Cosmic Fantasy 2 (1991). Play online

Summary

Cosmic Fantasy 2 surprised me when I finally heard that it was the first game ever published by a third‑party on a CD‑based console. Its overhead, turn‑based dungeon crawling feels nostalgic, but the battle system flips the usual formula: every enemy— even bosses— only ever uses a normal attack, can’t miss, and never casts spells or items, leaving target choice as the sole uncertainty. The CD format lets the game show animated intermissions that blend seamlessly with the RPG‑style combat, though frequent load pauses between fights can test your patience.

Critics took note, with Electronic Gaming Monthly awarding it Best RPG Game of the Year in 1992 and giving the game strong scores across the board. After years of limbo due to Telenet’s bankruptcy, the collection finally resurfaced in 2024 through Limited Run Games, giving new English translations a chance to shine.

Storyline

In Cosmic Fantasy 2, 16‑year‑old Van lives on Clan Island of the planet Idea. One day an explosion reveals that the evil wizard Wizda, Galam’s henchman, has seized the princess Laura—Van’s sweetheart—by taking her royal pendant. Van rushes home only to find his village under attack and learns that Galam plans to use Laura’s magical powers, which grant immortality on her 17th birthday, to dominate Idea.

Guided by the old magician Darva, Van discovers Galam’s true aim: total control of the planet. Before he can confront the villain, Galam warps Van twenty years into the future, where a young Cosmic Hunter cadet named Babbette is searching for the missing alien Pico. After Babbette rescues Pico from Nova and later saves Van from Major Payne, the trio—Van, Babbette, and Pico—join forces with Cobra and his crew.

Together they battle space pirates, infiltrate Galam’s stronghold, and finally defeat the dark wizard. As Galam’s ship is destroyed by the computer Robert, Van learns Laura has died, but their love endures. Peace returns to Idea, and Van, Babbette, Pico, and the Cosmic Hunters set off for new adventures across the galaxy.