Azure Striker GUNVOLT Review

While we are all eagerly anticipating Keiji Inafune’s Kickstarted Mega Man spin-off Mighty No. 9, his studio, Comcept, and Inti Creates have partnered up to deliver a new IP heavily inspired by Inafune’s past 2D platforming projects. Azure Striker GUNVOLT looks and feels like a spiritual successor to Mega Man Zero as it is very much a 2D Action-Platforming game that is both challenging and fast-paced. However, one would think that it’s just another Mega Man game with a different coat of paint on top of it. Fortunately, the answer to that is no, but the familiarity is not why the game struggles to deliver an overall satisfying experience.

As the main character named Gunvolt, or as he is referred to GV by his allies, you work for the QUILL organization as you take on contracts to dispose of the Sumeragi Group as they take prisoners and conduct daily psychic experiments on them. GV will also have to protect a protect a little girl named Joule, which he saves during the game’s opening. At first, the story is extremely convoluted with the introduction of multiple characters and a confusing story background, but it quickly becomes more grounded as you progress through it. Though the overall end result may be unsatisfying or lackluster for some players, the plot takes unexpected turns with GV’s allies and enemies.

Just like the Mega Man games, the player chooses the order in which he wants to take on the 6 contracts that are available from the start. The game immediately assumes that you’re already familiar with basic old-school video game mechanics, which can cause a lot of confusion in knowing all of Gunvolt’s powers. I found myself discovering new things even after I completed the game, which could’ve helped immensely during my initial playthrough. Fortunately, there is an instruction manual located in the menu hub that explains everything you need to know. Each level has a unique setting and interesting element to it. Whether it is with environmental triggers or precise platforming sections, Azure Striker GUNVOLT has a lot of variety in terms of its level design. It’s a very Japanese game and it is very noticeable with its SNES-inspired art style, music and voice work.

However, what’s really disappointing to see in each of those levels is how often the same enemies are re-used over and over again. There are about 15 different enemies within the game that all have the same robotic look and the same basic attack patterns, and that’s counting the mini-bosses and bosses fights that are at the end of each level. Probably the most frustrating thing is how the game re-hashes the exact same boss fights during the end portion of Azure Striker GUNVOLT. Why would the player want to take on the exact same fight that occurred earlier in his playthrough? The lack of creativity during the end game is staggering and made me want to abandon the game out of boredom and frustration from the repetition. Luckily, the overall gameplay of the game is not affected by this lack of innovation.

At its core, Azure Striker GUNVOLT plays exactly like a Mega Man game with the shooting being limited to an horizontal direction only. It adds a lot more challenge in defeating foes because combat needs to be balanced with precise jumping and fast reaction time. At first, the shooting mechanic may look dated and underwhelming, but you’ll notice that it is the optimal option as you progress further along the game. Interestingly enough, GUNVOLT’s combat does not only revolve around shooting enemies until they are defeated. Since GV’s abilities are all powered by electricity, he has some unique special skills that can be used to give him an extra edge in combat. The most useful one, the Flashfield, surrounds Gunvolt with an electrical sphere that can be used both offensively and defensively against enemy attacks. However, you cannot abuse of the Flashfield to much as it will drain GV’s EP meter and make him a lot more vulnerable to his foes. Additionally, using the Flashfield in the air will make Gunvolt hover, slowing his decent and making traversal a lot easier.

The combat is expanded even more with the ability to customize GV’s loadout that includes his various Skills, Gear and Inventory before each mission. Skills, which are displayed on the 3DS bottom screen, are super attacks that deal massive damage. You’ll unlock them by leveling up GV as he eliminates everything that is in his path, but, once again, you can only use them three times unless you find some skill points in the environments. As for his Gear, it can be switched up by pausing the game and selecting what type of gear you want to equip. Depending on the ones that are available, GV’ Bolts, Eyes, Ring and Pendant can all be changed giving him extra attributes and debuffs. In order to have a bigger set of upgrades to equip on Gunvolt, Challenge Mode is a great way to spice up the missions with level-specific objectives that are both difficult to accomplish and require a lot practice. This also adds an extra layer of content to a game that can be completed in less than 4 hours if the player isn’t going for the S ranks on every single mission. And yes, just like most of the Mega Man games, there is a ranking system at the end of each level to entice the players in replaying the game despite having already played through most of the experience.

VERDICT

Azure Striker GUNVOLT is a great game in the sense that is successfully uses nostalgia to deliver an enjoyable experience, but it doesn’t take the risk and go beyond those classic game mechanics that have been used time and time again in 2D Action Side-Scrollers. Even though it’s good to see a brand new franchise go back to the old school tropes of the NES era and being execute it so well, there is a significant lack of innovation in its design and core mechanics. Despite the fact, it still remains an enjoyable experience all around and is a must play for all the Mega Man/old school gamers out there. (Note: If you purchase the game in the eShop before November 28, 2014, you’ll receive a free download for Mighty Gunvolt, an 8-Bit game that acts as a sort of prequel to Inafune-San’s Mighty No. 9).