BIRDCAGE

About

BIRDCAGE is a single player hack and slash game. It was developed by POLYGON BIRD and was released on November 18, 2025. It received overwhelmingly positive reviews from players.

BIRDCAGE is a fast-paced, single-player hack and slash shoot 'em up where you pilot the RADON gunship HALCYON, wielding both powerful guns and the unique SWORD weapon. Set in a futuristic sci-fi world, it features an engaging story spanning six intense stages with stunning visuals and a memorable soundtrack. Experience classic arcade action fused with modern gameplay and narrative depth.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

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97%

Audience ScoreBased on 151 reviews

music51 positive mentions

grinding4 negative mentions

Incredible art direction and visuals that evoke a nostalgic 90s aesthetic, reminiscent of classic games like Radiant Silvergun and Metal Gear Solid.
The soundtrack is phenomenal, enhancing the overall experience and immersing players in the game's atmosphere.
The gameplay is engaging with a unique sword mechanic that encourages aggressive play, making it accessible for newcomers while still offering depth for veterans.

The level design lacks variety and can feel repetitive, especially in the later stages, which may lead to a less engaging experience for seasoned players.
The scoring system is overly simplistic, with chains carrying over between stages but resetting upon taking damage, which can be frustrating and discouraging for players aiming for high scores.
Some gameplay mechanics, like the sword aiming, can feel inconsistent and may not be as rewarding as intended, leading to moments of frustration during combat.

music
77 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
66%
30%
4%
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim, with many reviewers praising its phenomenal quality and ability to enhance the overall experience. The soundtrack, often described as a standout feature, is noted for its engaging electronic vibes reminiscent of classic shmup titles, and several tracks are highlighted as particularly memorable. Overall, the combination of exceptional music and striking visuals creates a captivating atmosphere that resonates with players, making it a key aspect of the game's appeal.
- “The soundtrack, which is phenomenal from start to finish, has a couple standouts in stage 2 and 5.”
- “The amazing soundtrack elevates the entire experience even further.”
- “The music is just stellar to the point where I had to just buy the soundtrack.”
- “The overall visual style of Birdcage and its soundtrack are definitely effective at setting a mood, but the lack of a visual journey really holds it back, and the character dialogue isn't really adding much in terms of mood or substance.”
- “This sounds like a miniscule thing to complain about, but given that narratives in STGs have often been minimal in dialogue or outright wordless, the progression of their backgrounds and music are over half the story in these games, and you'd be surprised at how effective they can be at setting a mood if you play STGs with continuous visual stage progression.”
- “The music and sound design leans a lot to that, all with the exception of the UI going instead for a smoother modern feel.”
gameplay
73 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
37%
56%
7%
The gameplay of the game is characterized by its engaging shmup mechanics, highlighted by a unique sword mechanic that adds depth to combat and encourages aggressive play. While the visuals and soundtrack receive high praise, some players feel that the gameplay lacks mechanical depth and cohesion, with certain systems feeling tacked on or underdeveloped. Overall, the game offers a fun and visually striking experience, particularly for casual fans, but may not fully satisfy hardcore shmup enthusiasts seeking more intricate gameplay systems.
- “Amazing art direction, super cool sci-fi story, and a fantastic soundtrack all tied to tight, satisfyingly challenging shmup gameplay.”
- “The sword mechanic is incredibly well pulled off and it feels addicting to rush into targets for extra damage.”
- “The gameplay itself is top notch, and I have to commend them for the fantastic bullet visibility.”
- “My main criticism of the game is that there are mechanics like the hyper that feel like they are tacked on and you could easily get rid of it and give that power in other places and not a lot would have been different with it missing.”
- “Birdcage lacks gameplay cohesion; there's enough jankiness within the core mechanics that I lost motivation to continue playing on normal to improve as a player.”
- “Birdcage has compelling aesthetics but lackluster gameplay, and unfortunately shmups live and die by their tight gameplay loop.”
graphics
62 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
48%
47%
5%
The graphics of the game have been widely praised for their stunning aesthetics, drawing inspiration from classic titles and 80s-90s anime, creating a captivating visual experience that resonates with both newcomers and genre veterans. The combination of beautiful pixel art, a gritty sci-fi atmosphere, and an engaging soundtrack enhances the overall immersion, making it a standout in the indie shmup scene. While some minor design elements and performance issues were noted, the overall presentation is considered top-notch and a significant highlight of the game.
- “Hands-down some of the greatest aesthetics I've experienced in any game ever; I adore the visuals and the soundtrack is so up my alley it's absurd.”
- “Beyond the fun gameplay, the game boasts wonderful aesthetics inspired by Metal Gear Solid, Mobile Suit Gundam, Neon Genesis Evangelion, and 80s-90s anime in general.”
- “The standout here is definitely the beautiful 32-bit era visuals and excellent soundtrack, with a lot of set pieces to make the most of this presentation.”
- “The first four stages in particular don't give a coherent idea of what place you're moving to or what kind of journey you've made up to that point, nor do their visuals make it clear what kind of places they are.”
- “Pair this with the gameplay feeling lackluster and you're left with a rather bland experience once the charm from the aesthetics wears off.”
- “My PC is a weak machine, but the way FPS nosedived after stage 4 - especially in stage 4 - is pretty much inexplicable; at the very least, there should have been graphical settings to try to remedy the issue (even though it doesn't in itself fix the problem).”
story
59 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
70%
5%
The game's story is generally described as simple yet atmospheric, featuring a gritty sci-fi narrative complemented by impressive visuals and a captivating soundtrack. While some players found the plot engaging and enjoyed the lore elements, others felt it lacked depth and was overshadowed by the game's aesthetic appeal. Overall, the story mode is seen as a worthwhile addition, enhancing the gameplay experience despite its narrative limitations.
- “The story itself is fairly simple, but has excellent vibes and evocative dialog.”
- “It's a rad story for a shmup especially, not too much or too detailed in the actual game but hitting you with a solid sense of purpose and characters with cool names like Mother Roentgen alongside visuals to match.”
- “The story mode is definitely the selling point here, along with the general aesthetics: nice character art, gritty sci-fi story with ambiguous setting, beautiful pseudo 32-bit art style... it's a real treat for the eyes and ears.”
- “The story is kind of empty; it honestly feels more like this game wants the vibe of having a mysterious plot defined by symbolism more than it actually wants to tell a story.”
- “Right off the bat, the narrative is pretty disappointing: do not buy this game if you're only in it for the story.”
- “A lot of the gameplay sacrifices made for the sake of its presentation and story really were not worth what we got.”
grinding
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players note that grinding is a significant aspect of the game, particularly in story mode, which can lead to achievements like 1cc in arcade mode. While some find the gameplay problematic, others appreciate the potential of the studio and enjoy the aura farming mechanics, especially with the use of hyper mode for point-farming. Overall, the grinding experience is mixed, with some players finding it rewarding despite its flaws.
- “There are definitely problems with the gameplay which are understandably a dealbreaker to some, but the studio that made this game shows a lot of potential. At any rate, I am shamelessly a sucker for the aura farming.”
- “The hyper mode you can activate makes you invincible, but the DPS isn't particularly high, so its main function for skilled players is as a point-farming bullet cancel.”
- “I wasn't expecting too much from the story aside from loving the slick presentation, but it ended up being super cool in that aura farming, hyper-quotable Ikaruga or Grand Cross renovation kind of way.”
optimization
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
67%
The optimization in the game is criticized for being ineffective, as any improvements can lead to significant issues, detracting from the overall experience. While the game is highly praised, the reviewer emphasizes that optimization remains a major concern that developers need to address.
- “I don't ever worry about score optimization, and I don't try for 1-credit clears.”
- “Therefore, I must explain: this review is written both as a plea for you, the reader, to buy this amazing game, and as feedback for the developers on its worst aspect, the optimization.”
- “Quite literally any optimization you do means nothing if it breaks once.”
- “Therefore I must explain: this review is written both as a plea for you, the reader, to buy this amazing game, and as feedback for the developers on its worst aspect, the optimization.”
atmosphere
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game's atmosphere is highly praised for its immersive setup and aesthetics, significantly enhancing the overall experience despite a less engaging story. The combination of atmospheric elements, music, and unique design choices, including physical hazards, contributes to a distinctive and captivating environment reminiscent of classic titles like Metal Gear Solid 2.
- “The story wasn't really engaging, but the whole atmosphere and setup really enhanced the experience and is certainly worth checking out.”
- “Overall, I would say it has an amazing atmosphere and aesthetics, and it flies off the beaten path for better or for worse, depending on how you feel about physical walls, laser walls, and solid objects as hazards in your vertical game.”
- “The atmosphere and music are also great, and the Metal Gear Solid 2 inspiration is on display everywhere!”
replayability
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
67%
The game's replayability is primarily driven by its focus on mastering the mechanics rather than its limited content, which includes only six main stages and two extra modes. Players can unlock story lore through scoring, but overall, the replay value is tied to skill improvement and the enjoyment of arcade-style gameplay, particularly on platforms like the Steam Deck.
- “I think these control options are a cool way of modernizing a shmup while not compromising on the fundamentals of the genre and movement, and at the very least, it definitely makes this way more playable on a Steam Deck if you have one of those.”
- “It's quite a short game with only 6 mainline stages and two extra game modes, but as with arcade-style games, I'd say the replayability lies more in the mastery of the game.”
- “Story is unlocked through lore entries that you score enough to get, and I feel like that's where replayability begins and ends.”
emotional
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional impact of the game is significant, as evidenced by the trailer's ability to evoke tears from viewers, suggesting a deep connection to its themes or storytelling.
- “Months ago, the trailer made me cry for some reason.”
- “The story touched my heart in ways I never expected.”
- “I felt a deep connection to the characters and their struggles.”
stability
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players have reported several oversights and glitches that negatively impact the scoring system, making it problematic for achieving high scores beyond occasional extensions.
- “On the game's scoring front, player jaimers on YouTube has unfortunately discovered a number of oversights and glitches that make scoring problematic, aside from doing well enough to get an extend here and there.”
character development
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Reviewers appreciate the game's strong character development, highlighting its engaging visual style and music, which enhance the overall experience. The Metal Gear Solid-inspired presentation, including codec calls and character designs, adds depth and intrigue, making players excited for the full release.