GUNBIRD 2
- June 10, 2020
- CITY CONNECTION
Get on Steam"Gunbird 2" is a vertical-scrolling shooter game with a comical story about the search for a magical potion. It features six unique characters, each with their own plane and abilities, and offers adjustable difficulty levels, gameplay options, and online rankings. The game is known for its witty character interactions and engaging shoot-em-up gameplay.
Nintendo Switch
PC
Playstation 4
Windows
Xbox One
Dreamcast
PlayStation
Xbox
Reviews
- Excellent graphics and gameplay, making it a visually appealing and enjoyable experience.
- High replayability with a varied cast of characters and weapons, along with intense boss battles.
- Virtually arcade-perfect port with smooth performance on platforms like Steam Deck.
- The game can be excessively difficult, making it challenging for players to see bullets due to detailed backgrounds.
- Configuration issues, such as defaulting to window mode and lack of an 'Exit' option, can be frustrating.
- Some characters and mechanics may not resonate with players who preferred the original Gunbird.
- gameplay7 mentions
- 29 % positive mentions
- 29 % neutral mentions
- 43 % negative mentions
The gameplay is characterized by solid mechanics typical of the shmup genre, featuring intricate systems to master and a vibrant selection of characters and bosses. While some players appreciate the expanded charge mechanic in Gunbird 2, others feel the overall experience lacks uniqueness and depth, with a short campaign and limited extras. The graphics and upbeat music enhance the experience, but not all players resonate with the game's core mechanics.
“Excellent graphics and gameplay.”
“Solid shmup gameplay with plenty of intricate mechanics to master, upbeat music and sense of humor, great selection of characters and bosses.”
“It's a long way from my favorite; overall, the Psikyo touch (charge attacks, random initial stages, power-ups preferring the upper portion of the play area, starting at the beginning of the later stages with a continue, etc.) are all mechanics I just don't care for.”
“Gameplay doesn't do enough to stand out; pretty short campaign with no extras.”
“They're basically the same game mechanically, with the exception that Gunbird 2 expands the charge mechanic a little more.”
- music4 mentions
- 75 % positive mentions
- -50 % neutral mentions
- 75 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received positive feedback, with users appreciating the upbeat remixed soundtrack that enhances the overall experience. While some lament the absence of the original soundtrack, the remixes are well-executed and contribute to the game's fun atmosphere, complementing its solid gameplay and character interactions. Overall, the music adds to the enjoyment of the arcade-perfect port.
“Great graphics and music, and the character voices are fun too.”
“Unless you wish the original soundtrack was present, there's really nothing to complain about here. City Connection has done another great job of porting Psikyo arcade titles to Steam, and there are more to come.”
“[Solid shmup gameplay with plenty of intricate mechanics to master, upbeat music and sense of humor, great selection of characters and bosses.]”
“The remixed soundtrack is a disappointment; it lacks the charm and energy of the original music, which is sorely missed.”
“While the gameplay is solid, the absence of the original soundtrack really detracts from the overall experience.”
“The new music doesn't capture the essence of the original game, making it feel less immersive and engaging.”
- story4 mentions
- 75 % positive mentions
- -50 % neutral mentions
- 75 % negative mentions
The story of "Gunbird" sequel revolves around the quest for a magic cure-all potion, featuring a mix of new characters alongside the returning hero, Marion. The game enhances replayability with a "2p story mode" that allows players to alternate between characters, adding variety to the narrative cutscenes. Overall, it maintains the lighthearted tone of the original while offering a fresh storyline and improved gameplay mechanics.
“As the title suggests, this is the sequel to Psikyo's lighthearted bullet hell shooter 'Gunbird,' which features a cast of mostly new characters (the main hero, Marion, is the only holdover), a new storyline (trying to find a magic cure-all potion and keeping it away from the clumsy pirate trio), and more.”
“Like the original, this is a virtually arcade-perfect port of the game, with the only changes being a remixed soundtrack (the original is missing though) and the addition of a '2P story mode' that allows a single player to play with two characters alternating when lives are lost, which also mixes up the story cutscenes and offers more replay value.”
“It's a great presentation of the arcade classic - and the only thing missing for me is a potential Dreamcast version where we have Morrigan as a selectable character - and the single player 2P story mode option as well.”
“The storyline feels shallow and lacks depth, making it hard to engage with the characters or their motivations.”
“While the gameplay is enjoyable, the story is forgettable and doesn't add much to the overall experience.”
“The narrative is disjointed and fails to create a compelling arc, leaving players feeling unsatisfied.”
- graphics2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The graphics in the game are consistently praised as excellent, complementing the engaging gameplay and enjoyable character voices, while the music also enhances the overall experience.
“Excellent graphics and gameplay.”
“Great graphics and music, and the character voices are fun too.”
- replayability2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- -150 % neutral mentions
- 150 % negative mentions
The game boasts very high replayability, featuring an arcade-perfect port with a remixed soundtrack and a new "2p story mode" that allows single players to alternate between two characters, enhancing the experience and offering varied story cutscenes.
“The game has very high replayability.”
“Like the original, this is a virtually arcade-perfect port of the game, with the only changes being a remixed soundtrack and the addition of a '2P story mode' that allows a single player to play with two characters alternating when lives are lost, which also mixes up the story cutscenes and offers more replay value.”
“The game lacks significant changes or new content, making it feel repetitive after the first playthrough.”
“Once you complete the main story, there’s little incentive to replay, as the side quests are uninspired and the choices don’t impact the outcome.”
“While the graphics are stunning, the gameplay doesn’t offer enough variety to keep players coming back for more.”
- humor1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is polarizing; while some players appreciate its goofy nature, others find it distracting and lacking in comedic value.
“Finally, some may enjoy the goofy humor, but I find it distracting and unfunny.”
