Cortex Command
Side-scrolling sci-fi action and strategy across destructible battlefields
Data Realms · Published by Data Realms, LLC · Released Sep 28, 2012
- Reviews
- Very Positive
- 83% of 2,174
- Recent reviews
- Not enough recent
- Players
- 6
- daily peak, Nov 7, 2026
- Steam Deck
- Unsupported
- Last update on Steam
- 8 years ago
- Feb 8, 2018
Metacritic: 44/100 (critic reviews)
What is Cortex Command?
Cortex Command is a 2D side-scrolling sci-fi action and strategy game. You control soldiers and mechs, mine gold, order equipment, and build bunkers while protecting your command brain and attacking the enemy’s. A turn-based campaign connects real-time battles on terrain that retains damage and debris between fights.
For you if...
- +you enjoy managing units during physics-driven battles
- +you want local cooperative or competitive play
- +you like campaigns where battle damage persists
Not for you if...
- −you prefer simple controls and a clear tutorial
- −you dislike managing resources and constructing defenses
What players say
83% of 2,174 reviews are positive
Players praise the destructible battles and modding community. Many say this version’s mod workshop no longer works and development has stopped; others criticize the controls and tutorial. Several recommend a community-maintained version instead.
How many players finish Cortex Command?
7.7% of Steam players have unlocked «One Star General», the achievement for finishing the main story.
Share of everyone who owns the game on Steam, including those who barely played it. Updated weekly.
Screenshots and trailer
Cortex Command system requirements
Minimum: 640x480 (VGA) resolution …, 1 GB RAM, 0.2 GB of disk space.
As published by the developer.
Can my PC run Cortex Command?
The published requirements do not name a graphics card we can compare.
Set up my PC →Minimum
- OS
- Microsoft® Windows® XP / Vista / 7
- Processor
- 1GHz processor
- Graphics
- 640x480 (VGA) resolution monitor
- Memory
- 1GB RAM
- Storage
- 150MB HDD space
- Notes
- Should run on any PC released within the past 5 years.
Recommended
- OS
- Microsoft® Windows® XP / Vista / 7
- Processor
- 3GHz or faster
- Graphics
- 1920x1080 (full HD 1080p) resolution monitor
- Memory
- 2GB RAM
- Storage
- 150MB HDD space
- Notes
- Should run on any PC released within the past 5 years.
Does Cortex Command have co-op or multiplayer?
Yes: multiplayer (mode not specified). It also has a single-player mode. With Remote Play Together, one copy is enough to play the local modes online with friends.
Does Cortex Command run on Steam Deck?
Unsupported No: Valve rates it Unsupported on Steam Deck.
- Not supported on SteamOS
PC version details
- DRM
- None declared on Steam
- Controller
- Full controller support
- Platforms
- Windows, macOS
- Achievements
- 11
- Steam features
- Workshop, Cloud saves, Family Sharing, Trading cards
- Languages
- Full audio: English.
Does Cortex Command use AI-generated content?
No AI-generated content is disclosed on the game's Steam page.
Self-reported by the developer under Steam rules: it covers AI content that ships in the game, not tools used to make it. Steam page checked on Oct 25, 2026. How to filter AI games on Steam
Tags
- Strategy
- Indie
- Action
- 2D
- Physics
- Sandbox
- Pixel Graphics
- Moddable
- Local Co-Op
- Sci-fi
- Singleplayer
- Local Multiplayer
- Difficult
- Gore
- Platformer
- Multiplayer
Recent updates
- Feb 8, 2018 · Planetoid Pioneers is LAUNCHED, and 25% OFF
- Feb 3, 2018 · Cortex Command FREE + get 25% OFF our NEW game Planetoid Pioneers, launching on Thursday!
- Dec 30, 2016 · Cortex Command Build 32, the Performance Update is HERE
- Dec 30, 2016 · Cortex Command Build 32, the Performance Update is HERE
- Dec 28, 2016 · CC Build 32 COMING THIS WEEKEND - and only $2.99 NOW
