Of Bird and Cage Review

A musical idea album is a bunch of songs all linked 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 Chook and Cage takes that concept however goes one step additional, producing a brand new sport that’s half thriller/half musical. It’s an odd bold mission that followers of the artists concerned shall be relishing. However does it work as a sport? Let’s get into that groove. 

I all the time admire progressive concepts and builders who go and take an opportunity with their sport design, championing indie sport growth. I’ve reviewed an amazing quantity of experimental video games over time and Of Chook and Cage is a kind of video games that pushes the envelope. Perhaps 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 making an attempt. 

Foremost the idea behind the sport is that it’s seen as a singular metallic album that’s showcased via a story story-driven sport. It options well-known rock stars like Ron “Bumblefoot” Thal (you recognize, of ex-Weapons N’ Roses fame) and Rob van der Lavatory (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 via to her abusive drug sellers. We see Gitta firstly 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 endlessly. 

The story is bonkers, significantly in the best way it does a few issues. You get Gitta’s innermost ideas seem throughout the display screen as textual content bites, mixing fantasy, flashbacks, and surrealism all on the identical time, very very like a music video. At some factors within the sport, the solid sing the traces to the songs being heard, and it turns right into a full musical. It’s not a linear story as such, however far more like a temper piece. Issues occur and occasions happen, however I actually couldn’t inform you 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 quite a lot of issues to do right here. On every stage, there’s a timer, within the form of a bar, sitting on the backside of the display screen that counts down. In that time-frame, you’ll be able to discover every stage and can have duties to finish. When the timer runs down, the motion of the story will proceed, with the result and ending operating otherwise. 

Gitta is hooked on medication and also you select whether or not to maintain taking the drugs. When you don’t, the display screen turns into coated in fireplace and it’s exhausting for her to focus. You’ll be able to speak to folks, choose up objects, play darts, and drink pictures. There are quick-time occasions galore and, relying in your love for these, might nicely get sick of them fairly shortly. You’ll be able to then throw in some chase scenes which have you ever operating away from somebody and parts of fight; punching and defending that’s ropey, to say the least. There’s a good worse driving sequence. 

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

Visually although, the sport is sort of a dream and I like quite a lot of what Of Chook and Cage makes an attempt. Mixing the surreal and the actual, it might probably look a bit previous by way of the character fashions and a few of the lighting, however there’s something sensible that it desires to realize. After which we get to the audio and, in fact, the soundtrack is wonderful. It’s very like a rock opera and followers of metallic will completely adore it. But it surely’s not all thrashing and quick drums; there are some good ballads in there as nicely and it’s a superb piece of labor all through. 

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

It’s fairly low-cost as nicely so Of Chook and Cage may simply be price looking at, particularly for those who’re a metallic fan – you’re going to listen to a implausible soundtrack from some legends within the area. 

Of Chook and Cage is on the market from the Xbox Retailer