Of Bird and Cage

The Birdcage

Release Date: May 20, 2021

Adventure, FPP, music, indie games, experimental/artistic, action adventure, singleplayer

6.0

Gamepressure

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An experimental action adventure game which is an interactive music album. In Of Bird and Cage, to the rhythm and under the dictates of the stars of symphonic metal, we learn about the fate of an abducted girl in a story that draws handfuls from the fairy tales of Beauty and the Beast.

Plot
Mechanics
Technical aspects and other

Of Bird and Cage is an experimental game in the rhythm of symphonic metal from Capricia Games studio. The game is a de facto interactive music album in the form of an action adventure game with elements of rhythm games and is perceived by the developers as a completely new genre - an interactive musical. The project started to live in 2015, but it was not presented to the wider public until 2020 as part of an independent games show organized by Escapist magazine. Release of the game is the responsibility of the company All in! Games.

Plot

In Of Bird and Cage we follow Gitta, who is trying to escape from Bres' hands. However, her tormentor binds her not only physically, but also mentally, which does not make the task easier for the heroine. The authors were inspired by the tale of Beauty and the Beast, which they interpret as a metaphor for the Stockholm syndrome. The result is a story of distorted love, unavoidable of dark implications, stimulants and motives for violence and sexuality, although without being overwhelmed by them.

Mechanics

The basic gameplay concept of Of Bird and Cage does not go beyond the scheme known from typical action adventure games. We observe the world from the first person perspective (FPP) and explore subsequent locations, looking for objects, solving puzzles etc.

What makes the Capricia Games studio's work different from the competition is that the whole game is subordinated to music. This constantly influences the action and look of the locations. However, the player's actions are also important, leading to one of several endings.

Technical aspects and other

Of Bird and Cage three-dimensional graphic design presents a decent level, which is due to the use of Unreal Engine 4 technology. The main attraction of the game is the music, which consists of a total of two hours of songs, prepared by the legends of the metal scene. Among others, Ruud Jolie from Within Temptation, Ron Thal (formerly of Guns N'Roses), Rob Van der Loo from Epica and Rocky Gray (until 2007, drummer of Evanescence) have lent their talent. The soundtrack was supervised by Arnold Nesis (Path of Exile, Toren, 60 Parsecs!).

Review

May 21, 2021

Of Bird and Cage Review - Where Games and Music Meet

Another walking sim? Not this time! Of Bird and Cage is a unique blend of action-adventure game and metal album, created by people who spent more time in bands (such as Guns N’ Roses) than among developers. It’s a blast to hear. But is it playable at all?