Microsoft Studios and Twisted Pixel Games finally release a Kinect-only title that gives sufficient reason to purchase the motion sensing device. The Gunstringer is a hilarious, laugh-out-loud shooter that combines live audiences, deadpan humor, and western clichés in a solid package.
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 List Price: $39.99 Sale Price: Too low to display 
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As characteristic of Twisted Pixel Games, The Gunstringer is a hodgepodge of entertaining elements that won’t let you leave until you’re satisfied. To begin with, the game plays out like a live marionette theatrical production. The levels are all various acts within the play, and the gamer plays the role of the unseen puppet master guiding the protagonist puppet throughout the levels. To make things more realistic (or just ridiculous), a live audience of real actors comprise the viewing party. They will cheer and clap loudly during levels when the Gunstringer accomplishes some daring feat, boo and hiss at his enemies, and make extreme expressions at certain plot points during the game that adds plenty of extra humor. As an add-on, the player can call for help to the audience as a sort of power-up, which leads to someone’s fist coming down and smashing enemy puppets to bits.
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The game’s plot follows the lonely Gunstringer, a former western cowboy gunned down from behind by his posse. As his spirit roams restlessly, he rises from the grave in the form of a skeletal marionette bent on revenge. Gameplay mechanics involve using your left hand to control the Gunstringer’s movements as if pretending to hold a wooden puppetry crossbar, and using you right hand to mark down and shoot at enemies. The motion sensors are extremely accurate, and whatever kinks that haven’t been ironed out are insignificant. The controls can also be reversed for those more inclined to use their left hand for shooting.
While the gameplay is reminiscent of old western shooters wherein you duck for cover behind some conveniently placed barrier, rear your head out when your enemies have stopped firing, and rain down a few bullets of your own, The Gunstringer Kinect game makes this predictable formula more exciting by adding tons of humor and oddities that never make for a dull moment. The entire play is constantly being described by a narrator who spews out ridiculous lines in a deadpan manner. Crazy characters and enemies are practically littered on every level, and the Gunstringer’s remorseless way of shooting at everything in its way, whether foe or innocent animals, give off a sense of fun, diabolical craziness.
Graphics-wise, The Gunstringer utilizes cartoony backdrops that fit the overall spirit of the game. The audio is topnotch too, with voice actors delivering their lines in a convincing manner, giving the game that extra edge it needs.
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Replay value is excellent. Once players have finished the main campaign, they can go back with a friend for some multiplayer action. The second player can take part in the campaign as an extra pair of hands to aid in shooting. There are also tons of unlockables and achievements which include behind-the-scenes footage, the first set of downloadable content, and a free copy of the arcade Kinect game Fruit Ninja Kinect. Overall, the game with its entire extra package is simply too great to pass on.
The entire length of play for the Kinect Gunstringer game may be a bit too short for most players, even with the incentive of going a second try with a friend. Some game sequences, such as the platforming, also lack the proper excitement worthy of the title.
The Gunstringer is an Xbox 360 game which requires the Kinect sensor. It is mainly a single player game although multiplayer is also available. There are tons of extra content such as behind-the-scenes footage, free DLC, and a copy of Fruit Ninja Kinect.
If you own a Kinect, you should own The Gunstringer as well. It’s one of the few games out there exclusive to the Microsoft sensor which provides gamers with the full capabilities of the Kinect. Add to that a solid storyline, hilarious elements, and excellent voice acting, and you have a potential winner for Game of the Year. Whatever inadequacies the game poses is lost in the sea of value it brings, including the extra content. The Gunstringer packs it heavy and is a must have, whether you’re a fan of Westerns or not.
