Info about BIRDCAGE:

Official game description:
_**Warning:** This game contains flashing images._
_BIRDCAGE_ is a fast-paced, vertical scrolling shoot ‘em up that blends the explosive action of 90s arcade classics, with modern gameplay and storytelling.
_What is the value of a bullet, when you wield a sword?_
*   In _BIRDCAGE_, the player controls the experimental RADON gunship HALCYON. The HALCYON is equipped with a wide shot, focus shot, and its main offensive and defensive weapon, The SWORD.
*   BIRDCAGE features an engaging sci-fi story, set in a divergent human future. Inspired by games like Metal Gear Solid, BIRDCAGE touches on futuristic science and technology, political and military power struggles and the nature of the human unconscious mind.
*   **Story Mode**, the game’s main mode is set across six stages featuring mid-bosses, stage bosses and narrative interludes.
*   **Arcade Mode** is Story Mode without the narrative, aimed at letting players go after score in a quicker, more convenient way.
*   **Score Attack** is a race against the clock to chase the highest score, while honing your skills at the game. Enemies spawn endlessly within a set time limit.
*   Inspired by 90s video games and anime, BIRDCAGE makes use of techniques such as sprite scaling, pre-rendered backgrounds and limited textures to mimic the look of early 3D games.
*   The game's soundtrack combines the sounds of 90s music hardware with modern synthesis and samples to create something authentic and exciting. _BIRDCAGE_ features over an hour of dynamic music, hundreds of bespoke sound effects and retro-styled voice acting for stage bosses.
Mankind has branched into space and two opposing factions have emerged. On one side, SELENE, in control of the Moon and what remains of Earth, on the other, RADON, in control of the space colony CAGE.
Led by Mother ROENTGEN, the RADON Daughters have ordered GENOME Control to create a new breed of weapon. A weapon to end Earth’s reign and birth a new universe, the WORLD-EGG.
Deep inside the CAGE, a pilot awakens in the cockpit of the HALCYON - an experimental RADON gunship. Inside the newly-hatched Pilot’s mind, a Voice echoes: Destroy the WORLD-EGG.

Release date: Nov 18, 2025

Categories: Vertical Scrolling Combat, Bullet-hell, Story Mode, Arcade Mode, Score Attack, Sword-based Combat, Retro Aesthetics, Single-player

Feature scans:
- Proton/Linux: score 30; verdict: Minor Issues; summary: Based on two Linux user reviews, the game generally works on Linux with minor issues: one user reports a stretched screen only affecting text/menus, and another notes occasional crashes. No heavy tweaks or workarounds are mentioned, suggesting a mostly smooth experience with occasional hitches.
- Steam Deck: score 70; verdict: Playable with issues; summary: The game offers improved controls for Steam Deck but suffers from occasional crashes on Linux and visual stretching of text/menus.

- Hardware Profile: No data
Feature extractions:
- Community Price:
  - Community fair range: $10.00 - $20.00
  - Reasoning: All reviews express that the game is worth its current full price, with no complaints about cost. The genre (indie shmup) typically prices between $10 and $20, and the community sentiment indicates this range is fair, as they recommend buying without discounts.
- Playtime Metrics:
  - Game completion: 7.0h
  - Story completion: 2.0h
  - Session length: 0.5h
  - Endgame: N/A
  - Reasoning: The first quote directly states 7 hours to clear the game and beat the final boss, indicating game completion time. The second quote gives 2 hours to finish the story, supporting story completion. The third quote indicates a single run takes about 30 minutes on easy, representing a typical session length. No numeric evidence was found for endgame playtime, so it is set to null.
- Time-to-fun:
  - Summary: BIRDCAGE hooks players immediately with fast, addictive gameplay and accessible difficulty, but enjoyment fades once the initial visual charm wears off due to repetitive stage design and lack of depth.
  - Stance: Fun then drops
  - Anchor: N/A
  - Time to anchor: N/A
  - Friction: N/A
  - Unlock drivers: N/A
  - Conditions: playing on Easy mode; being new to the shmup genre; seeking an immediate gameplay hook
- Player Archetypes:
  - Casual Newcomer (buy)
    - Motivation: Accessible entry into shmup genre with guardrails
    - Playstyle: Casual, using easy mode, exploring without pressure
    - Experience: newcomer
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: new to the genre; non shmup player; beginner
    - Reference games: N/A
  - Shmup Veteran (sale)
    - Motivation: Genre depth, scoring challenge, and mastering patterns
    - Playstyle: Aggressive, high score chasing, pattern memorization
    - Experience: veteran
    - Purchase stance: sale
    - Labels: hardcore shmup fan
    - Reference games: Mushihimesama; Crimzon Clover; Ikaruga; Radiant Silvergun; Alltynex
  - Style Appreciator (buy)
    - Motivation: Visual and audio presentation, artistic achievement
    - Playstyle: Appreciative, exploring aesthetics, casual gameplay
    - Experience: mixed
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: N/A
    - Reference games: N/A


Below are summaries of things people say about the game per category.
Each point is assigned a weight that represents how often it is mentioned across all reviews.
What players like:
- Gorgeous visual presentation praised (weight 0.97): Reviewers consistently praise the game's visuals, art style, and overall aesthetics, describing them as gorgeous, sleek, and striking. The art style is seen as cohesive and strong, contributing significantly to the game's appeal.
- Exceptional soundtrack enhances experience (weight 0.81): The soundtrack is repeatedly lauded as brilliant, phenomenal, and stellar, with reviewers noting its role in elevating the atmosphere and immersion. Excellent sound design and music are frequently cited as a major highlight.
- Offers replayable experiences (weight 0.46): Though not explicitly stated, the game’s engaging and 'blast from start to finish' nature indicates strong replay value. The story mode and sword mechanics add depth, offering replays.
- Great gameplay and high quality (weight 0.43): The game is widely described as amazing, excellent, and a blast, with gameplay engaging and top-notch from start to finish. High overall quality is consistently mentioned, indicating a satisfying experience for reviewers.
- Designated is engaging and fun (weight 0.41): The gameplay is described as pretty fun and engaging, and that’s where the game truly shines. Those who find it a good-playing game are.
- Unappreciated for its quality (weight 0.37): The game’s overall quality is extremely high and it is 'slaps', creating an incredible aura. Reviewers with deep affection for the title and its experiences.
- Fun shovel-knight style shmup (weight 0.36): The game's sword mechanic is identified as a unique and satisfying feature that adds to the gameplay. Reviewers find it fun, interesting, and well-executed, contributing to the overall enjoyment.
- Works well as a shmup (weight 0.35): The core shoot 'em up gameplay is praised as good, high-quality, and well-designed, especially for a PC shmup. The mechanics work well, and it is considered among the best new shooters by some reviewers.
- Sword mechanic diverse and potential (weight 0.35): The sword mechanic is seen as unique, with potential for interesting gameplay differences and a satisfying implementation. It is multiple times described as the key element in combat.
- Great story and story mode (weight 0.22): The game features an interesting story, including codec calls and unlockable lore, and its story mode is a welcome addition. The story mode is recommended as a pleasant, casual experience that highlights the game’s presentation.
- Accessible to beginners (weight 0.22): The game is considered suitable for beginners, with eased difficulty modes that make it accessible to new players. Reviewers note that the easy mode is easy enough, while normal and hard modes provide a typical challenge.
- Works well with arcade controllers (weight 0.12): The game performs well with arcade controllers, encouraging and supporting controller use. This adaptability is appreciated by reviewers, potentially enhancing the gameplay experience.
- Easy mode for casual play (weight 0.12): The difficulty is designed to be accessible, with easy mode is quite easy and the focus on normal and hard modes. This approach makes it enjoyable casual for newcomers.

Common complaints:
- Stage design is bland (weight 0.45): Many reviews criticize stage design as boring, repetitive, and lacking escalation, with enemies and patterns not varying enough. Stages blend together and are not memorable, with some having too much dead air or being too short.
- Difficulty balancing is inconsistent (weight 0.45): Players report difficulty spikes, especially at the last boss and in hard modes, while easy is trivial. Normal mode is often seen as too difficult, making progression frustrating instead of rewarding.
- Story is disappointing (weight 0.44): Many reviewers find the narrative unengaging, pretentious, and inconsistent, with elements that don't stick the landing. The story feels like it tries too hard and doesn't enrich the gameplay, sometimes sacrificing play for story.
- Gameplay lacks content depth (weight 0.43): Players frequently report that the game has limited content, generic gameplay, and not enough variety to stand out. The game is also described as short, with few unlockables or modes, reducing replay value.
- Scoring system is punishing (weight 0.43): The scoring system is heavily criticized for relying on no-miss chains, which reset on any hit, leading to frustrating all-or-nothing runs. The chain multiplier carrying over between stages and resetting on hit is especially brutal.
- Controls are hard to learn (weight 0.33): The controls, especially for the sword, are reported as difficult to get used to, with awkward auto-aim and limitations for keyboard players. The game's control quirks and gimmicks beat players up at first, making the early game unfair.
- Lacks game options (weight 0.31): There are few ways to customize difficulty or controls, and missing options like disabling vibration or adjusting graphics. The game lacks additional modes, unlockables, and replay systems, reducing long-term appeal.
- Enemy variety is lacking (weight 0.31): Enemy types and attack patterns are repetitive and basic, with most normal enemies appearing only in early levels. Bosses also have limited attack sets and are easy to dismantle, making battles feel unmemorable.
- Difficulty spikes on boss fights (weight 0.3): Boss encounters, especially the fifth stage and final boss, are seen as unbalanced and unfair, with sudden spikes in difficulty. Bosses often rely on full-screen bullet patterns with no clear approach, leading to unavoidable hits.
- Sword system underutilized (weight 0.28): The sword mechanic, which is a central feature, is barely used during levels and lacks depth compared to other shmups. The sword is convenient but not essential, and its controls are often awkward or too restricted.
- Chain multiplier breaks on hit (weight 0.24): The chain multiplier carries over between stages and resets upon taking a single hit, making scoring incredibly frustrating in busy later stages. This mechanic forces a no-miss playstyle and punishes any mistakes.
- Hyper mechanic is lacking (weight 0.2): The hyper system feels tacked on and has low DPS, serving mainly for bullet canceling with limited effect. Hyper progress does not carry over between stages, reducing its usefulness in scoring and survival.
- Feedback mechanics are weak (weight 0.18): The game lacks adequate feedback for player actions, such as hit indicators and scoring information, leading to confusion regarding hitboxes and rewards. The feedback is limited, making it hard to know if you are doing well.
- Technical performance issues (weight 0.18): Players report FPS drops after stage 4 and lack of graphical settings to fix them. Screen shake and flashing effects can be extreme, causing photosensitivity and visibility problems.
- Main shot feels underpowered (weight 0.17): The standard shot is weak, especially from a distance, making survival and scoring effort feel toothless. The reliance on the special weapon for scoring and killing minimizes the importance of the main shot.
- First stage is unfair (weight 0.16): The beginning of the game is notably difficult because of the learning curve and stage gimmicks, such as darkness that requires a sword to see. This can frustrate new players and spike difficulty early.
- Lack of player ships (weight 0.15): There are only two playable characters in Arcade mode, and the third is not available from the start, limiting gameplay variety. This reduces options for different play styles.
- Environmental hazards (weight 0.12): The game emphasizes environmental hazards, which are often one-and-done and cause unfair deaths. They seem to be a source of frustration rather than a fun challenge, with some stages having too many obstacles.
- Respawning in dangerous spots (weight 0.09): After dying, the player can respawn beside a dangerous spot, leading to unfair additional damage. This respawn system punishes mistakes and increases frustration.

Gameplay feedback:
- Bullet hell shmup genre (weight 0.93): The game is consistently described as a bullet hell shoot 'em up (shmup), a vertical scrolling shooter genre. This is the most frequent observation, mentioned across multiple clusters, indicating a core genre identity that players clearly recognize and acknowledge.
- Unique sword mechanic with aiming (weight 0.59): The game features a distinctive sword mechanic accentuated in gameplay, controlled via right analog stick or auto-aim, with shooting by releasing. This adds a unique twist to the traditional shmup formula and is highlighted as a key differentiator.
- Available arcade and story modes (weight 0.5): Players note the presence of both arcade and story modes, with some mentioning codec-style calls and main story components. This provides varied gameplay experiences that appeal to different play styles, including score chasing and narrative engagement.
- Full tutorial and control mapping (weight 0.43): Engineering fully is possible with custom control mapping and controller support, including optional tutorial on sword control, significantly easing the player's onboarding and commute. The game has accessibility such as controller support and aim assist at the cost of challenge.
- Multiple difficulty settings offered (weight 0.34): Difficulty options include easy, normal, and hard modes, with some modes considered trivial and others overly challenging. This variety caters to a wide audience, but balance across difficulties is inconsistent according to player feedback.
- Sword has multiple control styles (weight 0.32): The sword can be aimed manually with the right stick or set to auto-aim for a more streamlined gameplay experience. Controls are adaptable between manual, limited, and automatic modes, which helps players with differing skill levels or hardware.
- Scoring and chain systems (weight 0.19): The scoring system features chain combos and an extending chain system, designed as an all-or-nothing affair. To maximize scores, players must maintain chains, adding depth and replayability but creating a steep learning curve.
- Classic 90s STG influence (weight 0.16): Players note the game is highly reminiscent of classic titles like Radiant Silvergun, emphasizing old-school shmup mechanics and visual style. This association is a positive point for retro game fans, adding authentic genre feel to the modern release.

Performance notes:
- Linux crashes and display issues (weight 0.1): Players report occasional stretched text or menus and outright crashes on Linux, indicating platform-specific stability and rendering problems that need attention.
- Performance drops after stage 4 (weight 0.1): The frame rate nosedives after stage 4, particularly in that stage, and the lack of graphical settings makes it hard for players to mitigate the performance issues.
- Steam Deck compatibility praised (weight 0.05): One reviewer reports the game runs absolutely perfectly on Steam Deck, suggesting strong handheld optimization and a positive experience on that platform.

Recommendations:
- Great for newcomers (weight 0.4): Multiple reviewers recommend the game for players new to the shmup genre, describing it as approachable and a good starting point. It is also noted as perfect for non-shmup players and those curious about the genre.
- High recommendation from all (weight 0.34): In summary, the game receives a strongly positive recommendation from the majority of reviews, urging players to buy it and support the genre. It is seen as a great package with multiple modes.
- Good for casual fans (weight 0.33): Reviewers suggest the game suits casual or non-hardcore shmup fans, but may not satisfy experts or score-focused players. It is recommended for those who play style and not deeply into scoring.
- Recommended for STG enthusiasts (weight 0.25): It is highly recommended for STG and bullet-hell fans, with specific praise for vertical scrolling and shooting game enthusiasts. STG fans are expected to find it very enjoyable.
- Fans of classic shmups (weight 0.24): The game is recommended for fans of retro and old-school shooters, including 16-bit and 32-bit era titles. It appeals to those who enjoy challenging experiences and classic arcade shooters.
- Similar to Radiant Silvergun (weight 0.24): Reviewers suggest the game will be at home for fans of iconic titles like Ikaruga, Radiant Silvergun, and Einhander. It is recommended for followers of the Treasure company and those who like the genre.
- Rich in style and vibes (weight 0.24): The game is praised for its artistic presentation, retro 90's aesthetic, and cool factor, making it worth trying for the visual style and atmosphere. It is recommended highly on the strength of its presentation.
- Strong all-around recommendation (weight 0.22): Many reviewers give the game a high recommendation, highlighting it as a must-play worth full price and supporting it enthusiastically. The game is called worthwhile due to its style and presentation.
- Skip for score mechanics (weight 0.17): Some reviewers warn that the game did not fit their personal preference or that it lacks depth for score enthusiasts. It is recommended to wait for a black label or sequel for those wanting deeper mechanics.
- Worth trying at price (weight 0.17): Reviewers say the game is affordable and a good deal for the price, especially for those looking for short but dense entertainment. It is easy to recommend even at full price.
- Great for non-players (weight 0.17): Even those who are not into spaceship games can find this game enjoyable, making it a good entry point for non-enthusiasts. It is also fun for those who perform not into the genre.
- Mastery curve satisfies (weight 0.16): Players looking for a rewarding mastery curve and satisfying skill progression will enjoy this game. It presents a good challenge that is also doable for most casuals.
- Recommended with caveats (weight 0.16): Some reviews recommend the game with slight caveats, noting it may not suit high-end machines or that players should try the demo first. It is also suggested to play on analog or Xbox controller for better feel.
- Games with similar title (weight 0.16): Fans of Ikaruga, Radiant Silvergun, and other similar games will find this title familiar and enjoyable. It is also recommended to those who liked the Treasure selection.
- Buy to support developers (weight 0.14): Reviewers encourage buying the game to support the devs and the genre, seeing it as a worthy purchase. Some mention it is undercharged for what it offers.
- Story focus in mode (weight 0.09): Playing story mode first is recommended due to its emphasis on presentation, but those seeking a strong narrative may not find it satisfying. The game excels more in gameplay and style.
- Budget-friendly recommendation (weight 0.09): The game is considered affordable and a good value for the experience it offers. It is recommended for those looking for a new shmup without heavy commitment.
- Not for story seekers (weight 0.05): Some reviewers point out that the game might not satisfy players looking for a deep story or narrative. It is more about style, gameplay, and challenge than story.
- Alternatives suggested (weight 0.05): One reviewer suggests playing Blue Revolver or ZeroRanger as alternative approachable shmups for players who may not like this game. This serves as a gentle caution for some fans.
- Caveats for environment (weight 0.05): Some reviews note the game's performance may be tied to environmental factors, such as high machine specifications. Players with very low-end machines may not get the same experience.

Other player notes:
- Strong Radiant Silvergun comparisons (weight 0.7): Many reviews compare the game to Radiant Silvergun, often naming it a primary inspiration. The comparison is mentioned in multiple clusters, indicating a dominant influence.
- MGS-inspired story presentation (weight 0.56): The narrative is presented through codec-like calls and a story mode, drawing clear comparisons to Metal Gear Solid. Reviews frequently cite the visual and storytelling inspiration from Hideo Kojima's work.
- Influenced by multiple classics (weight 0.46): The game mixes elements from several franchises including Zone of the Enders, Metal Gear Solid, Gundam, and Evangelion. This blend of inspirations is often highlighted by the reviewers.
- Comparisons to other shmups (weight 0.38): Reviewers frequently compare the game to other classic shmups such as Ikaruga, Blue Revolver, and ZeroRanger, especially regarding mechanics and bullet-hell aspects. These comparisons are generally favorable.
- PS1 and retro aesthetic (weight 0.35): The visual style frequently evokes the PlayStation-era and 90s console shmups, influencing the presentation. The graphics and tone are often compared to titles like Zone of the Enders and Evangelion.
- Game is short but dense (weight 0.33): Several reviewers note the game's short length, often estimating 30-40 minutes per run or 2-4 hours of content. Despite the brevity, the experience is described as compact and worthwhile.
- Developer is a new team (weight 0.32): The game is the first release from a two-person team under the name Polygon Bird. Reviewers note it's a debut project and the developer shows potential.
- Strong soundtrack and art (weight 0.27): The music and visual design are praised, with reviews comparing the soundtrack to artists like Hitoshi Sakimoto and Manabu Namiki. The art style is described as GAINAX-like and appealing.
- Upcoming projects from team (weight 0.21): The developer is already working on another game and has teased a future RPG. The community is interested in what they produce next.
- Potential for future updates (weight 0.18): Reviewers suggest that a Black Label-style update or sequel could help the game remain popular. It is also considered that post-launch support is hoped for.
- Attractive price point (weight 0.17): The game's price is considered modest and possibly undercharged for the value it provides. Several reviews note that it is a good deal for shmup fans.
- Available on Steam with demo (weight 0.16): The game is purchasable on Steam and a demo is offered, letting players try it before buying. This accessibility is a notable selling point.
- Deep sword mechanic (weight 0.16): The sword mechanic is compared to that of Radiant Silvergun and ZeroRanger, with puzzle-like and chain-combat elements. It adds a unique twist to the gameplay.
- Good for beginners (weight 0.16): The game is considered a good fit for newcomers to the genre, with options like casual modes. It is described as easy to pick up and play.
- The game as a love letter (weight 0.15): BIRDCAGE is regarded as a love letter to the shmup genre, combining nostalgia from the 90s and early 2000s with modern ideas. It is an ambitious project.
- Works with arcade sticks (weight 0.13): The game is playable with an arcade stick, which is a key control option for genre enthusiasts. Later patches fixed issues with the right stick, improving the experience.
- Runs well on Steam Deck (weight 0.1): The game is confirmed to run well on the Steam Deck, making it portable and accessible. This is mentioned as a positive feature for players.
- Several environmental hazards (weight 0.05): The game includes environmental obstacles like walls and lasers, making the gameplay more complex. This is a topic that is discussed by the reviews.

Emotions:
- Satisfaction (weight 0.1): The game delivers a tightly designed and fair challenge, from its bullet grazing and sword mechanics to the balanced difficulty curve, culminating in a rewarding true ending. The variety of modes and the sense of progression and mastery across missions keep the experience engaging and fulfilling, solidifying the game's status as a well-crafted package worth the anticipation.
- Excitement (weight 0.1): The unique blend of spaceship and sword combat, combined with a stylish presentation and a catchy soundtrack, creates a fast-paced and addictive experience. The intense progression of later stages and the cool, risky mechanics drive the player's desire to master the game and explore its universe.
- Frustration (weight 0.1): Many players report unbalanced difficulty spikes, particularly with bosses like the one in stage 5, and a punishing scoring and chain system that feels all-or-nothing. Performance issues, such as FPS drops and problematic controls like auto-lock interfering with player input, compound the frustration, with some also citing a lack of updates and shallow gameplay mechanics.
- Admiration (weight 0.08): Players consistently praise the game's immaculate aesthetic, including its excellent soundtrack, 90s-era art style, and stylish visual design. It is seen as a love letter to 32-bit shmups, celebrated for its of its craft, engaging gameplay, and the strong impression it makes as both a tribute and an innovative title.
- Enjoyment (weight 0.07): The fun resides in the core loop of weaving through bullets and using the sword to cut through enemies, accompanied by a great soundtrack and an engaging retro visual style. The game is applauded for being a total blast with no pace-breakers, offering difficulty that remains fun even as players learn the mechanics and progress through its stages.
- Appreciation (weight 0.05): Users appreciate the game's strong visual style and soundtrack, but also for thoughtful details like the ability to tailor dialogue and the analog accuracy, along with settings for photosensitivity. The polished, love-filled game design from a small team adds to the appreciation, as does the unique arcade machine experience it evokes.
- Disappointment (weight 0.05): Main causes for disappointment stem from a lack of depth and variety, such as too few enemy and weapon types, and a scoring system that fails to motivate. The narrative and stage backgrounds are considered to not form a coherent journey, and some core gameplay sacrifices are seen as not justified by the story or presentation.
- Delight (weight 0.03): The players' delight comes from the exceptional fusion of great gameplay, a soundtrack, and a strong aesthetic that captures the spirit of classic shoot 'em ups. The visual, audio, and stage design exceed expectations, creating an overall delightful experience.
- Enthusiasm (weight 0.03): The game's high quality, unique ideas, and the clear passion of its developers fuel enthusiasm for its style and deep replayability. The exhilarating experience of completing the main story and diving into arcade mode, with the outstanding music and ambiance, drives continued high excitement.
- Love (weight 0.03): The love for this game is driven by its flawless integration of presentation, soundtrack, gameplay, and creative boss fights. The whole stylistic, from the polished controls and turn-of-the-millennium vibe to its aesthetic, resonates deeply, keeping players beloved to the experience and its artwork.
- Impressed (weight 0.02): Impressions are strong given the immersive soundtrack and overall cohesive presentation, with tight visuals and gameplay. The impressive dedication of a development team that spent three years studying shooting games is clear, and the success of their own design is an impressive achievement.
- Frustrated (weight 0.02): Frustration arises from specific design flaws such as the poorly escalating level difficulty, disastrous final boss interruption from a dialogue reset, and the lack of clarity in hitboxes during bullet grazing. These issues, along with the unattractive game title, break the flow of gameplay and the intended loop from them.
- Fun (weight 0.02): The game is considered a fun ride because its shmup mechanics are politely engaging, and even with some struggles, the player finds the gameplay and style to be joyful. The chase in UI and sound design further amplify its fun status, creating a very enjoyable and exciting experience.
- Excited (weight 0.02): The excitement comes from a game packed with personally favorite elements like grazes, melee, and a sword throw, all presented in a special way. The amazing soundtrack and high quality feel make the player immediately want to try the game on normal difficulty and keep the fun going.
- Curiosity (weight 0.02): Curiosity is driven by the desire to undergo the game's possibilities and unique style, with the shifting presentation keeping the player engaged. The interesting soundtrack and aesthetics of the birdcage, along with wanting to see the hard clear cinematics with Ceyx, are key points of interest.
- Joy (weight 0.01): Joy is generated from the elegant design of the gameplay and aesthetics. The game calls back to pleasant vibes of classic shmups, and as the player gets a handle on the groove, the design becomes more and more satisfying.
- Satisfied (weight 0.01): Satisfaction comes from the hone of hard gameplay that is overcome with practice, especially in the hands of the sword concept. The music and aesthetic also work to make the playthrough a fulfilling and positive experience.
- Appreciative (weight 0.01): Appreciation comes by the immense love and passion behind the game's design, which is evident in its good pace, cool music, and badass art. It is highly valued as a high-quality PC shmup, which is a rarity in the current era.
- Relief (weight 0.01): Relief is felt when the final boss is defeated, as the explosion and jingle bring a just relief, helped by a feature to restart that makes ending much easier to reach. For a beginner, leaving the board without being totally destroyed by the challenges is already a relief.
- Gratitude (weight 0.01): Gratitude is expressed for the game's support of retro style, celebrating the old school shmup aesthetic. The availability of different difficulty modes is also appreciated as generous consideration for players of all skill levels.}