CTG Buyer's Guides

The burncycle
Buyer's Guide

What is burncycle?

Written by Devon Norris 

Published on August 12, 2025

burncycle is a stealth infiltration game where players command a team of robots and puzzle out the best way through daunting corporate headquarters. While trying to take down their evil subjugators, the 404th resistance bots will need to adhere to their burncycle programming, evade the corporate guards, stymy the aggression of vicious human captains, and navigate the digital network with poise.

 

A sci-fi strategy game for 1-4 players, burncycle puts stealth front and center while demanding that players remain vigilant as they progress from floor to floor. Corporations all have a unique personality that will present challenges for any resistance operatives looking to infiltrate with ease. The right combination of bots is crucial for every mission. Use the burncycle wisely, and it won't be long before robots are masters of their code again.
 

Battle for equality and outwit evil corporations at the same time? Who wouldn't want that?!

Where Do I Start?

Great question! We've compiled this handy buyer's guide to help you answer that question. burncycle exists in a smaller universe, so there are fewer products to anguish over. There are still floors (hehe) of content to explore and a resistance-full of bot variability to unpack, but this will be a streamlined explanation!

Let's get you started with hacking terminals, snagging caches, dodging patrols, and smashing walls. burncycle has one base game that features ten bots, three corporations, a slew of equipment and mod cards, as well as those pesky imperatives that keep the 404th's attention riveted on the burncycle actions. With 24 missions, you'll be dodging, ducking, dipping, diving... and dodging your way through these corporate headquarters for many games to come.
 

Let's talk about burncycle!

Build your team of bots and infiltrate the headquarters of your corporate overlords. Mission objectives will challenge you as you navigate each floor of the building, and the corporations will vigilantly protect their IP with patrolling guards and charismatic captains. Route power to your bot to upgrade their abilities, keep the command module safe as you progress past obstacles, and stay within the parameters of the burncycle to optimize your actions. Most importantly, avoid detection on the network to minimize threats until the mission is complete!

Figure out the right bots to take on the job! The 404th consists of the highest-trained operatives in the resistance. No matter the mission, there is a bot poised to get the job done. This resourceful group of bots can alternate between svelte stealth and brute force at a moment’s notice. Action is imperative, and the network awaits!

Bots play differently as agents in the field or as the central command module for the team. That duality will be something to explore (and exploit!) when you're on a mission. And don't forget all of the technical and skill upgrades that players can utilize when you're banking power during a mission!

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burncycle

Published in 2022.

A stealth-centric strategy game for 1-4 players with 10 bots with dual functions as agents and command modules.

A solo and cooperative experience with the creative action sequencing of the burncycle on full display.

Depending on the corporation, floor, and player count, games of burncycle can take anywhere from 45-180 minutes.

Expanded Gameplay

The 404th is trained in subtle cyber-warfare and a clandestine approach. It leaves a small footprint, if any, wherever it operates. But just because something is small doesn't stop it from having a big impact!

 

Additional content for burncycle consists of corporation expansions and bot packs (and sometimes a phase-shifting combination of the two). BioDefend is a rising threat from New Singapore, replete with anti-bot security systems. Ebbwall trains elite guards and will make infiltrating any corporate floor a headache. The Specialists introduces some truly niche and talented operatives, while The Renegades pulls in some wacky and inventive agents from left field. For the very brave, you can explore the nightmare-fuel that is Robophobia and its scary captain.

 

Are you ready to plot the downfall of more corporations, or do you need the expertise of additional 404th resistance bots?

 

Maybe both?

Deluxe Add-ons

The best-equipped bots are the ones who will make it through the hardest missions. We are dedicated to the success of the 404th, and you should be too. And, yes, one of those optional buys includes BrassMag minis. Because why not?! It wouldn't be a Chip Theory Games title if we didn't produce absurdly unnecessary but patently awesome upgrades for it. With that in mind, check out what we have to offer for the burncycle series!

BrassMag Miniatures Vol. 1 - What could you possibly put on top of weighted chips? What about brass figurines with magnetic bases...?

burncycle: BrassMag Miniature Expansion
burncycle: BrassMag Miniature Expansion
burncycle: BrassMag Miniature Expansion
burncycle: BrassMag Miniature Expansion

BrassMag Miniatures Vol. 2 - What's better than one set of BrassMag minis? Two, obviously.

burncycle: BrassMag Miniatures Volume 02
burncycle: BrassMag Miniatures Volume 02
burncycle: BrassMag Miniatures Volume 02
burncycle: BrassMag Miniatures Volume 02

Deluxe Draw Bag - Give yourself the best chance of manipulating the burncycle with the most luxurious draw bag possible.

burncycle Deluxe Draw Bag
burncycle Deluxe Draw Bag
burncycle Deluxe Draw Bag

Deluxe Playmat - This is a double-sided, immersive playmat that will carry some of the organizational burden... or just allow for fun gaming!

burncycle: Deluxe Playmat
burncycle: Deluxe Playmat
burncycle: Deluxe Playmat

Extra Action Dice - Do you not like sharing your dice? Then buy more dice so that you can roll dice while everyone else is just holding dice!

burncycle: Extra Action Dice
burncycle: Extra Action Dice

Reference Card Pack - I'm a fan of having as much useful information lying around as possible. What about you?

burncycle Reference Card Pack
burncycle Reference Card Pack

Bots are nothing without their specialist gear. Make sure that your games of burncycle are rife with premium goodies. Because if we're going down fighting evil human corporate overlords, then you can bet your 404th rear that we're doing it in style.

 

Bots want to be beautiful, too. Don't deny them that. Now, let's take a look at where you fit into the world of burncycle.

Summary

Are you wanting to jump into a bot fight right now ➡️ Buy burncycle

The no-brainer for bot enthusiasts ➡️ burncycle and the two bot expansions

You need to crush the corporations unilaterally ➡️ Buy burncycle as well as the BioDefend and Ebbwall expansions

Want a premium experience ➡️ Pick up the playmat and BrassMag miniatures along with the base game

A completionist ➡️ We get it… We’re the same way. Get everything burncycle and join the 404th resistance today!

Shop burncycle

Summary

Are you wanting to jump into a bot fight right now  ➡️ Buy burncycle

The no-brainer for bot enthusiasts ➡️ burncycle and the two bot expansions

You need to crush the corporations unilaterally ➡️ Buy burncycle as well as the BioDefend and Ebbwall expansions

Want a premium experience ➡️ Pick up the playmat and BrassMag miniatures along with the base game

A completionist ➡️ We get it… We’re the same way. Get everything burncycle and join the 404th resistance today!

Shop burncycle

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