Polygon Bird's 'Birdcage' Release Date and Steam Demo: A Promising New Vertical Shooter for Shoot 'Em Up Fans

Polygon Bird's latest project, Birdcage, is set to make its full debut on Steam on November 18, 2025.

This highly anticipated vertical shoot 'em up comes from the independent developer Polygon Bird, a studio that has quickly made a name for itself among fans of classic arcade shooters.

Drawing overt inspiration from genre staples like Radiant Silvergun and Ikaruga, Birdcage offers a polished, high-intensity bullet hell experience with contemporary flair. First announced in November 2022, Birdcage has steadily built excitement within the shoot 'em up community.

The game is described as an arcade-style, vertically scrolling shooter that challenges players to "shoot, slash, and weave through countless bullets and enemies." The narrative unfolds amidst an interstellar war between two factions, Selene and Radon.

Players step into the role of a pilot who awakens in the experimental Halcyon gunship, tasked with a critical mission: destroy a powerful weapon engineered by Radon that threatens to end the reign of Earth and create a new universe. In tandem with this month's Steam Next Fest, Polygon Bird has released a playable demo titled 'Birdcage -Dryad Ecophene Module Object-.' This early access slice of the game is available for download now via Steam.

The demo includes an opening cutscene, an interactive tutorial, two full stages, four distinctive boss fights, and selectable difficulty levels (Easy, Normal, and Hard).

Polygon Bird estimates the demo provides around 15 minutes of initial gameplay, but emphasizes the replay value for those who want to master the Halcyon's unique blend of long-range, rapid-fire lasers and close-range sword strikes.

The demo allows players to get a genuine feel for Birdcage's mechanics and signature style before the official launch. Reflecting on the game's development journey, Polygon Bird noted in a recent development update that one of the driving goals has been to capture the essence of beloved arcade shooters while offering modernized controls and deep replayability.

With its smooth controls, strategic combat options, and dynamic difficulty levels, Birdcage is tailored both for veterans and newcomers to the shoot 'em up genre. Birdcage launches on Steam on November 18, 2025.

The free demo is available now as part of Steam Next Fest, giving the community an opportunity to provide feedback ahead of the full release.

As both Polygon Bird and the shoot 'em up genre continue to evolve, Birdcage stands out as a title to watch for fans of fast-paced, skill-driven action.

Steam Polygon Ikaruga Radiant Silvergun Birdcage Polygon Bird Steam Next Fest Selene Radon Halcyon