Polygon Bird, an emerging force in the indie development scene, has just released its debut shoot 'em up title, Birdcage, on Steam.
Launched on November 18th, 2025, Birdcage has quickly captured the attention of the gaming community with its dynamic arcade-style gameplay and vibrant visual flair, drawing clear inspiration from genre classics like Treasure’s Radiant Silvergun and Ikaruga. Within just one day of its Steam launch, Birdcage has garnered 34 reviews, the majority of which are overwhelmingly positive.
Early players are praising its engaging mechanics and modern twist on the vertical shooter formula, with some calling it “one of the most refreshing releases in a long time” and “genuinely one of the coolest games I have ever played.” The enthusiast group STG Shmups, a respected curator and advocate for shoot 'em up games, commended the title on social media, describing it as “one of the best shmups from this year.” They further highlighted its striking similarities to Radiant Silvergun, citing a “radiant magic” emanating from the game that pays homage to its influences while forging its own identity. Birdcage delivers an arcade-style, vertically scrolling shooter experience where players are tasked with shooting, slashing, and weaving their way through a barrage of enemies and intricate bullet patterns.
The game’s narrative centers on a conflict between two factions, Selene and Radon.
Players assume the role of a pilot who awakens within the Halcyon, an experimental gunship, and must prevent the deployment of a powerful Radon weapon threatening to end Earth’s existence and create a new universe. Polygon Bird first announced Birdcage in November 2022, capturing attention through development updates and early previews.
Most recently, in conjunction with Steam Next Fest, Polygon Bird released a demo titled Birdcage -Dryad Ecophene Module Object-.
This demo offers players a chance to experience the game's opening cutscene, a comprehensive tutorial, two full stages, four boss battles, and multiple difficulty options (Easy, Normal, Hard).
The demo provides approximately 15 minutes of gameplay, though its challenging mechanics and deep systems are designed to entice players into repeated runs to master the Halcyon's unique blend of long-range, rapid-fire lasers and close-quarters sword attacks. Birdcage is available now on Steam for £11.79, with a limited-time 10% launch discount reducing the price to £10.61 during its first week.
As Polygon Bird’s debut release, Birdcage exemplifies the passion and craftsmanship indie developers bring to the shoot 'em up genre, offering both nostalgic and fresh experiences for enthusiasts and newcomers alike. For fans eager to immerse themselves in intricate bullet hell action, Birdcage stands out as a must-play title on the Steam platform.
Additional information, demo downloads, and purchase options are accessible via the Steam eShop.
Launched on November 18th, 2025, Birdcage has quickly captured the attention of the gaming community with its dynamic arcade-style gameplay and vibrant visual flair, drawing clear inspiration from genre classics like Treasure’s Radiant Silvergun and Ikaruga. Within just one day of its Steam launch, Birdcage has garnered 34 reviews, the majority of which are overwhelmingly positive.
Early players are praising its engaging mechanics and modern twist on the vertical shooter formula, with some calling it “one of the most refreshing releases in a long time” and “genuinely one of the coolest games I have ever played.” The enthusiast group STG Shmups, a respected curator and advocate for shoot 'em up games, commended the title on social media, describing it as “one of the best shmups from this year.” They further highlighted its striking similarities to Radiant Silvergun, citing a “radiant magic” emanating from the game that pays homage to its influences while forging its own identity. Birdcage delivers an arcade-style, vertically scrolling shooter experience where players are tasked with shooting, slashing, and weaving their way through a barrage of enemies and intricate bullet patterns.
The game’s narrative centers on a conflict between two factions, Selene and Radon.
Players assume the role of a pilot who awakens within the Halcyon, an experimental gunship, and must prevent the deployment of a powerful Radon weapon threatening to end Earth’s existence and create a new universe. Polygon Bird first announced Birdcage in November 2022, capturing attention through development updates and early previews.
Most recently, in conjunction with Steam Next Fest, Polygon Bird released a demo titled Birdcage -Dryad Ecophene Module Object-.
This demo offers players a chance to experience the game's opening cutscene, a comprehensive tutorial, two full stages, four boss battles, and multiple difficulty options (Easy, Normal, Hard).
The demo provides approximately 15 minutes of gameplay, though its challenging mechanics and deep systems are designed to entice players into repeated runs to master the Halcyon's unique blend of long-range, rapid-fire lasers and close-quarters sword attacks. Birdcage is available now on Steam for £11.79, with a limited-time 10% launch discount reducing the price to £10.61 during its first week.
As Polygon Bird’s debut release, Birdcage exemplifies the passion and craftsmanship indie developers bring to the shoot 'em up genre, offering both nostalgic and fresh experiences for enthusiasts and newcomers alike. For fans eager to immerse themselves in intricate bullet hell action, Birdcage stands out as a must-play title on the Steam platform.
Additional information, demo downloads, and purchase options are accessible via the Steam eShop.
