So, this game is $15 base price. I have played, as of the time of writing this review, 144 hours according to Steam. Judge for yourself, but I think it's safe to say this game is more than reasonably priced. Loot distributions are very balanced based on effectiveness. For example, the Shelleton Key, which makes keys useless and unlocks everything for free, might appear only once every 75 runs whereas a more basic weapon like an AK47 might appear once every 3-5. The Dodge Roll, the game's most important mechanic which allows a player to be invincible while dodging through a bullet, isn't nearly as overpowered as it sounds. You are invulnerable during the first half of the dodge roll, but you are made completely motionless on the follow-through, so normal dodging is almost always preferred when possible.
Story leaves a bit to be desired, but it's a roguelike. These games aren't built around story, it's all about the gameplay, which Gungeon executes incredibly well.
With the Advanced Gungeons and Draguns update, they introduced a new mechanic: Synergies. While they aren't as flexible or sophisticated as TBoI synergies, they definitely add something to be excited about in any run. It works in sorta the same way: Get 2 related items, both become more powerful. For example, getting the Void Shotgun and the Void Core Assault Rifle makes one orbit you and fire on reload while the other is equipped.
Synergies are great and all, but what really makes the game shine is its incredible amount of variety. The reason that a gun as common as the AK appears once every 5 or so runs is because of the sheer number of other guns you can find, all with their own unique twist.
Don't be deterred by the game clips where there's a ton going on that's hard to keep track of, by the time you reach that point in the game you will have gotten used to it enough to understand.
Fantastic work, Dodge Roll.
