Reviews

Gynoug review for PS5/4, Xbox Series X/One, Switch

Platform: PS5
Also on: PC, PS4, Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X
Publisher: Ratalaika Games
Developer: extreme / Shinyuden
Medium: Digital
Players: 1
Online: No
ESRB: E10+

Gynoug has an interesting backstory: it was first released on the Sega Genesis 30 years ago ? as Gynoug in Japan, as Wings of Wor in North America ? and now it?s been re-released so modern audiences can get to know it.

The question is, of course, why they?d want to. Gynoug is a pretty standard side-scrolling shooter. It?s a genre that was well-represented thirty years ago, and even if those games aren?t as popular nowadays, there?s still tonnes of them available to play today. Gameplay-wise, there?s pretty much nothing here that hasn?t been done almost literally countless times before (and after, I guess).

That said, gameplay isn?t everything, and Gynoug is certainly one of the most visually striking horizontal shmups I?ve ever seen. Rather than the usual spaceships, here your enemies are much more flesh and blood ? with an emphasis on the blood. There?s plenty of rotting flesh and bleeding organs; one boss is a decomposing torso, while others have bright pink insides that shoot outwards as they attack you. There?s even a level that seems to take place inside a body, which is every bit as gross as you?d expect. It?s a pretty gory game, all things considered, even if it?s ?only? rendered in 16-bit graphics.

But again, if you?re not a fan of shmups ? whether upwards-scrolling or side-scrolling ? Gynoug isn?t likely to win you over. It?s a fairly easy Platinum, but other than that, there?s not really much to recommend it.

Ratalaika Games provided us with a Gynoug PS4/PS5 code for review purposes.

Grade: C+
Matthew Pollesel

Recent Posts

October will turn into Croctober with Croc 2: Kingdom of the Gobbos releasing at the conclusion of the month

Sharks only get a week, Croc gets a month…ok, actually 93.5% of a month.

2 hours ago

Select pieces and prints from the 35 Years of Speed Exhibition will be available on iam8bit.com

You better act…*ahem* fast as some of these originals are selling out quickly!

6 hours ago

Bandai Namco will bring Planes, Mechs, Balls and Kitties to New York Comic Con next week!

You can also check out an All Hallows Eve-themed episode of PAC-MAN: Snack Breaks before…

6 hours ago

Xbox Game Studios Shop team with Roots of Fight for a line of Gears of War apparel

Shame they couldn’t stock a pizza cutter in the shop.

7 hours ago

Nintendo eShop Update – Minecraft Dungeons II, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt Remastered, Disney Epic Mickey: Rebrushed

Check out the plethora of new eShop titles launching for Nintendo Switch platforms this week…

7 hours ago

Grasshopper Manufacture announces separation from NetEase as gamers breathe a sigh of relief!

So can we expect a crowdfunding campaign with an Erika Ishii stretch goal in Suda51…

7 hours ago

This website uses cookies.