Info about Cortex Command:

Official game description:
A project over eleven years in the making, Cortex Command has rich 2D pixel graphics coupled with an extremely detailed physics engine, which allows for highly replayable and emergent real-time action. There is also a turn-based strategic campaign mode which ties the tactical fights together, featuring persistent terrains that will accumulate the battle scars, debris, and bunker ruins through your entire campaign.  
Choose from several unique technology factions, each featuring their own sets of expendable soldier bodies, mechas, weapons, tools, and landing craft. Protect your brain, mine the gold, and destroy the enemy cortex in his bunker complex!
Key Features:
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*   **Fully destructible environments** - The gold you need to excavate is sprinkled throughout the terrain of each scene. Use special digging tools to blast your way into the dirt and debris. All the pieces of bodies and ships from your struggles will fall to the ground and permanently add to the battlefield. Get more powerful (and expensive) diggers and you can even tunnel into your enemies' bunkers from below!  
*   **Strategic metagame campaign** – The intense, real-time tactical battles are put in a greater strategic context in the Campaign mode, thus giving each battle meaning and consequence. The gold-rich terrains on the planet and the defensive bunkers you build to defend them are persistent from fight to fight. This means there will be layers of debris, bunker ruins, tunnels, and corpses piled up in layers, telling the history of each place throughout each campaign played.  
*   **In-game buying menu** - At any time and place during the game, bring up a powerful menu to order new bodies and equipment, all delivered at the location and by the transport ship of your choosing. Rockets are cheaper but unreliable and harder to land. Drop ships are far more expensive but can quickly deploy entire groups of puppets onto difficult terrain. Ships and equipment returned to the TradeStar are refunded to your account.  
*   **Build your own bunker** - At the start of most missions, you are able to take your time and build your own command bunker from scratch. Easily design twisting tunnels and place doors, traps, and turrets to thwart your enemies' intrusions! Pre-deploy and equip bodies in and around your installation to prepare yourself for your objectives. Don't spend too much though, or you won't have enough funds left when the mission starts!  
*   **Four-player cooperative and/or versus multiplayer** - Gather your friends and plug in those game controllers! Play skirmish or campaign missions with or against up to three of your buddies. 2 vs 2, 1 vs. 3, 4 vs. the CPU - it's up to you! (rhyme intended). Flexible control settings allow you to use the keyboard, keyboard + mouse, or any generic game controller you can find and plug in.  
*   **Built-in editors and modding** - Several in-game editors allow you to easily create your own stuff. The game's engine is built to make it very simple to modify and add your own content. Design your own missions, guys, ships, weapons, tools, bombs, and shields - and easily share them with your friends. Join and download some fantastic mods from the community at the Data Realms Fan Forums.

Release date: Sep 28, 2012

Categories: 2D Side-scrolling, Destructible Environments, Physics Simulation, Real-time Strategy, Base Building, Mod Support, Local Multiplayer, Resource Management

Feature scans:
- Steam Deck: score 55; verdict: Tinkering Required; summary: The game suffers from major control interference and requires forcing Proton to run, with crashes and small UI further diminishing the Steam Deck experience. Tinkering with Proton and controller mapping is necessary.

- Hardware Profile: No data
Feature extractions:
- Community Price:
  - Community fair range: $2.00 - $4.00
  - Reasoning: Multiple reviews indicate that the $20 base price is too high, calling it a rip-off and overpriced. The community recommends waiting for sales where the game drops to $2-$4, which is considered a steal. One user bought it for €3 on sale. This suggests a fair base-game price range well below $20, likely between $2 and $4.
- Playtime Metrics:
  - Game completion: N/A
  - Story completion: N/A
  - Session length: 5.0h
  - Endgame: N/A
  - Reasoning: Two independent player reports explicitly mention a 5-hour play session, indicating a typical session length for Cortex Command. No other specific playtime metrics (game completion, story completion, or endgame) are clearly reported; other mentions are vague (e.g., 'tens of hours', 'hundreds of hours') or refer to non-standard activities like learning a programming language.
- Time-to-fun:
  - Summary: Cortex Command has a steep learning curve and clunky controls that initially frustrate many newcomers, but those who persist often find deep enjoyment once the gameplay clicks.
  - Stance: Clicks after
  - Anchor: Gameplay truly clicks
  - Time to anchor: N/A
  - Friction: steep learning curve; clunky controls; unconventional interface design; tedious gold mining; difficult aiming; limited tutorial
  - Unlock drivers: understanding game systems; getting past learning curve; adding mods; playing with friends via splitscreen
  - Conditions: newcomers may need time before it clicks; playing with friends locally enhances enjoyment; using mods extends replayability; veterans appreciate depth after initial hurdle; lack of online multiplayer limits some players; learning curve can be intimidating without guidance
- Player Archetypes:
  - Nostalgic Veteran (sale)
    - Motivation: To relive and preserve classic, physically simulated gameplay that rewards mastery
    - Playstyle: Patient, willing to endure clunky controls and steep learning curves; enjoys the chaotic physics and local multiplayer sessions
    - Experience: veteran
    - Purchase stance: sale
    - Labels: N/A
    - Reference games: Worms; Dwarf Fortress
  - Sandbox Modder (no buy)
    - Motivation: To experiment with mods, physics sandbox, and community-driven content
    - Playstyle: Creative, experimental; installs many mods, enjoys ragdoll chaos and building custom scenarios; often uses the free community version
    - Experience: familiar
    - Purchase stance: no buy
    - Labels: N/A
    - Reference games: Terraria; Melon Playground; Worms
  - Cautious Recommender (sale)
    - Motivation: To enjoy the unique, physics-driven gameplay despite glaring technical and design issues
    - Playstyle: Tolerant of bugs and poor AI; focuses on the core fun and mods; often plays locally or with the community version
    - Experience: familiar
    - Purchase stance: sale
    - Labels: N/A
    - Reference games: N/A


Below are summaries of things people say about the game per category.
Each point is assigned a weight that represents how often it is mentioned across all reviews.
What players like:
- Modding support is strong (weight 0.35): Modding is a major strength, with Clusters 6, 7, 12, 21, and 30 all praising mod potential, community support, and content longevity via Workshop. Players see mods as adding immense replay value.
- Diverse factions and weapons (weight 0.22): The game features a wide variety of units, weapons, and playstyles across factions, as highlighted in Cluster 2 and Cluster 8. This diversity is a key draw for players who enjoy strategic depth.
- Physics and dismemberment (weight 0.22): The realistic physics system and dismemberment mechanics are standout features, noted in Cluster 5 and Cluster 10. Players love the destructible environments and ragdoll effects, which create unique gameplay moments.
- Destructible environments (weight 0.19): Fully destructible and deformable environments, including terrain, are praised in Clusters 17, 26, and 27. Players enjoy the freedom to destroy everything, enhancing strategic play.
- Great graphics and sound (weight 0.19): High-quality graphics, pixel art, sound effects, and style are praised in Clusters 15, 20, and 24. The visual and audio presentation enhances the overall experience.
- Multiple game modes (weight 0.14): The game offers campaign, scenario, and other modes, as seen in Cluster 3. This variety keeps gameplay fresh and caters to different playstyles.
- Sandbox mode is fun (weight 0.14): The sandbox mode offers endless experimentation and creativity, as noted in Clusters 18 and 19. This mode is considered incredibly fun and quirky, encouraging player-driven content.
- Unique genre combination (weight 0.13): The game uniquely blends action, shoot 'em up, and strategy, with a brain control premise, as seen in Clusters 14 and 23. This original conception is a standout feature for players.
- Fun split-screen multiplayer (weight 0.11): Split-screen multiplayer for up to 4 players is highlighted in Cluster 9, emphasizing the game's local co-op value. This feature is a rare and appreciated social element.
- Constant developer updates (weight 0.08): Regular updates from the developer are appreciated in Cluster 25, demonstrating ongoing support and improvement. This commitment builds player trust.
- Physics engine is amazing (weight 0.08): The physics engine creates unique moments and interactions, as noted in Cluster 22. This adds unpredictability and joy to gameplay.
- Top-tier horizontal shooter (weight 0.07): The horizontal shooter gameplay is considered top-tier and very fun, as indicated in Cluster 11. This core mechanic satisfies genre fans.
- Multiplayer and community content (weight 0.07): Multiplayer options and community-created content are appreciated, as seen in Cluster 13. This extends the game's life through player-driven additions.
- Core concept is solid (weight 0.07): The core concept is described as incredibly fun and solid, as noted in Cluster 16. This foundation supports all other features.

Common complaints:
- Game abandoned by developers (weight 0.41): Multiple reviews report the game is abandoned with no updates since 2019. The developer has stopped maintaining the game entirely.
- Overpriced for the content (weight 0.38): Players feel the $20 price tag is too high for what the game offers, with many suggesting it is not worth the full or even half price. The game is seen as a rip-off given its current state.
- Steep learning curve (weight 0.23): New players find the game very difficult to start due to a steep learning curve. It is seen as unfriendly to beginners and requires significant patience.
- Better free version available (weight 0.22): Many users recommend the free open-source community version over the Steam version, as it is more updated and offers a better experience. The Steam version is outdated and unnecessary to purchase.
- Lack of online multiplayer (weight 0.19): The game only supports local co-op or hot-seat multiplayer with no online or networked multiplayer mode. This is a major disappointment for players expecting online play.
- Poor controls and mobility (weight 0.19): Controls are described as uncomfortable, clumsy, frustrating, and some of the worst ever experienced. Character mobility is difficult due to the control scheme.
- Game unfinished and needs polish (weight 0.18): The game is considered not fully finished or polished, with the developer even admitting it lacks polish. It needs a lot of work and improvement.
- Broken or missing features (weight 0.13): Specific features are broken or missing, such as the Steam Workshop no longer working and the game not being downloadable on Steam. This reduces functionality.
- Frustrating difficulty and missions (weight 0.12): Some missions are extremely difficult and frustrating, leading to a poor gameplay experience. Battles also become repetitive.
- Confusing menu and tutorial (weight 0.12): The menu design is absurd, cluttered, and confusing, and the tutorial is uninformative. This makes navigation and learning harder.
- Performance and loading issues (weight 0.11): The game experiences lag after long playtime, even on strong computers, and has long loading times of up to 8 minutes with mods.
- Poor AI behavior (weight 0.07): The AI is considered stupid, with bots making suicidal moves like burying themselves. This detracts from gameplay quality.
- Boring story mode (weight 0.07): The story mode is boring and lacks content beyond an initial cutscene, providing little narrative engagement.

Gameplay feedback:
- Destructible terrain physics engine (weight 0.39): Players praise the physics-based destruction and terrain deformation, highlighting the particle effects and fully destructible environments. This feature is a core selling point that appears in multiple clusters.
- Resource gathering through mining (weight 0.27): Gold mining is a key mechanic, used to purchase units and manage resources. This is emphasized as a primary gameplay loop in several clusters.
- Side-scrolling shooter hybrid (weight 0.25): The game is described as a side-scrolling shooter with real-time strategy elements, blending action with tactical decisions. This unique combination is noted across multiple clusters.
- Strategic base building systems (weight 0.21): Base building with bunkers and outposts is a key element, allowing defensive and resource management strategies. This is noted in campaign and sandbox modes.
- Lua modding and Workshop support (weight 0.19): The game is fully moddable with Lua scripts and has official mod support via Workshop, making it easy to create and share content. This extends replayability significantly.
- Multiple game modes available (weight 0.14): The game offers story, survival, and other modes, providing variety for players. This is positively noted for replayability.
- Local multiplayer support up to 4 (weight 0.14): Local and split-screen multiplayer for up to 4 teams or players is appreciated, especially for PC. This enhances group play without requiring online connectivity.
- Unit control and management (weight 0.11): Direct control over individual units is a praised feature, allowing precise tactical gameplay. This adds depth to the combat experience.
- Real-time Worms-like gameplay (weight 0.08): Players compare the game to Worms Armageddon but in real-time, offering familiar yet distinct dynamism. This comparison appears in a dedicated cluster.
- Dead online multiplayer (weight 0.08): The online multiplayer modes no longer have active players, making those features inaccessible. This is a significant issue for multiplayer-focused players.
- Brain-controlled unit management (weight 0.08): Players control a brain that manages bodies, robots, or clones, adding a unique strategic layer. This concept is explicitly mentioned in a cluster.
- Drop ship mechanic (weight 0.08): A drop ship system allows for deploying units from above, adding a tactical aerial element. This is highlighted as a notable feature.
- Pixel art visual style (weight 0.08): The 2D pixel art graphics are consistently appreciated, giving the game a retro aesthetic. This is a recurring visual theme.

Performance notes:
- Original game runs poorly (weight 0.15): The original version of the game has performance issues on modern PCs, with many users reporting crashes and instability. This is a common complaint among players.
- Crashes during gameplay (weight 0.15): The game crashes frequently, particularly when bombing everything or due to physics simulation errors. This disrupts the gaming experience significantly.
- FPS drops with debris (weight 0.11): Frame rate drops occur when there are many debris on screen, causing performance to stutter. This issue affects gameplay smoothness during intense moments.
- CPU intensive physics (weight 0.11): Physics modeling is CPU intensive, which can cause performance issues on weaker processors and even high-end machines under heavy activity. This limits accessibility.
- Long loading times (weight 0.08): The game has a long initial loading time, taking up to five minutes to start. This can be frustrating for players wanting quick access.
- High-end rig slowdowns (weight 0.08): Even on beefier systems, the game can slow down with lots of activity, making it playable but not smooth. This indicates optimization gaps.
- Linux version broken (weight 0.05): The default Linux version does not run at all, leaving Linux users unable to play the game. This is a critical platform issue.

Recommendations:
- Avoid Steam purchase (weight 0.63): Many reviewers advise buying the free open-source Community Project instead of the paid Steam version, citing that the community version is actively improved and supports mods.
- Watch tutorial first (weight 0.03): One reviewer suggests watching a tutorial video before playing due to the game's steep learning curve.

Other player notes:
No miscpoints

Emotions:
- Frustration (weight 0.26): Players express frustration due to the game's abandonment, broken Steam Workshop, and steep learning curve with unintuitive controls. The official version is often inferior to free community versions, and issues like poor AI, bugs, and lack of updates compound the negative experience.
- Disappointment (weight 0.17): Disappointment stems from the game's abandoned state, lack of updates since 2019, and broken Workshop despite its great core concept. Missing features like online multiplayer and Chinese language support, along with unfinished development, leave players feeling let down.
- Excitement (weight 0.11): Excitement arises from top-tier gameplay, per-pixel destruction, and satisfying physics that create chaotic emergent battles. The active modding community and workshop content, such as deploying Optimus Prime, add endless replayability and unique moments.
- Satisfaction (weight 0.07): Satisfaction comes from mastering the game's difficulty and earning success through perseverance. Rich content, workshop support, and realistic physics with strategic depth provide a rewarding combat sandbox experience.
- Enjoyment (weight 0.05): Players enjoy the split-screen co-op fun, destructibility, and freedom in difficulty settings. Activities like bombing points, mining gold, and recruiting soldiers keep gameplay varied and engaging without boredom.
- Appreciation (weight 0.04): Appreciation is directed at the strong community and workshop support that keep the game alive. The detailed graphics, engaging story, and creative concepts are praised despite underlying flaws.
- Nostalgia (weight 0.04): Nostalgia evokes fond memories of playing since 2007, with the game being a classic ahead of its time. Thousands of hours spent on an old laptop and modding possibilities create a lasting sentimental attachment.
- Amusement (weight 0.02): Amusement is found in absurd situations like decapitation conga lines and chain explosions from physics-based weapons. The humorous tone and personification of children's drawings add to the entertainment.
- Love (weight 0.02): Love for the game is driven by its detailed physics system, variety of weapons, and workshop support. Split-screen PC play and childhood memories contribute to a deep personal enjoyment.
- Enthusiasm (weight 0.02): Enthusiasm is fueled by the game being lightweight, real-time action, and open source with an active community. Long development and base building features encourage ongoing engagement.
- Joy (weight 0.02): Joy comes from simple fun, no grind, and chaotic battles with wobbly troops and crashy spaceships. Even after hundreds of hours, the game remains entertaining with exploitative strategies and positive memories.
- Sadness (weight 0.02): Sadness arises because the game is unfinished, forgotten, and never gained popularity as an E-sport. It could have achieved more with a bigger budget, but remains obscure without a sequel.
- Gratitude (weight 0.01): Gratitude is expressed toward the fan community for creating fixes and mods that keep the game playable. The community also helped players get into modding and game development.
- Anger (weight 0.01): Anger results from the broken Workshop that ruins the modding community, and accidental controller input switching. These issues undermine the core experience that sustained the game.
- Confusion (weight 0.01): Confusion stems from an unnecessarily complex control scheme for picking up items and uncertainty about the game's core identity. Players struggle to understand what the game is supposed to be.
- Annoyance (weight 0.01): Annoyance is caused by bad AI, limp ragdoll controls that clash with snappy expectations, and the inability to download the Steam version. These issues disrupt smooth gameplay.
- Hope (weight 0.01): Hope comes from the developer working on a successor and the game's underlying promise. This suggests potential for future improvement or a spiritual successor.
- Fascination (weight 0.01): Fascination is sparked by unique features like limb dismemberment and various death animations. The innovative approach to tower defense and turn-based strategy also captivates players.
- Happiness (weight 0.01): Happiness arises from fun gameplay, good childhood memories, and joy when updates do release. The game consistently delivers enjoyable experiences.
- Interest (weight 0.01): Interest is piqued by mod support that adds content from other franchises and the unique concept of brain controlling bodies in a destructible world. These elements draw players in.}