Gungrave G.O.R.E

{{Infobox video game

| title = Gungrave G.O.R.E

| image = Gungrave G.O.R.E cover.jpg

| alt =

| caption =

| developer = Studio IGGYMOB

| publisher = {{ubl|Prime Matter|Studio IGGYMOB (NS)}}

| designer =

| programmer =

| artist =

| composer =

| series =

| engine = Unreal Engine 4{{cite web|url=https://www.unrealengine.com/en-US/developer-interviews/inside-the-development-of-beyond-the-grave-s-return-to-scumland|title=Inside the development of Beyond the Grave's return to Scumland|last=Crecente|first=Brian|work=Unreal Engine|date=2022-06-22|accessdate=2023-06-22}}

| platforms = {{plainlist|

}}

| released = PS4, PS5, Windows, Xbox{{vgrelease|WW|November 22, 2022}}Nintendo Switch{{vgrelease|EU|October 4, 2023|NA|October 18, 2023|JP|January 11, 2024}}

| genre = Third-person shooter

| modes = Single-player

}}

Gungrave G.O.R.E (Gunslinger of REsurrection) is a 2022 third-person shooter video game developed by Studio IGGYMOB and published by Prime Matter. It is the sequel to Gungrave (2002), Gungrave: Overdose (2004), and Gungrave VR (2017). The game received mixed reviews on launch. In 2023, it was released on Nintendo Switch as Gungrave G.O.R.E Ultimate Enhanced Edition, featuring over 100 changes to the base game.

Gameplay

Seed, a drug that was thought to be eradicated, returns and transforms its users into monsters. Players control Beyond the Grave as he attempts to kill the Raven Clan, who are distributing the drug. Gungrave G.O.R.E is a third-person shooter. Players can shoot enemies with dual pistols, swing Beyond the Grave's coffin to hit nearby enemies, and use several special abilities, such as grabbing enemies to use them as a human shield. If Beyond the Grave avoids moving, he can do extra damage. Additional attacks are unlocked if players continue killing enemies without any pauses in the action. It is not necessary to have played the previous games in the series.{{cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/gungrave-gore-review|title=Gungrave G.O.R.E Review|last=Borger|first=Will|work=IGN|date=2022-11-22|accessdate=2023-06-22}}

Development

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.{{cite web |last=Romano |first=Sal |date=2022-11-22 |title=Gungrave G.O.R.E now available – launch day interview with Studio IGGYMOB |url=https://www.gematsu.com/2022/11/gungrave-gore-now-available-launch-day-interview-with-studio-iggymob |accessdate=2023-06-22 |work=Gematsu}} Influences included the films Equilibrium and Desperado. Prime Matter released it for Windows, PlayStation 4 and 5, and Xbox One and X/S on November 22, 2022.{{cite web|url=https://www.gematsu.com/games/gungrave-gore|title=Gungrave G.O.R.E|work=Gematsu|date=7 October 2021 |accessdate=2023-06-22}}

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.{{cite web |last=Romano |first=Sal |date=September 12, 2023 |title=Gungrave G.O.R.E Ultimate Enhanced Edition announced for Switch |url=https://www.gematsu.com/2023/09/gungrave-gore-ultimate-enhanced-edition-announced-for-switch |access-date=October 4, 2023 |website=Gematsu}} It was released in Europe on October 4, 2023, and launched in North America on October 18, 2023.{{cite web |last=Romano |first=Sal |date=October 4, 2023 |title=Gungrave G.O.R.E Ultimate Enhanced Edition now available in Europe; launches October 18 in North America |url=https://www.gematsu.com/2023/10/gungrave-gore-ultimate-enhanced-edition-now-available-in-europe-launches-october-18-in-north-america |access-date=October 4, 2023 |website=Gematsu}} Unlike the original game published by Prime Matter, it was self-published by Studio IGGYMOB.{{cite web |title=Gungrave G.O.R.E Ultimate Enhanced Edition - Details |url=https://www.nintendo.co.uk/Games/Nintendo-Switch-download-software/Gungrave-G-O-R-E-Ultimate-Enhanced-Edition-2457754.html#gameDetails |access-date=October 4, 2023 |website=Nintendo UK Official Site}} Beep Japan co-published the game in Asia for release on January 11, 2024.{{cite magazine |date=September 20, 2023 |title=『ガングレイヴゴア Ultimate Enhanced Edition』Switch版が2024年1月11日発売。通常版、限定版のパッケージの予約受付が開始 |trans-title=Gungrave G.O.R.E Ultimate Enhanced Edition Switch version will be released on January 11, 2024. Now accepting reservations for regular and limited edition packages |url=https://www.famitsu.com/news/202309/20317546.html |magazine=Famitsu |access-date=October 4, 2023}}

Reception

Gungrave G.O.R.E received mixed reviews on Metacritic.{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/gungrave-gore/critic-reviews/?platform=pc|title=Gungrave G.O.R.E (PC)|work=Metacritic|accessdate=2023-06-22}}{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/gungrave-gore/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-5|title=Gungrave G.O.R.E (PS5)|work=Metacritic|accessdate=2023-06-22}}{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/gungrave-gore/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox-series-x|title=Gungrave G.O.R.E (Xbox Series X)|work=Metacritic|accessdate=2023-06-22}} Although praising its style and combat, 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.{{cite web|url=https://hardcoregamer.com/reviews/review-gungrave-g-o-r-e/430322/|title=Review: Gungrave G.O.R.E.|last=Shive|first=Chris|work=Hardcore Gamer|date=2022-11-22|accessdate=2023-06-22}} Push Square said it "genuinely feels like a lost PS2 game" but recommended it only to fans of the series.{{cite web|url=https://www.pushsquare.com/reviews/ps5/gungrave-g-o-r-e|title=Mini Review: Gungrave G.O.R.E. (PS5) - It's Definitely a New Gungrave|last=McCrae|first=Scott|work=Push Square|date=2022-11-22|accessdate=2023-06-22}} 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.{{cite web|url=https://www.digitallydownloaded.net/2022/11/review-gungrave-g-o-r-e-sony-playstation-5.html|title=Review: Gungrave G.O.R.E (Sony PlayStation 5)|last=Sainsbury|first=Matt|work=Digitally Downloaded|date=2022-11-25|accessdate=2023-06-22}}