ElvenBenzene Azure Striker Gunvolt Review

I enjoyed Gunvolt for what it is, the level design is solid, and the bosses are also surprisingly well done. There are a few attacks, specifically in the late game, that can be hard to read. But these attacks are consistent. The game does not throw anything truly random at you, so the game largely revolves around recognizing patterns and positioning. The gameplay revolves around "tagging" enemies, then electrocuting them to death. You get several special attacks that you can equip (activated with the right stick) with varying effects. The mechanics are well thought out, and the game will force you to master them. It's very much designed with an older mindset, replicating the design philosophy of retro titles, where many retro-inspired games only replicate the aesthetic. The crafting system to me is underwhelming. The equips you get do make a meaningful impact on gameplay, but you don't end up unlocking many of them unless you play each level multiple times over. The intended pacing of the game seems to be built around completing the challenges as you go, the problem is the level specific challenges do not unlock until you have beaten a level. You aren't getting the full experience if you run through the game in a straight shot, and it's kind of a shame. It's definitely a game that rewards repeat playthroughs, with said repeat playthroughs allowing you to unlock the upgrades you missed. I will definitely attempt to S rank all the levels in this game at some point. Overall, it's a very solid game and an interesting twist on the MegaMan formula. I ended up being a lot more impressed by it than I thought I would.