Cyber Chaser is a unique running platformer where success is a test of resource management and precise execution, not just speed. Having battled through its relentless 99 quests per level, I learned that mastering the game is about strategically investing your hard-earned Coins into the right upgrades at the right time.
The game was developed by the Georgia-based Indie Game Developer Silen Games and was published on September 26, 2013. Its genre is defined as Action, Shooting, Jumping, and Running Platformer, available for single-player on Web browsers.
Cyber Chaser Gameplay and Controls
The player controls a character who runs automatically toward the goal. Your primary focus is on using movement controls to navigate hazards and utilizing weapons to eliminate incoming threats. The enemy laser is particularly dangerous and can severely damage health, often ending a run abruptly.
- Jump: Executed with the Top arrow key (↑) or a right-click on the mouse.
- Slide/Stomp: Performed using the Down arrow key (↓) or the Space button. This allows you to slide under low obstacles or execute a Stomp Attack from the air.
Progression and Level Structure
The campaign is structured around three main Episodes, which must be completed to unlock the true endgame.
The 99-Quest Grind
The structure of 99 quests in each level can initially feel daunting, but they are deliberately designed to teach you the mechanics and fund your progression. Do not try to complete them all in one run. Focus on a handful of objectives per attempt, such as ‘perform 10 jumps’ or ‘collect 5 gems,’ and your coin accumulation for the next crucial upgrade will feel more natural.
- Episodes 1, 2, 3: The main challenges that introduce escalating speed and enemy difficulty.
- Survival Mode: This highly challenging mode is unlocked only after successfully completing all 3 episodes and defeating the final boss.
Beginner’s Strategy: The Recommended Build Path
Based on extensive play, a strategic upgrade path is necessary to efficiently clear those 99 quests. This build ensures you have the survivability and mobility needed for early progress:
- Unlock Double Jump. This is essential for reliable navigation.
- Get the Coin Magnet. This upgrade ensures you consistently collect Coins without risking your life, funding everything else.
- Upgrade Health once. A single upgrade provides a crucial buffer for mistakes.
- Switch from the Pistol to the Machine Gun.
Upgrades and Arsenal Analysis
While Coins are earned by playing, smart spending is the difference between slow and fast progression.
Game Abilities (Over 12 Upgrades)
These are permanent stat boosts. From my experience, the ‘Double Jump’ and ‘Coin Magnet’ are the two most critical early-game upgrades. Double Jump is essential for clearing platforms and spikes, while Coin Magnet ensures you can afford everything else. I made the mistake of upgrading the starting Pistol first, which left me unable to reach crucial platforms, highlighting the priority of mobility and economy.
Abilities include: Health, Double Jump, Coin Magnet, Weapon Damage, Armed Shirt, and more.
Weapons (Over 10 Weapons)
While the arsenal is large, I found the Machine Gun to be the most versatile weapon for general enemy clearing and reliable damage. The Rocket Launcher, however, is a game-changer for critical boss fights due to its burst damage. A word of caution: don’t waste coins on the Acid Gun early; its damage-to-cost ratio is too low for initial investments.
Weapons include: Pistol, Shotgun, Machine Gun, Pulse Gun, Gatling Gun, Acid Gun, Flame Gun, Laser Gun, Rocket Launcher, and the Tesla Gun.
Supports (Over 8 Buyable Items)
Supports are consumable emergency items. They include survival tools like the Medical Kit and Mega Shield, and offensive screen-clears like the EMP Strike and Ion Strike. The Helicopter and Airplane supports are invaluable for temporarily bypassing sections you struggle with while grinding for a specific quest or coin count.
Similar Games
Only genuinely similar games that share core mechanics should be compared:
- Getaway Shootout: For its chaotic, physics-based running and gunning.
- Rooftop Snipers: A simpler, duel-focused game that shares the 2D platformer shooting concept.
