The German development studio Yager is working with The Cycle on an online shooter that mixes PvP with PvE. And you can check out the action game for free right now.
What is The Cycle? The developers describe the game as a “competitive quest shooter.” This means that while you fight against other players in PvP, you also have to face NPC enemies.
- You take on the role of a treasure hunter who mines valuable resources on the planet Fortuna III
- You accept missions from factions
- As other treasure hunters roam Fortuna III, battles ensue
- However, the environment also poses a threat, and you must confront the planet’s aliens
- Temporary alliances are necessary to survive
- But you shouldn’t really trust anyone, as in the end, everyone fights for themselves to gather the most resources
- Your weapons can be upgraded over time, and you gain new abilities
- Now and then, a deadly storm sweeps across the landscape. You must try to reach the evacuation ship in time, as the storm will kill you otherwise. This can be seen as a battle royale element.
- 20 players are involved per match
Fair PvP but no “true” Battle Royale
So why should PvP be fair despite being open? To prevent The Cycle from becoming a game where everyone fights everyone, the developers have implemented some “safeguards.”
- You do not receive rewards for killing another player
- The matchmaking ensures that peaceful players stay among themselves
- Those who constantly attack other players will have a bounty placed on them
- There is no leaderboard for PvP kills
This is why the game is important for the studio: At gamescom, it was stated that the German studio Yager (Dreadnought) is taking a big risk with The Cycle, as it is the developer’s first own and self-published game. Therefore, success is very important.
This is why it is not a Battle Royale: We mentioned that The Cycle has battle royale elements, but the developers explain that it is not a real battle royale title.
- There are NPC enemies
- Your character improves
- Cooperating is encouraged
- You are exploring a large, open world
- You complete missions and collect resources
- There are vehicles
- You can also try to achieve your goal solo
- It is possible to avoid enemies
You can already join in
When does it start? You can already play The Cycle. Yager has launched the early access phase directly at gamescom.
How do you play? You simply download the game for free via the Epic Games Store and get started.
How is the game funded? It is a free-to-play shooter. The developers plan to introduce paid cosmetic items. You can already purchase bundles with skins and in-game currency.
How is The Cycle received? The initial reactions speak of a good and fast shooter that can be played even during short breaks.
However, the game explains too little. You have to figure a lot out for yourself, such as how crafting works. Some find it confusing that you don’t even know which resources you pick up. Only at the end of the round do you receive a list of the things you collected.
Nevertheless, players see potential, as The Cycle uses elements of battle royale but does not play like one, rather presenting something unique. However, some optimizations are still needed.
