[This review is based on a sample provided by the publisher.]
Gurumin 3D: A Monstrous Adventure is a remake of a Playstation Portable title that was later remastered for Steam. Developed by Nihon Falcom and localized by Mastiff, the action-RPG was one of my most beloved game way back when it was first released. But after so many years, how does it hold up?
Let’s start with the game’s world. As the young heroine Parin, your time is split between the world connected to Monster Village and the human-populated Tiese Town (actually it is more 80-20). The characters are charming as is the dialogue. There is English language voice-acting but it feels a tad stilted at times. Back in the PSP days when voice-acting was a big deal, just about anything would be impressive. By today’s standards, not so much.
Gurumin 3D‘s music is where I am most disappointed, though. To be clear, the soundtrack itself is superb, lighthearted and quirky. Unfortunately, every time you hit a load-screen (which happens on a relatively frequent basis), the sound stutters and crackles. It was jarring and took away from the experience. And while playing the game on mute is an option (and one that I choose most of the time), it still a shame. I contacted Mastiff about this issue and they did mention that:
If there is an opportunity to provide an update down the road perhaps it can be something that we can have the dev team look into.
Levels mainly consist of platforming, relatively simple puzzles and fighting off baddies using your Legendary Drill. The locales vary but all contain charm and encourage you to explore your surroundings. Venture off the beaten path and you will be rewarded with extra challenges often resulting in treasure chests. Clearing these side areas are also key to getting a Master ranking for the level.
As you progress through the game, Parin acquires drill parts that imbue her Legendary Drill with elemental properties, which is key to solving certain puzzles. Collecting her equipment (the catch-all category for accessories) was one of my big obsessions in the game. Some of the items can only be obtained by trading in gold medals earned by clearing a level with a Master ranking, which provided a big incentive to revisit previous areas. Not only are these items cute (I adore when equipment actually changes a character’s appearance) but their abilities add another level of strategy. For example, the Goggles mitigate water damage so wearing them during a level with water hazards is probably good idea. Thankfully, you can switch out equipment on the fly, either through the standard menu screen or through the 3DS touchscreen.
Gurumin 3D: A Monstrous Adventure gets a 4 out of 5. Even with the sound issues, I enjoyed this game. It is one of those titles that I consider “good, clean fun.”