Line #26 VideoGame/Cotton


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6	[[quoteright:400:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/20000328hni02_1w.jpg]]
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8	A series of [[ShootEmUp side-scrolling shooters]] made by Creator/{{Success}}, ''Cotton'' was one of the earliest {{Cute Em Up}}s involving {{Cute Witch}}es and {{Beam Spam}} to pre-date ''Franchise/TouhouProject''. Known mostly to hardcore gamers, the games involved the titular Natta de Cotton searching for candies called ''[[TrademarkFavoriteFood Willows]]'' (not to be confused with the film ''Film/{{Willow}}''), and her fairy side-kick Silk who, when not trying to look for help to save some kingdom, encourages Cotton to help her anyway with the [[DeliciousDistraction promise of said sweets]].
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10	To Cotton, Willows are {{Serious Business}}, and she will absolutely do '''ANYTHING''' in her power to get hold of (and consume) one of these, such as blasting everything in her way, apparently...
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12	Beside being an early cute'em up, the series stood out in a genre then dominated by non-character spaceships and military vehicles as player avatars, starring a strongly defined protagonist and featuring a greater focus on plot, the games having many cutscenes meant to charm and entertain the players as much as the gameplay. One of the designer of ''VideoGame/TwinkleStarSprites'' would credit ''Cotton'' as a major influence on the genre for that reason.
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14	In 2021, to celebrate the series' 30th anniversary, a series of ports of most games in the series was released for Platform/NintendoSwitch and Platform/PlayStation4, along with a remake of the first game and a brand new game.
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16	[[AC:Games in the series:]]
17	* ''Fantastic Night Dreams: Cotton'' (1991, Arcade[[labelnote:Click here for subsequent releases]]PC-Engine[=/=]Platform/TurboGrafx16, Platform/SharpX68000, Platform/PlayStation (as ''Cotton Original''), Platform/NeoGeoPocket, Mobile, Sega Astro City Mini microconsole[[/labelnote]]) - After an evil mist envelopes the world of Filament keeping it nighttime forever, a fairy named Silk seeks for help. She happens upon Cotton, who, in the witch's habit of doing nothing but searching for Willow treats, initially ignores her plea. That is, of course, until the fairy makes mention of said candy... This game is also mildly notable for having the first ever FanTranslation of a Playstation game.
18	* ''Märchen Adventure Cotton 100%'' (1994, Platform/SuperFamicom, 2003, [=PlayStation=], 2021 Platform/PlayStation4 and Platform/NintendoSwitch) - When a rumor spread that the famed Willows-producing fairies of Märchen Land have been abducted by an evil witch, Silk goes to find Cotton, who has no idea about the events. The pair head to Marchen Land to find out the truth behind the mystery.
19	** Originally developed as a SFC port of the original game ''Cotton 100%'' plays like a vague retread of it, featuring similar but distinct levels. A new feature is the ability to choose between four sets of spells and fairy formation before starting a playthrough.
20	* ''Panorama Cotton'' (1994, Platform/MegaDrive, 2021 [=PS4=] and Switch) - After inhaling questionable fumes, the ruler of Filament, Queen Velvet, runs off to "protect her kingdom" after divining an incoming catastrophe (via means of plant petals). Meanwhile, word spreads out of monsters burning any Willow they see. As Silk cleans up some of the burnt remains, Cotton appears after eating a charred piece and demands an explanation for the atrocity...
21	** ''Panorama Cotton'' does not play like a traditional side-scrolling shooter, instead being a RailShooter taking inspiration from ''VideoGame/SpaceHarrier''. The game is a major technical showcase for the Mega Drive's capabilities, featuring extensive use of paralax scrolling and highly detailled artwork while maintaining smoother framerate than other rail shooters on the system.
22	* ''Magical Night Dreams Cotton 2'' (1997, Arcade and Platform/SegaSaturn) - Appli, a [[RebelliousPrincess spunky princess]] runs off with a treasure from her Kingdom of Pumpkin to use its power to grant a wish... except she just got swept by a tornado and now lost it. Upon searching, Cotton and Silk stumbles into Appli and overhears the princess' assistant Needle speak of a "Bluewater Willow". Appli and Needle scout out more while Cotton and Silk give chase...
23	** Returning to side-scroller gameplay, ''Cotton 2'' features many changes and new mechanics, such as replacing OneHitpointWonder rules with a lifebar, spell attacks activated through fighting game-style motion inputs, and the ability to "seal" enemies in an elemental bubble to shoot them for additional points or start off chain reactions by throwing them at other enemies.
24	* ''Magical Night Dreams Cotton Boomerang'' (1998, Arcade and Saturn) - A plotless remix of ''Cotton 2''.
25	** The game returns to OneHitpointWonder rules and features a team system (similar to ''VideoGame/ArmedPoliceBatrider''), where players choose three characters before starting a playthrough and rotate player after dying or using their SmartBomb attack.
26	* ''Rainbow Cotton'' (2000 Dreamcast, Spring 2024 [=PS4=], Platform/Playstation5, Switch, Platform/XboxOne, PC) - The demon Tweed has invaded the towns surrounding Lasha Castle in order to get the power of the Legendary Willow within. The fairies reluctantly ask Cotton for help, but before she can deal with Tweed, Cotton must get the four invitations to Lasha Castle...
27	** Another rail shooter and so far the only [[VideoGame3DLeap fully 3D game in the series]].
28	* ''Magical Pachinko Cotton'' (2003, Platform/Playstation2) - A pachinko game featuring characters from the series, adapting a real pachinko table.
29	* ''Fantastic Night Dreams: Cotton Reboot'' (2021, [=PS4=], Switch, PC) - A revival of the series commisioned by game store Beep, the game includes a port of the Sharp [=XK68000=] version of the original game with added voice acting, and a remake "Reboot" mode developed by Rocket Engine (the developers of the ''VideoGame/TroubleWitches'' series).
30	* ''Cotton Guardian Force Saturn Tribute'' (2021, [=PS4=], Switch, PC) - A CompilationRerelease featuring ''Cotton 2'', ''Cotton Boomerang'' and the unrelated Success-developed shooter ''Guardian Force''. The games can also be purchased individually.
31	* ''Superlative Night Dreams: Cotton Rock 'n' Roll'' (known as ''Superlative Night Dreams: Cotton Fantasy'' outside of Japan) (2021 Japan, 2022 overseas, [=PS4=] and Switch,): Willows are dissapearing from the land, and once again it's up to Cotton to resolve the crisis. A collaboration between Success and Studio Saizensen of ''VideoGame/UmiharaKawase''-fame
32	** The first brand-new ''Cotton'' game in 20 years, ''Cotton Fantasy'' pays tribute not just to the series but to Success' history as a whole, featuring an eccletic cast of [[GuestFighter crossover characters]] with different gameplay mechanics. For instances, while Cotton and Appli play much like their original game-selves, Saiva Ria (based off fellow Success shmup ''VideoGame/{{Psyvariar}}'') levels up by destroying enemies and "buzzing" enemy bullets, while Fine (inspired by ''VideoGame/StarfighterSanvein'') foregoes traditional video game lives for a timer that must be replenished through various means. The game also feature two bonus stages based off the gameplay of ''Panorama Cotton''.
33	** There are two arcade versions of the game. The original version is available on Creator/{{Sega}}'s ALL.net service, and the console ports are based on this version. The exA-Arcadia version additionally adds 2-player play and an exclusive ArrangeMode.
34	* ''[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SXGnZDXscn8 Superlative Night Dreams: Cotton Rock 'n' Roll 2]]'' (Release and platforms TBA): A sequel to ''Cotton Rock 'n' Roll'' and the first game in the series to be set in Japan.
35	* ''Cotton Reboot! High Tension!'' (PS4/5 and Nintendo Switch, TBD 2025): A sequel to ''Cotton Reboot''.
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37	In addition to her own series, Cotton has made various {{Crossover}} appearances in other video games, such as ''VideoGame/RondoOfSwords'' for the Platform/NintendoDS, Studio [=SeistA=]'s ''[[VideoGame/TroubleWitches Trouble Witches Origin]]'' (as [[DownloadableContent DLC]] alongside Silk) and Success' sweets-themed puzzle game ''KASIORI'' (again, alongside Silk). Cotton is also a playable character in ''[[VideoGame/UmiharaKawase Umihara Kawase Fresh!]]'', as well as ''[=Umihara Kawase BaZooKa!!=]''[[note]]in both her normal outfit and her appearance from ''Fresh!''[[/note]] alongside Appli.
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40	!!The games provide examples of:
41	* AntiFrustrationFeatures: In the remake, you get unlimited continues. Also, Cotton's and Silk's hitbox is clearly visible which makes dodging bullets ''much'' more bearable.
42	* ArrangeMode: ''Cotton II'' has Saturn Mode, which has altered stage backgrounds and tweaked boss battles.
43	* AstralFinale: The final stage of ''Rock 'n Roll'' is set above the planet's atmosphere, taking on Tacoot's space fleet.
44	* AttackDrone: The Fairies can be used as such to do quick damage to enemies.
45	* AutobotsRockOut: The PC-engine soundtrack to the first ''Cotton'' contains a disproportionate amount of electric guitar set to what's otherwise a CuteWitch and her fairy's quest for sweets.
46	* BlindIdiotTranslation: The arcade release, very much so, with lines like "Please down with the evils."
47	* BrilliantButLazy: Cotton is an accomplished witch who has the power to save entire worlds, but she couldn't care less about that, and needs to be bribed with Willows in order to be arsed to put in the work.
48	* BulletHell:
49	** ''Reboot'' on its hardest difficulty settings comes ''really close'' to being a proper bullet hell.
50	** ''Rock 'n Roll'' on the other hand does feature proper bullet hell patterns. This actually helps, since many characters' scoring systems revolve around cancelling bullets. [[VideoGame/{{Psyvariar}} Saiva Ria]] in particular needs to [[CloseContactDangerBenefit buzz those bullets]] to level herself up.
51	* TheCakeIsALie: [[spoiler: Silk promises Cotton a giant Willow that doesn't actually exist to get her to avoid eating the seven Willows and keep searching, thus saving the two worlds. Silk isn't a villain, though; she's just working with what she's got.]]
52	* ClusterFBomb: Cotton gets a censored one in ''Rainbow''.
53	-->'''Cotton''': I'm gonna f%&* your s#%@ up, [[ThisIsForEmphasisBitch b*%^#!]]
54	* {{Crossover}}: As already mentioned above, Cotton has made various appearances in other video games, such as ''VideoGame/RondoOfSwords'', ''[[VideoGame/TroubleWitches Trouble Witches Origin]]'' (as DLC alongside Silk), ''KASIORI'' (again alongside Silk), ''[[VideoGame/UmiharaKawase Umihara Kawase Fresh!]]'', and ''Umihara Kawase [=BaZooKa!!=]'' alongside Appli.
55	* CuteEmUp: Quite possibly one of the earliest examples, along with the ''VideoGame/KikiKaiKai'' series.
56	* CuteWitch: Cotton herself. Also Appli, complete with a talking pointy hat casting colorful spells as she flies on her broom.
57	* DefeatMeansPlayable: In ''Rock 'n Roll'', completing the game, including the FinalBoss Tacoot, unlocks Tacoot as a playable character.
58	* DifficultyByAcceleration: Panorama moves at such high speeds that the level's scrolling into walls might kill you more than the enemies. There's an option to turn up the speed regardless.
59	* DivergentCharacterEvolution: In ''Cotton II'', Cotton and Appli play identically except that [[RedOniBlueOni Cotton defaults to the Fire element and Appli to Ice]]. Starting with ''Cotton Boomerang'', both get their own shot type.
60	* EasterEgg: In ''Cotton 100%'', if you never collect a single item during all Tea Times, then at the end of the game's final Tea Time a giant cup will fall down. It's worth over 300,000 points!
61	* EverythingsDeaderWithZombies: The cemetery stage in the first game has a zombie boss.
62	* EvilIsPetty: Every villain in the series has some silly motivation:
63	** Wool, the most recurring antagonist, just wants to cause mischief for the hell of it.
64	** Calmin from ''Panorama'' [[spoiler:is burning Willows just because he ate too much and got big]].
65	** Tacoot from ''Fantasy'' [[spoiler: wants revenge on Cotton for being accidentally knocked by her into space]].
66	* FairyCompanion: Silk is this to Cotton, almost always seen flying alongside her broom. Amusingly, if you beat Panorama Cotton with a million points, Cotton becomes Silk's FairyCompanion.
67	* FairySexy: In contrast to Cotton's innocent witch getup, Silk more often than not is clad in a bikini, especially noticeable on the box art. In ''Magical Night Dreams: Cotton 2'' & ''Magical Night Dreams: Cotton Boomerang'', Silk sports cleavage as well.
68	* FlatCharacter: Wool, the most recurring antagonist in the series, has no actual characterization, she usually just appears at the end of the games, taunts the player and is fought as the final boss, not being mentioned after. PlayedForLaughs in ''Cotton 2'', where Cotton and Appli pretty much ignore her presence and Cotton has no idea who she even is.
69	* GainaxEnding: After unlocking and completing a playthrough in Swap Mode, ''Panorama Cotton'' ends with a fourth wall-breaking apology by the devs for a lack of an ending or any kind of reward because of a lack of space on the cartridge. So instead, the player's treated to a brief monologue musing about the struggles of peoples' suffering juxtaposed by the size of Silk's breasts, and a thanks for playing.
70	* GameBreakingBug: The ''Saturn Tribute'' rereleases of ''Cotton 2'' and ''Boomerang'' (as well as unrelated game ''Guardian Force'') got saddled with a whopping ''10 frames'' (or 1/6 of a second) of input lag, both on Switch and [=PS4=].
71	* GameplayAndStorySegregation: All of ''Rock 'n Roll''[='=]s cutscenes are from Cotton's perspective, even if you're playing as any other character.
72	* GrievousHarmWithABody: In ''Cotton 2'' and ''Cotton Boomerang'', you can grab enemies and throw them at other enemies for massive score bonuses. Appli can do such in ''Rock 'n Roll'', due to her mechanics being based on ''Cotton 2''. Same with GuestFighter Kawase, due to her mechanics being taken from her own [[VideoGame/UmiharaKawase game series]].
73	* GuestFighter: ''Rock 'n' Roll'' has four characters taken from both Success and Studio Saizensen's libraries: Fine and Psyva Ria ({{Moe Anthropomorphism}}s of the fighter ships from ''Sanvein'' and ''VideoGame/{{Psyvariar}}'' respectively) for the former, and VideoGame/UmiharaKawase and Luffie from ''Doki Doki Poyacchio'' for the latter.
74	* GuideDangIt: ''Cotton 2'' has a variety of special attacks that require complex FightingGame-esque commands and which aren't explained in-game.
75	* HardModePerks: In ''Rock 'n Roll'', enemies fire more bullets on Hard and fire revenge bullets on defeat in Extra. These extra bullets can be cancelled, or [[CloseContactDangerBenefit buzzed]] as well as Ria, to earn much higher scores than on Normal.
76	* HarderThanHard: The first game's console versions have "You Do!" difficulty, above Hardest (in other words, Harder Than Harder Than Hard), in which enemies release "revenge bullets" when destroyed. And not just your garden-variety aimed revenge bullets, these ones ''home in on you''.
77	* HeroicBSOD: Poor Cotton has one at the end of the first game when [[spoiler:the seven Willows she gathered are used by the Queen not to produce a giant Willow, but instead to restore light to Filament. As Silk apologizes for lying to Cotton, the latter [[TakenForGranite turns into stone]] out of despair...only to turn back when Silk makes up a rumor that a golden Willow was stolen from a neighboring kingdom, prompting Cotton to [[AndTheAdventureContinues blast off in search of her supposed treasure]]...]]
78	* {{Jerkass}}: Cotton is incredibly abrasive to everyone she meets, and will only bother to help out with the latest crisis if she's bribed with [[TrademarkFavoriteFood Willows]].
79	* LeftHanging: What became of the Fairy Queen after the Hard Mode ending of ''Panorama Cotton'' is never addressed.
80	* LighterAndSofter: The first ''Cotton'' game was pretty dark in the visuals. ''Marchen Adventure Cotton 100%'' is almost a remake but much lighter in content, e.g. the zombie/demon boss in the cemetery became a pretty doll in a Gothic dress, and so on.
81	* LostInTranslation: In ''Rock 'n Roll'', Saiva Ria's name is a [[PunnyName pun]] on ''VideoGame/{{Psyvariar}}''. However in the English translation, only her given name, Ria, is displayed, removing one of the connections to the game she represents.
82	* MoeAnthropomorphism: Ria from ''Rock 'n Roll'' is the personification of the Axion-μ from ''VideoGame/{{Psyvariar}}'', wearing wings that are designed like its wings. Same with Fine, who is based on the Sanvein fighter from ''Starfighter Sanvein''.
83	* MsFanservice: [[FairySexy Silk]], as explained above. She's featured up front and center in most official art, skimpy clothing and all in what's otherwise a very tame series.
84	* NintendoHard: Not nearly as much as some shooters, but the series can be quite challenging with lots of enemies on screen, Cotton's generally fast movements, and limited continues make this a pretty tough series at times.
85	* NominalHero: Cotton is pretty much a one-note character, and that one note is "eat Willows." She doesn't care about saving the world, and has to be bribed into fighting.
86	* NostalgiaLevel: Completing ''Rock 'n Roll'' (continues are allowed) unlocks a level from the game your PlayerCharacter originates from. For example, clearing as Cotton unlocks Port Town from the original ''Cotton'', while clearing as Ria unlocks the Earth stage from ''Psyvariar'', and so on.
87	* NotInThisForYourRevolution: Cotton isn't trying to save the fairy kingdom or the world. She's looking for Willows to eat.
88	* PlotCoupons: Parodied with the Willow candy; they really have nothing to do with being able to save the world, but collecting them is the real reason Cotton is fighting. [[spoiler: Actually, they're the crystals of light needed to save the fairy kingdom, but Cotton doesn't know or care about that.]]
89	* PunnyName: In ''Rock 'n Roll'', Ria's full name, Saiva Ria[[note]]written here in Japanese surname - given name order[[/note]], is a play on ''VideoGame/{{Psyvariar}}'', the game she represents. Same with Fine, whose full name, San Fine, is a play on ''Sanvein''.
90	* RebelliousPrincess: Appli runs away from home with a wish-granting artifact for her own rather less than selfless actions.
91	* SceneryPorn: Not at first, but as soon as the first game was upgraded to more capable hardware, the backgrounds became much more vibrant and crisp, starting with the Sharp-X port. This especially shined with Panorama and Boomerang.
92	* SelfDeprecation: Finishing Panorama Cotton in a subsequent playthrough after getting a million points without a continue gives you a note by the developers where they lament the lack of cutscenes and a longer ending due to the limited cartridge space. They also state they'd like to give you a reward, but again, there's no space for it.
93	* ShaggyDogStory: Poor Cotton always gets the short end of the stick in her hunt for Willows:
94	** In the original game, [[spoiler:all the Willows she had gathered are used by the Queen to restore light to Filament, as opposed to producing a giant Willow like Silk said (which was actually a [[TheCakeIsALie lie]] to get Cotton to help her in saving the world).]]
95	** In ''100%'', [[spoiler:she gets rewarded Marchen Land's specialty Willow as thanks for defeating Leather. A teeny, tiny one, to be exact. Cotton is not amused.]]
96	** In ''Panorama'', [[spoiler:Calmin, after getting his butt handed to him by Cotton, attempts to give her a Willow as a peace offering. Unfortunately, said Willow happens to be one that he had burned earlier. Cue the VomitIndiscretionShot and Calmin getting launched into the sky.]]
97	** In ''Cotton 2'', [[spoiler:it turns out that the Bluewater Willow that Cotton and Appli had spent the entire game searching for had already been eaten by Cotton earlier, who promptly comes down with a bad case of [[ToiletHumour diarrhea]] for her troubles, and indirectly [[NiceJobBreakingItHero leads to the Pumpkin Kingdom falling into ruin]].]]
98	** In ''Rainbow Cotton'', [[spoiler:it turns out that the "Legendary Willow" that Cotton had been fighting for was in fact a stone slab containing recipes for making other Willows. This, combined with Cotton being unable to eat any of the Specialty Willows in the towns she had visited for various reasons, causes her to [[RageBreakingPoint finally snap and go on a rampage]].]]
99	** Zig-zagged in ''Rock 'n' Roll'': [[spoiler:Cotton finally gets to eat a Willow (and a giant one at that!) in the end. Unfortunately, it's simply too large for her to finish, so she has to settle for using a {{BFG}} to blow it to bits instead.]]
100	* ThemeNaming: Almost every character name is a reference to tailoring: Cotton, Silk, Velvet, Needle, Knit, Filament...
101	* ThrowTheDogABone: [[spoiler: Cotton finally gets to eat a Willow, and a gigantic one at that, in ''Fantasy''. Too bad she's unable to finish it, though]].
102	* TimedMission: In ''Rock 'n Roll'', Fine's gimmick is that instead of traditional VideoGameLives, she operates on a timer that starts at 600 seconds, similar to ''Starfighter Sanvein'' (the player ship of which she's a MoeAnthropomorphism of). She gains a few seconds every time she collects a crystal, [[Every10000Points gains 100 seconds every 5,000,000 points]], and loses 100 seconds every time she gets hit; if the time runs out it's game over.
103	* TrademarkFavoriteFood: Cotton really, really loves her willows, to the point of [[SeriousBusiness being her main motivation]] in most games. This just so happens to include saving the local populous as a bonus.
104	* VersionExclusiveContent: The exA-Arcadia port of ''Cotton Fantasy'' exclusively has 2-player CoOpMultiplayer and an ArrangeMode.
105	* VideoGameRemake: ''Cotton Reboot!'' is a remake of the first game, more specifically the X68000 version.
106	* ViolationOfCommonSense: During the Tea Time bonus rounds, it's possible to get more points than you would by collecting teacups by ''avoiding all of them''.
107	* WeirdMoon: The skull-shaped moon right at the beginning of the first Cotton game. Said moon would show up in later stages across different games, such as in ''Cotton 2'' and ''Fantasy''.
108	----
109	-> ''Tea Time!''

Context VideoGame / Cotton