The amazing Epic Games Store is really trying to go head to head with STEAM and there are a few gems on there such as The Cycle. I actually spent most of the weekend with this what is being called a PvEvP style of game and a game that is “not a Battle Royale game” kind of game.
How to Download The Cycle
To download the game, click on the Download button at the end of the review. If you want to check out more games by Yager Development, read our reviews of Spec Ops: The Line (2012) and Dreadnaught (2017).
The Game Review
The story of the game is that you are on a space station and you are playing the role of a mercenary/prospector. There are three large companies that offer various contracts for prospectors to complete. You have 20 minutes to do as much as you can and earn as many points as you can as well.
I know that they do not want this to be seen as a Battle Royale game, but I really think that is the best comparison. If anything, I feel that The Cycle could be the kind of game that the Battle Royale genre morphs into now that I think about it. The core gameplay is that of a first-person shooter and you can play on your own, part of a team or in a squad. The game currently is for 20 players.
You have other players to worry about of course. However, you sometimes may have to call a bit of a truce to deal with some hostile AI characters that want you dead. This is kind of cool and a neat idea and one that helps keep you on your toes. I look forward to seeing how they actually expand on this.
The contracts that you will be completed are quite varied. These range from getting from one part of the map to another to winning a king of the hill style of match. It keeps things interesting and I like how the matches are more than just about surviving, you actually have objectives that you need to take care of.
The Cycle is free to play and I have so far not spent a single penny on it. You can level up and you have a ton of customization options as you play. The way the game lets you tinker with your character is neat and as you have probably guessed, many microtransactions are here for those that wish to be extra special. There is also a battle pass in the game which at this point I would have been surprised more if there was not one.
Does a game like The Cycle have what it takes to stand up against the likes of Fortnite, Apex Legends and even Call of Duty? I know it is early days, but I do think there is something special here. The Cycle is a lot of fun to play, especially when you are playing with friends. I just hope that people are willing to give the game a chance.
