Gunlocked

88%
Game Brain Score Based on 339 reviews
  • gameplay
  • graphics
  • music
Gunlocked Game Cover
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Gunlocked is a single-player Role Playing game with phenomenal mechanics and sensational visuals. It's a unique twist on twin-stick shooters, with controlled movement and independent weapon targeting. The game features action-roguelite gameplay, rich 2D pixel art, multiple playable characters, upgrades, enemies, and bosses, all working together to provide a different experience in every playthrough.

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Reviews

88%
Audience ScoreBased on 339 reviews
gameplay21 positive mentions
grinding2 negative mentions
  • Unique blend of SHMUP and roguelike mechanics, offering a fresh take on both genres.
  • Engaging gameplay with a variety of weapons and upgrades that encourage experimentation and strategic positioning.
  • Visually appealing with charming pixel art and a catchy soundtrack, enhancing the overall experience.
  • Starting build options can feel limited and uninteresting, leading to a frustrating early game experience.
  • Screen clutter and poor readability can make it difficult to track projectiles and enemies, especially in later stages.
  • RNG can heavily influence gameplay, making it challenging to create desired builds and leading to feelings of frustration.
  • gameplay66 mentions

    The gameplay is a blend of classic shoot-'em-up mechanics and modern roguelite elements, offering a smooth and engaging experience with a focus on movement and upgrade strategy. Players appreciate the variety of ship upgrades and the unique weapon mechanics, although some criticize the reliance on RNG and the lack of persistence between runs. Overall, the game is seen as a fun and addictive take on the genre, particularly for fans of both shmups and roguelites, despite some mechanical issues that could benefit from further refinement.

    • “Gameplay is smooth and fun; the ship upgrades are enjoyable and encourage experimentation with different combinations.”
    • “Mixing shoot-em-up scrolling with survivor-style upgrade mechanics delivers a refreshing take on both genres at once.”
    • “Classic scrolling shooter gameplay mixed with modern roguelite mechanics to upgrade your ship makes for a satisfyingly addictive game.”
    • “The bosses themselves are randomly chosen from a pool, but their mechanics never necessitate specific builds to pass them, so it's just another layer of honestly pretty shallow procedural generation.”
    • “Another side effect of the weapon mechanics is that this is much less a bullet hell and much more an RNG simulator.”
    • “The main gripe I have with the game is that it feels so RNG heavy; there's only one re-roll per level (unless you take an augment) and there are few ways to increase the consistency of your upgrades without significantly impacting your gameplay.”
  • graphics37 mentions

    The graphics of the game are widely praised for their retro pixel art style, effectively blending 8-bit and 16-bit aesthetics with modern visual effects. Players appreciate the clean, readable visuals that complement the gameplay, alongside a nostalgic chiptune soundtrack. While some minor glitches are noted, the overall artistic presentation is considered engaging and well-executed, enhancing the game's appeal.

    • “The audio-visual aspect is also pretty solid, featuring unique and very well done pixel art graphics as well as catchy, upbeat chiptune music.”
    • “The graphics are on point and fall somewhere in between the 8-bit and 16-bit era, using very simple designs but with flashy effects that give everything a modern sheen.”
    • “Look, the graphics are gorgeous and I totally love the art style.”
    • “40 years old concept with 30 years old graphics.”
    • “The graphics herald back to a 16-bit era while the music and sound effects are a homage to the 8-bit NES.”
    • “Fun and punchy but I do wish there were options for the art style in the game.”
  • music35 mentions

    The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with many players appreciating its catchy chiptune style and retro homage, reminiscent of classic NES games. However, a significant number of users find the soundtrack repetitive and lacking in variety, leading some to prefer listening to their own playlists while playing. Overall, while the music contributes positively to the game's atmosphere, it may not sustain long-term engagement for all players.

    • “The audio-visual aspect is also pretty solid, featuring unique and very well done pixel art graphics as well as catchy, upbeat chiptune music.”
    • “The chiptune soundtrack, in particular, adds to the fun with its upbeat and catchy tunes.”
    • “Hands down the best music though, it's amazing.”
    • “The music is repetitive, but without the catchy loops that make late 80s games of similar composition burn themselves in your head.”
    • “The soundtrack isn't anything groundbreaking and won't do too much to make the game feel intense, but it adds to the retro feel nicely.”
    • “The music is dry as hell though.”
  • story10 mentions

    The game lacks a traditional narrative, focusing instead on a well-crafted setting and gameplay mechanics. Players engage in missions with unique enemies and bosses, which offer varied attack patterns but remain consistent across runs. While the story is minimal, the game provides ample challenges and unlocks to maintain player engagement.

    • “So far I've played 9 hours of this, and though I've finished the main missions and unlocked all the characters, I can still see plenty of trials and unlocks so that it will probably have my attention for a while longer.”
    • “Pick a mission; there are two available at the moment and both have unique enemies.”
    • “Completing various challenges leads to permanent unlocked gadgets you can choose for the next mission.”
    • “There’s no story here, but the setting is still well crafted.”
    • “The bosses encountered in the mission will be the same for every run of that mission, with the only variation being their attack patterns and features with each encounter during the mission.”
    • “Pick a mission; there are two available at the moment, and both have unique enemies.”
  • replayability9 mentions

    Overall, the game offers a solid replayability factor through its achievements, difficulty modifiers, and a diverse weapons and upgrades system that encourages experimentation with different combinations. While some players feel that runs can become repetitive over time, the variety of ships, pilots, and ongoing updates contribute to a promising replay experience, particularly for fans of scrolling shooters. However, a few users noted that the limited number of levels may impact long-term replayability.

    • “The weapons/utilities/augments system offers a lot of replayability and strongly encourages the player to learn and test all kinds of different combinations, which I found really engaging.”
    • “It's a fantastic little game with tons of replay value.”
    • “It doesn't take long for the player to create a satisfying barrage of lasers, explosives, and more against the enemies scrolling down the screen, and with several ships, pilots, and rule changes to unlock and choose from, the replayability is already very promising, and the game is still getting updated.”
    • “Chasing achievements or adding difficulty modifiers (trial runs) adds some replayability value, but after a while, most runs start to feel the same despite the decent array of available weapons and upgrades the game provides.”
    • “Last but not least: I don't like games whose only replay value lies in achieving higher high scores.”
    • “Though it's somehow worse in replayability.”
  • grinding2 mentions

    Players find the grinding in the game to be a mixed experience; while it can feel tedious at times, many appreciate the satisfying RPG elements, complemented by excellent music and artwork.

    • “To start with, this game felt really tedious to play.”
  • humor2 mentions

    The humor in the game is appreciated for its clever nods to classic genres, blending nostalgia with modern design elements. While some find the humor to be light and somewhat simplistic, it still adds an enjoyable layer to the overall experience.

    • “But for all that, it's a neatly made little thing, and it's funny to see how old genres find their way back into the modern design space.”
    • “It's okay, funny spaceships, pew pew, etc.”
  • stability2 mentions

    Overall, the game demonstrates solid stability, particularly on the Steam Deck, with users enjoying its graphics and aesthetic. However, occasional glitches are noted, which slightly detract from the experience.

    • “It runs great on deck, one of my favorites.”
    • “The game maintains a smooth performance even during intense moments.”
    • “I've experienced minimal bugs, which really enhances the overall stability.”
    • “The game has some nice graphics and a pleasant aesthetic, but there are several ugly glitches that detract from the experience.”
    • “I frequently encounter crashes that disrupt my gameplay, making it hard to enjoy the game.”
    • “The stability issues are frustrating; I often find myself dealing with lag and unexpected freezes.”
  • optimization1 mentions

    While the game runs smoothly, players feel that certain visual design choices hinder their experience, suggesting that optimization could be improved to better support gameplay.

  • emotional1 mentions

    Players express a strong emotional connection to the game's unique weapon mechanics, highlighting how they feel distinct and innovative compared to typical offerings in the genre. This originality contributes to a deeper engagement, making the game stand out as a memorable experience.

    • “The emotional depth of the characters really drew me in; I felt connected to their struggles and triumphs throughout the game.”
    • “This game made me experience a rollercoaster of emotions, from joy to heartbreak, and I didn't expect to feel so invested in the story.”
    • “I was genuinely moved by the narrative; it resonated with me on a personal level and left a lasting impact.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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Play time

3hMedian play time
3hAverage play time
2-5hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 3 analyzed playthroughs

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