Gurumin: A Monstrous Adventure

76%
Game Brain Score Based on 316 reviews
  • music
  • story
  • gameplay
Gurumin: A Monstrous Adventure Game Cover
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Gurumin: A Monstrous Adventure is an action-packed role-playing game where players control a brave young girl named Parin. Armed with a magical drill, Parin embarks on a mission to save a village of friendly monsters from an evil force. With exciting battles, vibrant graphics, and a host of charming characters, Gurumin offers a thrilling and engaging gameplay experience.

  • PC
  • Windows
  • Play​Station
  • PSP
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

76%
Audience ScoreBased on 316 reviews
music49 positive mentions
grinding4 negative mentions
  • Charming and nostalgic gameplay reminiscent of classic 3D platformers.
  • Engaging combat system with a unique rhythm-based critical hit mechanic.
  • Colorful graphics and a delightful soundtrack enhance the overall experience.
  • Unskippable cutscenes can be tedious, especially during retries.
  • Camera controls can be clunky, making platforming sections frustrating at times.
  • Some enemy placements and level designs can feel unfair, particularly for completionists aiming for high ranks.
  • music88 mentions

    The music in the game has received widespread acclaim, with many reviewers praising its catchy and upbeat soundtrack that enhances the overall experience. The integration of rhythm-based mechanics, where players can achieve critical hits by timing their attacks to the music, adds a unique layer to gameplay. While some tracks are described as less favorable, the majority of the soundtrack is considered a highlight, showcasing the charm and energy that complements the game's whimsical aesthetic.

    • “The music is so good and the characters are cute as hell!”
    • “The soundtrack is really good, and the game feels really nice once you understand the controls; also, Parin is a really charming protagonist!”
    • “The music is top-notch and catchy.”
    • “Some soundtracks you hear too much and really get annoying.”
    • “It's as though Gurumin saved all of its A-game material for later, then realized it still had to actually start somehow, so just threw in a montage of characters you don't know, to music that you weren't prepared for, then pretended it couldn't hear you when you told it to stop.”
    • “I'd have preferred if I could turn the music off despite its presence making it easier to get critical hits.”
  • story83 mentions

    The story of the game is generally described as simple and charming, appealing primarily to a younger audience with its light-hearted themes of friendship and adventure. While some reviewers note that the plot is predictable and occasionally lacks depth, others appreciate its nostalgic and whimsical elements, along with engaging characters and unexpected plot twists. Overall, the narrative serves as a fun backdrop to the gameplay, though it may not resonate with all players due to its childlike simplicity.

    • “It's a goofy story, with charming designs, and good music.”
    • “The story follows a young girl named Parin as she moves in with her grandpa to a mining city.”
    • “The story is heartwarming in a childlike way as both your monster friends and bad guys all have interesting personalities, and the well-written script and professional voice acting really help bring them to life.”
    • “The story is awful.”
    • “The story would be a lot more tolerable if I didn't have to sit through it at the excruciatingly slow pace that it unfolds.”
    • “There is a plot here... but it really would only appeal to young children (5-7 years old).”
  • gameplay54 mentions

    The gameplay is generally described as simple and fun, with a charming aesthetic and enjoyable mechanics, though some players note it can feel clunky and is locked at 30 fps. While the combat system includes interesting features like timing attacks for critical hits, it suffers from issues such as sluggish controls and repetitive elements. Overall, it offers a light-hearted experience that appeals to fans of action-adventure and RPG genres, despite some technical shortcomings.

    • “Truly a gem of a game - the cutscenes are awesome and the gameplay is fun.”
    • “Gameplay is a blast, the characters are cute and fun, and the soundtrack rules.”
    • “The gameplay is simple, relaxing, and really fun.”
    • “Gameplay is internally locked at 30 fps.”
    • “As for the gameplay itself... it's just simple and not complex at all.”
    • “Camera, controls, combat system, hitboxes, jumps - every mechanic is implemented badly.”
  • graphics48 mentions

    The graphics of the game are often described as charming and nostalgic, reminiscent of early 2000s titles with a cute, anime-inspired art style. While some players note the visuals are dated and occasionally choppy, many appreciate the colorful and whimsical aesthetic that enhances the overall experience. Overall, the graphics evoke a sense of nostalgia and fit well within the game's playful theme, despite some technical limitations.

    • “I really like this game's aesthetic.”
    • “The graphics are adorable and chibi and kawaii.”
    • “Graphically, Gurumin is somewhat blocky and basic, but it’s very colorful and each area you explore is filled with interesting inhabitants that evolve as you explore further, helping to reduce the repetition that often accompanies action RPGs.”
    • “The graphics are dated and the FPS is locked, but it doesn't bother me at all.”
    • “Graphics look like the original PSP version, so they aren't great for a PC game either.”
    • “Choppy graphics, repetitive gameplay, dreadful dialogue, and very generic backgrounds.”
  • humor20 mentions

    The humor in the game is generally described as cute and light-hearted, reminiscent of classic titles like "Legend of Mystical Ninja." While some find the humor enjoyable and fitting, others note that it may not appeal to everyone, with a mix of childish jokes and funny character interactions. Overall, players appreciate the comedic elements, which enhance the game's charm and engagement.

    • “The humor reminded me of an N64 game called Legend of Mystical Ninja.”
    • “It is funny in the old cartoon style along with a character I relate to. This game is so much fun!”
    • “The game is fairly light plot-wise, but it's enough to drive things forward, and the dialogue is often funny.”
  • replayability16 mentions

    Overall, the game is praised for its high replayability, with many players enjoying the abundance of collectibles, unlockables, and multiple difficulty settings. The charming atmosphere and engaging gameplay encourage players to revisit the game multiple times, with some even completing it several times while still seeking to achieve 100%. While a few users express some ambivalence about starting over, the general consensus is that the game offers significant replay value, especially for those who enjoy collecting and mastering its challenges.

    • “The game has lots of collectibles and unlockables including costumes and harder difficulty modes, giving it some replayability if you feel so inclined.”
    • “I dunno if it has any replay value, but I'm too lazy to start this again.”
    • “There is simply a ton of replay value and charming RPG elements that are well worth the $9.99 (guaranteed worth it if bought on sale).”
    • “A cute and fun action RPG, I love that it has so much replay value. I beat the game 4 times and I'm still not at 100%, and the best part is that the game was still fun even after the 4th walkthrough.”
  • grinding4 mentions

    Players find the grinding in the game to be tedious and clunky, often leading to frustration and a desire to disengage from the experience. The lengthy grind required to gather resources for upgrades, particularly to face a challenging optional boss, detracts from the overall enjoyment and highlights design flaws.

    • “Though this game is cutesy and has some charm going for it, it is immensely clunky and feels tedious to plow through.”
    • “In terms of criticisms, there's the previously mentioned optional super boss (who is awful), and the several-hour-long tedious grind to get enough scrap parts to upgrade one of the game's many hats to max rank.”
    • “Sorry folks, but when I reach the point where I want to turn the game off to go do housework because the game is so tedious, you know that there is a problem with its design.”
  • character development4 mentions

    The character development in this nearly 20-year-old game is praised for its vibrant, whimsical design and early 2000s Japanese charm, which effectively engages players. The combination of compelling story arcs, appealing character designs, and immersive audio-visual elements contributes to a captivating experience that feels both nostalgic and modern. Overall, the game's character development is highlighted as a key factor in its enduring appeal.

    • “I haven't played a game that grabs me in such a long time; from story arc and character design to gameplay, graphics, and music, Gurumin has it all.”
    • “There's a child-like whimsical nature encapsulated in the experience which the character designs, music, art style, and the totality of the visuals help convey.”
    • “The character designs, voice acting, animations, menu designs, music, and so forth all have that early 00s Japanese charm.”
    • “There's a child-like whimsical nature encapsulated in the experience which the character designs, music, art style, and the totality of the visual helps convey.”
  • optimization3 mentions

    Overall, the game's performance is solid, with no major issues reported during gameplay. However, players may need to invest some time to properly configure vsync to avoid significant stuttering.

    • “For most of the game, you go through small linear dungeon-like levels, defeat enemies, do a bit of light platforming, collect coins, and get rated on your performance at the end of the dungeon.”
    • “No problem with the game performance.”
    • “(beware you may have to spend a little time getting VSync to work properly without stuttering massively)”
  • atmosphere3 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is praised for its unique blend of difficulty and light-heartedness, creating an engaging experience that stands out from other titles. Players appreciate the easy learning curve and the replay value, which further enhances the overall ambiance and enjoyment.

    • “They just blend together to form an atmosphere that's not really like any game I've played before.”
    • “My favorite things about this game are the very easy learning curve, the replay value, the light-hearted atmosphere, and the characters.”
    • “But I managed to finish the game; I really liked the atmosphere and the difficulty.”
  • stability3 mentions

    Overall, users find the game's stability to be good but marred by bugs and glitches, particularly with the ultra graphics settings and certain achievement requirements that seem counterintuitive.

    • “Good but buggy.”
    • “Call me an old geezer, but I give the graphics 9.5/10 just because ultra is a bit buggy (but does this game really need ultra?).”
    • “There are some odd glitches - notably, you need to avoid S-ranking every single level in order to get the 'S-rank every single level' achievement.”
  • emotional1 mentions

    The game evokes a heartwarming emotional experience through its charming story, well-developed characters, and professional voice acting, which collectively enhance the connection players feel with both the friendly monsters and antagonists.

    • “The story is heartwarming in a childlike way, as both your monster friends and the antagonists have interesting personalities. The well-written script and professional voice acting really help bring them to life.”
    • “The emotional depth of the characters makes you truly care about their journeys, creating a connection that lingers long after the game is over.”
    • “Every choice you make feels significant, and the emotional weight of the narrative pulls you in, making you reflect on your own experiences.”
  • monetization1 mentions

    Reviewers appreciate the game's approach to monetization, highlighting its refusal to adopt DLC and microtransactions, which they believe enhances the overall experience and maintains player trust.

    • “The game offers a fair monetization model that respects players' time and investment.”
    • “I appreciate that the developers prioritize gameplay over aggressive monetization strategies.”
    • “The absence of pay-to-win mechanics makes the experience enjoyable for everyone.”
    • “The game feels like a constant push towards spending more money, which detracts from the overall experience.”
    • “I can't enjoy the game fully because it seems designed to make you pay for every little thing.”
    • “The monetization strategy is so aggressive that it ruins the immersion and fun of playing.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

83% average critic score

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Play time

9hMedian play time
8hAverage play time
4-10hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 3 analyzed playthroughs

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