Cycle

About

Cycle is a single player platformer game with a fantasy theme. It was developed by DVTZR and was released on October 6, 2025. It received very positive reviews from players.

The tower of the stars, which is responsible for power all around the land, mysteriously shuts down. Lana, who's (now deceased) mother restored the Tower of the stars' power before, sets off to find the truth: About her mother's death, and about the tower's mysterious shut downs. Cycle is an exploration game in the vein of Metroidvania games and inspired by various Game Boy Advance games. This v…

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

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93%

Audience ScoreBased on 15 reviews

story4 positive mentions

graphics3 negative mentions

The game features a charming art style and a vibrant world filled with interesting characters and a touching narrative.
Boss fights are memorable and creatively designed, providing a fun challenge without being overly frustrating.
The music is fantastic and adds to the overall experience, making it a highly recommended title for fans of the genre.

The graphics and visual clarity are lacking, which detracts from the overall experience.
Controls can feel awkward, with issues like an overly powerful dash and a jump mechanic that may not feel intuitive.
The default difficulty is too easy for some players, leading to a lack of challenge and motivation to continue.

story
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
57%
14%
29%
The story is praised for its emotional depth, exploring themes of grief and love while being beautifully written and engaging. Reviewers highlight the charming characters, clever humor, and the overall captivating narrative that complements the game's stunning pixel art and memorable soundtrack.
- “Under all of that is a touching story about grief, love, and cycles.”
- “The art and world design are absolutely gorgeous, and the story was touching, beautifully written, and really stuck with me.”
- “This is another one of those original games that are vaguely inspired by Cave Story.”
- “Gorgeous art with incredibly catchy music, and an emotional plot that knows how to ponder itself.”
music
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
80%
20%
The music in Cycle is widely praised as one of its standout features, described as fantastic, catchy, and emotionally resonant. Reviewers highlight the soundtrack's ability to enhance the game's charm and overall experience, with specific tracks, like the mall theme, leaving a lasting impression. Overall, the music is seen as a labor of love that complements the game's pixel art and engaging narrative.
- “Oh, and the music is genuinely fantastic.”
- “Cycle's best feature is the music.”
- “Very fun and charming metroidvania: nice pixel art, interesting plot and lovable characters, cool bosses, great soundtrack (I've been unable to get the mall theme out of my head for days).”
graphics
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
75%
The graphics received mixed reviews, with some users criticizing them for being poor and lacking visual clarity, while others appreciated the retro charm and unique art style reminiscent of Mega Man, highlighting the game's creative character designs and enjoyable aesthetic. Overall, the visuals evoke a blend of nostalgia and modern smoothness, contributing to the game's fun experience.
- “A lovely art style, a varied cast of characters, and a pair of cute lovers.”
- “Retro charm with an aesthetic that stands out, some creative boss fights, overall a lot of fun to complete.”
- “Unfortunately, that is the only good thing here; the graphics are bad, and there is an issue with visual clarity.”
- “Short and sweet metroidvania with visuals that invoke Mega Man influences, but with the smooth movement options of more modern games.”
- “Retro charm with an aesthetic that stands out; some creative boss fights make it overall a lot of fun to complete.”
emotional
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by a touching narrative that explores themes of grief and love, complemented by stunning art and music. Reviewers praise the beautifully written story for its depth and lasting impact, making it a memorable experience.
- “Under all of that is a touching story about grief, love, and cycles.”
- “The art and world design are absolutely gorgeous, and the story was touching, beautifully written, and really stuck with me.”
- “Gorgeous art with incredibly catchy music, and an emotional plot that knows how to ponder itself.”
gameplay
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The gameplay is praised for its engaging blend of Mega Man Zero and Metroidvania elements, offering an enjoyable adventure complemented by a heartfelt narrative and vibrant visuals.
- “This game is an excellent adventure that combines fun Mega Man Zero/Metroidvania gameplay with a loving narrative and bright, fun colors.”