GORN

76%
Game Brain Score Based on 6,377 reviews
  • gameplay
  • humor
  • graphics
GORN Game Cover
Experience battles first hand as a cartoon Gladiator!
Starting at $9.06Buy now
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GORN is a violent VR gladiator simulator with a physics-driven combat engine, allowing creative execution of opponents with various weapons. Fight an endless supply of poorly-animated foes, from swords and maces to nunchuks and warhammers, unleashing your most brutal and savage fantasies while maintaining a sense of decency. Immerse yourself in the most face-smashing VR experience available.

  • PC
  • Play​station 4
  • Virtual Reality
  • Windows
  • Cloud
  • NVIDIA GeForce NOW
  • Oculus Quest
  • Oculus Rift
  • Play​Station
  • Play​Station VR
  • Play​Station VR2
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

76%
Audience ScoreBased on 6,377 reviews
gameplay122 positive mentions
stability32 negative mentions
  • gameplay289 mentions

    The gameplay of Gorn is characterized by its fun, chaotic melee combat and unique physics, providing a satisfying and humorous experience for players. While many appreciate the engaging mechanics and cartoonish art style, some find the gameplay repetitive and lacking in depth after a few hours. Overall, it excels in delivering a lighthearted, visceral VR experience, though it may not appeal to those seeking more complex gameplay.

    • “The multiplayer mode where people can fight the person in VR with a controller is the coolest VR mechanic I've ever seen, in a VR game with the best action.”
    • “Gorn is pure fun, a masterpiece in gameplay and atmosphere.”
    • “The gameplay is raw, visceral, gory, wacky, mindlessly strategic fun and can make you feel like an absolute badass.”
    • “The gameplay gets boring after 2 minutes; all you do is hit dudes, and they never change.”
    • “Physics are wonky and slow, graphics are unsatisfying, gameplay is beyond repetitive (and boring); and for whatever reason, I get really sick while playing despite never having this problem with any other VR game.”
    • “The two-handed physics are simply horrendous, and the gameplay loop, which you hope will eventually pick up the pace, is always the same - go to an arena, use the same 3 weapon types, fight the champion, end.”
  • humor269 mentions

    The humor in the game is widely praised for its over-the-top, cartoonish violence and absurd physics, which create hilariously chaotic combat scenarios. Players enjoy the slapstick nature of the gameplay, where weapons feel rubbery and enemies often trip over themselves, leading to comical moments. Overall, the game is described as a fun, stress-relieving experience that combines gore with a lighthearted, silly tone, making it a hit for both solo play and multiplayer gatherings.

    • “Absolutely love this game! It's super awesome and hilarious; the funny physics are just priceless, and the amount of fights I won by simply allowing them to take each other out is perfect as they have zero spatial awareness of the others. It's so much fun!”
    • “This game is hilariously fun to play. The over-the-top damage you do to your opponents is hilarious and gruesome at the same time - weapons do what you'd expect them to do.”
    • “The ragdoll physics make for some hilarious moments, and whether it's single player or online, the laughs keep coming.”
    • “The goofy animations are supposed to be funny and allow for the ridiculous ragdoll, but they didn't sit right with me.”
    • “The humor felt forced and often fell flat, making it hard to engage with the game.”
    • “I found the jokes to be repetitive and lacking in creativity, which made the experience less enjoyable.”
  • graphics202 mentions

    The graphics of the game are characterized by a vibrant, cartoonish art style that complements its over-the-top violence and humor, creating an immersive and entertaining experience. While some players note that the graphics may not be cutting-edge compared to other VR titles, they are generally well-executed and enhance the game's fun and absurdity. Overall, the visuals are praised for their consistency and ability to maintain a lighthearted tone amidst the gory gameplay.

    • “Great graphics for the game type and with good sound effects.”
    • “The game's cartoonish graphics and over-the-top violence add to the fun and absurdity of the game, making it a blast to play.”
    • “The graphics are absolutely stunning for VR.”
    • “The physics, controls, graphics, and overall design seem very cheap and simple.”
    • “Let's get this out of the way now, the graphics look cheesy if you just watched a video.”
    • “The graphics are nothing special.”
  • story123 mentions

    The game's story is generally perceived as minimal and often lacking depth, with many players noting its brevity and simplicity. While some find enjoyment in the comedic and violent elements of the gameplay, others express disappointment over the absence of a substantial narrative, describing it as more of a tech demo than a fully fleshed-out experience. Overall, the focus remains on the arena combat rather than a compelling storyline, leading to mixed feelings about its storytelling aspect.

    • “A great game with a full story for people to all enjoy.”
    • “The story is short but enjoyable.”
    • “It has a lot of content with custom mode and a short 4-5 hour story mode with fun boss battles and some really great combat.”
    • “The 'story' is pointless and extremely hard.”
    • “There's no story, no drive to keep killing the brainless AI.”
    • “There isn’t any story or plot in GORN.”
  • replayability84 mentions

    The reviews highlight a mixed perception of replayability in the game, with many players praising its high replay value due to features like endless and custom modes, diverse weapon options, and unique challenges. However, some users express disappointment, citing a lack of depth in the main campaign and suggesting that certain modes could enhance the overall experience. Overall, while many find the game enjoyable and endlessly replayable, others feel it could benefit from additional content to maintain long-term engagement.

    • “You can expect a lot of replay value.”
    • “The endless and custom modes give plenty of replayability and the throwing system is incredibly satisfying.”
    • “Gorn is, without a doubt, the most uniquely satisfying and most replayable VR game I own or have experienced.”
    • “Was a bit of fun playing the coop mode, but no replayability.”
    • “My only issue is that I don't see much replay value.”
    • “Personally, I didn't find there to be any replay value and the optimization wasn't great either.”
  • stability36 mentions

    The game's stability is frequently criticized due to numerous bugs and glitches that can significantly disrupt gameplay, particularly with weapon handling and character interactions. While some players find the glitches amusing or endearing, many report that they can lead to frustrating experiences, especially during challenging encounters. Overall, the game is described as "extremely buggy," with recommendations to wait for fixes before purchasing at full price.

    • “Runs great on the Valve Index.”
    • “A fun arena fighter. I had issues getting the game to run on my old graphics card, but now that I've upgraded, it runs great and is much more enjoyable.”
    • “It's lots of fun and not too buggy after extensive updates.”
    • “Some weapons (mainly the big ones) can be unwieldy and buggy, which leads me to another point: despite the game's good points, it can be very buggy.”
    • “But when you get up to the harder bosses and eventually the finale, these glitches and bugs will cause you to wipe over and over until you eventually rage quit because it is so frustrating.”
    • “However, the bugs and glitches make it just about unplayable at times, so I don't recommend buying it at full price or until the bugs are fixed.”
  • music34 mentions

    The music aspect of the game has received mixed feedback, with many players recommending the use of external soundtracks, particularly the Doom soundtrack, to enhance the gameplay experience. While some appreciate the epic intro music, others lament the lack of in-game music, suggesting that it detracts from the overall enjoyment and intensity of combat. Overall, players feel that incorporating a dynamic soundtrack could significantly elevate the game's atmosphere.

    • “Never has the Doom soundtrack found a more fitting game to blast in the background.”
    • “Jumping into endless mode while listening to the Doom OST is probably one of the best experiences I've had in my life, and I will do it countless times again.”
    • “The controls are awesome and the feeling you get in the gladiator pit is amazing, especially with some hype background music.”
    • “I only have one thing I feel like they could've done something better with and that is there is no music whatsoever, which is a real shame.”
    • “The developers might have done it on purpose, but there’s no music whatsoever; there’s also little variety when it comes to enemy taunts.”
    • “The only problem I have with it is the sound/music.”
  • optimization28 mentions

    Overall, the game's optimization is generally well-received, with many players noting smooth performance and good graphics, especially on higher-end PCs. However, some users report performance issues during intense moments, such as slow-motion sequences or when multiple enemies are on screen, indicating that further optimization could enhance the experience. While updates have improved performance for some, others still experience inconsistencies, suggesting a mixed optimization experience across different systems.

    • “Good controls, well optimized.”
    • “Its greatly optimized and is full of highly replayable content.”
    • “Regardless of being in early access, the game runs smoothly and I've rarely had an issue.”
    • “Great game, fun gameplay, but kinda bad optimization.”
    • “The patch notes say that the devs intentionally put effort into optimizing the game so it runs better, but on my system (i5-8400, GTX 1080) the performance has just tanked.”
    • “My only complaint so far is I get a lot of stuttering when multiple enemies are being slain, and especially at the end of the round when all the coins are thrown at you.”
  • emotional13 mentions

    The emotional responses to the game are mixed, with some players experiencing intense feelings of empowerment and excitement, likening their gameplay to that of a gladiator or a badass character. However, others report negative emotional impacts, such as motion sickness and feelings of instability, indicating that the game's immersive nature can evoke both exhilarating and uncomfortable emotions. Overall, it appears to elicit strong, polarizing feelings that significantly affect the player's experience.

    • “It's the best stress and anger reliever, especially for those who are emotionally unstable like myself.”
    • “I have never played a game that actually made me feel like a serial killer before, until now.”
    • “Gorn made me feel like a real gladiator fighting for my life.”
  • grinding11 mentions

    Players consistently express that grinding in the game is excessively time-consuming, often requiring a significant investment of effort to progress. While some find the gameplay quirky and enjoyable, many note that the repetitive nature of battles and the need to restart or enter demo modes can lead to frustration. Overall, the grinding aspect is seen as a major drawback, overshadowing the game's fun elements.

    • “Can get a bit grindy.”
    • “The game is way less buggy, the graphics and art style have been improved, custom mode is extremely fun and makes sure that you won't get bored while playing the game, there is little to no tediousness anymore!”
    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “It can get a bit grindy.”
    • “Old review - I like GORN, but it's the tediousness and the bugs that I dislike. For example, when I want to do a 1v1 in GORN, I have to enter demo mode or restart all of my progress. When I want to get to the next champion, I essentially fight the same people over and over. Yes, sometimes they have different weapons, but in most cases, they have the same ones. Also, when I try to pick something up when there is something right under/over/beside it, it picks up the thing under/over/beside it! Is it worth 20 dollars? No, it's a fun game, but twenty dollars for a buggy and tedious VR gladiator sim isn't.”
  • atmosphere8 mentions

    The atmosphere in the game is a mix of silliness and intense engagement, with vibrant visuals and sounds that enhance the experience of chaotic violence in the arena. Players appreciate the fun and creativity in gameplay, which contributes to a satisfying and immersive environment, making it a standout title in VR gaming. Overall, while some find the atmosphere initially novel, it quickly reveals a deeper enjoyment rooted in its gameplay mechanics.

    • “Gorn is pure fun, a masterpiece in gameplay and atmosphere.”
    • “One of the few VR games that really conveys the whole atmosphere of the ongoing violence in the arena, one of the best games for HTC Vive.”
    • “The sounds and visuals are great and the whole atmosphere makes executing people very satisfying!”
    • “The silly atmosphere and rubberized weapons make this sandbox arena worth revisiting again and again.”
    • “One of the few VR games that really conveys the whole atmosphere of the ongoing violence in the arena; one of the best games for HTC Vive.”
    • “It is a 'defend or die' atmosphere that causes you to swing your weapons violently and work up quite a sweat.”
  • monetization2 mentions

    The monetization aspect of the game includes microtransactions and downloadable content (DLC), which have been integrated into the new structure alongside multiplayer and mod features. Users have noted the changes in the monetization model, suggesting a more comprehensive approach to in-game purchases.

    • “The microtransactions in the game are fairly priced and don't feel exploitative, allowing players to enjoy the experience without feeling pressured to spend more.”
    • “The DLC content adds significant value to the game, enhancing the overall experience without locking essential features behind a paywall.”
    • “I appreciate how the monetization model is transparent, giving players clear options without overwhelming them with aggressive sales tactics.”
    • “The microtransactions in this game are excessive and feel like a cash grab rather than a way to enhance the experience.”
    • “The DLC content is overpriced and doesn't offer enough value for the money spent.”
    • “The monetization strategy is frustrating, as it often feels like you can't progress without spending extra money.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

73% average critic score

Buy GORN

Play time

5hMedian play time
14hAverage play time
2-24hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 28 analyzed playthroughs

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