Elemental Gearbolt

"A brilliant shooter"

Elemental Gearbolt was a brilliant, yet somewhat overlooked game. I say this partially because of Working Designs pension for making low copies, and advertising even less, some brilliant titles such as this that they bring over to the states. Capitalizing on the up and coming Guncon technology on the Playstation, Elemental Gearbolt was a rail-like, light gun game which took you through a series of fantastical steam punk boards, with no less then intriguing anime cut scenes in between.

Graphics: The Graphics for this game were done very well. I can’t say it was anything revolutionary, but for it's time that's not necessarily what people were looking for in a light gun game. A fully 3d universe, with frenzied detailed enemies that you can shoot at, was really all one needed to have fun, and Elemental Gearbolt accomplished this task well. Not much more can be said on the Graphics, aside from that it was a very original well crafted universe, similar in some instances to the Panzer Dragoon Games.

Story: A lot of the game is a basic flashback read through the mind of strange being looking at the ruins of a great city. you are one of two beings in the past being hauled off to execution, but something within you awakens, and you transform into an elemental being of destruction off to seek revenge as the great city crumbles under a great power struggle. The story, although basic on the surface, has what appears to be a large underlying complexity that could, if it wanted, spawn a very elaborate 2 hour anime movie. To this day I have not bothered to investigate, but I wouldn't be surprised if there was more story on this universe than the game provided.

Controls: The controls are impressively unique for a light gun game, utilizing buttons that are rarely used on the Guncon, and using a system uncanny to no other. You can switch to different types of elemental ammos depending on the combat situation, and as you play you get very used to handling it. I guess the worst possible thing about this game from a control aspect is that you are GARUNTEED to get very tired playing and will eventually have to rest your arms on something because you cant hold them up anymore, even with the light Guncon. *Authors note: I did use another, much heavier, kickback style gun while playing this game, suffice to say, my arms could not play through a full game).

Sound: Another great quality of this game was the sound. The sound effects were excellent, and the music was simply amazing. It was very gloomy and moving, with opera-like tones and quality instrumentals. While I write this review, I’m debating if I should buy the soundtrack for this game, which I’m betting exists somewhere.

All in all, Elemental Gearbolt was a very well rounded light gun shooter with elements never before seen. The story was great, and hinting at something much deeper and the anime cut scenes furthered to adding depth into the story. I really could see the possibility of a great sequel to be made, but knowing Working Designs, and with the lacking of Guncon 2 titles currently present, I think the chances look nill.

Reviewer's Score: 10/10, Originally Posted: 05/23/03, Updated 05/23/03