Gunstringer Review

Twisted Pixel has made a name for itself by having quirky yet extremely enjoyable arcade games. It also doesn’t hurt that the guys who work on the games have a great sense of humor that definitely shows in the gameplay and the usage of full motion video. The Gunstringer continues this tradition while also stepping into the World of Tomorrow by throwing away the Xbox controller and making their game full Kinect compatible. While many gamers feel the Kinect is a gimmick, there are a few game companies out there attempting to create real games with the technology, and the Gunstringer is a good example of how it can be used properly. In addition, including a free copy of Fruit Ninja and also an additional DLC mode at the outset makes the $40 price tag a nice little package for the right gamer. While some gamers may not get the humor or were expecting something more from the gameplay, overall The Gunstringer is an enjoyable experience for the price and well worth dusting your Kinect off for.

From the moment you start the game you know what type of game you’re in for, as you’re greeted with a full motion video sequence involving a theatre stage, a crowd gathering, a full set crew scrambling to make sure everything is in place before the “show” begins. From there you are in control of The Gunstringer, a marionette puppet who is out for revenge against his former gang of bandits. The controls for the game are pretty simple and straightforward, as your left hand will control movement while your right hand controls the cap ring reticle that you use to paint targets before making a shooting motion to release the hail of bullets. While the controls are easy to get used to, I found that my elbow would hurt to the point of being uncomfortable after about an hour of playing. Whether this is related to the constant bending of my elbow or the fact that I have the joints of an old man, but it is something to keep in mind when playing this game.

Unfortunately, the Kinect’s issues with responsiveness carry over into this game, and you will find that sometimes shots do not register or movements float a little more than they should, but overall the controls work well for the game if you can find that sweet spot for the Kinect sensor. Since this game really only requires you to wave your hands around, you do have an option of playing the game while seated on the couch without worry, and the game even suggests it if you’re feeling tired from just standing. However, if you’re sitting down to play a Kinect game, then the question needs to be asked why you couldn’t just have the controller in your hand at that point.

The amount of extra features included in this game is massive as usual for a Twisted Pixel game, such as commentary tracks and behind the scenes videos. This content is well done and fits right in with the quirky tounge in cheek theme this company is known for producing. However, by far the most interesting extra included comes from the day one free DLC Wavy Tube Man Chronicles. Teaming up with B-movie masters Troma Entertainment, Wavy Tube Man Chronicles is a tip of the cap to the classic western-themed FMV video game Mad Dog McCree. Only fans of the original game will come to appreciate what was created here, as Wavy Tube Man Chronicles isn’t all that enjoyable to play, as all you’re doing is essentially watching a video until someone pulls a gun on you. Then you just have to get the aiming reticle in the general area of the target and you move on to the next sequence. However, for those that remember the early days of gaming with FMV and poor actors, there is plenty of nostalgia waiting for you here.

The Gunstringer is probably the most over the top title Twisted Pixel has created yet, but yet it seems to all come together well enough that it seems to fit perfectly in the world they have created. While there may be some Kinect sensor quirkiness to deal with initially, once you find the sweet spot the game’s controls work very well. And with a slightly cheaper price tag than most retail games, The Gunstringer is definitely worth the time and the money if you already enjoy Twisted Pixel’s style.