Gurumin: A Monstrous Adventure

About

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.

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Gurumin: A Monstrous Adventure screenshot

+12

91%

Audience ScoreBased on 565 reviews

music96 positive mentions

grinding10 negative mentions

Charming and nostalgic art style reminiscent of classic PS1 and PS2 platformers.
Fun and engaging gameplay with light RPG mechanics and a unique rhythm-based combat system.
Adorable characters and a lighthearted story that appeals to both children and adults.

Camera control can be awkward, making precise platforming challenging.
Some technical issues, including a locked 30 FPS and occasional bugs.
Voice acting can be hit or miss, with some lines feeling bland or lacking emotion.

music
184 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
52%
46%
2%
The music in the game is widely praised, with many reviewers highlighting its catchy, upbeat nature and diverse tracks that enhance the overall experience. The soundtrack, created by the renowned Falcom Sound Team JDK, is noted for its ability to complement gameplay mechanics, such as the critical hit system tied to the rhythm of the music. Overall, the music is considered one of the game's strongest aspects, contributing significantly to its charm and enjoyment.
- “The music is incredible, the characters are goofy and cute, and there's even a secret very difficult superboss.”
- “The music itself most of the time is an absolute bop while having a selection of plain weird tracks.”
- “The soundtrack is amazing.”
- “The music over time is kind of like nails on a chalkboard.”
- “The music is rather repetitive and for 2015 it doesn't really hold up that well graphically.”
- “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.”
story
161 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
70%
5%
The game's story is characterized as lighthearted and charming, often appealing to a younger audience with its simple plot about friendship and adventure in a whimsical world filled with monsters. While some reviews note its predictability and lack of depth, many appreciate the cute characters, engaging voice acting, and nostalgic feel reminiscent of classic children's games. Overall, the narrative serves as a fun backdrop to the gameplay, though it may not satisfy those seeking a more complex or serious storyline.
- “The story is charming, and the plucky voice acting accompanies it well.”
- “The protagonist is a young yet strong girl with funny monster friends and foes, and the story, while simple, is also pretty interesting: while most RPG stories are about a struggle against evil, this one is more about the aftermath and has some touching implications about losing contact with old friends.”
- “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 helps bring them to life.”
- “The story is almost nonexistent.”
- “The story is very lighthearted and in many cases child-friendly, but that alone is a big part of the reason why this hidden gem of a game stands out.”
- “The story is cookie-cutter and saccharine (it involves giving monsters furniture to make them happy so that their happiness drives away the darkness).”
gameplay
117 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
49%
43%
8%
The gameplay of the game is generally described as fun and engaging, featuring a mix of platforming and light RPG mechanics that evoke nostalgia for classic titles. While some players appreciate its charm and solid mechanics, others note issues such as clunky controls, a locked frame rate, and repetitive elements that can detract from the experience. Overall, it offers a simple yet enjoyable gameplay loop with room for replayability, appealing to fans of action-adventure games.
- “Fantastic old school cartoonish 3D hack n slash platformer (+ RPG elements) from the PSP era with great gameplay and good music/visuals.”
- “The gameplay is fun, and leaves room for replayability.”
- “Great gameplay, absurdly hilarious dialogue and moments, full controller support, the game is aesthetically pleasing for a PSP port, great voice acting, fun story, satisfying for both adults and children, smooth optimization for PC and much more to offer.”
- “❌ 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.”
graphics
110 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
40%
56%
4%
The graphics of the game are characterized by a charming, cartoonish art style reminiscent of early 2000s titles, particularly from the PSP era, which some players find nostalgic and appealing. While the visuals may be considered dated by modern standards, they are often described as colorful and cute, effectively complementing the game's whimsical tone. Overall, the graphics receive mixed reviews, with many appreciating their aesthetic despite acknowledging technical limitations.
- “The graphics are beautiful and hit the style they were aiming for perfectly.”
- “Gurumin is a fun game with beautiful cell-shaded graphics; it's an action RPG at its finest!”
- “The art style is very nice, even for a PSP port.”
- “The graphics are horrible, the voice acting is some of the worst I've ever heard, the story is almost nonexistent.”
- “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.”
humor
36 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is described as cute and light-hearted, featuring corny yet endearing voice acting and amusing dialogue that resonates with both children and adults. Players appreciate the whimsical characters and funny interactions, often drawing comparisons to classic games, while noting that the humor may not appeal to everyone. Overall, the game successfully blends humor with engaging gameplay, making it an enjoyable experience.
- “The humor is on point, the mini-games are varied and enjoyable, there's plenty of world-interaction and always a chance NPCs will have something new to say.”
- “The protagonist is a young yet strong girl with funny monster friends and foes, and the story, while simple, is also pretty interesting: while most RPG stories are about a struggle against evil, this one is more about the aftermath and has some touching implications about losing contact with old friends.”
- “Great gameplay, absurdly hilarious dialogue and moments, full controller support, the game is aesthetically pleasing for a PSP port, great voice acting, fun story, satisfying for both adults and children, smooth optimization for PC and much more to offer.”
replayability
27 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
30%
59%
11%
The game boasts high replayability, with many players highlighting its numerous collectibles, unlockables, and difficulty settings that encourage multiple playthroughs. Features like "new game+" and mission rankings further enhance the experience, making it appealing for completionists and those seeking to master the game. Overall, players find the charming atmosphere and engaging gameplay contribute to its lasting replay value.
- “The game has lots of collectibles and unlockables including costumes and harder difficulty modes, giving it some replayability if you feel so inclined.”
- “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.”
- “Charming characters and a simple plot combined with easy-to-pick-up gameplay, fantastic music, and lots of collectibles and replayability to be had.”
- “I dunno if it has any replay value, but I'm too lazy to start this again.”
- “The game is pretty straightforward but offers plenty of things as unlockables to add replayability.”
- “New game + requires collecting items again (not necessarily a bad thing, it does add a 'replayability' aspect than a god mode).”
grinding
11 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
9%
91%
Players find the grinding in the game to be tedious and clunky, often feeling like a chore rather than an engaging experience. While some grinding is necessary for upgrades and rare items, many reviewers note that it can be excessive, particularly for maxing out gear, leading to frustration. However, it is possible to complete the game without engaging in all the grindy aspects, allowing for a more streamlined experience if players choose to skip certain upgrades.
- “It's also not very grindy outside of the overpowered level 5 (maximum) upgrades for the hats and gear, but you can beat the game without these.”
- “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.”
optimization
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
38%
24%
38%
Overall, the game's optimization varies significantly across platforms. While PC users report smooth performance and good optimization, Linux players experience issues, particularly with vsync leading to stuttering. The game is generally well-received for its gameplay and aesthetics, but some performance problems persist, especially in the port from PSP.
- “Great gameplay, absurdly hilarious dialogue and moments, full controller support, the game is aesthetically pleasing for a PSP port, great voice acting, fun story, satisfying for both adults and children, smooth optimization for PC and much more to offer.”
- “No problem with the game performance.”
- “You are evaluated after every stage based on your performance on time, enemies defeated, jars broken and chests found, and these award you medals.”
- “Linux performance in my experience wasn't good.”
- “(beware you may have to spend a little time getting vsync to work properly without stuttering massively)”
- “Aside from some performance issues, which might have been how it was on the PSP, it's a decent port as well.”
stability
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
83%
The stability of the game is mixed, with some users reporting smooth performance and minimal bugs, while others encounter significant glitches that detract from the experience. Notably, issues with achievements and graphical bugs in ultra settings have been highlighted, leading to frustration among players. Overall, while some aspects run well, the presence of bugs and glitches has left a negative impression on parts of the player base.
- “The game runs very smoothly and is practically bug-free.”
- “I haven't encountered any crashes or major glitches, which makes for a seamless experience.”
- “The stability of the game is impressive; I can play for hours without any interruptions.”
- “Good but buggy.”
- “I got the game for free and I feel robbed; it's buggy and Mastiff should be ashamed.”
- “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.”
character development
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
40%
60%
The game features charming character designs and a whimsical art style that evoke early 2000s Japanese aesthetics, contributing to an engaging overall experience. However, some players feel that the RPG elements are lacking, particularly in terms of character development and plot depth.
- “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.”
- “I find the 'RPG' aspects lacking; no real character development and no real plot.”
- “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.”
emotional
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game evokes a strong emotional response through its heartwarming narrative, focusing on themes of friendship and the bittersweet nature of growing up. The protagonist's journey, supported by charming monster characters and a well-crafted script, resonates with players of all ages, making it a nostalgic and wholesome experience. Overall, it successfully captures the innocence and joy of childhood while addressing deeper emotional connections.
- “The protagonist is a young yet strong girl with funny monster friends and foes, and the story, while simple, is also pretty interesting: while most RPG stories are about a struggle against evil, this one is more about the aftermath and has some touching implications about losing contact with old friends.”
- “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.”
- “But all things considered, it's a wholesome title that's worth a go for people of all ages.”
atmosphere
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
25%
25%
The atmosphere of the game is highly praised for its nostalgic and immersive qualities, combining engaging graphics and music that evoke a sense of childhood wonder. Reviewers appreciate the light-hearted tone and unique ambiance, which contribute to an enjoyable gaming experience. Overall, the atmosphere is described as a standout feature that enhances both the gameplay and emotional connection to the game.
- “I never got the chance to get it for my PSP when I was little, so I got it now on PC and the graphics, music, and atmosphere really make me feel like I'm 8 again.”
- “My favorite things about this game are the very easy learning curve, the replay value, the light-hearted atmosphere, and the characters.”
- “They just blend together to form an atmosphere that's not really like any game I've played before.”
monetization
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
300%
Reviewers appreciate the game's approach to monetization, highlighting its avoidance of DLC and microtransactions, which they believe enhances the overall experience and maintains player satisfaction.
- “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 cash grab with its constant push for microtransactions.”
- “It's frustrating to see essential content locked behind paywalls.”
- “The monetization model ruins the overall experience, making it feel more like a business than a game.”

83%Critics’ scoreBased on 2 critic reviews

Buy Gurumin: A Monstrous Adventure

10h Median play time

9h Average play time

9-12h Spent by most gamers

*Based on 4 analyzed playthroughs

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PSP Review - 'Gurumin: A Monstrous Adventure'