Azure Striker GUNVOLT

70%
Game Brain Score Based on 711 reviews
  • gameplay
  • story
  • music
Azure Striker GUNVOLT Game Cover
If you like Megaman, you will definitely love this game.
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In Azure Striker Gunvolt, play as a superhuman named Gunvolt with the power to control electricity, and fight to overthrow the evil Sumeragi Group in this 2D side-scrolling action game. Utilize your Conductor Gun and Flashfield abilities to take down enemies, and unleash powerful Voltaic Chains attacks for heavy-duty blasts. With challenging gameplay and special abilities to discover, the game provides a thrilling and electrifying experience.

  • PC
  • Steam Deck
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Nintendo 3ds
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

70%
Audience ScoreBased on 711 reviews
gameplay100 positive mentions
grinding25 negative mentions
  • Fast-paced, frenetic gameplay that is reminiscent of classic Mega Man titles.
  • Colorful and well-designed levels with interesting mechanics and boss fights.
  • Engaging story with a unique twist on the superhero genre, featuring memorable characters.
  • Poorly executed PC port with awkward controls and a confusing menu layout.
  • Lack of options for customizing controls, making it difficult to play with a keyboard.
  • Unskippable credits and a maximum resolution of 1920x1080p can be frustrating for players.
  • gameplay320 mentions

    The gameplay of "Azure Striker Gunvolt" is characterized by its fast-paced, run-and-gun mechanics that blend traditional platforming with unique tagging and electric attack systems, offering a fresh twist on the classic Mega Man formula. While many players appreciate the fluid controls and engaging mechanics, some find the gameplay can become confusing or repetitive, particularly with the emphasis on scoring and combo systems. Overall, the game is praised for its innovative approach and replayability, though it may not appeal to everyone due to its distinct mechanics and pacing.

    • “The run and gun gameplay is fast-paced, frenetic, and really fun.”
    • “The gameplay flows so well in this game.”
    • “The gameplay is smooth, fluid, and challenging, and the overall presentation, including the graphics, music, and storyline, are quite good as well.”
    • “Gameplay-wise, it gets really confusing quickly.”
    • “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.”
  • story281 mentions

    The story of the game is a mixed bag, with many players finding it to be a blend of typical anime tropes and clichés, often described as predictable or mediocre. While some appreciate the engaging character interactions and the unique world-building, others criticize the narrative for being convoluted or lacking depth. Overall, the story serves as a backdrop to the gameplay, with some players feeling it enhances their experience, while others believe it detracts from the action-focused nature of the game.

    • “The world and story, which is a darker spin on the 'what if much of the world's population randomly developed superpowers' trope, is quite interesting.”
    • “The story itself was also really nice; the stage-to-stage narrative wasn't the most detailed for the most part until around halfway into the game, where you get more information on a lot of things.”
    • “The story is really interesting and well done while not getting in the way of the gameplay, which is this game's strong suit.”
    • “Combat is boring, bosses are boring, levels are boring, story is boring, it's all fucking boring.”
    • “Looks like a fangame with a poorly narrated story and nothing particularly interesting or engaging in terms of gameplay.”
    • “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.”
  • music172 mentions

    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 into gameplay, such as changing tracks based on player performance, adds an exciting dynamic, although some noted that the main stage themes can feel less memorable. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a standout feature, enhancing the game's appeal and atmosphere.

    • “The music is amazing; it really makes you have that run, shoot, and jump feel.”
    • “The soundtrack is so good that you will find yourself humming and singing some of the tracks even if you're not playing the game; this game is worth it for the OST alone.”
    • “From the awesome Mega Man Zero graphics to the unforgettable soundtrack, this game has it all!”
    • “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.”
  • graphics95 mentions

    The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with many praising the vibrant art style and nostalgic pixel art reminiscent of classic titles like Mega Man. However, criticisms arise regarding the graphical fidelity, particularly in the PC port, which retains low-resolution elements from the 3DS version and lacks significant enhancements. Overall, while the visuals are appealing to fans of retro aesthetics, they may feel dated and inconsistent, especially in menus and cutscenes.

    • “The game has an amazing art style with characters you get attached to really quickly.”
    • “The graphics are really good; it looks much better on a PC rather than the Nintendo 3DS system.”
    • “The visuals are what you'd expect from a 2D game on the 3DS, and the sprite work is just fantastic.”
    • “The graphics are bad, the story is bad, the design is generic and pixelated in a bad way, 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 res, making it look very ugly on a 21-24 inch 1920x1080 monitor.”
  • replayability32 mentions

    The game offers high replayability despite its relatively short length, primarily through score challenges, secret endings, and various extra modes that encourage players to revisit levels for upgrades and high scores. While some players may find the reliance on RNG and grinding for materials less appealing, the overall mechanics and optional challenges provide a compelling reason to keep playing. Additionally, the inclusion of different difficulty settings and the potential for speedrunning further enhance its replay value.

    • “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.”
    • “Content-wise, the game is short but the replayability value is quite high. Newcomers will appreciate the game's somewhat easy gameplay, while veterans can partake in the challenges offered by the game, which can range from cakewalk objectives to sadistic torture at times.”
    • “Replayability is mostly gated on RNG and challenge logs.”
    • “It was a weird mix of slow-paced exploration feel ('thing you only want to go through once') that didn't mix well with the well-achieved learn-and-repeat replayability the game was based on.”
    • “Content-wise, the game is short but the replayability value is quite high; newcomers will appreciate the game's somewhat easy gameplay, while veterans can partake in the challenges offered by the game, which can range from cakewalk objectives to sadistic torture at times.”
  • grinding27 mentions

    The grinding aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players finding the material farming and achievement hunting tedious and repetitive. While some enjoy the challenge and replay value it offers, others feel that the grind detracts from the overall experience, making gameplay feel boring and draining, especially when aiming for 100% completion. Overall, the grind can be fun initially but tends to become monotonous over time.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “The grinding isn't just a chore; it's an engaging part of the game that keeps you entertained.”
    • “Getting actual movement options requires grinding out crafting materials and a lot of them.”
    • “If you're playing for score, you're also playing to complete the challenge list, which is extremely tedious due to how the challenges of a stage unlock as you complete them, so bare minimum you're going to have to replay every stage 3 times.”
    • “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.”
  • optimization25 mentions

    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, indicating that while updates have helped, further optimization may be needed for an optimal experience.

    • “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 development17 mentions

    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, it still manages to engage players enough to encourage interest in future installments.

    • “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.”
    • “I'm not the biggest platforming fan, but this game's music, character design, mechanics, and while not groundbreaking, story all make this game enjoyable for me compared to other titles in this genre.”
    • “Yes, this is clearly inspired by it, the settings, its gameplay, character design and what not... but I believe this game shines more when you try to speed run it and you should totally try to replay and beat your best time at least once on each level.”
    • “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. It's more of just a joke for me).”
    • “As expected from a game of this kind, pretty straightforward, clear-cut heroes, clear-cut bad guys. What's kind of lame is that while the game's lore is pretty lukewarm, there exists some CDs that can feed you some character development and motivation.”
  • humor6 mentions

    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 overdone. While some players appreciate the game's aggressive and fast-paced action, the dialogue and story elements are criticized for being unfunny and poorly localized, detracting from the overall experience.

    • “Gunvolt is a fresh take on your classic 2D action but with a focus on speed, aggressive pushing, hilariously edgelord storyline, and high scoring with insane moves.”
    • “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 review is meant to be funny, not exactly all that helpful..) <-- this is helpful..”
    • “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.”
  • emotional5 mentions

    Players express a deep emotional connection to the game, highlighting its ability to evoke nostalgia and intense feelings, particularly through its challenging gameplay and impactful endings. The frustration of technical issues, such as difficulties running the game on the Steam Deck, adds to the emotional journey, with one player recounting a moment of significant disappointment that led to tears after losing hard-earned progress. Overall, the game is praised for its simple yet effective storytelling that resonates emotionally, despite its lack of depth.

    • “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 increases on how well you play, but 1 hit and boom, back to 0. For newcomers this will 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 ;~;).”
    • “This game made me feel like I was playing Mega Man Zero 4 all over again.”
  • atmosphere4 mentions

    The game's atmosphere is characterized by well-constructed, blocky levels that evoke a nostalgic feel reminiscent of classic platformers, complemented by vibrant graphics and engaging artwork for story sequences. The upbeat and atmospheric music enhances the overall experience, making it appealing to fans of both retro aesthetics and lively soundtracks.

    • “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.”
    • “Music is another highlight, featuring great upbeat and atmospheric tunes.”
    • “Gameplay might not be Mega Man-like, but the atmosphere and construction are quite similar, with well-constructed levels and a certain action pace that is ranked and rewarded based on your efficiency; the similarities are evident.”
    • “The atmosphere feels flat and uninspired, lacking the depth and immersion that I expected from a game of this genre.”
    • “While the graphics may be colorful, the overall atmosphere is dull and fails to engage the player, making it hard to stay invested in the game.”
    • “The levels are well-constructed, but the atmosphere is hindered by repetitive design and a lack of variety, which detracts from the overall experience.”
  • stability3 mentions

    The game's stability has been criticized for being buggy and uninspired, particularly in its initial version, which suffered from visual glitches and compatibility issues. While some improvements have been made for PC, including better support for Radeon graphics cards, users still report ongoing stability concerns.

    • “This game is so baffling and terrible I can't even begin... I've played it through a couple of levels and they are buggy and pretty uninspired.”
    • “I don't know why the first version is kind of buggy; I think Inti Creates rushed making the game sprites actually use from the Nintendo 3DS, with no HD sprites for the PC version.”
    • “Still a few visual glitches, but it now works with Radeon graphics cards.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

90% average critic score

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Play time

6hMedian play time
13hAverage play time
4-41hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 4 analyzed playthroughs

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