Gungrave G.O.R.E is a third-person shooter that continues the story launched in Gungrave (2002) and Gungrave: Overdose (2004), however gamers don’t should be acquainted with the earlier video games or the anime adaptation to right away get a agency grasp on the story. The just lately resurrected gunslinger Past the Grave (Grave for brief) and his El-Al Canhel comrades try to eradicate SEED, a mutagenic drug propagated by a bunch known as the Raven Clan. When Mika, El-Al Canhel’s chief, turns into contaminated by a very potent SEED pressure, El-Al Canhel’s goal shifts to incorporate preserving Mika alive and looking for a treatment.
For higher or for worse, Gungrave G.O.R.E’s narrative doesn’t prolong far past this exposition. On one hand, it’s disappointing {that a} 12- to 15-hour recreation has a storyline that quantities to little greater than preventing an evil drug cartel, supplemented by a handful of expendable cutscenes (which are sometimes awkwardly translated/voiced within the English audio model). However, only a few gamers will add Gungrave G.O.R.E to their library anticipating—or needing—any diploma of nuance or subtlety from its worldbuilding, so many might not consider it as any actual loss. They’re right here to finish a clear-cut mission, which is emblazoned throughout the display screen at the beginning of every stage: “Kick their ass.”
Though the story might lack depth, fight in Gungrave G.O.R.E isn’t fairly as simplistic as it could initially seem. Grave is armed with a pair of handguns (collectively known as Cerberus) used for distance and midrange assaults, and the coffin he retains strapped to his again (Demise Hauler) capabilities as a melee weapon and a way of deflecting projectiles. Whereas some ranges may be brute pressured with nothing greater than simple capturing, essentially the most gratifying facet of Gungrave G.O.R.E is chaining collectively numerous skills in fast succession to unleash a trendy storm of assaults.
By touchdown consecutive hits to drive up their “Beat Rely” and performing particular strikes to extend their “Artwork Rating,” gamers earn extra of the in-game foreign money used to reinforce Grave’s abilities. Probably the most thrilling powers in Grave’s arsenal are “Demolition Photographs,” which manifest as grandiose animations that may injury a number of enemies whereas concurrently restoring Grave’s well being. For gamers who get pleasure from Gungrave G.O.R.E’s gameplay and discover themselves using most of the particular assaults at Grave’s disposal, trying to overcome every stage with elevated problem settings whereas aiming for the very best attainable rating is an entertaining problem that enhances the sport’s replay worth.
Nonetheless, it must be famous that many of the ranges in Gungrave G.O.R.E are linear and quite repetitive—Grave strikes by an space whereas taking down waves of enemies till he reaches a remaining checkpoint or encounters a boss battle. It feels extra like an on-rail shooter than something, as there aren’t any objects to gather or diverging paths to discover, simply torrents of adversaries to brutalize in typical Gungrave style. All of the whereas, a brand new character named Quartz acts as a information of kinds, reciting annoying, wholly pointless strains like “Grave, the enemies are approaching!” or “Grave, be careful!” and sadly souring gamers’ introduction to an in any other case promising addition to Grave’s group of companions.
Most of the character designs and redesigns are of a excessive caliber, although, for companions and enemies. Grave’s transform is bound to please followers of the franchise; he’s the identical immediately recognizable character he was in 2004 however has been gifted with textured clothes and a extra expressive face. The Raven Clan members are one other excessive level of its numerous designs, although sadly, the in any other case fabulous Massive Wushen falls sufferer to low cost sexualization techniques when she transforms into her Superior type and abruptly finds half of her bodice lacking.
The extent design is kind of nice, with the same consideration to element as many of the character fashions—Gungrave G.O.R.E is slicker and extra vibrant than its predecessors however nonetheless paying homage to Yasuhiro Nightow’s different work. The sport takes gamers on a journey by a number of Southeast Asian areas like Hong Kong, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Singapore, with surroundings starting from neon lights to verdant jungles, all of which make a terrific backdrop for the copious quantities of carnage Grave leaves in his wake.
Boss battles in these areas supply some much-needed selection, typically requiring gamers to benefit from the dodge and bounce skills in Gungrave G.O.R.E that may be underutilized in common phases. Total, although, there isn’t sufficient range amongst terrain, enemy varieties, or aims to justify Gungrave G.O.R.E’s 31-level unfold. Most of the earlier phases particularly give the impression of “padding” meant to increase the sport’s playtime, however on the constructive aspect, they permit new gamers ample alternative to grasp Grave’s moveset earlier than continuing to ranges with more durable enemies.
To its credit score, Gungrave G.O.R.E does try to interrupt the monotony by incorporating some gentle platforming parts and making two further characters (Bunji Kugashira and Quartz) playable in a restricted capability. Sadly, Grave is simply not constructed for platforming—he’s gradual and hulking with a bent to stumble upon obstacles together with his higher physique even when his toes seem to have landed in the appropriate place. The phases that require him to navigate the highest of a prepare, bounce throughout containers suspended from the ceiling, or roll between laser beams really feel like tedious, irritating roadblocks as an alternative of the novel challenges they’re meant to be.
Bunji is extra nimble than Grave and fairly enjoyable to play as, however Quartz’s section undergo from extra poorly calibrated platforming, technical difficulties, and ill-placed checkpoints. Probably the most important challenge includes Quartz often getting caught within the area between platforms if she doesn’t land lifeless heart, and there was additionally one occasion we encountered of an upper-level enemy remaining out of attain, inflicting the checkpoint to be unobtainable. Whereas including new parts to Gungrave G.O.R.E’s gameplay was undoubtedly an attractive prospect, a whole lot of these mechanics are lacking the polish wanted to take the sport to the following stage.
Regardless of its shortcomings, there’s one thing undeniably fulfilling and nostalgic about Gungrave G.O.R.E’s simple, no-nonsense method to the motion/shooter style. The sport’s promotional trailers repeatedly promised three issues—bullets, magnificence, and “a badass” anti-hero protagonist—and it delivers these attributes in spades.
Gungrave G.O.R.E is offered now on PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Sequence X|S. Sport Rant was supplied a Steam code for the needs of this overview.
