Note: Review code provided by publisher.
Hololive fans may remember this hard as nails Sega Genesis/Mega Drive classic from Korone’s endurance stream. In 2021 Ratalaika Games published an enhanced HD port for PC and consoles. That is what we will be looking at today. Here is Gynoug. developed by Masaya Games and Nautlander. Do not ask me about the proper pronunciation of the game title.
Platforms: Nintendo Switch, PS4, PC (Steam), XBOX One, XBOX Series X/S
Genres: Action, Sci-Fi, Shoot-em Up
Difficulty: Hard (especially without using modern conveniences)
Length: 1+ hour or so. Many more for players not used to the genre.
G-Rating: Good
Plot Summary: The heavens are being attacked by the demons of Iccus, led by a being known only as the Destroyer. The angel Wor must bring the fight to Iccus itself and put an end to the Destroyer’s dark plans.
Let us begin with the presentation. It is the first thing that stands out about the game. From the game cover featuring a manly angel to the very bizarre rogues gallery, each different per stage, ranging from floating heads, demonic sea creatures, living weapons, all culminating in battles against bizarre gigantic foes such as a giant tank with a face and a ghost ship piloted by a giant head underneath. The game has a thing for creepy heads. It all makes sense once readers realize the original developer, Masaya Games, also created the Cho Aniki series. The soundtrack is excellent, taking full advantage of the Sega Genesis/Mega Drive sound chip to create nostalgic 90’s retro tracks to battle the forces of darkness.
Being an HD port of a retro game to a modern console the game includes Save States, Quick Saves, screen resolution options to enhance it or emulate CRT TVs like in the 90’s.
The gameplay is simple but hard. It is a standard horizontal scrolling shoot-em up though enemies are plentiful and bullet patterns almost “bullet hell” levels of hard. Normally players can survive without power ups but in Gynoug it is highly recommended to be powered up at all times as the enemy onslaught can become that unforgiving even early on. Though the first boss is admittedly a pushover do not let it fool you. The first stage is the easiest, which in a notoriously difficult game does not mean smooth sailing in the slightest. The stages are also long for SHMUPs with a sub-boss and main boss per level so prepare to be tested playing this game.
To help somewhat ease the journey players obtain powerups. The most common ones come in red and blue orbs that increase attack power and bullets fired respectively. Besides that are magic attacks that come in different letters providing elemental attacks such as lightning fired either by Wor or an assisting angel. There are also brief shields among other magic.
Overall Gynoug is a challenging but very enjoyable Sega Genesis/Mega Drive shoot-em up from the glory days of the 90’s Console Wars. The presentation is gloriously bizarre and the gameplay simple but tough. Recommended to fans of the original and SHMUP aficionados looking for a classic challenge.
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