With CYGNI in action: All guns deployed

The vertical twin-stick shooter is back, but not as you know it. CYGNI: With all weapons at the ready is coming soon to Xbox to satisfy those itchy trigger fingers. It’s a game that harks back to the heyday of arcade shooters, but rather than simply repeating them, the talented folks at KeelWorks have added their own distinctive touches.

Combat takes place on two levels simultaneously. In addition to the airborne enemies that come at you in droves and the massive boss battles you must survive, there is plenty of fighting on the ground as well. As it happens, your fighter is equipped with weapons that can strike above and below you.

With offensive and defensive options, there’s more to CYGNI: All Guns Blazing than just shooting and dodging. It’s a good idea to watch the tutorial before jumping right in so you can get a feel for what’s going on.

You can take on the challenge in CYGNI: All Guns Blazing alone, or call a friend if you need support. Thanks to the challenge offered here, you may well need it. You can change the difficulty level, but games like this are always meant to test your reflexes and skills.

CYGNI: All Guns Blazing promises to stimulate the senses with crisp, vivid visuals and a fully orchestral score arranged by the studio’s in-house composer. When it all comes together, it’s not just your spaceship that’s under attack. For example, the intro to each level is extremely clever and takes you completely out of the genre for a short time.

As for my first impressions from my time with the game, it was mainly that CYGNI: All Guns Blazing does just that. It assaults the senses. There is a lot going on, which matches the intensity of the scenario and requires you to act with precision and timing to avoid being blown to pieces.

This is definitely a game aimed at existing fans of the genre, and my PC skills are clearly inadequate, as I failed to avoid disaster on several occasions. However, I look forward to seeing more of CYGNI: All Guns Blazing, as I’m intrigued by its irresistible style.

CYGNI: All Guns Blazing tells a story set against a backdrop of threat that presents near impossible odds and provides the perfect excuse to blow things up. It’s KeelWorks’ maiden voyage of bringing the humble shooter noise into the present.

Check out the opening cinematic for CYGNI: All Guns Blazing below. Then gather your weapons, because CYGNI: All Guns Blazing is coming to Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5 and PC on August 6, 2024, priced at £24.99. A Digital Deluxe Edition (available exclusively on Steam) costs £29.99.

We’ll remind you when the release arrives, but keep your senses alert to read the full review coming soon.

A big thank you goes to Konami for giving us the opportunity to try out CYGNI: All Guns Blazing. Xbox Store if you are interested in pre-ordering.