Cy-clone is a ridiculously obscure ol' game and a bad pun. Big Fish says it's for iPad/iPhone and PC, but even if the first two exist, I have low faith in their playability compared to the PC version.
There is also a flash game. Don't play it. Its shit.
Now I'll get into why I want you to play this...by reviewing the game right here. I will start with the worst things in the game, going to the best, for escalation and hype sake.
I'd put this into reviews but the true purpose is to get you interested by telling you how I score the game, not telling you how i score the game.
First, the graphics. They are silly. It's a sort of cartoonish 3D look that really can't be given a quality score (despite obviously not being very polished). This game looks good but it definitely doesn't look good if you catch my drift. Kinda like it's own thing. It may be off-putting for some.
Next, the sound. Actual sound quality: Alright I guess. Song quality (aka how good the actual music is): 7.5/10.
Yes. This game actually has some very, very nice music. Stage 3 and the second boss theme especially have me surprised at how awesome it is!
Next the freaking gameplay. This is the heart of the game, which is a great thing for an obscure PC title.
It plays like freaking Kirby. This is what Blazeon (Bla-Zeon? Blaze on?) was always supposed to be!
You control this orb ship that can create a vacuum but dies in one hit. It cannot attack on its own.
HOWEVER: If you grab an enemy, you start scanning it for a second or so, and then you BECOME that enemy.
Here's the kicker: Playing as every single enemy type is viable in it's own. You have the standard ship with a bullet erasing laser, a tiny robot with literal bombs, a scatter shot ship, a melee ship, a charge shot ship, etc etc. There's even a juggernaut-type enemy you can become that has a better attack and subweapon at the cost of speed and a larger hitbox...which is honestly the single thing i dislike about the game.
You can shoot out enemy ships you copied in a powerful attack! You can also release them while they're grabbed/being scanned to send them flying for a ton of damage!
Your basic orb can pick up enemy shots and fire them back! And every single boss can be fought as the orb! The first one has you grab its wobbly bit and smack it with it. The second has you absorb it's laser streams (multiple ones) for a massive attack, etc etc.
The ships have health bars. Yes...but they can mostly all take just one hit, and you do NOT replenish health by swapping ships, it may as well be a shield like in Alltynex Second. The only exception is the tanky juggernaut ship, but you have full control when it comes to taking it for yourself, furthermore you get bonus points for just quickly firing it off with the special attack
.
Every ship has a different normal attack and a sub weapon with energy stock, some are mentioned above. The energy recharges over time, and recharges FULLY when you swap.
Difficulty is not too much, but it definitely has it's hard moments and tough points in stages!
Lastly, stage design...varies. Final stage AKA G-Darius's final stage, stage 1,2 and 3 are all awesome. Stages 4 and 5 fall off compared to them. Enemy placements are very well done in some stages as well, especially 3 and final, but still never actually go into bad territory during the rest.
Overall, this game is entirely enjoyable, it's not even euroshmup (But conveniently gives you a euroshmup option in the jugger ship! They think of everything!)
The multiple playstyles, simple but unique mechanics and badass music kept me playing till I beat it. Six stages, okay lenth.
I say, give this mostly unknown gem a try. You can find a trial and purchase (Three dollars, with trial only being time limited) here http://www.bigfishgames.com/games/2584/cyclone/
Or maybe you will do something else, heh.
Additional fun stuff:
This guy, who is an obvious cameo of Thunder Force's Iron Maiden, is found moving slowly in the stage 1 background, after you exit the tunnel. You can see far more of it and the movement really gives it away, but getting a good shot was hard due to enemies.
The final stage has a very cool expy of Titanic Lance. I'd say the ways you can approach it make up for it being slightly blander. (multiple enemies to take, deflecting stuff, etc)
If you beat the game, you unlock "Intergalactic Crab" which is a ridiculous but somewhat amusing minigame.
Additionally, one of the bosses is literally an alien dong, and as ol' BIL says, dick will never die.
