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Review by S-HIRYU
Gunvalkyrie
XBox - Smilebit - Action/Shooter - T - 1 Player
Revolutionary control schemes are a double-edged sword in contemporary gaming. More often than not, a new, innovative way to control your onscreen persona is typically unwelcomed by the modern gamer. Be that as it may, where would gaming be without innovation?
Two games spring immediately to mind when I think of revolutionary game mechanics; Street Fighter 2 and Gunvalkyrie. As staggering as this assessment may seem, Gunvalkyrie has accomplished for the action-shooter genre what Street Fighter 2 accomplished for the one-on-one fighter. It’s just a shame that it will never be established as the innovator it really is. Mark my words; if you have read a negative review of GV, it was only given that grade because the reviewer couldn’t play the game correctly. Much like Street Fighter 2, Gunvalkyrie implements an inventive game mechanic that if not properly executed, results in an incomplete gaming experience. Imagine playing Street Fighter 2 and not performing any special moves because the motion of a fireball was too unorthodox.
What puts Gunvalkyrie head and shoulders above other games in its genre is its brilliant boost system. This is the “unorthodox” game mechanic that is seemingly either too daunting for the more casual gamer or revered by the self proclaimed hardcore. The fact of the matter is that this game is so innovative, if it is played like any other third person game, the end result will be nothing but frustration.
The left joystick moves your character, the right aims; the proper first person console shooter setup, right? Hardly. First off, the right joystick is employed as an aiming implement in relation to the human torso. You only get so much room to look around before you have to pivot your entire body with the left stick. Pressing in on the left joystick is used to perform boosts. Once air born via the left trigger, you may boost in any direction by pressing in on the joystick and moving it in the desired direction. Here is where the insanity begins. By immediately boosting in any other direction in succession, you perform a boost combo. With enough practice and skill, you are able to stay completely air born by performing enough boost combos consecutively. This is essential, as the terrain below you is literally covered with hundreds of murderous foes. Stay on the ground too long and you’ll be swarmed in seconds. Successfully pulling off boost combos is a demanding process. Clicking in on the joystick as a predominant action is not something us gamers are used to, not to mention pulling off joystick movements that rival King of the Fighters in complexity while doing so. Add in the challenge of performing combos quick enough to keep afloat in conjunction with actually attacking the enemy while all the madness is taking place and you have a very complex and nonconformist game mechanic on your hands.
Gunvalkyrie should not only be known for its exceptional and unconventional gameplay. The world in which you perform these amazing battles is one nearly unparalleled in creativity. A comparison that quickly comes to mind is the world of Panzer Dragoon, enclosing lush environments that actually feel inhabited, emotionless yet conscious industrial settings, and uncanny, often times psychologically menacing environments. These settings are portrayed beautifully as the visuals of Gunvalkyrie are extremely well executed. The organic environments are abundant and flourishing, but the real star is the peculiar, sci-fi, synthetic atmosphere.
On top of all this, the story is an extraordinary tale of science fiction. It’s the telling of an alternate past, if technology had greatly augmented beyond expectations during the era of the steam engine. The mysterious fate of the world’s predominate scientist turns into a perplexing head game as philosophy and psychology are both thrown into the mix.
Gunvalkyrie’s predominant weak spot lies within its longevity.Apart from unlocking challenge mode and S-ranking all of the missions, there are no real extras to bring you back once the game has been completed. In spite of this, the game incorporates a longevity that the 8-bit classics possessed; a longing for returning to the game, even if you have seen it all, just to experience it again. In fact, I began a new game immediately after I had finished it for the first time. A nice feature, as well, is that based upon your ranking, you receive money in which you may use to upgrade your Gearskin battlesuit, your weapons, and purchase items. This adds to the replay value slightly, as you’re not going to max out your inventory on a single play-through.
The environments, characters, level design, and atmosphere of Gunvalkyrie are of such caliber that mere screenshots can evoke memories of what you accomplished while adventuring in this beautiful, fictitious reality you once inhabited. Gunvalkyrie pulls you into its world and doesn’t let go. Even when you‘re away, you'll still think about pulling off massive boost combos high above dozens of frenzied creatures just before you rain down a barrage of gunfire into the horde.
+ The graphics are extremely detailed and well modeled.
+ Incredible texture work and lighting.
++ Phenomenal animation. Characters shift their body weight when leaning into a turn, hovering characters' legs dangle in mid air, and somersaulting bodies contort flawlessly as they flip around in acrobatic vigor.
9.5
+ No audible detail is left out, down to the clanking of armor as a combatant dashes across solid ground.
+ The soundtrack is a perfect match for the abnormal ambiance of the game itself.
9.3
++ Nothing short of brilliant. A true revolution of the action shooter game mechanic.
9.9
++ This game just screams odd and unusual in a very creative way. The characters, settings, and plot are all very unique, inspired and imaginative.
9.4
- Not much in the way of extras and unlockables.
+ However, the gameplay will nearly force you to return. Much enjoyment will be had in countless hours of improving your skills and replaying missions for better rankings.
+/- Insanely steep learning curve.
7.9
++ It will be very difficult to return to other games of the genre after witnessing one of such caliber.
9.6
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