Microcosm

The limited edition copy of the PC and Amiga CD32 versions of the game contains the game, the manual, a soundtrack CD and a T-shirt.

Critics generally rated Microcosm as having excellent graphics but very limited and poorly designed gameplay. Amiga Format, for instance, greatly praised the Amiga CD32 version's graphics and soundtrack, but described the gameplay as "a merely slightly better than average" rail shooter. In a 1995 second review, they lowered their score from 87% to 40%, mocking their earlier review's emphasis of graphics over gameplay and describing the game as "a decidedly average Space Harrier clone that certainly looks great, but plays horribly". Amiga Power similarly described Microcosm as a Space Harrier clone with extremely limited interactivity and little variations in the visuals. CU Amiga said that the graphics in the Amiga CD32 version are not nearly as good as the FM Towns version, with enemy sprites that look "pasted on", but that the gameplay is considerably improved. Power Unlimited reviewed the Amiga CD32 version and gave a score of 85%, summarizing: "One of the first video games with computer images that are on par with film images. However, ignore the eye-catching graphics and what remains is a very simple shooting game." Reviewing the Sega CD version, GamePro opined that Microcosm represents a good concept for FMV games, but that the poor level design reduces the gameplay to trial-and-error and takes away the fun. Electronic Gaming Monthly similarly commented that the game concept is good, but the gameplay is "repetitious and boring". Computer Gaming World in June 1994 said that the DOS version was "a very basic shooter" with "simplistic, even brainless" gameplay. While praising the "polished graphics and animation" and "equally excellent" music, the magazine concluded that despite "cool technology and a 'cinematic feel'... Psygnosis forgot to make a game". Electronic Gaming Monthlys four reviewers gave the 3DO version a unanimous score of 4 out of 10, commenting that the graphics are a huge improvement over the Sega CD version, but that the gameplay is still shallow and "just not fun". Next Generation stated that "This is one of those games one can never describe as challenging, only as frustrating." James V. Trunzo reviewed Microcosm in White Wolf Inphobia #51 (Jan., 1995), rating it a 4 out of 5 and stated that "If Psygnosis falls short with Hexx, it makes up for it with Microcosm. The basic idea of using the inside of the human body as a battle ground has always been intriguing. It's certainly better than having to fight orcs and goblins all the time. Psygnosis makes excellent use of cinematics to enhance the gaming experience and avoids making Microcosm just another example of CD-ROM 'eye-candy'." According to a Psygnosis spokesperson, despite the poor reviews Microcosm was a commercial success.