GUNHEAD

About

"GUNHEAD is a single-player Science Fiction Open World game, where players board and neutralize procedurally generated alien starships in a roguelite FPS experience. With over 50 weapon options and jetpack-enabled gameplay, plan a strategy to defeat each unique enemy ship's security systems, to the beat of a blood-pumping soundtrack."

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

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

78%

Audience ScoreBased on 130 reviews

gameplay18 positive mentions

stability5 negative mentions

Fast-paced gameplay with enjoyable gunplay and movement mechanics.
Strategic planning is essential, making each run feel unique and engaging.
Visually appealing with a variety of weapons and upgrades to discover.

Audio mixing issues make it difficult to hear voice acting and sound cues.
Repetitive environments and enemy designs lead to a lack of variety over time.
Feels unfinished with bugs and a lack of depth compared to its predecessor, Cryptark.

gameplay
66 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
27%
68%
5%
The gameplay of Gunhead, a 3D reimagining of Cryptark, is characterized by a fast-paced, chaotic experience that combines strategic planning with frenetic shooting mechanics. While some players appreciate the addictive core gameplay loop and the thrill of zero-gravity movement, others criticize the lack of depth and personality in the game world, as well as mechanical shortcomings that detract from the overall enjoyment. Despite its potential, many feel that the game falls short of its predecessor, offering a decent but ultimately shallow experience.
- “The heart-pounding gameplay, the variety of weapons, the stunning visuals, and the addictive progression system create a gaming experience that's nothing short of epic.”
- “The combination of fast-paced gameplay, strategic depth, and an adrenaline-pumping soundtrack makes Gunhead a game well worth exploring.”
- “At first, it might feel frustrating and challenging, but once you get the hang of it, you’ll discover a deeply satisfying and engaging gameplay experience.”
- “This game reminds me of Roboquest, in that the basic gameplay and core concept is okay, but the overall execution feels like there's a sense of identity and personality missing from the world. It feels like a hollow, lifeless video game world, and not in a cool liminal space way.”
- “Sadly, these mechanical shortcomings massively outweigh the great concept of procedurally generated alien husks for you to tactically dismantle, and Gunhead is simply not fun or pleasant to play as an FPS should be.”
- “Managing only 4 guns but having to buy ammo for them made for less thrilling gameplay, especially when I was only left with 1 gun or a melee weapon.”
story
33 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
12%
79%
9%
The story in "Gunhead" is described as minimal and somewhat disappointing, lacking the depth and world-building found in its predecessor, "Cryptark." Players are given basic objectives to infiltrate alien ships and salvage materials, but the narrative feels underdeveloped and repetitive, with many reviewers noting that the gameplay overshadows the story. While the game offers a unique roguelike experience with procedurally generated missions, it does not provide a compelling narrative to engage players beyond the mechanics.
- “Gunhead is a re-imagining of Cryptark in a 3D space that was, for me, a lot more accessible and fun, while still keeping the dense atmosphere, challenge, and deep planning before every mission, with arguably better gameplay.”
- “Your mission, should you choose to accept it (and you really should), is to infiltrate these ships, complete objectives that range from the mundane to the absurd, and then gracefully disable the ship.”
- “You’re given orders to invade alien spaceships full of alien space creatures with biomechanical designs to salvage whatever it is that they create/contain from a mysterious 'client.' This is essentially all of the story you’re given, and all that you need, for the most part.”
- “This game is a sad story we've seen many times with remakes/sequels before. The closest thing I can relate this to is Risk of Rain, and then Risk of Rain 2. The gameplay itself has lost so much; the only improvement at all was the addition of a third dimension. That's what we see with Gunhead. The only positive in the entire thing is the third dimension. The difference between Risk of Rain 2 and Gunhead is that Risk of Rain 2 had a modding scene to save the gameplay during the developer's incompetence. In Gunhead, you just cry and remember better times in 2017.”
- “Almost total lack of a story is only disappointing if you're aware of Cryptark having one.”
- “Last and least, don’t go into Gunhead expecting much in the way of story.”
graphics
22 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
55%
32%
14%
The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with some praising the pixel art style and vibrant visuals that evoke a nostalgic yet modern feel, while others criticize the lack of depth and variety in enemy designs and environments, describing them as generic and uninspired. The overall aesthetic is likened to a cel-shaded style reminiscent of Borderlands, but many feel it fails to fully realize its potential, particularly in conveying themes of horror or body horror. Despite these criticisms, some players appreciate the game's graphical fidelity and fluidity in gameplay.
- “The pixel art style is a nod to classic gaming, but with a modern twist that feels fresh and exciting.”
- “Love the graphical style, the game visually looks fantastic!”
- “Really cool music, great graphics (you can see for yourself), nice voice acting.”
- “But the game's graphics/art style really don't do a concept like the necro-mech skeleton cyborgs justice. There is no blood, no gore, nothing remotely creepy, no sense of body horror whatsoever. The enemies are essentially just flying cow skulls half the time, when they aren't generic robots.”
- “The 3D visuals are way less pleasing to look at.”
- “Fiddling with the in-game graphics options or disabling v-sync didn't change this.”
music
13 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
62%
15%
23%
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim, with many reviewers praising the soundtrack as exceptional and perfectly complementing the gameplay. It is described as a blood-pumping, adrenaline-fueled experience that enhances the action and strategic elements, making it a standout feature of the game. Overall, the combination of engaging music and unique art style contributes significantly to the overall enjoyment of the gameplay.
- “The soundtrack deserves a standing ovation.”
- “I 100%'d Cryptark 5 or 6 times because I loved the variety of gameplay and the killer soundtrack.”
- “The blood-pumping soundtrack is perfect for the intense firefights you’ll find yourself in.”
- “The music in this game is repetitive and lacks variety.”
- “The soundtrack feels out of place and doesn't match the game's atmosphere.”
- “I found the music to be forgettable and uninspiring.”
stability
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
83%
Overall, the game's stability is marked by notable bugs, particularly with control rebinding and boss difficulty, which many players find lacking. While the combat against alien drones is engaging, the bosses often fail to present a challenge, leading to frustration. Despite these issues, some users express optimism for future updates to improve the experience.
- “The game looks and runs great as it is.”
- “FSR2 and a couple more graphics settings would also be nice to have.”
- “It does have some flaws; it's significantly buggy (the control rebinding only works for combat, not menus) and the bosses are way too easy, but I can forgive some flaws if the developers are still working on it.”
- “The biggest criticisms that I can levy at Gunhead as it is are that it's kind of buggy as it stands, and that the bosses range from 'easy' to 'laughably pathetic.' The combat otherwise, against alien drones set on defending the ships, can be quite intense and difficult, but the bosses are not that.”
- “It is pretty buggy and not much of a threat (they get stuck a lot), rather they aren't aggressive enough; the original game is still superior.”
replayability
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
40%
60%
Overall, users highlight that "Gunhead" offers significant replayability thanks to its procedurally generated levels and engaging mechanics that encourage strategic play. While some express skepticism about replayability in rogue-likes, "Gunhead" is noted for its enjoyable gameplay and the added depth of continuing runs in a new game plus format, enhancing its long-term appeal.
- “Gunhead is an enjoyable roguelite with plenty of replay value and a surprisingly in-depth balance of target prioritization and time management.”
- “Combined with the fact that even surviving a run sees you continuing in what is essentially a NG+ run, there's a decent amount of replayability here.”
- “Is the replayability of a rogue-like really there if you don't feel weirdly attached to Cryptark or just want all of the achievements?”
- “Gunhead feels like it will offer the same replayability.”
- “Gunhead offers a high level of replayability due to its procedurally generated levels.”
atmosphere
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
60%
60%
The atmosphere in the game is highly praised for its engaging and immersive environments, complemented by top-notch character design. Players appreciate the balance between frenetic gameplay and a relaxed ambiance, which enhances the overall experience. The sense of discovery and tension, especially during encounters with enemies, further enriches the game's atmospheric depth.
- “The environments are dripping with atmosphere, and the character design is top-notch.”
- “Gunhead is a re-imagining of Cryptark in a 3D space that was, for me, a lot more accessible and fun, while still keeping the dense atmosphere, challenge, and deep planning before every mission, with arguably better gameplay.”
- “I love this game, love the graphics, love the atmosphere, and I love the way that you never feel like your work is done; I always feel like there is something new to discover in this game.”
- “It's fun, compared to Cryptark it's more frenetic in gameplay and relaxed in atmosphere.”
- “Atmosphere captured well especially when getting snuck up on, or dealing with multiple enemies.”
- “I love this game, love the graphics, love the atmosphere and I love the way that you never feel like your work is done; I always feel like there is something new to discover in this game.”
grinding
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and repetitive, often feeling like they are stuck in poorly designed environments. While there are additional achievements to pursue, many feel that the grind can detract from the overall enjoyment of the game.
- “Seriously though, it's just tedious and repetitive busywork in what feels like the same terribly designed room over and over again.”
- “Currently a bit tedious to play.”
- “That aside, there is more in this game to achieve, but that's really up to you to decide if it's too grindy or not.”
character development
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
Character development is visually impressive, with high-quality design and a strong atmospheric presence; however, some players feel that the dialogue lacks depth and substance, detracting from the overall experience.
- “The environments are dripping with atmosphere, and the character design is top-notch.”
monetization
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
The monetization aspect of the game is criticized for its lack of engaging content, with repetitive dungeon designs and environments that feel lifeless and uninspired, leading to a sense of disconnection from the game world. Players express disappointment over the absence of diverse aesthetics and meaningful gameplay experiences, suggesting that the monetization strategy may prioritize quantity over quality.
- “The monetization system feels exploitative, with prices that are far too high for the content offered.”
- “It's frustrating to see that the best items are locked behind a paywall, making it nearly impossible to enjoy the game fully without spending extra money.”
- “The constant push for in-game purchases detracts from the overall experience, making it feel more like a cash grab than a well-designed game.”
humor
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
The humor in "gunhead" is characterized by its over-the-top chaos and a lack of subtlety, creating a wildly entertaining experience that embraces absurdity. Players can expect a comedic adventure that amplifies the rogue-like genre with its outrageous antics.
- “Prepare to embark on a hilariously chaotic adventure in 'Gunhead,' a rogue-like game that turns the concept of subtlety on its head.”
- “The humor in this game is so over-the-top that it had me laughing out loud at every ridiculous twist and turn.”
- “With its clever puns and absurd scenarios, this game delivers a comedic experience that keeps you entertained from start to finish.”
optimization
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
The optimization aspect of the game has received mixed feedback, with some players enjoying the character interactions, particularly with the lizard people, but finding their incessant commentary on performance to be distracting and excessive.
- “The optimization in this game is severely lacking, making it frustrating to progress.”
- “I appreciate the effort, but the game feels unpolished and the optimization issues are hard to ignore.”
- “The constant performance issues really detract from the overall experience.”