The next Gunvolt game, Gunvolt Chronicles: Luminous Avenger iX starring anti-hero Copen is now in development exclusively for the Nintendo Switch. Copen was playable as half of the main cast in Azure Striker Gunvolt 2, but this is the first time he's had top billing in the story. Other details at this time were scarce, with developer Inti Creates promising more information on Luminous Avenger "later this summer."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NETEc3R7bwg&
The Gunvolt series has turned out to be something of a surprise hit for Inti Creates. Initially released as an eShop title for the 3DS back in 2014, it was praised for its similarities to the Mega Man series, yet offering different, more challenging gameplay. Many games have attempted to recapture the same 2D action that the Mega Man series provided with mixed success. Inti Creates' worked on Mighty No. 9 under the direction of Kenji Inafune (along with Armature and others) and was by all accounts an abject failure in game design. Still, in the same year that brought us Mighty No. 9, we got the vastly better Azure Striker Gunvolt 2, which featured dual campaigns and more refined gameplay, proving the issues with Mighty No. 9 wasn't likely due to Inti Creates. There were still complaints about the quality of the story, but it still represented yet another improvement for Inti Creates.
Now, with the Japanese developer is making the move from the 3DS to the Switch. It's hard to say just how well the new hardware will support the pixelated action, though if the teaser above is any indication, they're making the most of the opportunity. Inti Creates is clearly banking on the success of Azure Striker Gunvolt, as it received an OVA adaptation early last year. With so little information handed out at BitSummit, it's hard to nail down any specific details about the next Gunvolt game. Regardless, as development progresses, we'll keep you updated on Gunvolt Chronicles: Luminous Avenger iX.
What would you want to see out of the next Gunvolt game? Co-operative multiplayer? Time trials? Let us know in the comments below!
