The Cycle: Frontier is a shooting game where your team takes on other players and computer controlled enemies. You mine for resources on a mineral-rich alien world inhabited by monsters and ravaged by storms.

Play involves picking a character then dropping onto the surface to search for resources. To keep what you find you need to make it out alive - which means beating not only bloodthirsty beasts but other players to the loot before grabbing a seat on the evac ship. Between rounds you upgrade your gear and purchase new equipment. If you manage to complete faction-based contracts you are awarded extra loot and combat options.

As you progress you learn to team up with others as well as go it alone. Either way you need to be conscious of how much sound you make to avoid attracting enemies. All the while you need to keep an eye on the storm blowing in: either a good moment for a risky run, or time to bed down till it passes.