#Azure Striker Gunvolt 3 – Destructoid
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“Azure Striker Gunvolt 3 – Destructoid”
Lightning strikes thrice
I say this so usually, nevertheless it’s arduous to think about a gaming panorama with out Inti Creates preserving old fashioned experiences for brand new audiences. Azure Striker Gunvolt 3 retains that practice rolling.
Azure Striker Gunvolt 3 (PC, Xbox Collection X/S, Nintendo Change)
Developer: Inti Creates
Writer: Inti Creates
Launched: July 28, 2022 (Change) / August 2, 2022 (Xbox) / This fall 2022 (PC)
MSRP: $29.99
At this level, we’re flush with Gunvolt video games. Right here’s a recap because the sequence kicked off in 2014:
And but, I’m not sick of all of it. Nonetheless!
Whereas the story nonetheless plunges into the depths of madness at occasions in Azure Striker Gunvolt 3, we’re as soon as once more grounded by the addition of a brand new playable character: Kirin. Well, Kirin is the main target this time, as she’s the core playable character, with Gunvolt serving as a swappable “bonus” of types. Enjoying as Kirin provides the sport a totally totally different really feel, since you possibly can just about play your complete sport with simply her.
Her hook is throwing talismans (type of like how Gambit throws playing cards in X-Males), which latch onto enemies just like Gunvolt’s lock-on characteristic. Besides this time, these talismans are “softening enemies up” for sword slashes, giving Kirin a “Zero to Gunvolt’s Mega Man X” gameplay juxtaposition. The complete “battle priestess” angle works by way of and thru, and her assaults have a number of aptitude to them that make her really feel totally different not simply in comparison with Gunvolt, however prior characters within the sequence.
It’s additionally actually intuitive. You gauge how a lot harm you’re going to do to enemies by marking them for demise, and just a little indicator comes up on their well being bar showcasing the harm you’ll deal in the event you hit them whereas talismans are hooked up. You may load up enemies whilst you’re dodging round after which shut the hole and slash away. It’s a nimble and enjoyable mechanic in apply. You then add in a splash slash for locomotion (particularly triggered by chucking talismans at both enemies or particular objects that may be focused, like lamp posts), on high of extra skills for Kirin to proceed a combo with out touching the bottom, and you bought a stew going.
As beforehand talked about you possibly can swap to Gunvolt, who’s extra like a timed cheat code. He has infinite jumps (thus permitting you to clear giant platforming sequences that Kirin has to work to get by way of) and very highly effective assaults, mimicking his older fashion of firing a focusing on gun at enemies, in order that he can unleash homing lightning assaults that do the entire actual harm.
With this technique, the concept is that Gunvolt spends time in a wolf kind (which is a part of the story, gleaned early on), following Kirin round, however with assistance from a separate energy meter (which might usually go from 0% to 300%), you possibly can set off a metamorphosis and management Gunvolt straight so long as you have got 100% meter or above. From that time on the clock is ticking, and dropping to 0% (or manually swapping again) will carry Kirin again into the fold.
It’s intelligent since you solely have to make use of Gunvolt as a lot as you wish to. If desired, you might principally simply play as Kirin your complete time. However in the event you want just a little decide me up (as a result of Kirin is low on well being, battling a boss, otherwise you hold falling down pits), Gunvolt is a fast button press away. Making Kirin the main target is good, as a result of followers who might want an air of familiarity can nonetheless get it, however Azure Striker Gunvolt 3 forges its personal path with a brand new hero. I wouldn’t thoughts seeing Inti Creates repeat this method going ahead.
Very like different Gunvolt entries, a rating assault factor could be very a lot entrance and middle. Kirin not touching the bottom, or not swapping to Gunvolt — all of it makes for higher clear scores, and I can’t wait to see what the neighborhood has in retailer with Kirin, Gunvolt, and Kirin/Gunvolt speedrun classes. From there, it’s a conventional Gunvolt sport with an intro stage, 4 bosses that may be executed in any order, a mid-point stage, extra selectable bosses, then a finale. You’ll purchase new skills for Kirin alongside the best way (largely within the type of blade skills and passives that modify your stats or skills), in addition to power-ups of types that may name in friendlies like a Marvel vs. Capcom help.
As is the case with a number of different Inti Creates initiatives, you gained’t be too confused leaping proper into the threequel, as issues are defined by way of fast bits of expository dialogue in cutscenes. In different phrases, you gained’t be misplaced, however there are direct narrative continuations and references to previous video games that prior followers will take pleasure in (to not point out that the sequence as a complete, particularly if we’re simply speaking in regards to the two prior important entries, isn’t that massive of a time sink). A full (serviceable) English dub will make that every one the extra palatable to first-time audiences.
Not all the things lands story-wise, nevertheless it does have this very tight cast-driven really feel, as a part of the narrative depends on changing individuals on the enemy facet to your trigger. Foolish dialogue (together with one boss and later companion that’s obsessive about muscle tissues) propels a few of the much less enjoyable fights ahead, although it may obfuscate a number of boss encounters with all of the HUD components turned on. Generally your complete display is stuffed with insane textual content/results to the purpose of parody, however these results do assist set this sequence aside — particularly the spoken phrase particular strikes that the majority have correct names.
Azure Striker Gunvolt 3 could be very paying homage to previous video games as a baseline, however I’m greater than okay with that as a result of it does deviate the place it counts (and hardcore followers will discover a number of different nuances too). Inti Creates can hold making tight motion platformers for an indefinite period of time so far as I’m involved. I’ll hold parroting this till the cows come residence, however give them Mighty No. 9. Preserve giving them spinoff initiatives like Curse of the Moon. This studio has a chokehold on the style.
[This review is based on a retail build of the game provided by the publisher.]