Gunhound EX: PSP sidescrolling mecha game from G.Rev

[Skykid]

Finally got to play this, and it's great.

Too short, I had to put it down after an hour to ensure I didn't finish it too early. I don't quite see Ed's gripes: the button config takes a little getting used to, but you're pretty heavily kitted out with useful weaponry, and a little practice quickly alleviates any initial confusion. Seems like ripe 1CC material to me.

Graphically it's a bit rough in places. Some multimedia clashing going on that I can't completely stomach, and the glowing outlines are pure pixel nastiness. But it plays very well: solid Valken-esque goodness, lots of explosions, and plenty of variety. The opening of the last stage is great, a nice tribute that works really well.

Music is good. I don't know if I'm quite at KAI's level of appreciation for it, but there are some nice pieces in the mix.

So yep, I enjoy! G.Rev did well to grab this.

Just wondering, is there any way to change your mech colour in customisation? And what is it that unlocks the variations?

[Ed Oscuro]

I have a bad record of making quick judgements of some PSP games, only to warm up to them later. I haven't spent any more time with GunHound.

I think I changed my stance on the weapon setup - when I first tried it out I was trying to use just one weapon type where you're really supposed to use multiple ones.

Don't see my opinion changing on view distance and the voiceovers though. Agree about the graphics too - not a very fine job, but serviceable.

[Jonathan Ingram]

The option to change colors should be somewhere there in the customization options. New hardware is unlocked as you gradually raise your total score points(can be observed on the main screen). Depending on how many points you earn per playthrough, somewhere around 10-15 playthroughs may be needed to unlock everything.

I'm still waiting for someone to make a sidescrolling Armored Core. If it ever came to be, it would probably be like Leynos 2, but with deeper customization and more(many more) stages. In other words, it`ll never happen.

[Skykid]

I have a bad record of making quick judgements of some PSP games, only to warm up to them later. I haven't spent any more time with GunHound.

I think I changed my stance on the weapon setup - when I first tried it out I was trying to use just one weapon type where you're really supposed to use multiple ones.

Don't see my opinion changing on view distance and the voiceovers though. Agree about the graphics too - not a very fine job, but serviceable.

The voiceovers I can deal with as they're mostly skippable by holding down X. The one at the start of stage 3 that isn't skippable is a bit annoying, and the few in the middle of the action - well, at least you're still playing the game.

Admittedly, I'm playing on a Vita, so bigger screen and much better d-pad. I wouldn't be surprised if a small amount of your frustration came from the PSP interface, and that's not your fault.

However, some icky visuals aside, I dig the game much more than I expected. You did give me a few heads up and lowered expectations, two things that would have made my initial experience more pleasant, but I feel as though what little game there is is pretty well-made.

The option to change colors should be somewhere there in the customization options. New hardware is unlocked as you gradually raise your total score points(can be observed on the main screen). Depending on how many points you earn per playthrough, somewhere around 10-15 playthroughs may be needed to unlock everything.

Ah I see. I just don't like the mech's green n' blue colour scheme, it looks better in the simulator mode (white.) The only thing I've seemed to unlock so far is a drill melee instead of the normal punch. Not sure if there's any difference there bar visually.

[Ed Oscuro]

Yeah, if memory serves it is rather icky to play with the shoulder held down. But then I've played god knows how many hours of Phantasy Star Portable, so yeah.

[Jonathan Ingram]

The only thing I've seemed to unlock so far is a drill melee instead of the normal punch. Not sure if there's any difference there bar visually.

I recall there being some claw-looking thing that auto-deflects every projectile coming your way(easy mode, basically). Maybe that "drill" is it.

[Skykid]

The only thing I've seemed to unlock so far is a drill melee instead of the normal punch. Not sure if there's any difference there bar visually.

I recall there being some claw-looking thing that auto-deflects every projectile coming your way(easy mode, basically). Maybe that "drill" is it.

Yeah that's it. Makes it too easy, wow - the thing auto blocks regular bullets (!)

Hopefully there are some more interesting customisations later on.

[Jonathan Ingram]

Well, there's also some lame-ass shield and... I don`t remember what else. Either way, nothing interesting or exciting.

[EmperorIng]

Gunhound EX is being released on PC on May 1st.

I wonder why this wasn't announced before. Legit?

[KAI]

Wut? but Gunhound EX is already available on PC.

[EmperorIng]

yeah, but now you can play it on Steam (among other services). I thought Gunhound was the Japan-only PC release, EX was the G.REV gussied-up port, and now the west is getting Gunhound EX.

[Gespenst]

I thought Gunhound was the Japan-only PC release, EX was the G.REV gussied-up port, and now the west is getting Gunhound EX.

I remember there's a patch to upgrade the original game to its EX equivalent though.

[Ghegs]

I thought Gunhound was the Japan-only PC release, EX was the G.REV gussied-up port, and now the west is getting Gunhound EX.

I remember there's a patch to upgrade the original game to its EX equivalent though.

This is correct, but the patch only works on the original PC release, not the re-releases. Getting the game on Steam is very much a good thing, though I wonder if it's also possible to play the original version on Steam. There were some things I preferred on the original.

[ExitPlanetDust]

Gunhound EX is being released on PC on May 1st.

I wonder why this wasn't announced before. Legit?

I really hope this is happening. There have been no updates since the announcement. Playism's blog has been down for about 5 days too.

[EmperorIng]

Yeah, it's been strangely quiet about the whole thing. I'd assume even siliconera would have reported about it by now.

[ExitPlanetDust]

Looks like it's legit. I just found this: https://twitter.com/playismEN/status/460600924537225216

Morning Playism fans! Don’t forget that Gunhound EX hits Playism on 5/1! Are you ready for all out robot action?

[EmperorIng]

Sweet. Between this and Gigantic Army, this will be a nice robo-rockin' summer for me.
Was the arranged EX soundtrack by .YACK? I can't recall.

[ExitPlanetDust]

Yep. Leynos clones FTW.

[Domino]

You think this will be on Desura?

[KAI]

Was the arranged EX soundtrack by .YACK? I can't recall.

It was arranged by Tsukumo.

[EmperorIng]

Good* I guess he's buddy-buddy with the Gunhound devs now, with the Leynos remake.

*I was going to say "just as good," but deep down I know that Tsukomo is just not as good as YACK. =( Not to knock against him or anything.

[ExitPlanetDust]

http://www.playism-games.com/games/gunhound/

It's almost time!

Update: rolled out of bed, bought.

[Mischief Maker]

Is this english translated?

Also, do you get a standalone installer or some kind of DRM-free-in-name-only frontend?

[ExitPlanetDust]

It's truly DRM free. You receive a zipped setup executable with instructions doc. The text in-game is all translated.

[Mischief Maker]

What's the game doing that's setting off User Account Control warnings?

[Ed Oscuro]

Sheesh, DRM free and I already got the PSP version.

UAC triggers at pretty much any old program, so I wouldn't be too worried.

[ExitPlanetDust]

UAC triggers at pretty much any old program, so I wouldn't be too worried.

Pretty much.

[Mischief Maker]

UAC triggers at pretty much any old program, so I wouldn't be too worried.

Pretty much.

I've got over 40 doujins and this is the first one to set it off.

[Ed Oscuro]

So? You still don't need to worry.

It could be any number of things. Maybe the game changes files in Program Files and those other doujins just use local saves.

[xxx1993]

Totally off-topic, but what's the deal with shrine maidens always having huge tits?

The only examples I can think of off the top my head is Koyori, Maori Kasuga and those sisters from Saki. Who are you thinking of? I'd totally love to know.

Arcana Heart?