Azure Striker Gunvolt: Striker Pack

Azure Striker Gunvolt: Striker Pack is a set containing two-dimensional action games Azure Striker Gunvolt and Azure Striker Gunvolt 2 (the Nintendo Switch release also includes all the DLCs created for them as well as new content and features). Both productions offer a dynamic, arcade combat system and attractive manga graphics. The Japanese company Inti Creates (known from the Mega Man Zero series) is responsible for the creation of both titles, as well as the development and publishing of the compilation.

Plot

Azure Striker Gunvolt: Striker Pack takes place in the near future. In the world created by Inti Creates unusual people known as Adept are being born, who are endowed with supernormal skills. One of them is Gunvolt, the main protagonist of the game, controlled by the players. The young man has to fight against the extremely influential Sumeragi Group corporation. In the second part of the game we also control the hero's rival - Copen - for whom a separate story campaign was prepared.

Mechanics

Both games included in the set are arcade games, the gameplay of which brings to mind the Mega Man series. Watching the action from the side (from the so-called side-scrolling perspective) we travel through successive locations, jumping on platforms and eliminating enemies using both ranged and melee weapons, as well as Adept's special powers (in the case of Gunvolt it is lightning) or advanced technology and combat skills (possessed by Copen). This last aspect is the most important element of Inti Creates' games - these productions are much closer to shooters or brawlers than platform games.

An important element of fun in the Azure Striker Gunvolt series are boss fights, which are opponents much more demanding than normal enemies. Defeating them requires remembering their attack patterns, showing great dexterity and using specific tactics. It is worth noting that as the game progresses, we collect points, thanks to which we can unlock songs sung by the heroines known from the story campaign.

In the case of Azure Striker Gunvolt: Striker Pack, the developers decided on a few improvements to the game mechanics. The most important thing is the implementation of the more developed Kudos system, known from the second part (it increases the number of points we gain if our actions are spectacular - for example, when we kill several enemies with one attack), in the first part. Some maps have also been refined to balance the level of difficulty.

Game modes

Azure Striker Gunvolt: Striker Pack can only be played solo. The creators did not prepare any multiplayer modes.

Technical aspects

The games included in the Azure Striker Gunvolt: Striker Pack set feature attractive, two-dimensional pixel-art graphics. The visual are very colorful and spectacular - the animations of attacks of individual heroes and opponents deserve special attention here. Both titles are characterized by manga style, most clearly visible during story interludes. The game is accompanied by a pleasant soundtrack.

It is worth noting that the dedicated version of Nintendo Switch has seen several improvements compared to the 3DS edition. Graphics are displayed at a higher resolution during cut-scenes, and during the actual game we can enjoy smoother gameplay thanks to 60 fps animation. We'll also find support for HD Rumble, a new interface and an additional song.

Last updated on May 8, 2020