Grim Guardians: Demon Purge review

Who knew that killing nasty creatures would make for a fun familiar affair?

Founded by former Capcom staff, Inti Creates makes the type of game that most mid to large-sized publishers have long abandoned. Although the Ichikawa-based studio is behind Gal Gun’s three-dimensional shooting, they’re probably better known for their 2D output. Filling monitors with meticulously animated spritework and blister-inducing action, franchises like Gunvolt, Blaster Master, and Bloodstained feel like traveling back to a time when games arrived on cartridges.

Yet, Grim Guardians: Demon Purge demonstrates that the developer has also evolved with the times. At the beginning of the campaign and you’ll be able to select between Veteran and Casual difficulties, rather than the single, default setting of yore. Beat the two-loop trek, and a third, harder option opens. Yes, the game borrows Ghosts ‘n Goblins’ mechanic of making you ramble through the game twice to defeat the true final boss. It hasn’t grown any less infuriating 38 years later.

Like The Boondock Saints, But Far Cuter

Demon Purge details Gal Gun’s Kamizono siblings attempting to break a curse that afflicted their academy, turning it into a spooky, demon-filled castle. Persistently working together, Shinobu Kamizono has access to a ranged gun with unlimited ammunition and a slightly longer health bar. Sure, you can only aim horizontally and must manually reload. But being able to keep some distance between you and the game’s deadly creatures makes it a compelling option.

Meanwhile, Maya Kamizono can dish out a powerful, multi-hit melee combo that can plow through most subordinate foes with her origami. Any limitations in your arsenal (such as Shinobu’s aforementioned inability to fire upward) gradually become filled in by the game’s gradual unlock of sub-weapons. Initially, Shinobu gets a 45-degree throwing dagger for taking down overhead threats, while Maya gets a rotating shikigami that can negate any incoming damage.

Guns or Origami, the Choice is Yours

When playing solo, you can swap between the Kamizonos freely, with a button press instantly tagging in the other sister. Pleasingly, there are very few moments in the game when control of a specific sibling is needed to proceed. Maya is a bit more diminutive, so she can crawl through tight spaces, while Shinobu is suited for sub-weapon ammo acquisition.

But largely, play is fluid; you’ll probably switch girls based on enemy behavior and your preferred technique for responding. That said, you’ll want to switch between the siblings before one of their life bars grows empty. Allow their entire health to deplete, and the other girl will have to initiate a button-mashing revival in the middle of battle. If both Kamizonos are knocked down, you’ll lose a life, affecting play on the higher two difficulty settings.

Mind the Gaps

Although Demon Purge might be mistaken for a modern metroidvania, the game’s journey is far more linear. Sure, there are an abundant number of alcoves and elevated platforms that tempt with rewards. But largely this is more in line with the original Castlevania or Inti Creates’ Bloodstained games where a map isn’t needed for navigation. Like the merman-area of the original Castlevania, there are a few areas where you can fall into, putting you in an intimidating but not impossible situation.

But the game differs from most of its contemporaries by offering a cooperative component. When Shinobu and Maya team up battles become a bit too easy, especially if one sister can draw away the attention of a boss while the other one attacks away. But it’s a wholly forgivable issue since Grim Guardians grew exponentially enjoyable with another person. Trying not to beg for resuscitation until your partner clears the immediate area is a wonderful test of patience.

The Loquacious Kamizono Girls

However, that’s not the only request for rescue you’ll receive. Demon Purge scatters some of Gal Gun’s other characters around the dark castle. Humorously, they’ll cry out for liberation, which isn’t the only soundbite you’ll hear during the game. Shinobu and Maya like to call out their attacks. While some will grow annoyed from repetition, I found it fairly endearing across the eight-stage, seven-hour journey.

Grim Guardians: Demon Purge has undeniable appeal. Like some of Inti Creates’ previous creations, the sprite work is splendid, flaunting visual quirks like flying Dracula heads that emerge from seemingly innocuous busts. There’s an invigorating amount of pixelated gore as well, with some foes splattering bright crimson blood on walls. Pleasingly, the UI offers a higher resolution than some of the studio’s early efforts. While repeating it all over again with an upgraded arsenal can feel a bit Sisyphean, Demon Purge’s first loop recalls the golden era of bitmapped games.

Grim Guardians: Demon Purge was played on PC
with review code provided by the publisher.