Of Bird and Cage Review

A musical idea album is a bunch of songs all related by a theme; not simply singular entities in a playlist. Consider the likes of Pink Floyd’s ‘The Wall’ and ‘A Grand Don’t Come For Free’ by The Streets.

Of Chicken and Cage takes that concept however goes one step additional, producing a brand new recreation that’s half thriller/half musical. It’s an odd formidable mission that followers of the artists concerned might be relishing. However does it work as a recreation? Let’s get into that groove. 

I all the time admire revolutionary concepts and builders who go and take an opportunity with their recreation design, championing indie recreation growth. I’ve reviewed an incredible quantity of experimental video games over time and Of Chicken and Cage is a type of video games that pushes the envelope. Possibly it doesn’t fairly hit the mark with all the pieces, however you’ll be able to’t fault the groups at Capricia Productions, Slipgate Ironworks and All in! Video games for attempting. 

Foremost the idea behind the sport is that it’s seen as a novel steel album that’s showcased by a story story-driven recreation. It options well-known rock stars like Ron “Bumblefoot” Thal (you recognize, of ex-Weapons N’ Roses fame) and Rob van der Bathroom (Epica) in addition to many extra. 

Within the story, you play as Gitta Barbot, hooked on a designer drug, with a life in turmoil and deep despair. She faces violence from all corners; from her alcoholic father by to her abusive drug sellers. We see Gitta at the beginning of the sport enter a bar, making an attempt to run an open mic evening for her music. Quickly she is kidnapped by Bres Lupus and held captive. Quickly their lives intertwine and the alternatives she and he make have an effect on their lives without end. 

The story is bonkers, significantly in the way in which it does a few issues. You get Gitta’s innermost ideas seem throughout the display as textual content bites, mixing fantasy, flashbacks, and surrealism all on the similar time, very very like a music video. At some factors within the recreation, the forged sing the strains to the songs being heard, and it turns right into a full musical. It’s not a linear story as such, however rather more like a temper piece. Issues occur and occasions happen, however I truthfully couldn’t let you know precisely what goes on. I don’t thoughts that in my storytelling, however others may.

The gameplay takes place within the first-person, however there are a variety of issues to do right here. On every degree, there’s a timer, within the form of a bar, sitting on the backside of the display that counts down. In that timeframe, you’ll be able to discover every degree and can have duties to finish. When the timer runs down, the motion of the story will proceed, with the result and ending working in another way. 

Gitta is hooked on medicine and also you select whether or not to maintain taking the medication. In case you don’t, the display turns into coated in hearth and it’s laborious for her to focus. You’ll be able to discuss to individuals, decide up objects, play darts, and drink pictures. There are quick-time occasions galore and, relying in your love for these, could properly get sick of them fairly shortly. You’ll be able to then throw in some chase scenes which have you ever working away from somebody and components of fight; punching and defending that’s ropey, to say the least. There’s a good worse driving sequence. 

Like I mentioned earlier than, I applaud ambition and risk-taking however I feel Of Chicken and Cage may simply try and do an excessive amount of in its execution. For instance, if it might have simply caught to a easy narrative journey or performed out like a normal strolling sim with soundtrack blaring excessive, it may need fared higher. 

Visually although, the sport is sort of a dream and I like a variety of what Of Chicken and Cage makes an attempt. Mixing the surreal and the actual, it might probably look a bit previous when it comes to the character fashions and a few of the lighting, however there’s something good that it needs to attain. After which we get to the audio and, after all, the soundtrack is superb. It’s very like a rock opera and followers of steel will completely adore it. However it’s not all thrashing and quick drums; there are some good ballads in there as properly and it’s an excellent piece of labor all through. 

Of Chicken and Cage is a tough recreation to overview. There are components that are, frankly, a little bit of a large number and there may be far an excessive amount of happening within the mechanics; nothing works brilliantly, and typically it’s unintentionally humorous. However there’s an excellent, highly-original thought in Of Chicken and Cage – it’s that which I like, very like an idea album in recreation type. I really like the ambition and audacity to even strive it. 

It’s fairly low cost as properly so Of Chicken and Cage may simply be price having a look at, particularly when you’re a steel fan – you’re going to listen to a unbelievable soundtrack from some legends within the area. 

Of Chicken and Cage is offered from the Xbox Retailer