CYGNI: All Guns Blazing
Konami Digital Entertainment
A real return to form for shoot 'em ups, developed by a small team and published by Konami. The hit game of summer 2024, it immediately stands out for its fresh, modern, take on the genre, especially through its breathtaking graphics and deep strategic gameplay. Long levels, explosions everywhere... you'll emerge from your game exhausted but happy. One not to miss!
The shoot 'em up genre has always evolved, but CYGNI: All Guns Blazing manages to refresh the genre with a modern approach and unexpectedly strategic gameplay. Developed by a small but passionate team and published by Konami, the game proves to be a major revelation in arcade gaming in 2024.
Fast-paced, strategic gameplay.
You'll be at the controls in the cockpit of a ship as an intergalactic war rages around you, seeing off waves of enemies in some spectacular environments. Unlike in traditional shoot 'em ups, where the frantic action often revolves around memorising enemy movement patterns, CYGNI pushes the player to adopt strategies in real time. You'll constantly be forced to allocate extra power to your weapons or shields in a deadly balancing act that introduces unparalleled depth to the genre.
Your resources, represented by little dots dropped by enemies, are used not only to replenish your energy, but also to upgrade your ship. Risk lies at the heart of the experience: rushing in to collect resources may pay off handsomely, but it also exposes you to more enemy fire. Striking this balance between frenetic action and strategic planning is the game's big strength.
In technical terms, CYGNI is a gem. The explosions are spectacular, the environments teeming with details, and the light effects make the action look almost cinematic. And it's all capped off by CGI cutscenes that immerse you in this futuristic universe.
We liked how the game combines traditional and modern elements. Shoot 'em up fans will find the explosions and waves of enemies they love, and be pleasantly surprised by the strategic aspect to the gameplay. As for newbies to the genre, they'll appreciate the fair learning curve and the excellent tutorial that lets them get used to the game's mechanics without getting frustrated. Visually, the game is a feast for the eyes, and a must-play for those who like their action as breathtaking to behold as it is frantic.
Our favourite part? The resource management. The way that your health and power bars are linked brings a unique rhythm to the game, forcing you to make often-risky decisions in the heat of the moment. It creates a constant source of tension and makes every decision a matter of life and death. Then there's the way you can customise your ship which, while offering nothing truly groundbreaking, does just enough to make you feel attached to your craft.
Our tip to help you on your way? Start off in Easy mode, not to make things easier for you, but to add some upgrades to your ship before taking on the higher difficulty levels. It will also let you learn the gameplay mechanics without getting frustrated, and to get a feel for balancing your power and energy. CYGNI can be punishing, especially for those who rush in without stopping to think.
Who is this game for? With its demanding but accessible gameplay, CYGNI will be a hit with shoot 'em up veterans and newbies to the genre alike. Given its progressive difficulty and depiction of violence (albeit without any gore), it's more of a game for teenagers and adults. The levels are long for a shoot 'em up (and it will take you around 3-5 hours to complete the game), but it never gets boring thanks to the impressive visual variety and the gargantuan bosses that only serve to enhance the sense of immersion.
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Publisher: Konami Digital Entertainment
Developer: KeelWorks
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