The video game world takes inspiration from all kinds of media, from the most classical literature to high-octane action films. Out of all of the inspirations that games have taken on through the years, one of the most consistent is the world of anime. From licensed titles like Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot to games like Astral Chain that have heavy anime-inspired imagery, the relationship between gaming and anime has been strong for decades. That relationship is set to get only stronger, thanks to the upcoming release of Gungrave G.O.R.E.
The Gungrave series has been pretty quiet for a long time now. The franchise first started on the PlayStation 2 all the way back in 2002, and since then there hasn't been a mainline Gungrave game since Gungrave VR released to somewhat mixed reception. Now after some dormancy, Gungrave G.O.R.E is set to bring back the franchise in a big way with Koch Media and its new Prime Matter publishing label. Game ZXC attended a pre-show that gave a taste of what Gungrave G.O.R.E has to offer.
What Is Gungrave G.O.R.E
For the uninitiated, the Gungrave franchise was created by acclaimed artist Yasuhiro Nightow, who is most commonly known for his Trigun series of manga and anime. Gungrave is the result of Nightow's collaboration with video game developers to create a game with an "anime come to life" style. The franchise has been heavily rooted in classic anime and manga culture ever since its first entry, and Gungrave G.O.R.E looks to be continuing that trend.
Although not much is known about Gungrave G.O.R.E outside of some cinematic shorts, it's clear that the game will be putting a focus on making players feel like a truly unstoppable force. The game will be all about style and action, maintaining the nature of the originals while ushering in a new era for Gungrave fans.
Anime-inspired titles can sometimes have a niche audience, but the over-the-top nature of Gungrave G.O.R.E just might be enough to help the genre breakout further into the mainstream. Games like the Nier series and Persona have done a great job at getting more players familiar with the style, and Gungrave G.O.R.E could be the final push to really cement the genre into the forefront of the collective gaming consciousness.
Gungrave G.O.R.E is currently in development with a projected 2022 release.