Azure Striker Gunvolt: Striker Pack

 Switch
User Score
8.0

Generally favorable reviews- based on 51 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 39 out of 51
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 51
  3. Negative: 6 out of 51
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  1. FrankoAmmo
    Feb 12, 2018
    8
    Bought the physical version for the Switch at Christmas and just completed Gunvolt 1 (january 9th 18) which was pretty good!! I loved the story (too much dialogues for me tho), the gameplay was great, the bosses were engaging, the level designs were simple in general (but efficient). The difficulty of the game was fairly easy and I was able to reach the ''Firmament - Part I'' at levelBought the physical version for the Switch at Christmas and just completed Gunvolt 1 (january 9th 18) which was pretty good!! I loved the story (too much dialogues for me tho), the gameplay was great, the bosses were engaging, the level designs were simple in general (but efficient). The difficulty of the game was fairly easy and I was able to reach the ''Firmament - Part I'' at level 25-30 (cannot remember) with GV, but I had to return to the previous levels and grind to level 40 to get one more skill to be able to beat the Nova boss (still hard tho) which I hated. I returned and beat the final boss again to get the ''true ending'', but I did not beat the ''true final boss'' yet as he seems ridiculously hard. Any gamer who likes the Mega Man series or platformer games should definitely give this series a try.

    Just finished GV2 (February 12th 2018) with Copen. I feel this one was more enjoyable to play, but easier and shorter. I think I was done in 3-4 hours maybe...did not have to ''grind'' like the first game. The story in this one was a little bit confusing.

    PS I played both games with the LOZ PowerA Controller and it was great!    … Expand
  2. Lowkey
    Nov 9, 2017
    8
    Azure Striker Gunvolt is back, and on the Switch this time. The original games were on the 3DS, dating back to 2014 and 2016 respectively. If you're familiar with them, this is a nice way to snatch them up together with all the DLC and the option of playing on a larger screen. Plus the Switch's handheld screen is larger and the system more powerful. The game does look a bit pixelated onAzure Striker Gunvolt is back, and on the Switch this time. The original games were on the 3DS, dating back to 2014 and 2016 respectively. If you're familiar with them, this is a nice way to snatch them up together with all the DLC and the option of playing on a larger screen. Plus the Switch's handheld screen is larger and the system more powerful. The game does look a bit pixelated on the big screen, but it IS meant to appeal to the retro crowd...

    For those unfamiliar, this is a platformer made in the style of Megaman Zero/ZX, but it's hardly a clone. You follow the titular character, Gunvolt (real name unknown) on a quest to topple an evil syndicate called The Sumeragi group. And in the second game, an organization called Eden. Both bent on, you guessed it, World Domination.

    The action focuses on speeding through levels, killing enemies, collecting goodies, and ultimately beating the bosses. Challenges can be accessed for stages after initial completion, adding to replay value. It keeps things fresh and involved while you attempt to beat your high score, or farm materials for equipment.

    Equipment is used in this game in a variety of ways. It can give you more durability, improve your moves, or in some instances, remove the game's modern conveniences for a more hardcore experience. The materials are won from completing challenges and by collecting items from a series of boxes after completing each level. Your score dictates how many you can open initially, but you can collect medals through each stage to win more chances. The lottery aspect can be annoying at times, but satisfying when you get juuust the right item.

    Combat is fun and unique. Your gun is mostly just there to tag your opponent and does only light damage. Lightning provides most of your punch, channelled into your opponent directly and in varying degrees, depending on how many times you tagged your target. When playing Gunvolt 2, you get a second character, Copen, who plays completely different. He glides around with a rocketpack, rarely spending any time on the ground. He jets around and tags enemies by crashing into them, then shooting them. Unlike GV's arsenal, Copen's is quite lethal. He also has the Megaman style ability of taking boss's abilities and using them against each other in the old "this boss's weapon beats that other boss" style rock, paper, scissors method.

    The bosses are what you would expect from a Megaman game. Minibosses are usually huge and provide moderate challenge. Stage bosses are colorful characters that will banter with GV or Copen, if you have that option selected. Unfortunately these are no English VAs, but text is provided to distract you as they pummel you. The fights vary from boss to boss. Some are easy breezy, others require a bit more attention and forethought. They all possess a super move (that also varies in splendor from boss to boss) that will trigger after you have depleted 2/3rds of their health, and can be triggered again from that point until their death.

    The story is surprisingly deep for a platforming game and well crafted. It's not terribly original though, using many tropes from anime and many story themes from the X-men. The characters will banter throughout stages just as they do during boss fights, and this is still completely optional. Unlike the Playstation-era Megaman games Gunvolt resembles, the conversations won't stop your character from moving or progressing. There are also plenty of cutscenes, though none are animated. It's all splash images with dialogue bars. The art is top notch, though.

    The Striker Pack also has some difficulty tunings and some minor level and item location changes. It unfortunately suffers from being $40, where each game could be bought on the 3DS eshop for $14.99 each and found frequently on sale for lower. Is the extra price hike worth it? That depends on you. If you're spoiling to add a kickass game to your Switch, sure. If you're the frugal type, or if you already own the 3DS versions, you may reconsider. It's already a great platformer, though, and a very worthy successor to the Megaman Legacy. If that's not your jam then you may not enjoy this game. Some looking for a Megaman fix may also be offput by how not-Megaman the game actually is. It has its own style, and it's fresh. The game is not perfect by any means, but it's still a joy to handle. If you're still feeling trepidacious, at least give the first game a shot on the 3DS.

    On a final note, the endings... are not something I wish to spoil, but I would like to make note that neither game's 'true' ending is available the first time you beat the final boss. If you want that ending, and I hope you do, you'll be coming back for seconds.    … Expand
  3. Pakon
    Aug 29, 2019
    9
    A very nice Mega-Man-like game. The story is not a big deal but the gameplay balances that since it is significantly solid and addictive. Personally, I prefer this game over Mega Man games.
  4. Neatqt
    Feb 25, 2019
    4
    Cast: 2/10
    Story: 4/10
    Fun: 6/10
    Gameplay: 5/10

    Not-Recommended
    ----------------------
  5. DeusGod
    Jun 26, 2018
    7
    It's a good game, but there are too many good games to replace.
    It is true that this game lacks charm and completeness.
  6. AlexMakesToast
    Nov 23, 2022
    6
    Gunvolt = 6/10
    ............................................................

Awards & Rankings

34
#34 Best Switch Game of 2017
78
#78 Most Shared Switch Game of 2017

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
82

Generally favorable reviews - based on 9 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 9
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 9
  3. Negative: 0 out of 9
  1. Worth Playing
    Sep 10, 2018
    80
    Despite its poorly told story, repetitive material grind, and wonky scoring system, Azure Striker Gunvolt: Striker Pack is a solid investment for fans of the 2D platformer genre. Gunvolt may not be Mega Man, but the series offers up much of the same charm and challenge that made Capcom's iconic franchise such a big hit. The pair of games doesn't quite hit the same highs as many of the Blue Bomber's greatest adventures, but Azure Striker Gunvolt: Striker Pack earns serious points for trying something new.
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  2. God is a Geek
    Mar 8, 2018
    80
    The asking price of 40$ for a port of 2 3DS games with DLC that cost 40$ on 3DS initially as a package might be a bit much for some but if you’re a fan of action platformers, these are great and this pack is the definitive version of the Gunvolt collection.
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  3. Nintendojo
    Dec 22, 2017
    83
    For diehards and the uninitiated, it’s hard not to recommend Azure Striker Gunvolt: Striker Pack. The compilation features two compelling games, wonderful graphics and all of the previously released DLC all on one cartridge. The games have a couple of warts here and there, and the difficulty level can be demanding at times, but the gameplay will keep you coming back again and again. Fans of old-school, 2D platforming would do well to check this one out.
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