Gungnir

 PSP
  • Publisher: Atlus
  • Release Date: Jun 12, 2012
User Score
8.4

Generally favorable reviews- based on 33 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 24 out of 33
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 33
  3. Negative: 2 out of 33
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  1. Cyanurea
    Jul 5, 2018
    9
    The most creative turn-based strategy game I have ever played, with one of the grittiest plots I've ever seen in an JRPG, reminiscent of Apartheid. If you like difficult SRPGs, play this game.
  2. BlackRenshai
    Jun 17, 2012
    10
    First impressions: For one, disregard the official 'critic' who wrote that the story does not develop for twelve hours, it develops quite fast and with excellent writing within the first hour! All fans of Tactics Ogre, Final Fantasy Tactics and similarFirst impressions: For one, disregard the official 'critic' who wrote that the story does not develop for twelve hours, it develops quite fast and with excellent writing within the first hour! All fans of Tactics Ogre, Final Fantasy Tactics and similar games will immediately feel right at home. I've been playing tactical RPGs since Sega's original Shining Force, and this one is on par with any of the aforementioned games in quality of story and emotional attachment you will develop toward that characters. Graphics are excellent, the combat is intuitive, maps are varied and challenging, yet not overly so, unit upgrades and hiring is fun and well thought out though not ground breaking, and the musical score is beautiful and haunting.

    This game is WELL worth the price tag of $29.99. You will NOT regret it!    … Expand
  3. Jacktheripper99
    Oct 16, 2012
    3
    Terrible gaming mechanics, and touch of unbalance game-play, and a lack-luster story = Gungnir. The visual presentation is top notch and the music is great, but outside of that, this isn't a good SJRPG at all. A easy pass, and a last disappointing way too return to the psp. Most of the offical critics got it right this time around.
  4. Valens
    Jul 31, 2012
    7
    Gungnir is a good game with a nice story and some good tactical battles, a shame it's rather short and too simple for its own good, despite Sting's fame for complex battles. Still, it's a nice pick for any strategy fan, even if I think Growlanser is by far stronger, better and deeper than this if you're to buy a new Psp game.
  5. Vectus
    Aug 10, 2017
    1
    poor mans final fantasy tactics poor story the game play was lack luster and the art style was bleh to look at. just a generally lack luster srpg especially compared to the greats of old
  6. blakfayt
    Aug 25, 2022
    5
    Can't give the game much higher than "it functions." It's a tactical RPG, the plot is nice and dark, but the mechanics literally kill it. Why, tell me why, they decided you can move one unit per player turn, but the game gets to move each of its units independently. It's like playing chess where you get to move one piece as usual, but your opponent can move all of their pieces at once.Can't give the game much higher than "it functions." It's a tactical RPG, the plot is nice and dark, but the mechanics literally kill it. Why, tell me why, they decided you can move one unit per player turn, but the game gets to move each of its units independently. It's like playing chess where you get to move one piece as usual, but your opponent can move all of their pieces at once. It's not broken, you can play around it, but that's what it feels like. It feels like rather than coming up with a decent system, sticking to what works, and making something palatable, they went, "Let's make artificial difficulty out the wazoo with how you move your units, come up with a dozen BS systems that make late game weapons nearly useless, oh yeah, and we ran out of budget, so here's a mid-game twist that comes at the end of the game." This is why no one has heard of the Department of Heaven series. This is why Yggdra Union is the most popular game they've put out (because it's the most normal.) If you're a hardcore strategy game fan, this will probably give you all sorts of fun, but for the more casual audience, this game's just drek. It's not even worth pirating.… Expand
  7. Nemyue
    Sep 29, 2016
    6
    Awesome initial story, characters and atmosphere.
    But it gets weird after 40% completion or something and there are so many MacGuffins.
    The game needs at least 1.5 times longer gameplay time to explain things that got ignored. the endings are terribly bad. Maybe the develper planned to make sequels but that never happened. Don't bother playing it unless you want to try the unique    Awesome initial story, characters and atmosphere.
    But it gets weird after 40% completion or something and there are so many MacGuffins.
    The game needs at least 1.5 times longer gameplay time to explain things that got ignored.
    the endings are terribly bad. Maybe the develper planned to make sequels but that never happened.
    Don't bother playing it unless you want to try the unique battle system.    … Expand
  8. Englad
    Oct 26, 2014
    9
    I actually enjoyed the multiple storylines this game has to offer, and I'm not usually one to do that. The storylines differ based on the difficulty curve - if your units get killed, you'll get a better outcome next level in a very early stage to help you along. This seems to be a very early stage only. I don't think losing the units again would prove worth it. Since I have discussed thisI actually enjoyed the multiple storylines this game has to offer, and I'm not usually one to do that. The storylines differ based on the difficulty curve - if your units get killed, you'll get a better outcome next level in a very early stage to help you along. This seems to be a very early stage only. I don't think losing the units again would prove worth it. Since I have discussed this gameplay mechanic and not spoiled anything I haven't included spoilers in my review. I wouldn't buy this trpg game and Hoshigami because unlike Hoshigami this trpg game Rewards you for moving your units.… Expand
  9. LaiusBunansa
    Jul 11, 2015
    8
    The game itself was great yet felt short. In terms of the plot, I enjoyed it. Battle System and Mechanics, felt short in a sense that it's just the old, plain, basic system tweaked to change it for the sake of changing it. The visuals were oh so stunning. I summon everytime just to watch it again and again. And that's one of the bad yet realistic element of the game. When you summon, youThe game itself was great yet felt short. In terms of the plot, I enjoyed it. Battle System and Mechanics, felt short in a sense that it's just the old, plain, basic system tweaked to change it for the sake of changing it. The visuals were oh so stunning. I summon everytime just to watch it again and again. And that's one of the bad yet realistic element of the game. When you summon, you can get hit also. But how come did you acquire it without being able to control who it attacks. There were bugs. But still, Gungnir can be considered as one of the best tactical rpgs of the PSP console. But not as great as Tactics Ogre, FFTWOTL and Jeanne D'Arc… Expand
  10. Icantspell
    Apr 10, 2019
    10
    Basically, this is a game with a great deal to offer. You can take a casual approach or really dig in and benefit from the strategy you give your characters. Should appeal to anyone who is already a fan of TRPGs.

Awards & Rankings

3
#3 Best PSP Game of 2012
2
#2 Most Discussed PSP Game of 2012
1
#1 Most Shared PSP Game of 2012

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
68

Mixed or average reviews - based on 11 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 11
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 11
  3. Negative: 1 out of 11
  1. RPG Fan
    Aug 13, 2012
    92
    If you're a more casual RPG player, you might want to give Gungnir a pass, but if you are a connoisseur of the SRPG genre, then Gungnir will delight you like few other games will.
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  2. Gaming Nexus
    Aug 1, 2012
    85
    Gungnir is a fine addition to the Dept. Heaven series of Sting games. It's got enough content to last a good 30+ hours, and offers an immense challenge that even tactical professionals will have a hard time tackling. Coupled with an intriguing story and Atlus' excellent localization, this game definitely shouldn't be missed by PSP owners.
    Read full review
  3. Cheat Code Central
    Jul 10, 2012
    68
    It'll scratch the itch of hardcore strategy fans, but there's not a ton to miss by skipping it, either.
    Read full review
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