Welcome to EXPlay, (Explain & Play) the review series where we care not for scores but tell it how it is when it comes to every game we get our hands on, whilst also taking the time to include some lengthy gameplay, to give you the reader, the chance to shape your own impressions and views whilst watching and reading.
In this explanatory review, we’re covering Gori: Cuddly Carnage by developer, Angry Demon Studio:
Gori: Cuddly Carnage (The Explanation)
From the horror-obsessed, Sweden-based development team that makes up Angry Demon Studio, Gori: Cuddly Carnage is another video game that takes an adorable ginger cat and throws them into the limelight. Except, while the unnamed protagonist kitty from Stray, had the likes of a walled city, robots and mutant bacteria to deal with, Gori: Cuddly Carnage is a hack-and-slash action/adventure game where its titular kitty, must take on the Adorable Army in an apocalyptic world where humanity has been eradicated. And now, after two years of waiting since I first fell in love with it, it’s time to find out if the full version of Gori lives up to expectations, or falls short. Here… we… go!!!
Designed by Cool-Toyz Inc to be the “perfect pet,” Gori is an Ultra Pet, a manufactured creature that never feels hunger, never needs a bathroom break and is long-lasting, thanks to being “impervious to the ravages of time.” Only, while the majority of the Ultra Pets and other products fabricated by Cool-Toyz, went on to become horrific versions of their former selves, becoming something you’d expect to find in your deepest, darkest nightmares, which actively sought out the eradication of humanity, Gori has managed to remain to the lovable, cuddly kitty he always was, except now he’s a lot deadlier and he’s not alone.
Accompanied by its sharp-witted companion F.R.A.N.K, who doubles as a sentient hoverboard that packs some serious heat and even if F.R.A.N.K’s arsenal can’t cut Gori’s enemies down to size, F.R.A.N.K’s no holds barred dialogue soon will. Furthermore, while the foul-mouthed F.RA.N.K has a penchant for swearing, only to have it covered up thanks to censoring, players will be pleased to know there is an upgrade available in-game that removes F.R.A.N.K’s filter and when it is gone, the insults and curses words fly without hesitation.Â
But, there’s still one more companion to mention and that’s CH1-P, a sensitive AI that is rather melancholy and depressed, but while Ch1-P does do what he can to help Gori and F.R.A.N.K, Ch1-P takes more of a backseat, what with being the AI that operates their ship and provides the occasional bit of technical assistance. But that’s okay, CH1-P would only get in the way anyway and Gori and F.R.A.N.K can handle themselves just fine without needing CH1-P to join in on all the carnage.
Gameplay-wise, while combat is mostly hack-and-slack, with Gori capable of learning new combos, skills and upgrading skills for the right price, Gori: Cuddly Carnage also offers plenty of platformer-focused action, across multiple environments, each one more beautiful and deadly than the last. Not only that, while each of the game’s few main stages can take anywhere between twenty minutes to an hour to complete, there are still secrets to discover in the form of a giant key split up into three parts.
By assembling every part required to complete the key, when back aboard CH1-P in between levels, players can gain access to new rooms, where a new costume for Gori can be acquired, with each room serving a different function. My favourite room of those available is one players can acquire halfway through the game, where you can read up on information relating to each of the main characters and enemies you have encountered.
You will also be able to gain access to special challenge levels where Gori will be tasked with trying to stay airborne for sixty seconds, achieving a high combo, or outrunning a wall of sludge in one life, and trying to have a specific time left on the clock. While the challenge stages and main missions can vary, they are united in the fact that clear requirements are set and by meeting them, you can earn yourself a Bronze, Silver or Gold star.
What’s more, while Gori: Cuddly Carnage might not seem like the biggest game in the world, with each stage advancing ther story and providing interesting flashbacks and comic book covers, it’s still a fantastic game in its own right with plenty of replay value, especially if you wish to uncover every secret, earn every gold and earn enough coin to purchase every customisation for Gori, F.R.A.N.K and photo filter available.Â
But, what of the soundtrack and visual quality? The soundtrack absolutely slaps and adds to the action, perfectly complimenting the game’s vivid neon art style and while the Switch version of the game, still looks good in its own right, ultimately, the Switch release is the inferior version of Gori: Cuddly Carnage, what with the lesser powerful platform losing some of the sharper details available in other platform versions of Gori: Cuddly Carnage.
Moreover, as we touched on previously in our preview, there are some performance issues at play, especially when Gori is surrounded by enemies, but during my playthrough, performance seemed to take more of a hit when playing Gori: Cuddly Carnage in docked mode versus handheld. There have also been a couple of minor glitches but they have been rectified already thanks to an update that has already been released.
Nevertheless, while the Nintendo Switch version is not the definitive way to play, there can be no denying how great it feels to be able to take Gori: Cuddly Carnage on the go and not be reliant on a TV screen all the time. Furthermore, it is a creative outing worth experiencing. F.R.A.N.K is a character worth getting to know, Gori is just in it for the ride and carnage and while you can’t pet Gori, as long as you press the down directional button, you can hear Gori purr.
So, get ready to grind neon rails, execute perfect dodges to enemy attacks, charge your boost, execute all manner of evil unicorns, in brutal ways that will replenish Gori’s health, overcharge attacks, smash shields and use F.R.A.N.K as a bazooka. It’s carnage at its finest and I have loved every bit of it. For two years I have waited for this game and I am pleased to say I am not disappointed. There are so many different elements and ideas at play and Angry Demon Studio has done a wonderful job of bringing them all together. So here’s to you Gori and to carnage worth having!
Gori: Cuddly Carnage (The Gameplay)
Game Specifications:
Developer: Angry Demon Studio
Publisher: Wired Productions
Platform: Nintendo Switch (eShop)
Category: Action, Adventure, Other
No. of Players: 1 (Single System)
Release Date: August 29, 2024
Price: $21.99
File Size: 5.4 GB
Nintendo.com Listing
