resources to 3D-print parts for it, and as you add to it, the more it unlocks. It's essentially the gravity gun from Half-Life except in space, meaning you can use it like a grappling hook to slingshot yourself in zero gravity. Much like the gravity gun, you can pull in smaller objects around you and shoot them out, making a weapon to defeat murderous robots you meet along the way. Once you get the hang of it, the controls feel smooth and natural. Being in zero-g can provide some setbacks, as there were times when I would try to reach something but slowly drift off and have to reorient myself. It wasn't a complete game breaker, but it was annoying.
A Zero Gravity Feeling
Something that should be considered when it comes to vr games, is the queasiness factor. Luckily enough, I never get motion sick, and have only ever felt a mild discomfort playing some rather janky VR games, so it's hard for me to judge outright if this game will make you sick. I never once felt any sort of nausea playing, and it does take steps to keep you comfortable, like implementing a quick turn with the right joystick, but all that being said, the game does take place in zero gravity where you do bounce around and glad to different positions.
The worst part for me would be the humour. I'm a fan of comedic games and comedy in general, but this one just wasn't for me. You are fallowed by a robotic chicken throughout your quest akin to Navi in The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, but unlike that game (yes, I know I'm in the minority when it comes to liking Navi) I found this companion aggravating. I felt like it wouldn't stop talking or spouting annoying quips.
Breathedge: Cosmic Cluck is not a mainline game but a rather a smaller spinoff, a first foray into VR, if you will. It's decent, and if you have a couple of hours and 24.99 to spare, it's a fun venture into the wilds of the Breathedge universe. But it isn't a must buy. This is definitely more for the fans of the mainline game that want more or people that want something new for their Meta Quest and have already exhausted other VR titles.
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7.5
fun score
Pros
Short time frame, Universal Survival Tool
Cons
Short time frame, collect-a-thon, robotic chicken humour
