''Gungriffon'' is a series of
video games
Video games, also known as computer games, are electronic games that involves interaction with a user interface or input device such as a joystick, game controller, controller, computer keyboard, keyboard, or motion sensing device to gener ...
developed by
Game Arts
is a Japanese developer and publisher of video games located in Chiyoda, Tokyo. Originally established in 1985 as a computer software company, it expanded into producing for a number of game console and handheld systems. Its President and CEO i ...
and designed by
Takeshi Miyaji
was a Japanese video game developer who founded the development companies Game Arts (with his brother Yoichi Miyaji) and G-Mode. He was best known as the creator of the ''Silpheed'', ''GunGriffon'', ''Lunar'' and ''Grandia'' video game series. Hi ...
.
''Gungriffon'' and ''Gungriffon II'' originally appeared for the
Sega Saturn
The is a home video game console developed by Sega and released on November 22, 1994, in Japan, May 11, 1995, in North America, and July 8, 1995, in Europe. Part of the fifth generation of video game consoles, it was the successor to the succ ...
console in 1996, with more recent appearances in ''Gungriffon Blaze'' for the
PlayStation 2
The PlayStation 2 (PS2) is a home video game console developed and marketed by Sony Computer Entertainment. It was first released in Japan on 4 March 2000, in North America on 26 October 2000, in Europe on 24 November 2000, and in Australia on 3 ...
and ''Gungriffon: Allied Strike'' for the
Xbox
Xbox is a video gaming brand created and owned by Microsoft. The brand consists of five video game consoles, as well as applications (games), streaming services, an online service by the name of Xbox network, and the development arm by the na ...
. The Gungriffon games are focused on piloting
mecha
In science fiction, or mechs are giant robots or machines controlled by people, typically depicted as humanoid walking vehicles. The term was first used in Japanese (language), Japanese after shortening the English loanword or , but the mean ...
—large, usually bipedal military vehicles. This game series refers to these machines as Armored Walking Gun Systems (AWGS). With the exception of the High-MACS design, the
mecha
In science fiction, or mechs are giant robots or machines controlled by people, typically depicted as humanoid walking vehicles. The term was first used in Japanese (language), Japanese after shortening the English loanword or , but the mean ...
in this series have a distinctly realistic design philosophy.
''Gungriffon''
Year Game Takes Place: 2015
Platform:
Sega Saturn
The is a home video game console developed by Sega and released on November 22, 1994, in Japan, May 11, 1995, in North America, and July 8, 1995, in Europe. Part of the fifth generation of video game consoles, it was the successor to the succ ...
Release Dates:
''Gungriffon'' was developed under the working title "3D Polygon". During development, the game included a multiplayer mode with usage of the Saturn's link cable, but this was cut before release and the final game is single player only. It was released in Japan under the title ''Gungriffon: The Eurasian Conflict''. There were plans to release the game in North America and Europe under the title "Iron Reign", but ultimately Sega reverted to using a shortened version of the original Japanese title.
According to Greg Becksted, producer of the North American version of the game, the localization team changed the game's storyline slightly to better suit the U.S. market.
Reception
''Gungriffon'' received highly positive reviews, with critics hailing it as one of the best mech-based video games to date. The four reviewers of ''
Electronic Gaming Monthly
''Electronic Gaming Monthly'' (often abbreviated to ''EGM'') is a monthly American video game magazine. It offers video game news, coverage of industry events, interviews with gaming figures, editorial content and product reviews.
History
The m ...
'' gave it their "Game of the Month" award, praising the responsive controls, sharp and realistic graphics, and exciting pace of the gameplay. Though most of them criticized the way the player mech easily gets caught on buildings, they all gave the game a strong recommendation, with Dan Hsu summarizing it as "the most exciting mech sim I've ever played, including any found on the PC."
[ Rad Automatic of '']Sega Saturn Magazine
''Sega Saturn Magazine'' was a monthly UK magazine covering the Sega Saturn, a home video game console. It held the official Saturn magazine license for the UK, and some issues included a demo CD created by Sega, ''Sega Flash'', which included ...
'' called ''Gungriffon'' "one of the best giant robot games ever", citing the polished graphics and the fact that missions are widely varied not just in the usual factors of terrain and difficulty, but even in elements such as tactical concept and lighting. ''Maximums Rich Leadbetter praised the "very well pitched" difficulty, the impressive polygon models, and the variety of visuals. He criticized the lack of randomization and the fact that players do not need to start the entire game over when they fail a mission, but gave it an overall very positive assessment, calling it "what '' Krazy Ivan'' on PlayStation should have been". ''GamePro
Gamepro.com is an international multiplatform video game magazine media company that covers the video game industry, video game hardware and video game software in countries such as Germany and France. The publication, GamePro, was originally la ...
'' likewise said that ''Gungriffon'' "makes ''Krazy Ivan'' and ''Ghen War
is a first-person shooter video game for the Sega Saturn console. It was developed by American studio Jumpin' Jack Software and published by Sega in 1995. The game centers around a member of a mining crew, with an artificial powered exoskeleton ...
'' look and feel like rusted heaps of scrap iron." The reviewer was especially pleased with the player mech's ability to hover and the "Clean, almost state-of-the-art graphics". '' Next Generation''s brief review said the game has "eclectic missions and bizarre weapons. It looks good, controls well, and would be a four-star game if not for its brevity and poor pacing."
''Gungriffon II''
Year Game Takes Place: Unknown
Platform: Sega Saturn
The is a home video game console developed by Sega and released on November 22, 1994, in Japan, May 11, 1995, in North America, and July 8, 1995, in Europe. Part of the fifth generation of video game consoles, it was the successor to the succ ...
Release Dates:
''Gungriffon Blaze''
Year Game Takes Place: 2016
Platform: PlayStation 2
The PlayStation 2 (PS2) is a home video game console developed and marketed by Sony Computer Entertainment. It was first released in Japan on 4 March 2000, in North America on 26 October 2000, in Europe on 24 November 2000, and in Australia on 3 ...
Number of players: 1
Release Dates:
On release, ''Famitsu
formerly ''Famicom Tsūshin'', is a line of Japanese video game magazines published by Kadokawa Game Linkage (previously known as Gzbrain), a subsidiary of Kadokawa. ''Famitsu'' is published in both weekly and monthly formats as well as in the fo ...
'' magazine scored the game a 33 out of 40.[''プレイステーション2 - ガングリフォンブレイズ''. Weekly Famitsu. No.915 Pt.2. Pg.57. 30 June 2006.]
''Gungriffon Allied Strike''
Year Game Takes Place: 2024
Platform: Xbox
Xbox is a video gaming brand created and owned by Microsoft. The brand consists of five video game consoles, as well as applications (games), streaming services, an online service by the name of Xbox network, and the development arm by the na ...
Release Dates:
References
{{reflist
1996 video games
Game Arts games
GungHo Online Entertainment franchises
Video game franchises
Video games about mecha
Sega Saturn games
Sega Saturn-only games
Video games developed in Japan