Pay attention to certain underlying rhythms while playing.

Need I say any more?

Fine, I guess I’ll show my working.

A battle in an asteroid field in Cobalt Core, with ships lined up facing each other

Whether moves like these are match-winners depends heavily on your choice of vessel.

Of course: this isn’t a spaceship.

It’s a paddle.

A spaceship prepares to dodge incoming cannon fire from an even larger ship in Cobalt Core.

I am customising a paddle.

And by extension, Cobalt Core is not a roguelike deckbuilder.

It is, in fact, one of many, very creatively concealed homages to Breakout and Pong.

A screenshot of Breakout, showing a paddle bouncing a ball off a wall of bricks

Cobalt Core isn’t played in real-time and isn’t any kind of direct variation on tennis.

Not to instantly negate the previous 800 words, but there’s no ball.

Perhaps thereisa ball in Cobalt Core.

Cover image for YouTube video