Gungrave

 PlayStation 2
  • 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. Mixed: 12 out of 28
  3. Negative: 7 out of 28
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  1. Adrenaline Vault
    70
    Manages to bring a highly developed artistic sense to the table.
  2. Electric Playground
    70
    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.
  3. Official U.S. Playstation Magazine
    70
    A feast for the eyes. [Oct 2002, p.147]
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  5. 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]
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  6. GamePro
    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.
  7. TotalGames.net
    69
    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.
  8. 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]
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  9. XenGamers
    67
    While it may get 10 out of 10 for style, this title is plagued by clunky controls and a rather short shelf life. [Import]
  10. Playboy
    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.
  11. PSX Nation
    60
    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.
  12. GameCritics
    60
    No game in recent memory serves as a better example of style over substance.
  13. GameSpot
    51
    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.

Awards & Rankings

67
#67 Most Discussed PS2 Game of 2002
54
#54 Most Shared PS2 Game of 2002

User Reviews

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User Score
8.0

Generally favorable reviews- based on 30 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 24 out of 30
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 30
  3. Negative: 2 out of 30
  1. Captain_Chaos
    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. DeadsFortune
    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. frederik1478
    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 »
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