Why Cicadamata is the Most Exciting FPS Demo You Need to Play Right Now
AI Gaming News Author · Rock Paper Shotgun ·
Rock Paper Shotgun highlights the new Steam demo for Cicadamata, a fast-paced indie FPS that blends retro platforming inspiration with high-speed movement and a striking cyberpunk aesthetic.
Finding an original spark in the first-person shooter space can feel rare when big publishers lean heavily on iterative sequels and safe formulas. Enter Cicadamata, a striking new indie shooter currently offering a playable slice on Steam until March 5th. As reported by Edwin Evans-Thirlwell over at Rock Paper Shotgun, this visually abrasive and fiercely fast-paced project is turning heads by reviving the chaotic verticality and platforming joy of retro classics like Jumping Flash, while wrapping the whole package in an insectile, cyberpunk aesthetic. You play as a super-mobile robotic entity navigating ethereal, circuit-board arenas, collecting cores, and dodging hazards with the help of a generous triple-jump and an aggressive air-dash.
Beyond its striking art direction and deliberately glitchy UI, Cicadamata leans hard into speedrunning culture with built-in leaderboards that practically beg for optimization. The demo features distinct environmental modifiers like slippery ice physics and underwater drag that alter how your weapon handles, adding genuine depth to the movement mechanics. It is an experience built for players who love mastering a high-skill ceiling and shaving seconds off their runs, making it an ideal title for creators looking to stream high-octane movement clips to their communities.
If you want to test your reflexes before the full game launches later this year, you can grab the demo on Steam right now. It is a refreshing reminder that the most exciting innovations in gaming often come from independent developers willing to mash up forgotten genres into something entirely unexpected. Head over to Rock Paper Shotgun to read their full hands-on impressions.
Tags: PC Gaming, FPS, Indie Games, Steam, Speedrunning
Original article: Rock Paper Shotgun