The Gunk

 Xbox Series X
User Score
6.8

Mixed or average reviews- based on 175 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 98 out of 175
  2. Mixed: 44 out of 175
  3. Negative: 33 out of 175

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  1. Filmanwalt
    Jan 26, 2022
    6
    Charming and short Gamepass game. It took me 4 hours to play the game and I enjoyed the title throughout. It is not intoxicating but very pleasant to play and really chilled. Great melodies, nice and personable style and a good setting by Rani and Becks.

    Both characters work well together and the rest of the world is also nicely presented, the alien language sounds really cool. It    Charming and short Gamepass game. It took me 4 hours to play the game and I enjoyed the title throughout. It is not intoxicating but very pleasant to play and really chilled. Great melodies, nice and personable style and a good setting by Rani and Becks.

    Both characters work well together and the rest of the world is also nicely presented, the alien language sounds really cool.

    It could have been harder in a few places, had a bit more variety in enemies and gameplay, and was a bit trickier overall. Backtracking could also have been incorporated here.
    I could always get rid of the dirt now.

    The base is right, 6/10 smudge blisters.    … Expand
  2. Nekrosis666
    Dec 17, 2021
    8
    The Gunk is vibrant beautiful game environmentand biom wise, character animation is a little crude and janky. A must play if you have gamepass if you don't still worth a go. personally I would wait for a sale, seeing the game is ratchet and clank short. Still I like it. Have fun!!
  3. ignore78
    Dec 18, 2021
    8
    i really enjoyed The Gunk. The exploration is fantastic, And the graphics is super nice. i play on xbox series S and it looks amazing. 60 fps through the whole game. all people who rate 0 because there is no russian voice in the game. grow up! i NEVER have swedish voice in any games, ever.
  4. Yourmumsbills
    Dec 26, 2021
    0
    This was one of those games i had been keeping an eye on, with hopes that it would be another interesting and enjoyable indie title. Sadly The Gunk is neither interesting or enjoyable. The best way to describe it would be, Bland. It's not bad as such but it's just boring. The environments look pretty but there is very little to do in them, the two main characters are incredibly dull to theThis was one of those games i had been keeping an eye on, with hopes that it would be another interesting and enjoyable indie title. Sadly The Gunk is neither interesting or enjoyable. The best way to describe it would be, Bland. It's not bad as such but it's just boring. The environments look pretty but there is very little to do in them, the two main characters are incredibly dull to the point that you very quickly stop caring about anything they are saying. And the gameplay is just repetitive, unoriginal and dull.… Expand
  5. Benzant
    Dec 18, 2021
    6
    boring mechanics that have everything done to be a worthy competitor of Rachet and Clark but it is not another game with progress where you have to take advantage of the inclusion of black skins, he is missing villains and his upgrade system is pointless
  6. Mustaphabtk
    Dec 20, 2021
    8
    To be honest this game is cool I play when am chilling after long gameplay in halo infinite
  7. Yayan14
    Dec 17, 2021
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Buen juego, aunque inicia un poco lento, pero luego que vas explorando se vuelve interesante.… Expand
  8. Sallaboy
    Dec 17, 2021
    9
    Very underrated indie game !

    Action adventure game filled with interesting dialogs. Addicted gameplay. Very colorful graphics and amazing environment. The story is also interesting, nothing new but very good written..
    Dont miss, try it out.
  9. Dima_cherkasov
    Dec 17, 2021
    0
    Нет русской локализации!!!! Как я в это должен играть? #xboxneedsrussianvoice
  10. Steyraus
    Dec 17, 2021
    1
    Boring and Cringy..The graphics are ugly and so are the character and world design..There is no map leading to constant back tracking...It's just boring, you solve basic suck up stuff puzzles and get lost... Main character is cringe to listen to and gross to look at, her hair looks like logs of poop and her skin is bruised and greasy.. Artisticly, overall this game is incredibly ugly andBoring and Cringy..The graphics are ugly and so are the character and world design..There is no map leading to constant back tracking...It's just boring, you solve basic suck up stuff puzzles and get lost... Main character is cringe to listen to and gross to look at, her hair looks like logs of poop and her skin is bruised and greasy.. Artisticly, overall this game is incredibly ugly and off putting. Well there goes another great studio that once made great games until they partnered with Xbox and their games became junk...I think there is an issues with studios getting to do whatever they want and not needing to impress players to make money that ruins these studios...All Xbox wants is Game Pass fodder and the security of being already paid and under the Microsoft bank blanket means these people don't have to try, they get paid and keep their jobs weather their game is good or bad.… Expand
  11. Plovunec
    Dec 17, 2021
    2
    Don't have Russian language. Pls we want!!! Пожалуйста добавьте русский язык, хватит игнорировать наш рынок. Нам уже очень надоело играть в игры что без субтитров, что без озвучки #XboxNeedsRussianVoice
  12. BillyRSea
    Dec 18, 2021
    10
    It's a solid indie game but rating it 10/10 to counter some of the review bombing from right wing fanatics
  13. MetaPlayer6969
    Dec 17, 2021
    0
    Boring
    Rebarbative
    Ugly
    Empty
    Annoying OST

    Not even worth the gamepass sub
  14. RoverDiscover
    Dec 18, 2021
    10
    A nice surprise. The game looks beautiful, and it's very relaxing. A new great game on Xbox
  15. Badger1990
    Dec 21, 2021
    0
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. #XboxNeedsRussianVoice no Russian localization, the game is not complete. I do not know English.
    No russian localization in 2021?!! Seriasly?    … Expand
  16. umaumai
    Dec 17, 2021
    8
    This is the kind of game my mom would have loved me to play when I was a kid. I can hear her saying, “see…it’s fun to clean!” The thing is the amount of vaccu-sucking “The Gunk” up you do here is a bit much and by the end it was tedious. The mechanic for this is well implemented, but a few times I had trouble continuing because the "clean area" bubble prompt didn’t pop and I could reachThis is the kind of game my mom would have loved me to play when I was a kid. I can hear her saying, “see…it’s fun to clean!” The thing is the amount of vaccu-sucking “The Gunk” up you do here is a bit much and by the end it was tedious. The mechanic for this is well implemented, but a few times I had trouble continuing because the "clean area" bubble prompt didn’t pop and I could reach the next part of the map.

    If I had to compare this to another game I’d say it’s part “Tomb Raider,” with all of the puzzle solving, and glazed with a little bit of “ Luigi’s Mansion 3” for its presentation and vacuum mechanics. While I finished this 8 chapter game in a day I think it was time well spent. I liked the characters, I liked the story and setting, and I thought it was pretty well put together. The platforming could be a little troublesome, but you immediately respawn where you fall so it’s not unforgiving.

    My one one big complaint is the upgrading system seems like something the developers tacked on at the end. I like that you can look for resources that you will use to upgrade your gear, but I could tell that most of them wouldn’t be necessary as the first thing you can “upgrade” is just having the ability to sprint. I literally went most of the game without buying a single upgrade, other than sprint, because I thought the difficulty curve would get worse at the end and I wanted to save my resources. Turned out I didn’t really need them at all.

    There is some action, but the most hardened of players might find it a bit weak. There are a few boss battles, but they don't add up too much if you are a seasoned gamer. All in all though I’d say if you have Game Pass you should absolutely give this game a try. My one suggestion is to scan everything that you come across. That’s how you unlock upgrades and in the end having traps for the last encounter would have been nice.    … Expand
  17. ArVilla
    Dec 17, 2021
    8
    Thoroughly enjoyed my time with game, so much that I completed it on a single sitting. Albeit, not a long game, but satisfying none the less. A few gripes= 1) could've benefited from a few more levels.
    2) the antagonist could have been a little more fleshed out.
    3) though, probably not the point of the game, there could've been some more variety in enemy types.. In the end, enjoyed my time    Thoroughly enjoyed my time with game, so much that I completed it on a single sitting. Albeit, not a long game, but satisfying none the less. A few gripes= 1) could've benefited from a few more levels.
    2) the antagonist could have been a little more fleshed out.
    3) though, probably not the point of the game, there could've been some more variety in enemy types..
    In the end, enjoyed my time with the game, and I recommend at least a try.    … Expand
  18. Bavari-90
    Dec 19, 2021
    8
    Graphics 8/10
    Voice acting 9/10
    Story 7/10
    Environmental puzzles 8/10
    Platforming 9/10
    Facial expressions 7/10
  19. Squintmink
    Dec 21, 2021
    9
    The game makes vacuum cleaning seem like an amazing activity to do. Combat is simple, and the platforming elements are not overly difficult.

    Spent a few hours in total with it, and would recommend this game. Few bugs where you'd get stuck on something, or the game won't progress even after clearing everything in the area. Luckily the auto-saves are frequent, so you don't lose too    The game makes vacuum cleaning seem like an amazing activity to do. Combat is simple, and the platforming elements are not overly difficult.

    Spent a few hours in total with it, and would recommend this game.

    Few bugs where you'd get stuck on something, or the game won't progress even after clearing everything in the area. Luckily the auto-saves are frequent, so you don't lose too much progress.    … Expand
  20. chenocorp
    Aug 22, 2023
    5
    Destaca el estilo del planeta a explorar, a nivel de jugabilidad nada nuevo, y con poca elegancia.
  21. Cocomacoco
    Dec 18, 2021
    9
    I have to say i love this game , it's the most different and fresh experience i have had in Xbox for years , i felt like I was back in the PS2 or OG Xbox Era where so many beautiful inmersive platformers and exploration games were made and enjoyed, this game is beautiful and it starts slow enough but dobut don't be surprised if you cannot put it down
  22. mongz79
    Dec 27, 2021
    6
    I'm not sure why there is so much love, or hate for this game. I see a lot of very low scores, because there is no Russian localization or voice acting. I cannot believe that Microsoft has not addressed this issue yet, but this game does not deserve a 0 or 1. Neither does it deserve a 9 or 10. Most games don't. It also takes away from the legitimacy of user scores on this site. I don'tI'm not sure why there is so much love, or hate for this game. I see a lot of very low scores, because there is no Russian localization or voice acting. I cannot believe that Microsoft has not addressed this issue yet, but this game does not deserve a 0 or 1. Neither does it deserve a 9 or 10. Most games don't. It also takes away from the legitimacy of user scores on this site. I don't think most people understand that. This game deserves a 6 or 7 out of ten. I really enjoyed the beginning portion of the game. I don't think the game looks amazing, but I liked how it looked and liked sucking up all of the gunk. But aside from that, the game is very shallow. The characters aren't very fleshed out, and the locations just didn't flow well. Unfortunately, by the end of the game, I was very glad to be done. It had gone from 'pretty cool' to just overstaying its welcome. I'm not sure if a sequel will ever be made,
    but I would wait for reviews before I tried it out. It shows promise, but it falls very short of being memorable with what is currently on offer.    … Expand
  23. scorp332211
    Dec 27, 2021
    9
    This is the 2nd surprise indy game that I’ve actually liked this year- the other being Kena Bridge of Spirits. The Gunk’s graphics remind me a little of Kena, but not quite as good. This is one of the most chill games I’ve ever played. The gameplay is interesting. It’s pretty mellow up until the end with some boss fights. It took me about 9.5 hours to complete- so not as short as some haveThis is the 2nd surprise indy game that I’ve actually liked this year- the other being Kena Bridge of Spirits. The Gunk’s graphics remind me a little of Kena, but not quite as good. This is one of the most chill games I’ve ever played. The gameplay is interesting. It’s pretty mellow up until the end with some boss fights. It took me about 9.5 hours to complete- so not as short as some have said. With this being on Game Pass- you really can’t go wrong. I highly recommend it & I’d play it again sometime in the future.… Expand
  24. notifycritic
    Jun 22, 2023
    7
    Tem uma jogabilidade bacana
    Tem bons gráficos no Séries S Mas acredito que a história poderia ter sido melhor.
  25. metaknightmare
    Dec 20, 2021
    3
    Mediocre platformer with eye candy. It's just a point-A-to-point-B run and jump game with very easy puzzles and combat. As soon as it starts to get a little challenging, the game ends. No exporation, no openness and no side activities. Dialogue and story can be written by a high schooler or younger. Some people are saying this game is relaxing. I couldn't relax once I realized the entireMediocre platformer with eye candy. It's just a point-A-to-point-B run and jump game with very easy puzzles and combat. As soon as it starts to get a little challenging, the game ends. No exporation, no openness and no side activities. Dialogue and story can be written by a high schooler or younger. Some people are saying this game is relaxing. I couldn't relax once I realized the entire game is centered around a pagan, anti-God theme. SPOILER ALERT: The "Gardener" (metaphor for God) comes to a planet with smaller inhabitants who he promises comfort and stability to with the use of the "Geist" (metaphor for Holy Ghost/Spirit). They follow and believe him and he puts them in pods and the Geist moves through them. Their faith is the source of corruption and results in releasing the Gunk into the world which sucks the life out of everything in nature. The main character must free the people from their "blind" faith to stop the Gardener and restore nature.

    Give me a break.    … Expand
  26. Bellinzona
    Jan 4, 2022
    10
    Nice platform, underrated, very colourfull and funny, good characters and story, absolutely recommended.
  27. danomierda
    Dec 17, 2021
    8
    Juego muy interesante que te atrapa desde el minuto uno. No es un juego de diez ya que puede parecerle repetitivo a algunos jugadores pero sin duda merece la pena probarlo con GamePass ;)
  28. Ilkayson
    Dec 19, 2021
    10
    It has its own style and gameplay, although there is no comparison with high-end games. The graphics and details look pretty good. The gameplay part is successful in its category. Good for the producers.
  29. BradMorgan
    Dec 30, 2021
    8
    The Gunk is a peaceful and colorful game in which you explore a beautiful world. It's not a big game that you should expect too much from but at the same time, the game has not let go of me from start to finish because of the fantastic art style, the dreamy music, and the fun (but sometimes monotonous) gameplay. Removing the gunk and turning each area into a vibrant ecosystem is addictiveThe Gunk is a peaceful and colorful game in which you explore a beautiful world. It's not a big game that you should expect too much from but at the same time, the game has not let go of me from start to finish because of the fantastic art style, the dreamy music, and the fun (but sometimes monotonous) gameplay. Removing the gunk and turning each area into a vibrant ecosystem is addictive and the puzzles are fun. The story isn't great but mysterious enough to keep it interesting. It is a great experience in Xbox Gamepass!

    Pros:
    - Art Style
    - Music
    - atmosphere
    - Removing the gunk
    - Save points. Never irritations because you loose progression.

    Cons:
    - Gameplay feels a bit monotonous at times    … Expand
  30. SenpaiEXE
    Dec 19, 2021
    5
    One of the most boring games I've played this year. The gameplay feels like Slime Rancher, if you take out the slimes and add a bunch of Ratchet and Clank like abilities, the story, characters and writing is uninteresting and definitely the most boring part about this game. All I can say about this game is; just go play Slime Rancher or a Ratchet and Clank game instead of this.
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Awards & Rankings

66
#66 Best Xbox Series X Game of 2021
21
#21 Most Discussed Xbox Series X Game of 2021

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
70

Mixed or average reviews - based on 41 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 41
  2. Mixed: 27 out of 41
  3. Negative: 1 out of 41
  1. Movies Games and Tech
    May 6, 2022
    60
    What I experienced was a fun but short and undercooked title. It needed much more depth and a greater range of difficulty. None of the aliens will test you and this undermines the difficulty. I wish the developers had worked on the resource management and upgrade system some more. If this had been explored, the gameplay would be exponentially better. All things considered, I enjoyed it, but I wanted much more.
    Read full review
  2. CGMagazine
    Feb 2, 2022
    75
    Though it doesn't have all the perks and features of bigger games, The Gunk remains gorgeous and engaging. A short but sweet adventure full of puzzles and fantastic scenery.
    Read full review
  3. Games.cz
    Jan 13, 2022
    70
    The creators of the Steamworld universe stepped out of their comfort zone for the first time - and it’s a solid step indeed. The Gunk is visually stunning and its central mechanism, vacuuming the titular substance off the ground, is really well done. The combat, though, is disappointing, as is the progression system.
    Read full review
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