Gal Guardians: Servants of the Dark

This will be a blast for Gal Gun fans and well worth a try for newcomers. There isn't much beyond the usual Metroidvania trappings, but the build-based combat leaves lots of room for experimentation. Lack of originality aside, a strong imitation can still be an enjoyable experience, and Gal Guardians is never less than a great time. The character-swapping and revive mechanics make solo mode just as engaging as co-op, while the weapon slot system encourages replayability with new builds for Masha and Kirika.

Gal Guardians: Servants of the Dark presents itself as a solid Metroidvania, capable of introducing some interesting ideas that could have further enhanced its quality. However, these ideas are only partially developed and are accompanied by a number of design shortcomings, which limit its overall potential. Overall, the game is of a more than decent standard, offering several hours of entertainment thanks to its enjoyable and well-structured gameplay. Whilst it does not particularly stand out within the genre, it still manages to win players over thanks to its appealing art style and excellent attention to accessibility.

Gal Guardians: Servants of the Dark is a very unique game, to say the least. It takes the 2D action gameplay Inti Creates is known for and mixes it with that of a Metroidvania. The gameplay itself is fast and fluid, and the two main characters cover both ranged and melee-based playstyles. It can be played solo by switching between characters on the fly, or in co-op with a friend. Bosses are unique and challenging, but even the normal enemies can easily take you out if you aren’t careful. Transferring perks between picked-up items lets you customize your character’s stats to your liking, and unlocking new abilities is a lot of fun as well. Everything about this core gameplay is spot on and makes Servants of the Dark a joy to play; it is pretty much everything a fan of 2D action games could ask for! However, the rough edges are what makes playing the game a challenge at times.

Gal Guardians: Servants of the Dark ends up being an experience that could have been much more enjoyable than it actually was. While the game offers good options, on the other hand it leaves a lot open and doesn't capitalize on its strengths. For this reason, it may even please fans of the genre, but you'll need to be a little lenient to really want to follow the two sisters' journey.

There’s a lot that hinders the game but if you’re a fan of Gal Gun or Demon Purge, you’ll get some enjoyment out of it. The gameplay itself is solid and there’s something there for fans of the writing and franchise humor

Servants of the Dark is a decent Metroidvania, but forgettable. It has some amusing ideas; however, it doesn't live up to the potential of its predecessor when it comes to gameplay. Even though it expands the expanse of the universe and examines new gameplay components, it is lacking in crucial aspects.

Gal Guardians: Servants of the Dark is a solid improvement over its predecessor, which I already thought was good. Previous frustrations are mitigated thanks to the shift from pure platformer to Metroidvania, while keeping and improving what worked before. That said, it definitely suffers from just not being a very elegantly made Metroidvania. The best of its genre are lifted by a layer of artistry and cleverness that I feel this game decidedly lacks, which is disappointing when I feel it still gets plenty right. It's not the best you’ll ever play, but I’d recommend it quite easily.

Gal Guardians Servants of the Dark is undoubtedly a good metroidvania, capable of offering a complete gaming experience and even a few hours of fun in local co-op, a type of game the industry seems to have forgotten. Unfortunately, while it improves on its predecessor in virtually every aspect, there remains the feeling of being faced with a title that handles usually more complex aspects well, such as the excellent boss fights against some bosses, only to fall on seemingly simpler and more straightforward issues such as inventory management.

Gal Guardians, now in Metroidvania form

Gal Guardians: Servants of the Dark is a good experience that shows that Inti Creates has learned from the mistakes of its previous title and sought to develop its elements and create something that could stand on its own merits. The change to a Metroidvania style and excellent mix of movement abilities makes the game fun and enjoyable to play.