I want to like Gurumin more than I actually should, but the constant thought of certain aspects in this game hold me back from my feelings of saying "Gurumin is great". In reality, Gurumin is a very charming game, but suffers from a few notable problems that makes playing it feel more like a chore at times.
Often I likened how Gurumin gives you a ranking at the end of the level and the fact it has a homing attack that made me really want to compare this game to Sonic. Sadly, this isn't the case though as ranking the highest rank simply means you beat all the baddies and smashed all the vases. Never once does this game really acknowledge you for how you do something over just doing it. And sure you can get higher ranks of plus signs to show that you didn't get all that hurt, but really in the end it doesn't mean anything to the game as a whole. On top of that, the game's control system constantly trips over itself with how often you want to do one move, but end up getting locked in another. Due to how animation works with your character and how slow each attack is, often this will led to your character getting hurt or pulling off the wrong move. It's not something that makes the game unable, but it is something that stops it from making levels with a little more flare and oomf than "looking for vases on this map". While i don't think every game has to be or act like Sonic to be fun; the fact Gurumin had so much potential with it's formula is upsetting to me.
The game also has two difficulty spikes that are completely optional, but should be noted as something you need for completion so it can make people that just wanted to chill with a nice fun game, have nightmares about it. Simply put, soccer shouldn't be played with a super slow drill, and the super boss for this game doesn't really need to go THAT HAM on you. Thankfully the rest of the game doesn't suffer from this, and is certainly something a child can take care of with ease.
As mentioned before Gurumin has a wonderful ride of style and charm, and a lot of that has to do with it's music and aesthetics. From it's wonderful title screen music to it's final boss guitar solos, Gurumin really be popping your ears off with great tunes. On top of that, everything is so nice and stylish that this game practically looks great, even for an old PSP game. Each level has a wonderful linear open design to explore, and something that helps with the games difficulty and controls at times. Many of the characters are quirky and fun too.
Really Gurumin is a good adventure game for all ages that has a few warts to it, but they are all on the bottom of this iceberg that largely it doesn't feel right to criticize it too harshly. If you love Wario land or Sonic games, I certainly feel you will find your way home here.
Often I likened how Gurumin gives you a ranking at the end of the level and the fact it has a homing attack that made me really want to compare this game to Sonic. Sadly, this isn't the case though as ranking the highest rank simply means you beat all the baddies and smashed all the vases. Never once does this game really acknowledge you for how you do something over just doing it. And sure you can get higher ranks of plus signs to show that you didn't get all that hurt, but really in the end it doesn't mean anything to the game as a whole. On top of that, the game's control system constantly trips over itself with how often you want to do one move, but end up getting locked in another. Due to how animation works with your character and how slow each attack is, often this will led to your character getting hurt or pulling off the wrong move. It's not something that makes the game unable, but it is something that stops it from making levels with a little more flare and oomf than "looking for vases on this map". While i don't think every game has to be or act like Sonic to be fun; the fact Gurumin had so much potential with it's formula is upsetting to me.
The game also has two difficulty spikes that are completely optional, but should be noted as something you need for completion so it can make people that just wanted to chill with a nice fun game, have nightmares about it. Simply put, soccer shouldn't be played with a super slow drill, and the super boss for this game doesn't really need to go THAT HAM on you. Thankfully the rest of the game doesn't suffer from this, and is certainly something a child can take care of with ease.
As mentioned before Gurumin has a wonderful ride of style and charm, and a lot of that has to do with it's music and aesthetics. From it's wonderful title screen music to it's final boss guitar solos, Gurumin really be popping your ears off with great tunes. On top of that, everything is so nice and stylish that this game practically looks great, even for an old PSP game. Each level has a wonderful linear open design to explore, and something that helps with the games difficulty and controls at times. Many of the characters are quirky and fun too.
Really Gurumin is a good adventure game for all ages that has a few warts to it, but they are all on the bottom of this iceberg that largely it doesn't feel right to criticize it too harshly. If you love Wario land or Sonic games, I certainly feel you will find your way home here.