Azure Striker GUNVOLT

About

"Azure Striker GUNVOLT" is a 2D action game where players control a young man with lightning powers, named Gunvolt, fighting against a powerful organization for freedom. Gunvolt can tag enemies with his sidearm and unleash electricity for massive damage, and use his abilities to hover across hazardous terrain. The game features intense boss battles with Sumeragi's most powerful members, where Gunvolt may be revived and granted a power boost by The Muse, Lumen, when he falls in battle.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

83%

Audience ScoreBased on 789 reviews

gameplay105 positive mentions

grinding29 negative mentions

Fast-paced gameplay reminiscent of Mega Man Zero series.
Unique tagging mechanic adds depth to combat and encourages skillful play.
Great soundtrack with engaging vocal tracks that enhance the experience.

Poorly executed PC port with clunky controls and awkward menu navigation.
Lack of proper customization options for controls, making it difficult to play with keyboard.
Game requires an internet connection to launch, which is frustrating for single-player.

gameplay
346 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
30%
65%
4%
The gameplay of "Azure Striker Gunvolt" is characterized by its unique mechanics, such as tagging enemies to unleash electric attacks, which offers a fresh twist on the traditional run-and-gun formula reminiscent of the Mega Man series. While many players appreciate the fast-paced and fluid controls, some criticize the repetitive nature of the gameplay and the complexity of certain mechanics that can lead to confusion during intense action sequences. Overall, the game is praised for its engaging combat and replayability, though it may not appeal to everyone due to its distinct approach to gameplay.
- “The gameplay flows so well in this game.”
- “The main mechanic of this game is that you have to shoot an enemy and then slowly sap their life away by using your electricity, all the while you have to evade attacks.”
- “The gameplay is fresh, new, innovative, and exciting, and it'll keep you on your toes.”
- “The gameplay is boring, the gimmick with the shield is tedious and boss fights are a slog; the music is forgettable at best.”
- “The core gameplay of shooting something once and then zapping it to death never felt satisfying or intuitive, and though I managed to make it to near the end of the game while hating every minute of my experience, I couldn't endure repeating the boss rush after dying to the final boss.”
- “The gameplay is lackluster and unfulfilling compared to the Mega Man Zero games.”
story
309 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
27%
70%
4%
The story of the game is generally perceived as average, with many reviewers noting its reliance on typical anime tropes and a somewhat predictable plot. While some players found the narrative engaging and appreciated character interactions, others criticized it for being underdeveloped or overshadowed by gameplay. Overall, the story serves as a backdrop to the action, with mixed opinions on its depth and execution, but it does manage to evoke some emotional responses, particularly in its true ending.
- “The story revolves around your mission to kill the waifu of some evil company.”
- “The story is really interesting and well done while not getting in the way of the gameplay, which is this game's strong suit.”
- “This was a great surprise, I thought the game's story would revolve only around a concept to justify what happens, but it managed to develop a story, the world around it, some key characters, and the twist in the ending was absolutely awesome.”
- “The story is mediocre at best, anti-hero saving the damsel in distress, plot is explained further through loading screens (which go too fast to read unless you own a prehistoric PC), and in-game conversations between characters, there's not much to it really though, gotta save the special snowflake woman from the bad guys that want to use her powers for evil, until a plot twist later which changes the tone of the game, but it's essentially the same deal even then.”
- “The story only seems to be there to justify the gameplay and nothing else.”
- “Just starting the game cold, the story made no sense whatsoever and the cutscenes were long and melodramatic.”
music
188 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
51%
47%
3%
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim, with many reviewers praising its upbeat and engaging soundtrack, particularly the vocal tracks that play when players achieve high scores. The integration of music with gameplay, such as changing tracks based on player performance, adds an exciting layer to the experience. While some found certain stage themes less memorable, the overall consensus is that the soundtrack significantly enhances the game's appeal, making it a standout feature.
- “The soundtrack is amazing.”
- “The music complements the game as well; some tracks really stand out, especially the vocal songs that play when you reach a certain score.”
- “The ost is so good that you will find yourself humming and singing some of the tracks even if you're not playing the game.”
- “The gameplay is boring, the gimmick with the shield is tedious and boss fights are a slog, the music is forgettable at best.”
- “The music just cuts out entirely if you drop your score, which is unsatisfying.”
- “Stage music is generally lackluster unless you can get 1,000 kudos in a level or die and are then revived, then it switches to an upbeat j-pop track.”
graphics
105 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
43%
8%
The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with some praising the vibrant art style and nostalgic pixel art reminiscent of classic titles like Mega Man, while others criticize the low-resolution textures and lack of enhancements in the PC port compared to console versions. Many users note that the visuals can appear muddy or pixelated, particularly in menus and cutscenes, detracting from the overall experience. Despite these issues, the game's aesthetic and character designs are often highlighted as appealing, especially for fans of anime and retro-style graphics.
- “The game has some great visuals, and its soundtracks are great, memorable, and each track fits its respective stage. Chaining attacks and gaining kudos of a value of +1000 changes the soundtrack to a vocal song, which is a neat feature.”
- “The graphics are really good; it looks much better on a PC rather than the Nintendo 3DS system.”
- “The game's presentation feels somewhat like Inti's past works on the Mega Man Zero series in terms of tone and aesthetics, featuring nice 32-bit styled sprite work with good details and lots of flashy visuals.”
- “The graphics are bad, the story is bad, the design is generic and pixelated in a bad way. It doesn't have automatic saves, has a lot of problems with screen resolutions, all the stages feel the same, and I was too bored to finish after a while.”
- “For starters, it's a pretty lackluster port of a 3DS game, not doing much to improve the graphical fidelity for modern PCs; this issue is not present on the console releases either, so if you want the cutscenes and text to be super clean, I recommend getting the game for Switch or PS4.”
- “The aesthetics of the game look fine, but the cutscenes, some menus, and even most texts aren't in high resolution, making it look very ugly on a 21-24 inch 1920x1080 monitor.”
replayability
36 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
42%
50%
8%
The game boasts high replayability due to its focus on scoring, speedrunning, and various challenges, encouraging players to revisit levels for upgrades and secrets. While the core gameplay is relatively short, the inclusion of extra modes, a new game plus, and a plethora of challenges significantly enhances its replay value. Players appreciate the engaging mechanics and the rewarding nature of achieving high scores, making it a compelling choice for those who enjoy replayable experiences.
- “Unlike Mega Man games, this franchise heavily focuses on scores and clear times, which is a fun gimmick to create extra replayability. They even reward you with some really nice vocal tracks whenever you reach 1000+ kudos, which makes the game just feel great to play.”
- “This is the part where the game shines the most: duration and replayability. I have completed the game 2 times and spent 10 hours in it, but I have to say, I've only seen a fraction of all the secrets. Seriously, you will be spending many hours finding all the secrets.”
- “The game features a new game plus, a plethora of challenges, and insane replay value. New features like a speed run mode have been added, and the game is updated every time the devs find something worthy of adding. They are highly receptive to criticism and consumer concerns!”
- “Most of the game's appeal lies in its replayability, as you can revisit levels for weapon upgrades and high scores.”
- “Replayability is mostly gated on RNG and challenge logs, which can be frustrating for some players.”
- “The game offers a unique mix of slow-paced exploration that feels like a one-time experience, which clashes with the learn-and-repeat replayability it aims for.”
grinding
31 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
6%
94%
The grinding mechanics in the game are widely viewed as tedious and unnecessary, with many players expressing frustration over the repetitive nature of farming materials and replaying stages multiple times to complete challenges or unlock upgrades. While some players find enjoyment in the grind for achievements and crafting, the overall sentiment leans towards it being a draining experience that detracts from the game's enjoyment, especially when aiming for 100% completion.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “The grinding may be intense, but the boss fights are the most entertaining.”
- “I don't think the grinding mechanics are necessary in this kind of game.”
- “The gameplay is boring, the gimmick with the shield is tedious and boss fights are a slog, the music is forgettable at best.”
- “The unlock system is theoretically interesting, but since grinding and chance are the only ways to acquire upgrade items, it ends up being almost useless.”
optimization
26 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
19%
69%
12%
Overall, the game's optimization has seen significant improvements since its initial release, with many players noting enhanced framerate and performance stability. However, some users still report issues such as stuttering and limited customization options for the PC port, which detracts from the experience. While recent patches have addressed many concerns, opinions remain mixed regarding the overall optimization quality.
- “Now that I'm playing this again, I can tell you, the changes made are massive. Not only does it not have the double screen anymore, but it also has way better optimization and the framerate is greatly improved. Definitely worth picking up now; this is a really good game.”
- “A lot of the negative reviews here are based on the original release as seen in the trailer, but since then it's been patched to double the framerate and is far more optimized in general.”
- “Performance is perfect; you can select resolutions up to 1080p (not like anything over that is needed given the 2D pixel art nature of the game) and you can toggle V-Sync.”
- “Compound this with the limited options for a PC port relatively speaking (no graphics filters, menu/system control remapping, performance/version options for those who prefer 3DS standards etc) things mentioned above like low quality text box art and the one thing going for the PC port being the extra modes not being playable and here we are.”
- “For me, it has such a low framerate that stages are in slow motion, and stuttering horribly.”
- “From what I've played, there is random stuttering as I go through the levels, which can be a problem when trying to land a jump/attack precisely.”
character development
18 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
28%
56%
17%
Character development in the game is generally viewed as lacking depth, with many reviewers noting a straightforward narrative and minimal growth for the characters. However, the character designs are widely praised for their creativity and appeal, drawing inspiration from modern anime styles. While the story may not be groundbreaking, some players appreciate the interactions and lore that provide a glimpse into character motivations, leaving them eager for future installments.
- “The character designs are so cool.”
- “Without spoiling the plot-line, I'd have to say that it was far more enjoyable, and actually allows you to see the relations and character development through the story.”
- “You can turn that off if it bugs you, but it's neat to have play that through for the story and have that kind of character development and interaction.”
- “As expected from a game of this kind, pretty straight-forward, clear-cut heroes, clear-cut bad guys. What's kinda lame is that while the game's lore is pretty lukewarm, there exists some CDs that can feed you some character development and motivation.”
- “So, while there was little character development and a lackluster story that's been reused more than fifteen times, I want to play the next game, which I guess is what really matters.”
- “I just wanted to see some more character development in general, with both Gunvolt and Joule (his waifu, basically).”
emotional
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players express a strong emotional connection to the game, highlighting moments of frustration and triumph, particularly related to the "kudos" system that can lead to intense feelings of loss when progress is abruptly reset. The narrative, while simple, resonates deeply, especially during pivotal moments that evoke nostalgia and emotional impact, reminiscent of classic titles like Mega Man Zero 4. Overall, the game elicits a rollercoaster of emotions, from joy to despair, enhancing the player's experience.
- “This would make emotional sections at the end better, in my opinion.”
- “A fairly simple story that keeps the focus on the action, so it lacks in depth; even so, I think the true ending can have an emotional impact.”
- “Oh, and there is a scoreboard system called kudos in which it increases based on how well you play, but one hit and boom, back to 0. For newcomers, this may be like 'eh,' but trying to get your kudos all the way to 2990 only to get shot by a random enemy (this happened to me, I cried for 10 minutes ;~;).”
humor
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
71%
29%
The humor in Gunvolt is described as a mix of forced attempts at edgy jokes and cringeworthy sexual innuendos, which often fall flat and feel overly contrived. While some players find the absurdity of the storyline amusing, many criticize the dialogue for being unfunny and poorly localized, detracting from the overall experience. Overall, the humor seems to be a divisive aspect, with some appreciating its boldness while others find it off-putting.
- “Gunvolt is a fresh take on your classic 2D action but with a focus on speed, aggressive pushing, a hilariously edgelord storyline, and high scoring with insane moves.”
- “I find this especially hilarious though seeing that Mighty No.”
- “Even the dialogue is to be desired; they tried too hard to be funny with their double entendres and adult jokes. It was funny the first few times until it felt forced.”
- “This is not funny; this is not good. I may never open this game again.”
- “The English version of this game is filled with censored words, cringeworthy, unfunny sexual innuendo, and rewriting of characters to reflect the localizer's deviantart profile rather than what the developer intended.”
stability
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game's stability has been criticized for frequent freezes and persistent glitches, some of which have carried over from the Nintendo 3DS version. Players report that these issues can disrupt gameplay significantly, indicating a lack of polish and optimization for the PC release. Despite some improvements, such as compatibility with Radeon graphics cards, the overall experience remains marred by bugs.
- “The game freezes sometimes, and this could ruin your run. My PC can run almost every game.”
- “There are some glitches here and there that haven't been fixed since the 3DS version. I've figured out a few well-hidden ones that I'm shocked no one else online seems to have found.”
- “The first version is kind of buggy. I think Inti Creates rushed the game, making the sprites actually use those from the Nintendo 3DS, with no HD sprites for the PC version.”
atmosphere
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
60%
60%
The game's atmosphere is characterized by well-constructed, blocky levels reminiscent of classic platformers, complemented by colorful graphics and engaging artwork in storyline sequences. While it draws inspiration from titles like Mega Man, it maintains its own originality, enhanced by upbeat and atmospheric music that adds to the overall experience.
- “I'm a sucker for anime graphics and yes the graphics of the game are a bit outdated, but it makes up for it with a colorful atmosphere and pretty neat artworks for storyline sequences in the game.”
- “Theme and atmosphere: definitely felt a Mega Man Zero vibe, but at the same time, Gunvolt has its own originality and charm.”
- “Music is another highlight, with great upbeat and atmospheric tunes.”
- “The atmosphere and construction are quite similar, well-constructed levels with primarily blocky design, a certain action pace if you are skilled or not, which is ranked and rewarded based on your efficiency; the similarities are evident.”
- “The graphics of the game are a bit outdated, but it makes up for it with a colorful atmosphere and pretty neat artworks for storyline sequences in the game.”
- “The theme and atmosphere definitely felt a Megaman Zero vibe, but at the same time, Gunvolt has its own originality and charm.”