Azure Striker Gunvolt: Striker Pack Review

Azure Striker Gunvolt: Striker Pack

Release: August 31, 2017
Publisher: Nighthawk Interactive
Developer: Inti Creates
Genre: Action, Adventure, Indie, Platformer, Switch Reviews
PEGI: T
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Do you like Mega Man? Do you like Japanese (anime) style action-platformers? Then you may be interested in Azure Striker Gunvolt: Striker Pack for the Nintendo Switch. Azure contains two games, Azure Striker Gunvolt and Azure Striker Gunvolt 2. The games are very much in the Mega Man vain and I will not even try to say that the games won’t appeal to those fans. But what about the rest of us? I kind of like Mega Man games, but I need a bit more than just a Mega Man clone here. Does the Azure games do anything unique? Will you want to play this game even if you’re not a Mega Man fan? Let’s take a look at Azure Striker Gunvolt: Striker Pack!

What are the Azure Striker Gunvolt games about? I’m still not sure. Both games stories are very confusing because they just throw plot points and dialogue at you very fast. You will continually get dialogue and story as you platform and shoot your way through levels. The Azure games have way too much dialogue and I found it impossible to play the game and pay attention to what was being said. The story and dialogue really get in the way of what is a pretty good Mega Man-like game.

The two Azure Striker Gunvolt games are pretty similar gameplay wise, its only their stories and protagonists that differ a bit. The basic run, gun, and jump gameplay stands the same. If you enjoy the first Azure Striker Gunvolt game, then you’ll probably want to play the second one to have even more fun in this universe.

I would say that if you’re not a Mega Man fan or an action/platformer fan, then these games won’t turn you into one. Neither of the games do anything different from what I’ve seen in Mega Man or other similar games. There are some light rpg elements and some unique powers, but the Azure games don’t really stand out from any other action-platformers I’ve played. The game can also get a bit too hard in places.

I’m not saying these bad games though. In fact, they are really good but they are only going to appeal to a certain audience. And the dialogue and story might get the way for some people. The gameplay and the games controls are pretty good though.

Both games do have very good controls and Mega Man/action-platformer fans will feel right at home with them. The Azure Striker Gunvolt games don’t use the touch screen or the motion controls of the Switch. The amiibo functionally does appear in Gunvolt 2. If you have a Shovel Knight amiibo (I wish I did) you should use it on Gunvolt 2! Both Azure games also have excellent HD rumble. And while you won’t find too much difference between the two games gameplay, there is a bit of difference in the way the two games look.

Azure Striker Gunvolt 1 and 2 are the same type of game but there are some noticiable differences between the two games. Azure Striker Gunvolt 1 looks good, however the second game looks even better. What are the differences between the two games?

The second game has more detailed character designs and backgrounds then the first game. Even the menu system in the second game looks better! Both games share similar static images for story “cutscenes”. Neither of the games look bad at all. In fact, they probably look better then some Mega Man games I’ve seen. Both of them look and run well on the TV screen and in handheld mode!

As for both game’s soundtracks, I thought the music in both games were ok but nothing memorable. There is Japanese voice acting in the game for those who want it and those who don’t can turn it off. The game’s sound effects are not bad. Both games have pretty much your standard Mega Man sound effects. In the end, I would recommend this collection if you are Mega Man fan and/or a fan of Japanese action platformers.

Azure Striker Gunvolt: Striker Pack is a good collection of games, especially if you like Mega Man or other action plaformers. I do think that the game’s story was confusing and I wish there wasn’t so much dialogue in the game. I also felt like the game’s soundtrack could be better. None of this will matter for people who like Mega Man and/or Japanese action platformers. I think those fans will really love this game.

Azure Striker Gunvolt: Striker Pack is out now for the Nintendo Switch. A review code of this game was provided by the publisher.

Positives

• Mega Man Fans Will Love These Games
• Good graphics
• Two games

Negatives

• Too Much Dialogue
• Confusing stories
• Soundtracks could be better

Trailer