CYBRLICH and the Death Cult of Labor is an upcoming indie first-person shooter (FPS) developed by the five-person team at Polyhedra Games. This satirical “boomer shooter” draws inspiration from classics like DOOM and UltraKill, blending them with a unique, hand-drawn 2.5D art style reminiscent of Adult Swim cartoons.
CYBERLICH and the Death Cult of Labor
Players take on the role of a buff, meat-headed barbarian hacker battling against the undead corporate overlord CYBRLICH. Set in a dystopian world dominated by the megacorporation LICHCORP, the game is a satire of corporate culture and capitalism.
The game features a wandering corporate headquarters filled with enemies, bosses, cutscenes, and puzzles. Players will wield unconventional weapons like the “Employee of the Month” sword, a blood ritual-powered revolver, and explosive soda bottles. Health mechanics are equally quirky: smoke marijuana to restore mental health and consume cheeseburgers to restore health.
Moment to Moment Gameplay
CYBRLICH has fast-paced, retro-FPS combat focusing on over-the-top action and humor. The game’s UI is intentionally cluttered, resembling a chaotic operating system window, adding to its satirical tone. Players can expect a blend of intense firefights and comedic moments, such as kicking soda machines and blowing clouds of smoke.
The two weapons that I used feel right at home in the environment. The action is chaotic and fast, but there are a few moments where players recharge between new areas. From what I played, fighting felt like a real challenge, and I was always afraid of dying. Everything about this game is good ol’ classic fun.
Visuals and Art Style
The game’s distinctive black-and-white art style, punctuated with splashes of red, sets it apart from other shooters. Hand-drawn animations by Peter Larson Schmidt contribute to its unique aesthetic, combining elements of classic cartoons with modern game design. Everything about this game is Ren & Stimpy meets Doom. From the performance standpoint, everything ran well. With the direction of the game, it will likely scale and run well on just about anything, such as a Nintendo Switch or Steam Deck.
Release Date and Platforms
While an exact release date has not been announced, CYBRLICH and the Death Cult of Labor will be available on Steam. A public demo is expected later this year. Players can support the game’s development by pre-saving it on Kickstarter. For more information and updates, visit the game’s Kickstarter page or the game’s Steam store page.
