Cycle Chaser H-5

About

Cycle Chaser H-5 is a single player arcade shooter game. It was developed by PD CGT and was released on March 6, 2022. It received positive reviews from players.

Mysterious aliens have occupied a scorched Earth. A lone pilot seizes the skies. What is it they're after? Cycle Chaser H-5 is a horizontal arcade-style shoot-em-up. Burn through waves of impenetrable foes with a sleek arsenal of weapons. Defeat foes to harvest their energy, then activate the powerful 'Super Tatsujin' system for maximum power and defense!HIGHLIGHTS Stylish hand-drawn and vector-…

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

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90%

Audience ScoreBased on 29 reviews

graphics6 positive mentions

story2 negative mentions

The game features a unique and colorful art style, along with a nostalgic soundtrack that enhances the overall experience.
It offers multiple difficulty levels, making it accessible for newcomers while still providing challenges for experienced players.
The gameplay is engaging with varied enemy patterns and epic boss fights, making it a fun and entertaining shmup.

Some players found the game to lack a satisfying 'gamefeel', making it feel more like a prototype than a polished product.
The game is relatively short, with a full run lasting around 30 minutes to an hour, which may leave some players wanting more content.
Certain weapon styles are considered less enjoyable to use, as they do not provide significant advantages over the default arsenal.

graphics
16 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
38%
43%
19%
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their unique and colorful handmade art style, reminiscent of 2000s-era flash animations and classic Sega aesthetics. Players appreciate the clear visibility of bullets and enemies, as well as the consistent and appealing design that enhances the overall experience. The combination of solid colors, minimalist patterns, and a charming aesthetic contributes to a visually engaging and enjoyable gameplay environment.
- “The use of colors and graphics feels really great to look at, both the style of the enemies and the color language for the bullets pop really well!”
- “The first thing that hit me was the graphical style, which I find really refreshing and likable, especially in the shoot 'em up genre, and it also works well with no issues of bullet or enemy visibility.”
- “Very by the books side scrolling shoot'em'up with a simplistic art style and enemy wave pattern.”
- “The graphics have a very distinctive look, which also makes bullet visibility a non-issue; I can always see everything very clearly.”
- “The first thing that hit me was the graphical style, which I find really refreshing and likable, especially in the STG genre, and it also works well too with no issues of bullet or enemy visibility.”
music
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
83%
17%
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim for its retro-inspired soundtrack, particularly its FM synth-based chiptune style reminiscent of the Sega Genesis and old arcade games. Reviewers noted that while the music may feel unusual at first, it quickly becomes engaging, especially during key moments like the final boss battle. Overall, the soundtrack is described as stellar and a significant highlight, enhancing the game's unique aesthetics and nostalgic appeal.
- “A very good retro-inspired original soundtrack that has no right to go as hard as it does.”
- “I like that the chiptune soundtrack is FM-synth based, reminiscent of old arcade games or the Sega Genesis, when most other modern indie chiptune soundtracks go for the expected NES sound.”
- “The music is really stellar, very reminiscent of the old-school Mega Drive era of gaming.”
gameplay
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
75%
75%
The gameplay features a well-balanced risk/reward mechanic and a forgiving shield system that enhances enjoyment, reminiscent of classic arcade shooters while incorporating modern innovations. Players can explore its technical depth without feeling overwhelmed, as the game avoids frustrating checkpoints and ensures constant weapon readiness, making it both nostalgic and accessible.
- “Good risk/reward mechanic with the scoring.”
- “Oozes passion and offers just enough technical depth to warrant deeper exploration of its mechanics without feeling overwhelming.”
- “The forgiving shield mechanic makes the game a lot of fun.”
- “The gameplay is frustratingly repetitive, making it hard to stay engaged for long periods.”
- “The controls feel unresponsive at times, leading to a lack of precision during critical moments.”
- “There are too many bugs that disrupt the gameplay experience, causing crashes and glitches that ruin immersion.”
story
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
67%
The game's story is simple and minimalistic, primarily serving as a backdrop to the gameplay experience, which is enhanced by cool bullet patterns and great music. Players can complete the story in about an hour across seven stages, with varying difficulty levels available. Overall, the narrative is not the main focus but contributes to the overall vibe of the game.
- “Cool bullet patterns, great music, and... a story?!”
- “It has a few difficulty levels, and finishing the story on one of them takes about an hour across seven stages.”
- “A simple story that stays out of the way and operates almost entirely on vibes.”
replayability
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
Players appreciate the strong replayability of the game, highlighting its engaging mechanics and varied experiences that encourage multiple playthroughs.
- “There's some really nice replayability, as well.”
- “The game offers a variety of choices that make each playthrough feel unique.”
- “I love how different strategies can lead to completely different outcomes, encouraging me to play again.”