[Review] - The Gunstringer

Speaking of controls, this may be the only problem I have with the game. You control The Gunstringer’s movements with one of your hands (Depending on whether you’re left or right handed.) and with the other you control the guns, sword, or fist. Each level starts with you picking up The Gunstringer and getting started with the level. With your free hand you aim your “gun” as if you were a child playing cops and robbers. As you select up to six targets with the reticule, you jerk your hand back as if the gun has been fired and you are dealing with the recoil. Simple enough controls for the weapons and this work outstandingly well. I never had a problem with the gun controls in a standing or sitting position. Controlling The Gunstringer on the other hand can be a little tougher. Some of the finer movements can be bothersome and aren’t as precise as they should be for dodging and jumping sections in the game. There are also sections that have The Gunstringer behind cover, peeking out to get off a few rounds to take out enemies. Again, this can be bothersome due to the controls, but isn’t game breaking. I put this problem more on the Kinect than the game itself. Honestly, a patch may be able to help some. As it stands, the controls work quite well for the most part.

Graphically, the game is done really well. The overall look and variety of locations and enemies is very well done. Also, as with most Twisted Pixel games, everything has enough variety and seems to be so lovingly crafted that you want to see more and more of each level. Don’t get me wrong this isn’t an on rails version of Red Dead Redemption, but everything looks great. Sound is also on par with the other Twisted Pixel releases. The narrator brings a lot to the game. Constantly giving commentary on what is going on with The Gunstringer or his surroundings. This isn’t commentary at the level of Bastion, but it is extremely close. Also, the soundtrack really is amazing here. As with the other XBLA releases, each tune for each level is catchy and you will seek out the soundtrack, if for nothing more than the ending song.

The Gunstringer truly shapes up to be a top notch Kinect game. There is technically nothing here that couldn’t have been accomplished on the Wii or Playstation Move, but the character really does lend himself to being on Kinect. Twisted Pixel’s humor, wit, and presentation all add up to create one of the most unique and fun experiences I’ve had with Kinect. Before The Gunstringer, the Kinect really had become a fancy Netflix, video, and music controller. The Gunstringer really should be in any Kinect owner’s game library. Also, being Twisted Pixel’s first DVD based game, the full package is jam packed with extras. You get the first DLC, The Wavy Tubeman Chronicles (Which I will review soon), and a copy of another great Kinect title, Fruit Ninja Kinect (Which I reviewed here). So, to answer my previous questions: Will their first disc based game live up to the standards of their previous endeavors? This is a yes. Will The Gunstringer be the first “Must Buy” game for the Xbox Kinect add-on? Oh heck yes! If all this hasn’t convinced you to buy this game, then you should probably sell your Xbox and go buy a book.