Gungrave G.O.R.E
A 2022 third-person shooter sequel with mixed reviews.
Gungrave G.O.R.E (Gunslinger of REsurrection) is a third-person shooter released in 2022. It was developed by South Korean studio IGGYMOB and published by Prime Matter. The game continues the story from Gungrave (2002), Gungrave: Overdose (2004), and Gungrave VR (2017). Critical reception at launch was mixed. A version for Nintendo Switch, titled Gungrave G.O.R.E Ultimate Enhanced Edition, arrived in 2023 with over 100 adjustments to the original. A remake using Unreal Engine 5, subtitled Blood Heat, has been announced for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series consoles.
The plot involves a drug called Seed, believed to have been wiped out, reappearing and turning users into monsters. Players control Beyond the Grave as he targets the Raven Clan, the group distributing the drug. The game is a third-person shooter where players fire dual pistols, swing Grave's coffin to strike nearby foes, and use special abilities like grabbing enemies for use as a human shield. Staying still boosts damage output, and chaining kills without pausing unlocks additional attacks. Prior knowledge of earlier games is not required.
Studio IGGYMOB, fans of the original Japanese game, initially had trouble finding investors due to the popularity of mobile games in South Korea. Early concepts included an open world, but this was dropped when it didn't suit their vision. The team cited the films *Equilibrium* and *Desperado* as influences. Prime Matter released the game for Windows, PlayStation 4 and 5, and Xbox One and X/S on November 22, 2022.
The Ultimate Enhanced Edition for Nintendo Switch, featuring over 100 gameplay improvements, was announced in September 2023. It launched in Europe on October 4, 2023, and in North America on October 18, 2023. Unlike the original, this version was self-published by Studio IGGYMOB. Beep Japan co-published it in Asia on January 11, 2024.
Reviews on Metacritic were mixed. IGN praised the style and combat but criticized repetitive enemies, difficulty spikes, and frustrating design choices. Hardcore Gamer described it as basic and repetitive, but recommended it for mindless play. Push Square said it felt like a lost PS2 game, recommending it only to series fans. Digitally Downloaded noted it fulfilled a fantasy of playing an almost-immortal protagonist in stylish action sequences, but called the result a terrible game.
Quick Facts
- Title
- Gungrave G.O.R.E
- Developer
- Studio IGGYMOB
- Publisher
- Prime Matter · Studio IGGYMOB (NS)
- Composer
- Tetsuya ShibataOthers composers who worked in the soundtrack are Yoshino Aoki, Shoya Kitagawa, Ren Tsukagoshi and Jong-Soo We
- Engine
- Unreal Engine 4
- Platforms
- PlayStation 4 / PlayStation 5 / Windows / Xbox One / Xbox Series X/S / Nintendo Switch
- Released
- PS4, PS5, Windows, XboxWW · November 22, 2022Nintendo SwitchEU · October 4, 2023 · NA · October 18, 2023 · JP · January 11, 2024
- Genre
- Third-person shooter
- Modes
- Single-player
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The game's story involves a drug called Seed, which was thought to be eradicated but returns, transforming its users into monsters. Players control Beyond the Grave as he attempts to kill the Raven Clan, who are distributing the drug. It is not necessary to have played the previous games in the series.
Studio IGGYMOB, a South Korean developer, were fans of the original Japanese video game. They initially struggled to find investors because mobile games were more popular in South Korea. Early designs included an open world element, but they abandoned this after finding it did not fit their vision. Influences included the films Equilibrium and Desperado.
A version with 'more than 100 gameplay improvements' was announced for Nintendo Switch in September 2023, titled Gungrave G.O.R.E Ultimate Enhanced Edition. It was released in Europe on October 4, 2023, and launched in North America on October 18, 2023. Unlike the original game published by Prime Matter, it was self-published by Studio IGGYMOB. Beep Japan co-published the game in Asia for release on January 11, 2024.
Reader's Guide
Gungrave G.O.R.E received mixed reviews on Metacritic. Critics noted its style and combat but pointed to shortcomings. IGN said it does not live up to its potential because of too-similar enemies, difficulty spikes, and 'often-frustrating design decisions'. Hardcore Gamer said it can be 'basic and repetitive' but recommended it for players who are looking for something they can play without thinking. Push Square said it 'genuinely feels like a lost PS2 game' but recommended it only to fans of the series. Digitally Downloaded's reviewer found it to live up a longtime fantasy of playing a nearly-immortal protagonist in a series of highly stylistic action sequences but found the result to be a terrible game. The game's significance lies in its revival of a dormant franchise, its development by a South Korean studio passionate about the original, and the subsequent enhanced edition and announced remake, which indicate continued interest in the property despite the mixed critical reception.
Did You Know?
- The game was developed by South Korean studio Studio IGGYMOB, who were fans of the original Japanese game.
- Early designs included an open world element, but it was abandoned as it did not fit the vision.
- The Ultimate Enhanced Edition for Nintendo Switch featured over 100 gameplay improvements.
- A remake with the subtitle Blood Heat in Unreal Engine 5 was announced for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series consoles.
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