Frozen Cortex

 PC
Metascore
79

Generally favorable reviews - based on 11 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 11
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 11
  3. Negative: 0 out of 11
  1. 4P.de
    Feb 27, 2015
    82
    It doesn’t reach the elegant brilliance of its spiritual successor. Options in attack and defense are limited, presentation sometimes is confusing. But the poker for the right tactics keeps the momentum going and delivers intense matches.
  2. CalmDownTom
    Mar 2, 2015
    100
    The graphical style is reminiscent of 90s cyberpunk game Speedball, the rules of the game are Bloodbowl-esque American football lite, but the turn-based strategy is as deep as a glacier, only with a ball and a clock to watch.
  3. Destructoid
    Mar 18, 2015
    70
    Frozen Cortex is a great competitive game to play either in short spurts or in longer sessions thanks to its turn-based playstyle, and has a very low barrier to entry for players.
  5. GameSpot
    Mar 19, 2015
    70
    Some ultimate game where nerd and jock fuse together and assume their final form.
  6. IGN
    Feb 26, 2015
    81
    Its under-developed single-player and franchise management options leave a lot of points on the field, but they can be safely ignored once you get your bearings as a coach and can join the intense competition online.
  7. IGN Spain
    Apr 7, 2015
    75
    An interesting proposal that is still a little rough around the edges. An interesting and intelligent future sports game proposal.
  8. PC Gamer
    Feb 24, 2015
    87
    There’s a lot to parse, but understanding the nuances of Frozen Cortex reveals a deep strategic experience that stands shoulder-to-shoulder with Frozen.
  9. PCGamesN
    Feb 26, 2015
    80
    While its stark simplicity might feel cold or even cruel at first, Mode 7 have in fact boiled the Synapse formula down to something perhaps more beautiful, burning away its impurities to leave hard diamond.
  10. Pelit (Finland)
    Jun 14, 2015
    85
    A worthy successor to the cult classic Frozen Synapse. The turn based game mechanics provide exciting and fun gameplay and although the game is at its best when played against other people, the single player mode is a full fledged game in itself especially thanks to the new and ever improving manager mode. [June 2015]
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  11. Riot Pixels
    Apr 19, 2015
    65
    That 'early access' feeling is still present in what is billed as a finished product. In fact, it is even stronger than before, with the unruly camera, horrible interface, slow-thinking AI, long loading times, and the help system presented in plain text format. And the promised career mode is even more bare-bones than in Qvadriga and Armored Core: Formula Front.
  12. Sporting News
    Mar 2, 2016
    80
    It's a stylish, fairly accessible strategy game that incorporates some football principles in a way to create an immediate sense of familiarity. With multiplayer practically dead it's the intriguing Manager mode where the game shines most.

Awards & Rankings

80
#80 Best PC Game of 2015

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
6.3

Mixed or average reviews- based on 31 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 16 out of 31
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 31
  3. Negative: 8 out of 31
  1. los_majklos
    Nov 14, 2014
    8
    I found this piece very interesting and entertaining, although its clearly not meant for everyone or for the average Joe.
    It's basically    I found this piece very interesting and entertaining, although its clearly not meant for everyone or for the average Joe.
    It's basically simulation of future sport, kind of American football variation, with possibility to make your own team of players with mixed skills. Deep design thoughts and sexy look included. I say give it a try.    … Full Review »
  2. Cheshyr
    Feb 24, 2015
    9
    I like this game. Don't let the sports facade fool you; if you like turn based strategy, this game has a lot more depth than first glanceI like this game. Don't let the sports facade fool you; if you like turn based strategy, this game has a lot more depth than first glance suggests.

    Full disclosure: I was on the closed beta, so I've had more direct contact with the devs than your average player. My perspective may be biased.

    As a fan of Frozen Synapse, I was expecting more of the same this time around. The first couple weeks of testing showed promise, but the sports theme turned me off, and the absolutely brutal AI made it difficult to enjoy. They've since tuned the AI and match settings to be more accessible at the beginning, and even more ridiculously difficult at the highest levels.

    The real breakthrough for me came when I started to understand all the rules of combat. It IS a strategy game first and foremost, with a sports veneer. Winning is downright satisfying, since you know you'll never be handed a cakewalk. You start to accumulate tactics and tricks that give you little advantages here and there, and that depth is where it shines. The game becomes yours.

    The waypoint system is polished and intuitive, the graphics are clean yet pretty, and the cameras and animations are very satisfying. The music is excellent. There is a story that pops in and out of the single player leagues; you can engage with it, or skip over it as you see fit. It's interesting flavor, and gives depth to the coaches, but not mandatory.

    The multiplayer features are robust, and it's nice to be able to take as much time as you want to make your moves. Player-organized leagues. Multiple simultaneous games aren't unusual, so you'll never have to wait for a game. Email notifications of pending turns, YouTube auto-capture and upload... nice polish features.

    It's a tight, aggressive strategy simulation that's easy to understand quickly, and has room for complex plans and tactics. I think it's worth taking a look, if that's your style of game.    … Full Review »
  3. Voyou
    May 26, 2021
    1
    I prefer games with controls that match what the tutorial asks me to do, and vice versa. When I get stuck in a tutorial, it's instant refund.
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