Gun Valkyrie

Published by SEGA
Designed by Smilebit
Platform: XBOX
Price £44.99
Released: Out Now

No matter how you attempt to disguise things it is always obvious what they basically are. Take Gun Valkyrie for instance. Superb graphics and a decent story can't hide the fact that what we have here is a classic arcade blaster that will appeal to the more mature dedicated gamer than it will to the casual gamer who likes to pick up and play in no time.

Set in an alternative England the game begins with you having to sort out a problem on one of the British Empire's colonised planets, Tir na Nog. Dr Hebble Gate, who disappeared several years ago, is possibly responsible for all the trouble on Tir na Nog. It is thought that he was researching how to make the colonists stronger. Reports have come from Tir na Nog that an outbreak of huge insect-like monsters are terrorising the planet and this is a huge cause for concern.

Controlling either Kelly or Saburouta it is up to you to sort out the problems on Tir na Nog. Kelly the lightweight, agile young woman is the character for beginners. Kelly can be upgraded as the game goes by. Although she is not as robust as Saborouta she makes up for it in her speed which makes it easier to avoid enemy attacks. Saborouta is slightly more difficult to control. He has a lot more power but isn't as agile as Kelly. Both of these characters have a variety of weapons that they can use. Weapons include the Heat Blaster, Matchlock Cannon and Plasma Hook. After you've completed a mission you'll be graded and will receive an amount of GVPs (Gun Valkyrie Points) according to your performance. These can be used to purchase items from the Power Up shop to help improve your character.

The controls will take a little time to get used to. The art of using your boost correctly is essential to master if you are to be successful in the game. There are a number of platform jumps that must be made and some of them require precision boost control to be made correctly. The boost is activated by holding in the left trigger and different boost moves can be made by changing direction with the left analogue stick at the same time. This combination can be tricky at first but once mastered you'll be comfortable with the game.

The game looks fantastic. Smilebit have really gone to town with the detail on both the character models and the environmental textures. Best of all though is that there is hardly any slowdown at all, even when you are under attack by hoards of enemies. Gun Valkyrie is easily one of the best looking XBOX games so far.

Unfortunately the cutscenes don't have any subtitles. These provide a background to the storyline however various aspects of the story are given in Poe's report, which can be found in the Main Menu. Thankfully all your objectives are given in text. When you play through the first mission there are verbal tutorial messages and these are given in text. It is just a shame that the cutscenes haven't been subtitled as it would have made the game perfect for deaf gamers.

Gun Valkyrie will please fans looking for a futuristic platform shooter. The difficulty of the game is pitched just right and the controls of the game, particularly the boost moves need to fully mastered before you can progress in the game. It's just a shame the cutscenes aren't subtitled.

Overall Game Rating: 8.2/10 Gun Valkyrie plays as good as it looks. Unusually the game offers a decent challenge to the experienced gamer and complete mastery of the controls is essential to do well at the game.

Deaf Gamers comment: The cutscenes aren't subtitled which is a shame as everything else is.