Gigantic Army
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Critic Reviews for Gigantic Army
In the end, Gigantic Army is a breezy retro-style shooter that STG enthusiasts would do well to check out. The tiny doujin team at Astro Port have created something special, hearkening back to the games of yesteryear with a well-crafted dose of nostalgia. Considering the modest asking price and the overall quality of the package, there's no reason to be gun-shy over this mecha shmup. Go on, pull the trigger.
If you're willing to accept its short length and appreciate it for the fleeting wave of joy that it is, then Gigantic Army is absolutely a must-buy. If you expect more bang for your buck despite its budget pricing, then you might be left feeling a little underwhelmed by this short-but-sweet adventure.
Gigantic Army certainly won't win any awards for being technically proficient or graphically impressive, but what it manages to do is take a well-worn gaming formula and add a few new elements to it – and in doing so, it manages to reduce some of the major bugbears that those frustratingly difficult titles often suffered from. The story and design may not be unique enough to allow the game to stand out and be a hugely memorable experience, but the gameplay itself is very satisfying and not purely a nostalgia trip.
The passage of time has not been kind to Gigantic Army, but we do hope this is won’t be the only Astro Port game to see a Switch re-release.
It's too bad that the game feels a tad awkward to operate too, as there are some pretty cool weapons in the game ranging from curtains of wayward missiles to a blinding laser blast. When you do get the hang of it, it can feel quite powerful to be piloting such a piece of machinery, but with that comes the tradeoff of suddenly feeling useless against a wave of half a dozen enemies and their own curtains of bullets. So ultimately, if you're looking for another game to bring you one step closer to that futurist dream of one day piloting a Gundam or Metal Gear, then Gigantic Army will help fulfill that urge as well as scratch a retro itch. For other players, the game itself just feels a little too hard to penetrate to get to love what's actually at its corel; very much like, well, a tank.
All and all, Gigantic Army is a great new entry for Astro Port's line of shooters. If there was one complaint to be had, the game does stand on the short side of the spectrum although there is a refreshing lack of filler. Gigantic Army comes highly recommended to any fan of the run and gun genre - it's clear that Astro Port put a lot of effort in the game and it comes out in all facets.
While Gigantic Army feels like it's intended for those who crave nostalgia, it comes with just enough material to make it stand out. The fights are exciting, and the inclusion of older mechanics strikes the right amount of balance. The technical aspects could've used some work, as the omission of a few things feels lazy when compared to a majority of indie games. However, for the low price tag, this is a fun jaunt that can be played between more substantial games.
