The Cycle

Most shooter games rely on either racking up a high body count or, in the case of battle royale games, being the last person standing. The Cycle, though, isn't like most shooters. The game's main focus is questing, fulfilling random contracts within a set time, and getting to the dropship, making it back off-world in one piece. This makes for some interesting gameplay in practice. You might go an entire match never firing a shot at a fellow Prospector. In fact, you might form a pact with one or two of them to improve your odds of survival. Of course, human nature being what it is added to the competitive aspect of trying to top the leaderboard, you're just as likely to be hunted down as you are to be teaming up. While defeating other players doesn't score any extra points, it can eliminate some of the competition and also open up opportunities to swipe more resources, complete more objectives, and secure higher rankings at the end of a match.

Fortuna III makes for a colorfully diverse arena to compete in. The planet's a sort of patchwork of environments, thanks to the alien terraforming and the human exploration. One minute, you're harvesting mushrooms in a lush forest and the next, you're crawling through an abandoned mine tunnel to sneak past other Prospectors. You can even hitch a ride on a flying drill platform and scope out the competition from higher ground. There's a wide range of weapons and abilities at your disposal at any given time, assuming you've got the credits to spend for a supply drop. Each of these feels distinct and powerful, filling certain roles within your chosen playstyle. The Cycle manages to meld the best elements of competitive shooters with the best parts of RPG questing to provide a unique and fun twist on familiar formulas, carving out a niche for itself and paving the way for a whole new genre of online action.