• Publisher: Sega
  • Release Date: Sep 16, 2002
Metascore
65

Mixed or average reviews - based on 28 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 28
  2. Negative: 7 out of 28
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  1. Entertainment Weekly
    91
    Has an elegant anime look that makes it a must-play East-meets-Western. [11 Oct 2002, p.86]
  2. It has a lot of excitement and endless action for those action gurus who enjoy toting dual guns and a few rocket launchers here and there. If you are a serious fan of blowing stuff up, this is a game you must own.
  3. 81
    Brilliant looks and attitude (each new level starts with the message "Kick Their Ass!") only get you so far.
  4. Play Magazine
    80
    If the first minute of the opening cinema doesn't move you in some way, you bought the wrong gme, but if it does, well, you can join our club. [Sept 2002, p.65]
  5. 80
    Shooting things, when properly presented, is one hell of a lot of fun, and Gungrave presents more shooting packed more densely with more impressive style than just about any other game in the last several years.
  6. netjak
    79
    For what the game is, a stylish, in-your-face, shoot everything in sight, moving or not, killfest, the game's excellent. [Import]
  7. A lot like Gradius or Raiden. You’re basically maneuvering around enemy fire while mashing on the fire button.
  8. I really enjoyed Gungrave. I was able to come to terms with it’s short play length and old school simplicity, but I understand that this game might not pack enough staying power to warrant the $50 price tag.
  9. For some inexplicable reason, while playing Gungrave I couldn’t help but think about old “shooter” games like "Zaxxon" and "Galaga" despite the fact that Gungrave isn’t set in space and there were no aliens to be seen anywhere.
  10. Manages to bring a highly developed artistic sense to the table.
  11. It's very short--you'll play through it in an afternoon easily, unless you have trouble with the bosses, but the visuals and adrenalin-overdose gameplay make it one of the most visceral and fun PS2 action game I've played yet.
  12. Official U.S. Playstation Magazine
    70
    A feast for the eyes. [Oct 2002, p.147]
  13. Game Informer
    70
    The coolest, most bad-ass new character I've seen in a game since "Devil May Cry"'s Dante. [Oct 2002, p.85]
  14. 70
    Any game that kicks off each stage with the phrase “Kick Their Ass!” can’t be all bad, and Gungrave is far from a dog.
  15. Basically a vanity game made by Anime fans for Anime fans which sticks to its guns to create a shallow shoot-’em-up with an inspired styling.
  16. Electronic Gaming Monthly
    68
    It's all style and relentless action so over the top it makes "Doom" look like "Mary Kate and Ashley: Girls Night Out." [Oct 2002, p.179]
  17. While it may get 10 out of 10 for style, this title is plagued by clunky controls and a rather short shelf life. [Import]
  18. 65
    Suave and stylish, courtesy of character designs by famed anime artist Yasuhiro Nightow (Trigun), it's unfortunately far too short, underwhelming, and the general aesthetic is liable to be beyond the comprehension of anyone who couldn't tell a Gundam from a gumball.
  19. Playing Gungrave is like having great sex: an intense and thoroughly enjoyable experience while it lasts and you’re in the right state of mind (right B?). Unfortunately the experience isn’t too fulfilling and doesn’t last long-enough to justify paying $50 for it.
  20. No game in recent memory serves as a better example of style over substance.
  21. Gungrave definitely looks cool. It's also a textbook case for why great graphics don't do you much good if the underlying game is shallow.
  22. I wish Grave was faster, had some cooler dodge moves, and the game played faster. So much style has all been squandered on a game that just doesn’t seem that fun to play after the first hour or so.
  23. Stood next to any of the better games of the year, Gungrave feels like a depressingly hollow experience designed to showcase some nifty graphics.
  24. 40
    A game painstakingly styled, but so lacking in depth it's almost embarrassing.
  25. 40
    The game can be completed in less than two hours, cut scenes included. Yes, there's much beauty in a simple control scheme, but not when it reaches the point of redundancy.
  26. PSM Magazine
    40
    The actual gameplay itself is woefully shallow. [Oct 2002, p.40]
  27. While playing Gungrave, I found myself glancing at the clock over and over, seeing how much time had passed. The game felt really, really long as it droned on and on. The sad part is that the game is actually quite short — it's just that damn boring.
  28. A great animated cartoon cleverly disguised as a rather lame Playstation 2 game. Great presentation is wasted on forgettable gameplay.

Awards & Rankings

67
#67 Most Discussed PS2 Game of 2002
54
#54 Most Shared PS2 Game of 2002
User Score
8.0

Generally favorable reviews- based on 30 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 24 out of 30
  2. Negative: 2 out of 30
  1. Aug 16, 2016
    8
    An incredibly short, but very stylish third person shooter. It has exceedingly simple gameplay and little replay value, but I can forgive itAn incredibly short, but very stylish third person shooter. It has exceedingly simple gameplay and little replay value, but I can forgive it this for its excellent presentation. Full Review »
  2. Feb 13, 2023
    8
    Short, straightforward and simple.

    Like many games of the early 2000s, Gungrave epitomized the arcadeyness that still persisted early in
    Short, straightforward and simple.

    Like many games of the early 2000s, Gungrave epitomized the arcadeyness that still persisted early in the sixth console generation.

    From end level scoring & bosses to linear level design and combat that was simple & fun but made an effort to not overstay it's welcome with a runtime spanning 2-3 hours.

    Twenty years later Gungrave still holds up visually thanks to it's cel shaded art design and still remains a game that's easy to pick up and play.

    It's a much overlooked game of it's generation but deserves to hailed up next to similar games of it's era, such as Devil May Cry, Shinobi & Viewtiful Joe.

    Also... you're doing yourself a great disservice if you haven't watched the anime. It's not a necessary component to enjoying the games; it's just really good.
    Full Review »
  3. Mar 25, 2022
    7
    gungrave a truly unique and entertaining PS2 game which is better if you have watch the anime.If I had not watch the anime, I would not havegungrave a truly unique and entertaining PS2 game which is better if you have watch the anime.If I had not watch the anime, I would not have enjoyed this match the problem is that all the context and story is in the anime and there's barely anything inthe PS2 game.But what is there is serviceable at least and the gameplay and graphics holds up surprising wall. hat to do some button remapping because I wanted to shoot on the R2 trigger and it worked and I enjoyed it way more and it's not that difficult to where you are losing a teeth. So that's always the best. Full Review »