Gunbrella Preview

Gamers have always dreamt of the cool weapons that could be made if you combined two totally different objects together, right? I know the developers at Doinksoft definitely have! In Gunbrella, you take on the role of a woodsman whose life takes a tragic turn while he is out gathering mushrooms. He sees his home on fire and rushes there as fast as he can. Upon arrival, the flames are still burning, but it’s too late for his wife, she has been killed. The protagonist is now on a quest for revenge to hunt down the group or individual who is behind this horrible act. Armed with a unique weapon called a Gunbrella, which combines a firearm with an umbrella, he is ready to take down anyone who gets in his way in this action adventure. In the past, Doinksoft has released the awesome Gato Roboto and teamed up with publisher Devolver Digital, you can feel assured that it will be a quality title worth your time.  

The Gunbrella looks like it is straight from a high-adrenaline action movie like The Kingsman. This unique weapon gives you not only firepower but is also used as a movement tool. When you aren’t blasting enemies at close range, you will use the umbrella to traverse the level, as it gives you the ability to swing, dash, glide, and reach high platforms that your normal jump can’t reach. It can also be used as a shield to block shots from canons and other enemies that you face. When used together, you become a force to be reckoned with — once you figure out how to use the gun and umbrella in tandem. The controls in the game are very responsive and easy to learn, so it won’t take long to become proficient with this new weapon.

While on your quest for revenge, you will visit a variety of different locations. From a transformed junkyard fortress controlled by the notorious trash gang, to the troubled town of Allendale, plagued by cult kidnappings and inhumane experiments, and even the enchanting noir-punk city of Avalon, where the sky still graces the horizon — each of these environments promises unique challenges and encounters. Along the way, you will engage with a colourful cast of characters, ranging from allies to mysterious figures and even a guy who loves to eat rats. And when you're not engrossed in gripping conversations, collect scrap parts to trade for ammunition and upgrades, enhancing your woodsman's arsenal.

Gunbrella is set in a gritty world, and the use of film grain in the game depicts this very well. If you find this distracting, the developers have included a slide bar to customise the amount of grain that is displayed to your liking. I turned it down a little bit so it was easier to see all the details that were put into the world that you are exploring, but I see the appeal of both. The accompanying soundtrack is great and does a great job of capturing the melancholy feeling of a world on the brink of resource depletion and the intense action-packed platforming at the same time.

I am a huge fan of pixelated graphics, so as soon as I saw the trailer for Gunbrella during the Devolver Digital showcase, I knew that this was a game I had to experience. 2D platformers are some of my favourite games to play, but instead of feeling like all the other metroidvania titles out there, they’ve introduced new elements of movement using the Gunbrella that I have never experienced before. This retro look combined with film grain, blood splatters, and the never-ending rain gives a feeling of depression and gloom that mirrors the elements of the story quite well. Though, the huge amounts of blood and body parts flying around may be a little graphic for the younger audience out there, so keep that in mind.

I had my hopes set high for this game, and I can confidently say that it has met or surpassed all my expectations. I can’t wait to try out the full game once it releases sometime in 2023, and I highly recommend you add this to your wishlist if you haven’t already. Gunbrella may be one of the best 2D action platformers that I have played in a long time. Now, excuse me while I try to summon some ghouls to help with my ongoing investigation!