Check Out Our Full Review of Gunbrella
Devolver Digital is always a driving force behind many incredible indie games, and Gunbrella, the latest game developed by doinksoft, is no different.
Gunbrella is a grungy noir-punk action adventure with a deep narrative that takes place in a world on the brink of collapse. Game Crater was lucky enough to go hands-on and experience the beginning of the game. This three-hour preview sets the stage for an intense adventure, combining an intriguing storyline with addictive gameplay mechanics.
“With the Gunbrella in your hands, you’ll experience a whole new level of excitement and freedom.”
In Gunbrella, you step into the shoes of a rough lumberjack seeking revenge in an unfamiliar town. Armed with a Gunbrella, a high-calibre firearm that doubles as an umbrella, you embark on a bottomless investigation with twists at every turn. The narrative drew me in, kept me on the edge of my seat, and spat me out right on a cliffhanger. Fortunately, during my playthrough, I have nothing but positive things to say about Gunbrella, as it offered more than just a gripping narrative.
One of Gunbrella‘s standout features is the Gunbrella itself, which is used as both your main weapon and a means of traversal. Its unique maneuverability allows you to glide, swing, dash, and dive through the world. The power of the Gunbrella is endless, and, with a small learning curve, you’ll be flying across the screen in no time.
Despite the Gunbrella being the only weapon in the game, it still serves as a versatile tool for combat. This unique weapon allows you to use different ammo types to defeat enemies, such as grenades and shotgun pellets, making it the ultimate weapon for any situation.
With the Gunbrella in your hands, you’ll experience a whole new level of excitement and freedom. From jumping and gliding to land on precise platforms, to grinding on a rope and blasting enemies below, the possibilities are endless. Did I mention that you can block bullets with it as well? It’s basically the full package. The Gunbrella is a great mechanic and I can’t wait to see how it can be implemented in the full game.
“With decrepit small towns connected by a barely functional train system to a junkyard fortress ruled by a ruthless trash gang, there is a lot to love in Gunbrella.”
As you progress, finding gears and money becomes crucial for upgrading your arsenal, and purchasing items at the shop. Gears allow you to customise your Gunbrella by increasing damage or reload speed. While these are currently the only accessible advancements, there will most likely be more upgradable options in the full game.
Furthermore, money is used for purchasing items from shops, including health items and alternative ammo. Money makes the world go round and you’ll need it just as much as gears when playing through Gunbrella. Fortunately, you can get it by destroying boxes or defeating enemies.
With any side-scrolling game, enemies and bosses must be considerably unique to prevent monotonous gameplay. Luckily, Gunbrella has it covered. From taking on an evil cult that kidnaps citizens to defeating creatures in the sewers underneath, there is plenty of enemy variety in Gunbrella. Moreover, every boss in the preview featured its own move set and dynamic movement. No two enemies can be approached the same way, so every encounter felt fresh. Although, this means you’ll probably get your ass whooped the first time around.
With decrepit small towns connected by a barely functional train system to a junkyard fortress ruled by a ruthless trash gang, there is a lot to love in Gunbrella. Each location is well-designed and filled with different bizarre characters, perfectly supporting the gritty atmosphere. Every interaction provides value and adds depth to the story, so you’ll never feel you are wasting your time with pointless communication.
Alongside the main story, character depth extends to side quests. In the first few hours, you are presented with optional quests in every town, which include interactions that provide multiple outcomes. Having random conversations with characters to meet them later in a bar with date propositions is something I could never have predicted, but something that made me enjoy the game that much more.
When Does Gunbrella Release?
Gunbrella’s preview version has left me with a lasting impression due to its enthralling narrative, addictive gameplay mechanics, and stunning visual design. The developers have created an engrossing world, and it shows great promise for the full release.
While Gunbrella‘s official release date is yet to be announced, after playing this preview, I can confidently say that Gunbrella has huge potential, and is definitely one to keep an eye on.