| Cosmic Chasm | |
| Developers: | GCE (Vectrex) Cinematronics (arcade) |
| Publishers: | GCE (Vectrex) Cinematronics (arcade) |
| Genres: | Flight Simulation Multi-directional Shooter |
| Release dates: | 1982 (GCE Vectrex)
1983 (arcade) |
| Number of players | 1-2 alternating turns |
| Input methods | Rotary dial, three buttons (arcade) Eight directional joystick, four buttons (Vectrex) |
| Platforms | Vectrex, Arcade |
Cosmic Chasm was a game where players had to guide their ship through a series of mazes in order to destroy the central core. It was originally released for the Vectrex, but then was ported to the arcade through Cinematronics.
Gameplay, Vectrex[]
The player(s) control a ship set in a series of interconnected caverns. Each cavern has a core in the center that is constantly growing, as well as having several Planet Protector enemies. It is usually in the player's best interest to clear out each area of Planet Protectors by shooting them, then carefully inching their way to the protective barrier by an exit in order to drill through it. Once the barrier has been disabled, the player can then fly into the next cavern.
The view changes from a cavern to a map in between screens, showing the player's(') progress in order to make their way to the center chamber. They must plan out the best route in order to get to the central area. Once that is accomplished, the player(s) must drop a bomb at the center core, which they have several seconds in order to escape from the area before the bomb explodes. If the player does not make it out in time they will lose a ship; succeed and they will start again in a new area.
Hitting a cavern wall, core or a Planet Protector will cause players to lose a ship and the game will end when there are no ships remaining. Players have a protective shield for use in emergencies.
(arcade)[]
The majority of the original game was left intact, although with several minor differences, such as the game being in color this time around (as the Vectrex was in black and white display only). The map was constantly shown at the top of the screen, rather than alternating in between screens/caverns. Players were allowed many more onscreen shots at once in a rapid-fire fashion. A full-screen, behind the ship cinematic cutscene also briefly played whenever players entered a new cavern, and the drill function was left out altogether (as players just shot away the wall until it disintegrated), as well as bombing the central core.
Trivia[]
- This was the first home game ever to be ported from the home to the arcade, which it is usually the other way around as far as ports go. This ended up being Cinematronics's last released vector game ever before filing for bankruptcy.
- In late 2012, it became known that bassist Rudy Sarzo (who has played in the heavy metal/hard rock acts Dio, Whitesnake, and Quiet Riot, among others) had a Vectrex on Quiet Riot's tour bus, due to an ebay auction selling off the collection, one of which games included Cosmic Chasm. The package also included an original Vectrex controller, a Light Pen and a letter of authenticity.