Gungrave

 PlayStation 2
  • Publisher: Sega
  • Release Date: Sep 16, 2002
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
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  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 it this for its excellent presentation.
  2. ActionBastard
    Jan 14, 2013
    8
    A great game often overlooked by many. This game upholds the tradition of great Japanese gaming classics: the gameplay is satisfying and never bogged down mid-level. The controls are wonderfully responsive, and despite the mayhem on screen it's never difficult to understand what is going on. In terms of presentation and story, it improves on its predecessor in every way by introducing evenA great game often overlooked by many. This game upholds the tradition of great Japanese gaming classics: the gameplay is satisfying and never bogged down mid-level. The controls are wonderfully responsive, and despite the mayhem on screen it's never difficult to understand what is going on. In terms of presentation and story, it improves on its predecessor in every way by introducing even more likeable characters, bigger levels and more of the same great, electrifying big band jazz BGM. Despite the limitations of the PS2 hardware which resulted in occasional frame-rate drops this game delivers a satisfying experience and an enjoyable story full of likeable characters. Despite being shallow in some aspects, I was nevertheless able to glean hours of fun from this game by replaying the story and bonus modes. Moreover, it did all of this at the price of a budget title. This is a must play if you own a PS2.… Expand
  3. 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 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    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.    … Expand
  4. schwa3
    Apr 9, 2020
    8
    Has a couple of glaring issues like horrific draw distance, short length (it took me about 2 hours to beat with multiple game overs), the story feeling like an abridged version of something much bigger, and level 6 being very bad, but you know what? It looks gorgeous and its pretty damn fun, and thats really all I was hoping to get out of it when I started it. I wouldn't suggest you go outHas a couple of glaring issues like horrific draw distance, short length (it took me about 2 hours to beat with multiple game overs), the story feeling like an abridged version of something much bigger, and level 6 being very bad, but you know what? It looks gorgeous and its pretty damn fun, and thats really all I was hoping to get out of it when I started it. I wouldn't suggest you go out and spend 60$ on it or something, but its a nice game to emulate if you just want something to blow through in an afternoon.… Expand
  5. Ryken
    Jul 5, 2021
    10
    Gungrave does everything it sets out to do, and while it may not be the longest or most complicated game, it’s nonstop action, unique art style, intriguing cutscenes, fun bosses, and replayability make it a game you’ll keep coming back to and a must-have for ps2 owners.
  6. NinjaMafia
    Aug 10, 2003
    8
    Gungrave is extremely stylish and thats most of the reason I like it so much. The storyline is engaging enough to keep you going throughout the game, however if the game was longer the storyline could have been something extremely better the gameplay is repetitive , but it reminded me of a really good arcade game where I don't have to put in tons of quarters to play. Overall Gungrave Gungrave is extremely stylish and thats most of the reason I like it so much. The storyline is engaging enough to keep you going throughout the game, however if the game was longer the storyline could have been something extremely better the gameplay is repetitive , but it reminded me of a really good arcade game where I don't have to put in tons of quarters to play. Overall Gungrave is worth at least a rent seeing how its so short. But if you love blowing crap up then Gungrave is your game… Expand
  7. J.H.
    Sep 1, 2002
    9
    While the gameplay may be a bit on the shallow side, Gungrave never ceases to amuse till the last cel shaded movie. The easiest way to describe it would be Devil May Cry with no puzzles and much more style.
  8. JesR.
    Jan 10, 2003
    10
    This game really kicks ass.
  9. StefanG.
    Jan 29, 2004
    10
    Super-cool and super fun. Most stylish game I have played (and I have played over 200). It is a masterpiece of gaming art conception. The fact that it is very short prevents it from being boring - you will for sure play this again in the future, unlike say any FF or other super lenghty game. So in th e enb you will no doubt get more than 30 hours of play out of it, only it will be because Super-cool and super fun. Most stylish game I have played (and I have played over 200). It is a masterpiece of gaming art conception. The fact that it is very short prevents it from being boring - you will for sure play this again in the future, unlike say any FF or other super lenghty game. So in th e enb you will no doubt get more than 30 hours of play out of it, only it will be because you will want to play it 20 times in the next 2 years.… Expand
  10. FlameSniper
    Nov 27, 2002
    8
    Man, why the hell is this game only getting so low ratings? It is a good game, a combination between Shinobi and Devil May Cry, if i may say so, haha...well, you don't need much intelligence to beat it but this is a cool opportunity to kick some serious ass. :)
  11. KyleB.
    Jan 17, 2003
    8
    This game is one of those games you can just pick up and play with out reading a game manual. Very much like Shinobi without the sword. In this game you take the role of a man who sold his soul for a body made for one thing in mind and that would be revenge on the syndicate. This game really offers nothing new in the light of action games, but has a certain style that makes it just a This game is one of those games you can just pick up and play with out reading a game manual. Very much like Shinobi without the sword. In this game you take the role of a man who sold his soul for a body made for one thing in mind and that would be revenge on the syndicate. This game really offers nothing new in the light of action games, but has a certain style that makes it just a tweak above the rest of the action games that I have had the luck to play. The story line is, well like most action games, nothing to be amazed about. The characters are about as deep as cardboard, and the enemies are plentiful. A game like this though is seldom played for a deep story and I doubt that any of you are actually rating this game because of the storyline or lack-there-of. But as far as game play goes it is simply wonderful with some but not lots of slow down. The game has lots of destroyable scenery and is a simple blast. … Expand
  12. ColR.
    Mar 15, 2004
    8
    It may be shallow, but it looks great, has incredible impact and above all else, it's very, VERY cool. It's a game that you would expect to find in an amusement arcade. Check your brains in at the door and play with your big bang stick!
  13. 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 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 buttongungrave 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.… Expand

Awards & Rankings

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

Critic Reviews

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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
  1. 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.
    Read full review
  2. Entertainment Weekly
    91
    Has an elegant anime look that makes it a must-play East-meets-Western. [11 Oct 2002, p.86]
  3. Adrenaline Vault
    70
    Manages to bring a highly developed artistic sense to the table.
    Read full review
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