Cicadamata presents a compelling time-trial first-person shooter experience, captivating players with its distinct "vectorheart" visual style, echoing the aesthetic appeal of games like Marathon. Diverging from the extraction shooter genre, this title emphasizes swift, accurate movements and precise shooting to maximize speed through its meticulously designed levels. The game immerses players in a vibrant, yet sterile, environment, offering a fresh take on the FPS genre with its emphasis on rhythmic gameplay and striking visual feedback.
The game's narrative introduces players to Fawn-A2, a Cicada combat unit activated under mysterious circumstances, tasked with retrieving four cores across various spheres of the Cascade. This mission unfolds amidst a backdrop of enigmatic pseudocode and ominous phrases, enhancing the game's unique atmosphere. The core gameplay loop involves chaining together a series of agile maneuvers, including triple jumps, air dashes, and diving stomps, each requiring careful management of recharge timers. Players must deftly navigate complex maps, engaging hostile polygonal adversaries with a sentient cybershotgun, all while collecting the vital cores.
Adding to the intensity, the game continuously bombards players with dynamic UI elements, compelling audio cues, and automated messages that contribute to its overstimulating, yet captivating, charm. Phrases such as "IF FEELING IN DANGER, REPEAT THIS AFFIRMATION AND KEEP PRESSING ON: I AM OKAY. THE AIR IS JUST HEAVY TODAY" are strategically employed to heighten the immersive experience and evoke a specific emotional response from the player.
While the game can be intensely challenging, demanding continuous improvement and adaptation, its distinctive aesthetic and immersive atmosphere are central to its appeal. The visual design, characterized by stark contrasts and bold colors, creates an almost overwhelming sensory experience that some will find exhilarating. This unapologetic embrace of its unique art style makes Cicadamata a standout title that promises to be a memorable addition to the time-trial FPS genre, appealing especially to those who prioritize strong artistic vision.
