What a dive into nostalgia! UFO Robot Grendizer: Feast of the Wolves review. This new Microids product is not only based on one of the most beloved Japanese robots of the past (the original series, I believe, dates back to 1975), but in its setting it recalls what, a long time ago, when they were still in fashion . , were called multi-event video games. Multi-event games are/were adventures divided into different types of gameplay: in the case of Feast of the Wolves we find sequences of shooters with horizontal scrolling, others with rear vision, segments where we will guide Daisuke on foot with a camera from above and others. where we will freely guide the great Grendizer through Japan fighting with Vega robots in real third-person action.
Nostalgia takes me away
The nostalgia element is an integral part of a product designed specifically for those who grew up with them. Go Nagai opera of which it is inspired by the graphic style, the music and even the original voices of the Spanish version of the cartoon that was originally broadcast on the Rai channels. These are not the announcers of the past, now too old to assume certain roles, but rather new voices recorded with the aim of replicating the timbre and that particular vehemence that characterized these products in the early 80s. And it does it very well. . The same excellent result is achieved with the music: although they present some differences from the originals, and always lack the vocal part (this hurts us a little, we admit it), they know how to perfectly recreate the unforgettable atmosphere. of the souls we fell in love with in our youth.
Even graphically we cannot be disappointed. The colors, the characters, Grendizer himself, are exactly as we would have liked to see them when, as a child, he imagined a game like this that, however, no one before Microids had had the courage to put together. No, not even the Japanese themselves who, with their love for the omnipresent Gundam, have never paid much attention to their other robots always ready to defend the Earth from the alien threat. As dedication full of love It can be said that this Ufo Robot Grendizer: The Feast of Wolves is a real success, especially if we take into account the far from pharaonic budget entrusted to the equally small development team.
Old style
The problems and limitations of this project emerge strongly when we want to analyze it as a video game in the strict sense, when we leave aside its museum nature and hold the pad in our hands to send the robots sent to our planet back to the sender. . by the evil Hydargos. The shooter sequences are dull and undemanding: in these levels we will pilot both Grendizer in UFO mode, trying to destroy enemy planes and avoid collisions inside long canyons with rear vision, as well as Alcor leading its TFO, and in these cases the view is from above as in the most classic shoot'em ups of 1945. Inexplicably in the sequences with Alcor there is also an annoying update of the shadows that always appear a moment after the props, such as trees and rocks, will appear on the screen.
Vega won't win!
It will definitely be better when we are finally at the controls of the great Grendizer. These sections represent the true heart of the game and it is here where the developers have given their best. HE The levels are completely open. and present several collectibles and some secondary missions that will allow us to collect more resources to strengthen our robot. The setting is mostly rural, as most of Japan was in the 70s, with some small towns and several characteristic villages. Grendizer only moves on foot, so it's not possible to freely retrieve the boat to quickly flit from one part of the level to another, and his jumping abilities are modest, which will liven up some simple platforming sequences. The central element will always be the combat characterized by fists, combos with the iconic space halberd, antigravity rays useful to break the defenses of the toughest enemies, electronic boomerangs, parallel blasters, drill hammers and even the infamous and very powerful space thunder that emanates . of the robot's horns. Therefore, Grendizer's moves are all present and every time we activate them we will hear Daisuke shout his name exactly as we are always used to hearing in cartoons.
Space Halberd!
Every Grendizer move can be upgraded. and only a few will need to be unlocked first. The combats are quite simple, especially in the first two areas, but the variety of encounters will progressively improve thanks to the increasingly varied arsenal at our disposal. By fighting we will fill the energy bar that will be used for the most powerful movements, the most spectacular final blows and also to regenerate health points (but we will have to stay still for a few moments, so be careful with enemy blows). If Grendizer's life points drop to zero, the game will end and we will have to start the level again.
A monument game
If in its individual parts this Ufo Robot Grendizer: The Feast of the Wolves is a little more than mediocre game, as a whole the experience is decidedly compelling, especially if you grew up with Grendizer. Daisuke's screams, the final explosions of Vega's robots, the sequences where our hero will play the guitar under the tallest tree in the world. rigel farm, the dialogues with the inhabitants that we will have saved from certain death, the sunset that sets Mount Fuji on fire, Hikaru's dreamlike voice... each element contributes to making the atmosphere of the game a real (revolving) punch for the heart. However, it will depend on you whether all this is enough to make you close your eyes to the countless imperfections and certain decidedly annoying (but in the process of being solved) bugs.
Conclusions
Tested version PlayStation 5 digital delivery PlayStation Store Price 49,99 € Holygamerz.com 6.5 Readers (36) 7.8 your voteUfo Robot Grendizer: The Feast of Wolves should not be purchased if you are sure that you will have a great new game to complete. If you try this idea, there is a good chance you will be disappointed. This new Microids game is rather a kind of monument to a great author and one of his most beloved robots, a collector's item that will be inserted between the Mazinger Z action figure and the book collection dedicated to Getter Robot . It's not much different from certain Japanese operations of the mid-90s, such as the entertaining Time Bokan on PlayStation which was certainly not a masterpiece, but so many laughs astride Yattaman. Everything is enriched with a very well done dubbing and with all the elements taken from the original series. We tested Grendizer: The Feast of Wolves on PlayStation 5 where the frame rate is not the most stable, but the game can be purchased on virtually every platform on the market.
PRO
- As a tribute to Grendizer, it works quite well.
- Space dubbing!
- chilling music
AGAINST
- Frame Rate Dancer
- The game design and level design are too basic.
- Several quite annoying errors
