It solely takes a couple of minutes for me to determine precisely what I’m in for upon beginning Gunbrella — although its title alone ought to have been a lifeless giveaway. The pixelated motion sport opens on a grim scene as I discover my expensive spouse gunned down in our house. Once I flash-forward to the current day and discover myself blowing by enemies with a lethal umbrella, it turns into clear: I’m in a B-movie.
It’s a cinematic custom I’m very accustomed to. Once I was a child, my buddies and I might usually hire the lowest-budget motion film we may discover at Blockbuster and experience its schlock. Oftentimes, we had been handled to unpredictable experiences that threw each rule of filmmaking out the window in favor of cheeseball leisure. They had been absolute messes, however that was the allure; we craved that idiotic jolt of leisure. I couldn’t let you know a single factor concerning the inarguably dangerous Chupacabra Terror, however I nonetheless haven’t forgotten the expertise of watching it.
Gunbrella joins an ever-growing secure of Devolver Digital-published motion video games that bottle up that grindhouse power. It’s a rambunctious shooter constructed round a confidently goofy combat-traversal gimmick that’s instantly pleasurable. Although like so most of the exploitation flicks I’ve watched in my life, I don’t anticipate to recollect a lot outdoors of its memeable title.
B-movie motion
Gunbrella is the newest title from Doinksoft, the workforce behind 2019’s Gato Roboto. That title was a bite-sized Metroidvania that streamlined the style and targeted on its charming cat-mech gameplay hook. Even if Gunbrella may look totally different, a lot of that DNA is carried over right here. It’s one other smooth style piece that’s largely head down in paying off its absurd title. It’s like Sharknado or Hobo With a Shotgun.
Doinksoft and Devolver haven’t been shy about that within the sport’s advertising. Its authentic reveal trailer famously featured a low voice growling out the sport’s title, a throwback to exploitation movie trailers. There’s additionally a grainy filter over its pixel artwork, additional drawing connections to old-school cinema and the charming imperfections in low-budget movies.
Although Gunbrella could look the a part of a “so dangerous, it’s good” film, it’s solely performing the half. It’s really a well-constructed 2D sport with a robust motion hook. My character wields the titular Gunbrella, a multipurpose gun that doubles as a traversal instrument. By hitting my proper bumper, I can open it up and shortly zip into the air like Mary Poppins. It’s humorous, enjoyable, and useful multi function. That instrument signifies that I can clear rooms filled with enemies instantly, dashing across the display and blasting away every little thing in my path.
It’s the identical fast-paced, schtick-based thrill that I’ve gotten from different Devolver-published titles like Hotline Miami, Katana Zero, My Buddy Pedro, Ape Out, Boomerang X … the checklist goes on. And it’ll proceed to go on. Have a look at Devolver’s upcoming launch checklist and it’s very clear that the writer has a sort, even when it’s taking in video games from completely totally different studios. You possibly can in all probability guess what subsequent yr’s Anger Foot is all about from the title alone, simply as you don’t must learn a synopsis of the 1986 movie Chopping Mall to guess the place that goes. Devolver is maintaining the grindhouse period alive in online game kind.
It’s a commendable process, although one that may have diminishing returns with modest releases like Gunbrella. Whereas its central motion hook is a jolt of short-term enjoyable constructed for speedrunners, the package deal round it doesn’t stand out a lot. Its central revenge story shortly sidetracks right into a schlocky steampunk story about evil cultists and grotesque flesh monsters. Its tone drops into pure irreverence with a barrage of hokey jokes that undercut any potential drama. Even its degree design might be sparse, calling to thoughts low-budget film units. It will possibly all really feel like a hole framing that’s secondary to its central gag.
As I barreled by the forgettable story, I flashed again to these days selecting random motion pictures off the shelf at Blockbuster. What occurs in Chupacabra Terror? Search me. I zoned out for many of it, solely tuning in to hoot and holler each time its goofy monster crawled again on display. That’s how I felt as I sped by dialogue so I may get again to gleefully taking down bandits, cultists, and dinosaurs. Ask me what Gunbrella is about in 10 years and I gained’t have a clue. However you might be rattling certain I’ll be capable to replicate that iconic “Gunbrellaaaa” growl and not using a second thought.
Gunbrella is accessible now on PC and Nintendo Swap.
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