Review: Gunvolt Chronicles: Luminous Avenger iX 2

destructoid.com:

Where are my Gunvolt fans at? It’s crazy to think that this series has been in the mix for nearly eight years now. It’s been a whopping 30 years since the original Mega Man X was released, and so many games have attempted to fill the void: even within Capcom’s own wheelhouse. After playing Gunvolt Chronicles: Luminous Avenger iX 2, I still feel the same way about Gunvolt: I want this series to live on forever.

Gunvolt Chronicles: Luminous Avenger iX 2 (PC [reviewed], PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X)Developer: Inti CreatesPublisher: Inti CreatesReleased: January 27, 2022MSRP: $24.99

Inti Creates has had a crack at a number of different characters in this universe, and although Copen (the star of the spinoff Luminous Avenger) is back, everything is different. The creators take a really cool approach here, and set everything in an alternate universe. Copen is enjoying a relaxing break at home and then BAM: we’re suddenly sucked into a different dimension, and we’re two months into his explorations there.

It’s a framing device I’m a huge fan of, especially since it gets us into the 2D action immediately, and although it’s a spinoff of what some would call an obscure series, it’s an easy ask for someone to dive into an alternate timeline and not feel like they missed much. It’s animated, too — and I mean that literally and figuratively. While I’m sure some will find it annoying, having your AI constantly cheer you on with a fully voiced performance is smart, and injects a lot of personality into an otherwise stoic Copen.

Even the footstep noises on different types of ground are accounted for with stellar sound design, and some of the music tracks would be welcome in a proper Mega Man game. While stories in 2D games