Birdcage Blends Sword Combat and Shooting in Polygon Bird Games’ Upcoming Arcade Shmup for Steam

Birdcage Blends Sword Combat and Shooting in Polygon Bird Games’ Upcoming Arcade Shmup for Steam Birdcage, the latest title from indie developer Polygon Bird Games, is quickly making waves within the shooter game community.

With its upcoming release on Steam, Birdcage offers players a fresh take on the vertically scrolling shooter genre, blending fast-paced shooting with innovative sword-based mechanics—calling to mind genre-defining classics like Treasure’s Ikaruga and its predecessor Radiant Silvergun. A Modern Shooter with Classic Roots Birdcage is positioned as an arcade-style, vertically scrolling shooter where players are challenged to "shoot, slash, and weave through countless bullets and enemies." Its striking visuals and intense gameplay pay homage to Japanese arcade shooters, but what sets Birdcage apart is its sword action system.

Instead of relying solely on long-range attacks, players can engage enemies up-close, introducing a layer of risk-and-reward combat that historically has roots in Radiant Silvergun’s unique weapon mechanics. According to information published on the game’s Steam page, Birdcage places players in the cockpit of the prototype ship, HALCYON, as part of the Radon Fleet.

The narrative unfolds in low-Earth orbit just as the Radon and Selene factions stand on the brink of full-scale conflict.

The pilot, roused unexpectedly from training stasis, receives a mysterious emergency message urging them to sabotage their own fleet from the inside.

To avert war and find freedom, the player must confront the Radon Daughters, an elite special unit—and, crucially, the protagonist's own sisters. Distinctive Gameplay and Influences Polygon Bird Games leverages the genre’s foundations while infusing new ideas.

Birdcage draws clear visual inspiration from Ikaruga, evident in its vibrant art direction and intricate enemy patterns.

However, the addition of sword-based close combat invites comparisons to Radiant Silvergun’s blend of ranged and melee action, promising fans a nuanced gameplay experience. In an official statement via the game's digital storefront, Polygon Bird Games emphasized the ambitious scope of Birdcage: players must "shoot, slash, and weave" their way to survival and narrative resolution.

This blend of mechanics caters to both traditional shmup veterans and newcomers eager for genre innovation. Polygon Bird Games’ Expanding Portfolio While Birdcage stands at the forefront, Polygon Bird Games is also actively developing Eco Breaker, a role-playing game inspired by Japanese RPG conventions.

This diversification reflects the studio’s drive to bring innovative, genre-spanning titles to PC and potentially other platforms such as Nintendo Switch and the eShop in the future. Birdcage’s demo and full release are highly anticipated, especially among fans of arcade shooters and those following Nintendo Switch and PC indie development trends.

As Polygon Bird Games builds its reputation with quality releases, industry observers are keeping a close watch on both Birdcage and the studio’s evolving portfolio. Birdcage will be available on Steam, with further updates expected to be shared via official Polygon Bird Games channels and upcoming digital showcases.

For fans of Ikaruga, Radiant Silvergun, and innovative shmups, Birdcage is shaping up to be an essential addition to the modern shoot 'em up landscape.

Steam Polygon developer Ikaruga Radiant Silvergun Arcade Polygon Bird Games Birdcage Eco Breaker Nintendo Switch Polygon Bird