Customer Reviews

Gungrave

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(15)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Gungrave's character designs were done by the guy behind Trigun, and it shows. The pseudo-futuristic Western style mixed with an undead main character definitely works well, and Beyond the Grave (yes, that's your character's name) strikes an imposing profile, with his own coffin slung from chains wrapped around his arms.

If Gungrave is anything, it's stylish. From heavily stylized CG cel-shaded cutscenes, to the... logo at the beginning of each level (I kid you not - though this will probably be hit by the censors), everything in Gungrave oozes 1.) style and 2.) a sense that you must shoot everything on screen.

The controls are a little strange - Beyond the Grave walks at a snail's pace. You can make him move faster by running, or by clicking down on the stick, but his basic movement is *extremely* slow. This is again, probably a stylistic choice, as BtG isn't supposed to be a super-fast action hero - he's Death incarnate, and it would seem Death is content to take his time.

The graphics are, again, heavily stylized, and textures on everything retain a look like they were stripped out of an anime. There's a lot of explosions, some neat effects, and a bit of slowdown.

The biggest problem in this game is that there simply isn't much to do. As satisfying as it is to mow down enemy after enemy, it gets tiring after a few hours - either fortunately, or unfortunately, the game as a whole only lasts about this long. While the combo system and unlocking demolition shots gives it some semblance of replay value, the game itself isn't really complex enough to warrant playing it over and over. As fun as it is, just be warned, it's short.

So, if you're looking to blow off some steam, and destroy everything in sight, Gungrave's certainly an option to consider. Just be wary that the experience is brief, but intense.

Ok let me clear this up, the gungrave anime came out AFTER Gungrave the PS2 game. The gungrave anime tells the story of Brandon Heat (Beyond the Grave), his dealings in the syndicate Millenion, how he was killed, and the deal with his "best friend" Harry, the current boss of Millenion. The show also explains everything about the orcmen and the technology used to bring the dead back to life, "Necro-rise". The show takes place before the game untill episode 17.

I would recommend watching the show first (DVD volume 1 is out in america right now, but its available through fansub if you can find it.), and then playing the game.

Forget what you've read about being able to beat this one blindfolded, it's just not true. In addition to offering the most frentic anti-hero action this side of DMC, Gungrave's massively sprawling levels will certainly require your full attention span, all 6 of them that is. Yep, there's the rub folks. Gungrave is awesome, no doubt, but is there enough to warrant a purchase?Featuring outstanding cel-shaded graphics and character designs by the folks behind the hit anime series "Trigun," Gungrave certainly doesn't lack personality. In fact, the whole game is presented like an anime, with an entertaining albeit disposible plot unfolding via slick cutscenes, all of which are in japanese and subtitled in english! Gameplay wise Gungrave could be called shallow. Essentially shoot everything on screen using your impossibly large twin pistols, "Cerberos." There is a little depth here, a decent combo system, unlockable special attacks, a shield system, but chances are you will hardly notice with all the insane violence on screen. In fact, the action can get so intense the game will at times suffer slight slowdown, but in all fairness this effect will probably help your gameplay more than hinder it.So what we have is an arcade game that falls into all of the arcade game trappings, it's graphically superb but too short and not extremely difficult. However, as my rating implies, its charming characters and music should entertain. Don't write this one off! For anime fans, a must own title, for everyone else, at least rent this one. After all, sometimes you just need a game where all you do is blow stuff up!

I've been waiting for this game. I have always been watching Trigun and Gungrave. This game is the best. Though only six levels the content makes up for it. You unlock anime movies and over 70 action figures. The basic concept here is that your a duel wield hand gun zombie with a coffin that shoots rockets and kill things. Most of the levels do have destructible things. Like trash for instance. There are also special weapons needed to be obtained. Including some Nightmarish Boss Battles and diposable enemies. This is mainly an arcade type game. Replay the levels if you like and try to get the high score. With only about four hours of gameplay this is a decent game with some dramatic movie-quality cut-sceens, and the main character looks nice. Rated Mature, and is brought to you by SEGA for the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system. Now is the time to exact your deadly revenge with precision and grace.

Gungrave comes to us from the great animators of the Trigun anime series. Unfortunately, while the cut scenes are great, you only get 6 levels and a few hours of gameplay.

I love the Trigun series, so I had high hopes for this arcade button-masher that used the Trigun animator, Yasuhiro Naito, to design the characters and draw the cut scenes. And yes, you definitely can get the Trigun feel in this game.

You are a zombie in black and red, carrying around your coffin. Just like Wolfwood, your coffin is a weapon that you can launch rockets out of and swing around like a battle axe. You shuffle through each level, firing unlimited rounds with repeated button hammering and occasionally launching a special missile.

The game claims to have a "fully destructable environment", which had me expecting a Red Faction level of coolness. Unfortunately, they really only meant you could blow up boxes and furniture, which has been a staple of gaming since the days of Doom.

There's a nice "Go Here!" set of arrows always leading you forward, but it's only a few hours until you get to the end of Level 6 and the game is over. You could replay the levels over and over to try for a top score in each one, but there just isn't much fun challenge in it.

Recommended as a rental for anime fans, but only die hard Trigun enthusiasts will want to buy this one.

Where to start... hmm.. This game is very two sided. the Cell shading, anime FMV's, and overall concept of the game is quite spectacular. It's a shame the game takes about 2 hours to beat, and there is very little variation between the six stages.. Yes i said six stages.. You would think that a...game [at this price] would have more then six...stages!! oh well. The idea behind Gungrave is you are this undead gangsta named Grave who is seeking revenge on some bad guys for some unknown reason. the story unfolds as the game goes on, yet lacks any serious clarity. Every level is very much alike. Grave runs throughout the levels blasting up baddies with his guns and uses a coffin to help slash up enemies and fire some devastator shots and what not. The boss sequences are the only part of this game that shows variation, but there are only 4 or 5 bosses throughout the game. Gungrave is incredibly easy to beat, until the last two bosses which become extremely difficult. Bottom line.. I recommend this game to anyone who is a fan of anime, because the anime sequences are rather breath-taking, which is something the gameplay definatly lacks. I wouldn't recommend purchasing it, which is the mistake i made. Instead try renting it first to see if it floats your boat. I gave it 3 stars because it has some really cool aspects and some really trite aspects, in fact this game gets extremely hackneyed within the first 5 minutes. :(

While the game does have some flaws(i'll get to those later) it has a lot of other things that make it great. First off, to all those people who say the game's to easy, ...(hardest difficulty level), just go to the options menu and turn that on and you'll find yourself having a bit of trouble just standing in one place and shooting. The game has excellent graphics, very little if any slowdown, crisp and clean cutscenes, and a very interesting story. The main character is good but he has very little personality throughout most of the game. The demolition shots are also cool, who wouldnt want to shoot up undead thugs with a missle launcher/coffin. Boss battles are cool, but have little depth. And finally, this game is just plain fun. Its a game you dont have to work hard to look cool in. As for the bad things, Its short. You could easily pick up a controler and beat it without putting it down. another weakness is grave, the main character, is very slow and immobile. Finally, the game has little variety, it almost seems like one big level. Great game, but in my opinion, too short. Quality may be better than quantity, but quality is no good if you run out in 2 hours.

This has got to be the most underrated videogame I've ever had the pleasure of playing. I spit on those who deem it shallow and didn't play it hard and deeply enough to catch a glimpse of its true greatness. They just laid waste to everything in the game and thought that was it. I've watched alot of Hong Kong action movies, and I would love nothing more than to do all the cool stuff Chow-Yun fat does. In Gungrave, if I try hard enough, then all of that really cool stuff is possible. The great part is that doing all of it nets really huge points. So basically I'm being awarded for being a total badass in the game and having loads of fun. Unlike most other games, Gungrave is only fun if you make it fun. If you are limited, then Gungrave is limited. Already I can tell that most people who played this game are limited. I pity you, Magnolia fans!!!!!! Go back to your bathtubs filled with rose petals and stay away from this awesome game!!!!!!

"Gungrave" casts you as Brandon, a fairly ambiguous undead [killer] whose background is only partially revealed, and, being dead already, he is very hard to [eliminate]. Until you actually play the game, you have no idea just how tough this fellow can be! Bullets seem to bounce off of him, his health replenishes itself with the more carnage he causes, and on top of that he is armed with two heavy-duty pistols that never run out of ammo, and a coffin that also doubles as a rocket launcher. Oh, yeah, and he wants revenge against the Syndicate that used to employ him, and he means to get it without ever uttering a single word. Such is the premise for this anime action game which either bears an eerily coincidental resemblance to Monolith's "Blood" series or borrows from the games liberally. After all, you're an anti-hero resurrected from the grave dressed in semi-Western duds sporting heavy firepower, only in this case the game plays like a cross between "Max Payne" and "Time Crisis." It's good stuff, but good, at best, is all that can be said of it given some of the developers' very significant oversights.

The Pros:

· Excellent cel-shaded graphics bring you into a very creative and memorable world.
· Awesome cut-scenes, and an interesting, if sometimes muddled, storyline. This game is like playing a movie.
· The action is hot and heavy, and never relents.
· Your character really does feel unstoppable, and sometimes it gives you a twisted sense of pleasure to be taking on his in-game persona.
· Great soundtrack and sound effects.

The Cons:

· As I said, this game is like playing a movie - and it will probably take you as long to finish the game as it would to watch a movie. This game is inexcusably short-lived.
· The action is jaw-dropping at first, but prolonged periods with the game will eventually numb your taste for it, as it can get repetitive.
· Yes, it's a rush to feel as unstoppable as Brandon sometimes does, but he is so bloody tough that he is rarely imperiled (with the exception of some later boss battles). Looking for a challenge? Avoid this one.

This game is hard to recommend to everyone given its mechanics and brevity, but for those of you who want an arcade-style experience at home with a better story than most, this is for you. It's not deep, but it has style to spare, and I found it impossible not to enjoy it while it lasted. It just didn't last very long. If you can get it at a low price and you dig the concept, then go for it. Otherwise you might want to pass.

Final Grade: C+ (or 4 stars on a curve)

Most people don't understand that this game is to pay homage to one of the greatest anime series to date. It is based after an anime of the same name, Gungrave. Grave, or Beyond the Grave is a character that was once known as Brandon Heat. A "sweeper" for the largest mafia syndicate in his city. He and his friend Harry McDowel rose through the ranks of the mafia at extreme rates due to their individual skills in what they did best. Harry was a cunning businessman and Brandon was a silent assassin. During the story, Harry betrays Brandon, kills him and pins his death as being a traitor killed for his own betrayal. Underground scientists give way to a new science called Necro-Rise which brings the dead back to life with extreme, almost invincible powers. Brandon, now Grave sets out to avenge his death and kill those who sent him to hell.

Overall the game is ok, but being a huge fan of this series, it pays homage to the anime perfectly and is a must buy for people who have actually seen it. Long live Brandon's True Grave power.