A breezy and electrifying action-platformer expertise.
Having performed via and loved the earlier two video games within the collection, Azure Striker Gunvolt 3 is certainly a sequel that has been on my radar since its announcement. Whereas it might not have the cachet of one thing like Mega Man, Gunvolt is not any slouch in relation to fast-paced motion. This third entry within the mainline collection presents a satisfying expertise with only some bumps alongside the way in which.
It’s humorous to see Gunvolt 3 lean a bit extra into its story on condition that its predominant draw is the gameplay and total aesthetic. Right here you begin off as Kirin, a Battle Priestess who throws talismans and wields a sword. After the tutorial mission, you meet up with Gunvolt and from then on can change between the 2 characters kind of on the fly. From there, the pair tackle a handful of levels–a few dozen in complete–that culminate in fights towards bosses often known as Berserk Adepts, every with their very own specific theme. Each Adept you defeat joins your staff, resulting in new alternatives for banter in between missions. Finally, you run into one other section of villains who’re making an attempt to harness a harmful energy. Although the voice performing is fairly good, I discovered myself transferring shortly via a lot of the dialogue in order that I might get again to the motion that a lot sooner.
There’s one thing in regards to the movement of the Gunvolt video games that simply makes them a pleasure to play. Hitting an enemy with a projectile to lock-on to them so to shock them with electrical energy or sprint into them nonetheless hasn’t gotten outdated. Kirin’s talismans permit her to mark her targets with one button after which fly into with one other; targets which can be marked additionally take extra injury from her sword slashes, however most elementary enemies will explode with a single sprint assault. Among the platforming revolves round throwing talismans at lanterns or different objects after which dashing to them to scale vertical sections. Marking a number of targets without delay after which executing a single sprint leads to a fantastic chain of destruction that yields a point-multiplier, however greater than that, it simply feels superior. Although Gunvolt controls a little bit in a different way and strikes a bit slower than Kirin, there are particular sections the place his potential to double soar and float makes him a better option, and his offensive skills can actually do some sustained injury throughout boss fights.
Not one of the ranges overstay their welcome, and there are collectibles to search out in every that unlock new passive and energetic skills. Among the skills might be upgraded to enhance their effectiveness, however which of them you uncover on the finish of each stage is random. Whereas this could be irritating for completionists, I dare say that the majority gamers gained’t really want many extra skills than whichever ones you find yourself with. As an example, I had passive skills that elevated my expertise gained and my soar top, and energetic skills that I might use to heal myself. One shocking side of Azure Striker Gunvolt 3 is that the sport’s extremely straightforward, to the purpose the place I didn’t die even as soon as. I don’t keep in mind the earlier two video games, and even the spinoff Luminous Avenger iX video games, being so devoid of problem. Whereas I’ve actually performed my share of video games on this style, the dearth of issue choices is a shocking omission, even in the event you can return to earlier levels to enhance your rating, time, and rank.
What’s undoubtedly Azure placing about Gunvolt 3 is simply how unbelievable it appears. Inti Creates have as soon as once more proven simply how proficient they’re in relation to HD pixel artwork, and the tip product presents a visible expertise that’s among the many finest on Nintendo’s hybrid platform. Whereas the character designs aren’t groundbreaking, every time Gunvolt or Kirin are in movement, it’s unattainable to disclaim the fantastic thing about what’s unfolding on display. One noticeable situation with the presentation is happily one thing that may be toggled off or adjusted, Story Mode+, which places dialogue and speaking heads over the underside of the display, generally obscuring enemies and executives. In the event you’re not totally engrossed within the story, I’d suggest switching it off.
Azure Striker Gunvolt 3 represents one other step ahead for Inti Creates and their retro-inspired taste of jump-and-shoot, slash-and sprint motion video games. Even when the emphasis on story gained’t land for everybody, the lightning-fast gameplay is crammed with lasers, explosions, and that enjoyable model of chaos that simply appears to hit proper. The third Gunvolt entry is a straightforward suggestion for followers of the collection or its spinoffs, and even when the quantity of content material and problem aren’t that sturdy, the visible spectacle actually helps make up for it.