PGC NEWS

The early days of video games offered limited genre choices due to technological constraints. Side-scrolling action games dominated the landscape. Even today, there’s confusion between platformers and side-scrolling action games. While they share similarities, key differences exist. Platformers emphasize character control and level navigation, often incorporating puzzle elements. Side-scrolling action games focus on linear progression and combat, with jumping and platforming serving mainly to evade and attack enemies. Mega Man, particularly the Mega Man X series, exemplifies the action-platformer hybrid, blending ranged combat and beat-‘em-up action. While the platformer genre might seem less prominent today, quality titles like Guns, Gore & Cannoli from Crazy Monkey Studios prove its enduring appeal.

Vinnie Cannoli blasting through zombies

Explosive Action and Engaging Gameplay

In Guns, Gore & Cannoli, players become Vinnie Cannoli, a private investigator entangled in a dark mission for the Mafia. Tasked with finding a traitor, Cannoli is thrust into a city overrun by a mysterious zombie outbreak. Armed with a cool head, a hot arsenal, and sharp shooting skills, he must carve a path through hordes of undead to uncover the truth. The core gameplay revolves around running, jumping, and shooting, but the execution is superb. Cannoli’s actions, from kicking down doors to blasting locks and taking cover, are crisp and capture the essence of a classic action hero.

Cannoli fighting zombies in a detailed environment

The level design is rich and varied, offering numerous tactical possibilities. While secrets are scarce, each area encourages strategic play against the relentless zombie hordes. Blindly charging in Rambo-style leads to frequent restarts. For those seeking more intense action, Guns, Gore & Cannoli offers local co-op for two players and LAN support for up to four, each controlling unique characters beyond Vinnie Cannoli.

A Diverse Arsenal and Challenging Enemies

Cannoli’s arsenal is impressive, ranging from a reliable pistol and powerful shotgun to a rapid-fire submachine gun and a high-impact Magnum. Each weapon is balanced in terms of range, damage, and ammo capacity. Beyond firearms, Cannoli can deliver powerful kicks to push back zombies and utilizes grenades and Molotov cocktails for crowd control. These resources are limited, requiring careful aim and tactical usage.

Cannoli wielding a shotgun

The enemies in Guns, Gore & Cannoli are more than just mindless hordes. From charging football players and gun-wielding police chiefs to poison-spewing housewives and knife-throwing butchers, the variety provides a constant challenge. This, combined with the tight controls and varied environments, creates an intense and thrilling action experience comparable to AAA titles like The Witcher 3 and Bloodborne.

A scene showing the variety of enemies

Striking Visuals and Immersive Audio

Guns, Gore & Cannoli embraces its 2D art style, showcasing the potential of 2D graphics. While not as artistically stylized as Child of Light or as polished as Artifex Mundi’s HOPA games, it possesses a unique charm. The comic book aesthetic with a dark color palette creates a tense and exciting atmosphere. Backgrounds are detailed and meticulously crafted, depicting the gritty world of the 1970s with decaying walls, overflowing trash cans, and evocative buildings.

Cannoli in a burning building

The zombie designs are humorously grotesque, reminiscent of Plants vs. Zombies. While gruesome, their appearance adds a touch of levity to the intense action. Explosive effects are well-executed, particularly the satisfying explosions of strategically placed fuel barrels. The sound design is equally immersive, with realistic weapon sounds and environmental effects. The voice acting, particularly the Italian-accented English dialogue, adds to the game’s atmosphere.

Minor Drawbacks

Despite its strengths, Guns, Gore & Cannoli has some minor flaws. Cutscenes suffer from noticeable lag, potentially due to a low frame rate. The difficulty, even on Normal, is quite challenging, with scarce ammo and relentless enemy spawns. Perhaps the biggest drawback is the short playtime, clocking in at around 2-3 hours for a single playthrough. Hopefully, Crazy Monkey Studios will release DLC with new levels, weapons, and enemies to extend the experience.