Enter the Gungeon

Enter the Gungeon is a top-down roguelike from Dodgeroll. The project was released in 2016 for PCs on any operating systems and for Play Station 4. In 2017, other game consoles were added to the list. Work on the project was fully completed in 2019. The main point of the game is to overcome levels filled with hostile mobs and go through your weapons.

Graphics

Enter the Gungeon pixel graphics, with a reference to old games. This visual design has become very popular with indie developers, but the creators of this "roguelike" decided not to pass by a small experiment. Despite this rendering method, the picture looks pretty interesting.

Pleases the elaboration of the characters and backdrops. Pixel art has been squeezed out as much as possible, and it looks good. The colors are bright, contrasting, but not acidic. There are even shadows and graphic transitions, which is good news.

Game world

Enter the Gungeon is a pun that predetermines the essence of the project itself. Instead of the word "Dungeon" (dungeon), the creator of the project used his own neologism "Gungeon" (weapon). So, by combining the words "dungeon" and "weapon" we get the game world of this project, which wants to destroy the protagonist with all its might.

At the beginning of the game, you can choose the class of your character. They differ little and only allow you to determine your starting set of weapons. However, once the hero got into the "weapon", this indicator will play a key role.

The classes are very primitive and familiar to everyone from any RPG game. Playing as a criminal, the player will receive a revolver, sawed-off shotgun and subversive Molotov cocktails as basic equipment. The huntress boasts a pistol, a single-shot crossbow, and a dog companion. At the start, the pilot only has a blaster, but in addition he is given a set of master keys. The Marine is also poorly armed, he only has a pistol, but this guy has a special ability - summoning an ammo box.

There is also a unique class "cultist", but you can only look at it in cooperative mode. Plays the role of a support and resurrects his deceased friends.

Gameplay

Enter the Gungeon's gameplay is based on the player's agility and reactions. There are no safe zones, stealth rarely helps, and almost never brute force. To win, you need to press the keys very quickly and react with lightning speed to what is happening around.

Levels are always randomly generated. Because of this, memorizing the corridors and going through them with a speed run or using tutorials will not work. In addition, the map is refreshed after each death of the player.

Every battle in this world is a real test. Dozens of opponents are packed into the rooms, with whom you have to fight for life and death. Shots and explosions can cover the entire screen, interfering with movement.

The world is very malleable. You can build shelters from furniture, hide in areas inaccessible to enemies and look for alternative ways of battles. True, in the end you still have to kill everyone - this is the essence of the game.

There are many different zones on the map. In addition to the rooms with mobs and the boss's lair, you can get to the merchant's shop. This is an important room where you can buy weapons, first aid kits, and ammo. The currency here is the shell casings that fall from the killed enemies.

Interesting nuances

Enter the Gungeon is an unusual project with many interesting features:

• Base weapons do not run out of gear. This makes him very useful in protracted battles, bringing the necessary balance to the game.
• The project is designed not only for brute force, but also for good tactical management. Sometimes cards are generated in such a way that the door to the final boss can be found almost instantly. However, without the necessary equipment, this will not help speed up the passage, so the map has to be cleaned.
• Well designed AI. If ordinary mobs are very commonplace, then bosses are at their best. They are well-aimed, cunning and very cunning. Each of them will most likely have to be replayed several times in order to get to the next level.
• Enter the Gungeon has a huge arsenal that has become one of the main features of the game. The player will have to fight for a new beautiful firearm constantly. Since the characters are not pumped, weapons are their only chance to become stronger. And if you do not develop your power, then you will not be able to reach the next level.

Enter the Gungeon will appeal primarily to fans of Dark Souls, The Biding of Isaac and other similar "nerve killers". There are no saves, there is no single line of passage. You have to die and try again, suffer and come up with workarounds. This is a very interesting experience, but it is better to weigh the pros and cons sensibly before starting the game, so as not to be disappointed in it after the first ten deaths.