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The Cycle

The Cycle: Frontier is well-polished but undone by tedium and a lack of imagination.
64%Game Brain Score
gameplay, story
stability, grinding
66% User Score Based on 25,033 reviews
Critic Score 55%Based on 1 reviews

Platforms

PCCloudWindows
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About

"The Cycle: Frontier" is a competitive quest shooter game that takes place on a hostile alien planet. Players must compete against each other while also facing deadly creatures and environmental hazards. With various modes, weapons, and gear to unlock, players must balance exploration, resource gathering, and PvP combat to secure their escape with valuable loot. Cooperative alliances and betrayals add another layer of strategy to this intense, sci-fi experience.

Genres & Tags
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The Cycle screenshot
The Cycle screenshot
The Cycle screenshot
The Cycle screenshot
The Cycle screenshot
The Cycle screenshot
The Cycle screenshot
The Cycle screenshot
The Cycle screenshot
The Cycle screenshot
The Cycle screenshot
+9
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66%
Audience ScoreBased on 25,033 reviews
gameplay668 positive mentions
stability510 negative mentions
  • gameplay
    1,844 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay of "The Cycle: Frontier" is characterized by a unique blend of PvPvE mechanics, drawing comparisons to games like "Escape from Tarkov" but with a more accessible approach. Players engage in a loop of dropping onto a map, gathering resources, and extracting while facing both environmental threats and other players, creating a high-stakes atmosphere. However, many reviews highlight issues such as unbalanced gameplay, bugs, and a lack of innovative mechanics, which detract from the overall experience, leading to mixed feelings about its long-term appeal.

    • “The core gameplay loop revolves around dropping onto Fortuna III, gathering valuable resources, and escaping before a deadly storm rolls in.”
    • “The gameplay is fun, even though a bit grindy in some parts of the game.”
    • “The gameplay loop is really fun, you run around looting and killing, extracting and dropping back in, and that's basically the simplicity of the gameplay loop.”
    • “The gameplay loop got stale after a while.”
    • “Gameplay feels solid enough, but the maps are way too big and other player encounters scarce.”
    • “The gameplay is boring, filled with cheaters, has terrible hit registration, and the mechanics are worse than the original 'The Cycle' battle royale game in every way.”
  • story
    1,766 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The story aspect of "The Cycle: Frontier" is generally perceived as minimal and lacking depth, with many players describing it as a series of repetitive fetch quests and kill missions that do not significantly enhance the gameplay experience. While some appreciate the sci-fi setting and the potential for lore, the overwhelming focus on grinding for resources and completing missions often overshadows any narrative elements. Overall, the game is seen as more of a looter-shooter with a basic quest structure rather than a story-driven experience.

    • “The story is intriguing, an alien world that was colonized that begins to get plagued with strange storms causing an unbridled hostility in its flora, now used as a scavenger's lawless playground to retrieve resources for the floating space station used as a hub for prospectors.”
    • “The quests feel fulfilling and I am just excited for all the new stuff yet to come!”
    • “The game has a pretty generic quest system but it does its job at funneling players around the map for pvp encounters.”
    • “This essentially meant that one could feasibly progress through the game, its story (yes this game had a very light story) and beat its raid boss without ever facing another player.”
    • “The quests are incredibly simplistic 'go here, kill 3 enemies and collect their toenail' type of quests straight out of a shitty MMO.”
    • “The quests are too 'boring' because they just ask you to loot/kill stuff and escape.”
  • graphics
    972 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics of "The Cycle: Frontier" have received widespread praise for their vibrant and unique art style, which blends elements reminiscent of both Fortnite and Escape from Tarkov. Many players appreciate the game's stunning visuals and immersive environments, noting that the graphics are particularly impressive for a free-to-play title. However, some users have reported performance issues and graphical glitches, suggesting that while the aesthetic is appealing, optimization could be improved for a smoother experience.

    • “The graphics and theme were refreshing for an extraction shooter.”
    • “The graphics are beautiful and the weapons all feel very unique.”
    • “The cycle: frontier's graphics are stunning and immersive, with lush alien environments, detailed character models, and impressive visual effects.”
    • “Shitty Tarkov knock-off with stolen comic graphics.”
    • “Years of development for the equivalent of Roblox graphics and Hogwarts physics.”
    • “The graphics are last-gen; the texture resolutions are abysmal; fog, rain, particles, and other effects are poor.”
  • stability
    528 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's stability is a significant concern among players, with numerous reports of bugs, glitches, and crashes that detract from the overall experience. Many users have experienced game-breaking issues, such as freezing during critical moments, AI behaving erratically, and problems with the friend system. While some players find enjoyment despite these issues, the consensus is that the game requires substantial improvements in stability and optimization to reach its full potential.

    • “Sure, there are some bugs in the game; however, the days of a completely bug-free product are long gone. There's been nothing game-breaking that I've come across as yet.”
    • “I myself have only encountered a few minor bugs, and otherwise, 98% of my experience has been bug-free.”
    • “Game runs great on my super basic gaming rig.”
    • “The game is a broken piece of shit, season 1 was the best season and now besides still not solving the cheater problem, the game has more bugs, more glitches, more broken stuff here and there, and on top of that it doesn't work at all on Windows 7/8.1 after season 3 launched.”
    • “The game is still so buggy after 2 betas and season 1, it's borderline unplayable.”
    • “The game is unfinished and buggy.”
  • grinding
    491 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The grinding aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it excessively tedious and repetitive, particularly in late-game content and questing. While some enjoy the grind for gear and progression, citing it as a fun challenge, others express frustration over the time investment required, especially given the risk of losing hard-earned items to other players or due to game mechanics. Overall, the consensus suggests that while the game offers enjoyable moments, the grinding can feel overwhelming and detracts from the overall experience.

    • “Game play is great and not too grindy.”
    • “The PvP isn't overly crazy, and it's not too grindy.”
    • “Progressive feels slow yet not grindy.”
    • “The game is grindy, buggy, and lacks several quality of life features. There's no reason for the inventory to be confusing and hard to use, and the difference between the tiers of stimpacks is a joke.”
    • “The amount of grinding you need to do for some quests is absurd.”
    • “You spend hours farming gear and putting hours into something that is ultimately going to be ruined by people cheating.”
  • optimization
    480 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's optimization has received overwhelmingly negative feedback, with many players reporting severe performance issues such as stuttering, frame drops, and crashes, even on high-end hardware. While some users have experienced smooth gameplay, the majority highlight that the game is poorly optimized, leading to a frustrating experience that detracts from its potential enjoyment. Overall, significant improvements in optimization are needed to enhance stability and performance across various systems.

    • “I hope that the cycle makes a triumphant return, becoming even more enjoyable and optimized with improved anti-cheat measures.”
    • “The optimization of the game is good.”
    • “Great game, runs smoothly, and really well put together.”
    • “The game performance is also abysmal, with constant stuttering and low FPS, making it hard to play even on good hardware.”
    • “Game is very poorly optimized, lags, desync, bugs, low FPS, crazy usage spikes no one can explain.”
    • “Optimization is poor; from what I saw in the tutorial simulation.”
  • monetization
    209 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The monetization model of the game has drawn significant criticism, with many players labeling it as a "cash grab" due to the high prices of microtransactions and the aggressive push for in-game purchases. While some reviews acknowledge that the game is free-to-play and that cosmetics are the primary focus of monetization, the overall sentiment suggests that the developers prioritize profit over player experience, leading to a perception of predatory practices and a lack of genuine engagement with the community.

    • “I think it's great that the game is free, and because of that I had no problem supporting the game via in-game purchases, because I like having that opportunity to support a game that deserves it.”
    • “Microtransactions are mostly cosmetic, and the gameplay items can be easily acquired by playing the game.”
    • “The monetization is also excellent; I'm a free-to-play player and I've found I'm on a fairly even playing field even when I come up against guys with blue armors and weapons.”
    • “Killed the game after charging hundreds of dollars for microtransactions.”
    • “The developers are only focused on making new skins for a quick cash grab.”
    • “This game was literally a cash grab and they proved it by shutting it down and still keeping sales up even though the game was shutting down.”
  • atmosphere
    189 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its immersive and stunning design, featuring beautiful visuals, exceptional sound quality, and a unique blend of sci-fi elements that create a captivating environment. Players appreciate the tension and excitement generated by dynamic weather effects and engaging gameplay, although some note that the atmosphere can be undermined by gameplay issues or a lack of depth in certain areas. Overall, the game's atmosphere stands out as a key highlight, drawing players back for its rich and engaging world.

    • “The atmosphere was absolutely mind-blowing and top-tier; the quality of sounds was brilliant.”
    • “The atmosphere, visuals, and sound all make for an intense and enjoyable experience.”
    • “The atmospheric world that you can jump in and out of at any time is honestly amazing, very scary.”
    • “In the same (I personally did not play this version, but watched the streams) there is a rather depressing atmosphere, which makes it difficult to perceive this game well.”
    • “The gap from low to mid-tier armor and highest tier-armor/weapons has only increased since release... and it sadly no longer is a healthy atmosphere for casual gamers.”
    • “Now it is an abomination with horrible desync, monsters who can kill you without touching you, grimdark atmosphere and a feeling that you can lose everything you've got.”
  • humor
    132 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor in the game is frequently highlighted as a major draw, with players enjoying hilarious interactions through voice chat, slapstick moments during gameplay, and amusing encounters with other players. Many reviews mention the comedic aspects of the game's mechanics and community dynamics, making it a fun experience, especially when played with friends. However, some players also express frustration with the game's balance and mechanics, which can detract from the overall enjoyment.

    • “Every time the three of us got on that evac ship, we'd be laughing (and yelling) at each other for friendly fire.”
    • “It's a hilarious carnival of unbalanced gear and slapstick encounters.”
    • “Be ready for some funny voice chat moments and heart-pounding fights/situations.”
    • “DLC is so expensive it's not funny; at the time for one DLC that was $150+, you could buy Minecraft, Call of Duty, Battlefield, and another game just for the DLC. Hell, you could even buy half the Payday 2 DLCs for under that.”
    • “Later when you play solo in your land, giving duos or pro gamers a chance, it's just not funny.”
    • “Unfunny getting destroyed by exotic weapons on the first map while playing with your beginner friend.”
  • music
    60 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with many praising its well-composed and fitting soundtrack that enhances the atmosphere, particularly in faction areas and during gameplay. However, some users criticize the sound quality as low or repetitive, detracting from the overall experience. Overall, while the soundtrack is often highlighted as a strong point, there are concerns about the sound design and its ability to fully immerse players.

    • “The sound design in The Cycle: Frontier is well-done, with satisfying weapon sounds, immersive ambient audio, and a fitting soundtrack that enhances the game's atmosphere.”
    • “The music was also really surprisingly good.”
    • “Each faction had their own music, the station had a really nice theme, extraction had some great music.”
    • “❎ Poor: low-quality or repetitive sound/music, detracts from the experience.”
    • “🔲 Just filling noises/no music.”
    • “The sound effects and music are very strange and again probably not completely developed.”
  • replayability
    46 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's replayability is a mixed bag, with some players praising its diverse gameplay experiences and fun mechanics, while others criticize its repetitive missions and lack of depth. Many agree that improvements have been made, particularly for solo players, but there is a consensus that more variety and engaging content are needed to enhance long-term replay value. Overall, while the game offers enjoyable replayability, it still has room for growth to keep players invested.

    • “Fun game, replayable with seasons; I'm really sad to see it go.”
    • “Super rewarding gameplay with random player encounters, especially using VoIP, is what helps this game have endless replayability and can easily sink in 200 hours plus.”
    • “This is a fantastic free-to-play game; paid currency can be auto-generated, smooth gunplay, and loads of intricate map details and replayability.”
    • “There could be a better form of replayability; the missions are kind of lackluster in my opinion, just go kill this or go collect that or put this in this spot.”
    • “The game also lacks depth and long-term replayability as the quest line is very repetitive, easily completed, leaving you with subpar PvP as your primary reason to play.”
    • “Adding one new map or one new monster for a season is not making the game more replayable.”
  • emotional
    41 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The emotional aspect of the game is a mixed bag, with many players expressing deep attachment and sadness over its impending shutdown, leading to feelings of loss and nostalgia. While some appreciate the intense emotional experiences and thrilling gameplay, others find the emotional toll of frustration, anxiety, and heartbreak overwhelming, particularly due to issues like cheating and game mechanics that can lead to significant setbacks. Overall, the game elicits strong emotional responses, both positive and negative, making it a deeply impactful experience for its players.

    • “One of my favorite games. As I found out it was going to shut down on September 27 this year, I am not ashamed to say I cried. It's been a day, and every time I remember it's going to shut down, I still feel a pain in my chest. I can't imagine what the people who spent 1000+ hours in this game feel. I wish I was one of them and got to see that much of this pretty game. One of the best games I have played ever, and I am going to miss it. :(”
    • “The day of reckoning is finally upon us. May the potential that rests with this game flourish somewhere else. This game gave me depression, anxiety, and truly haunted me emotionally, but the PTSD I uncovered after playing this game will stay with me for the rest of my life.”
    • “Lose 20 solid looting minutes in a flash, leaving you completely empty... backpack and emotionally.”
  • character development
    3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Character development in the game has received mixed reviews; while some players appreciate the overall gameplay experience, others criticize the lack of depth and progression in character designs and development.

    • “Great graphics, fun gunplay, and character development.”
    • “Other than that, the only other thing I have to complain about is the character development, which I haven't seen any.”
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55%Critics’ scoreBased on 1 critic reviews
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31h Median play time
154h Average play time
8-100h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 211 analyzed playthroughs
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