I started playing Wildcat Gun Machine on Nintendo Switch, about a month ago — maybe a bit longer. I was planning on creating a Video Game Video Review (VGVR) for this game since I started playing it. I just really love the colors, art style and over all look of the game.

I will hopefully be back soon with more on Wildcat Gun Machine. I was planning on talking to the game’s single developer about creating this game on his own.

In the meantime, you may check out our Video Game Video Review for Wildcat Gun Machine below:

Video Script:

Wildcat Gun Machine is a spaced-out cartoony, bullet-hell dungeon-crawler where you take on large hordes of flaming skulls, disgusting space slugs and fleshy hell beasts. You play as an unnamed hero — let’s call her Wildcat, or Sergeant Wildcat — armed with an arsenal of futuristic weapons, giant mech robots and some cute kittens.

In some ways, Wildcat Gun Machine felt a bit like a slower version of Enter the Gungeon — and by slower I don’t mean easier. In Enter the Gungeon players are able to infinitely dodge-roll their way through rooms while taking out enemies. Wildcat Gun Machine’s dash ability must be unlocked, and has a lengthy cool down period — which can be shortened for the right amount of bones (or space currency). Instead, you must tactically maneuver through waves of floating bullets as you recharge your dash.

Wildcat Gun Machine tests the player’s skills in timing and patience. Unleash an ungodly assault, while moving strategically from room to room. It’s not just about using your weapons, but also your surroundings — hide behind crates and items before they’re obliterated or time explosives to detonate at the perfect moment to do the most damage.

Clearing rooms is slightly easier than the insanely tough boss fights. Those are where the true bullet-hell confrontations take place. The screen becomes littered with floating, moving projectiles. Basic rooms are a little more under control, since enemies usually spawn in waves. Although, the more you play the more intense the rooms get.

In Wildcat Gun Machine, maps play more like a metroidvania where you can see but not access the entire map. As you progress, you unlock new rooms and doors, and discover useful shortcuts. Doors are color-coded to match keys in each level. A long, winding path from point A to point B can be shortened by a different colored key later on.

There are so many weapons to unlock. Your loadout includes a primary and special weapon, grenades, and your Gun Machine! I’ve only collected a few items so far, but the menu’s interface seems to have room for a whole armory of weapons. Every primary weapon is paired with a unique special weapon. However, the fun starts when you mix and match, trying to create the perfect combo. Different combos can be utilized to take out different bosses and opponents.

I initially thought of Wildcat Gun Machine as a shorter game, only consisting of one main “Biome” (Biomes, that’s the new term right?). After collecting each key and defeating every boss I thought it was time for the “Main Boss” — I was wrong. After finally defeating this “Main Boss”, I realized that I had moved into another biome, starting a new journey of gathering keys, opening doors and defeating more bosses and monsters. Although short gaming experiences can be great — and even replayed — I was happy to learn there was more to this game than I had initially imagined.

In certain games, once you finally defeat a difficult boss fight, you’re able to learn their cadence and use that against them the next time around. That’s not the case in Wildcat Gun Machine. Any time I beat a boss it felt more like I got lucky, rather than I had learned any useful tips.

I would have liked to see the team utilize the rumble feature on the Nintendo Switch (I’m not sure if it’s available on other consoles). It was hard to tell when I had, in fact, taken damage vs when I had dodged or had a near miss during an enemy fight. Many times in boss fights I thought my health (HP) was way higher. I would unexpectedly die and realize I had been hit many times. Even some kind of visual cue would be helpful — maybe some flashing lights. Instead, I learned to check my health continuously throughout fights, which distracted me from the hundreds of floating projectiles on screen.

The music in Wildcat Gun Machine was created by GODONTGO. I had never heard of him beforehand, but I do appreciate the name. Also, the music is very fitting for fighting flesh beasts in outer space. It’s like space dubstep, monster fighting music. While the music can become repetitive I do like that it changes by getting more intense during combat, but also each biome has its own music.

Sometimes twin stick games (left for movement, right for aiming) don’t really work in handheld mode on the Nintendo Switch. Although I much preferred playing Wildcat Gun Machine on my TV with my Pro Controller, it still plays fine in handheld mode. I did have all four of my joy-con repaired recently for drift. If you’re experiencing mad joy-con drift, I’d recommend playing this one on the TV — also, send in your joy-con. It’s free and quick.

I’ve truly enjoyed Wildcat Gun Machine so far, and I plan to continue my Wildcat journey and hopefully beat this game. I at least hope to find all of the weapons and figure out the best combination. What may take me away from this game is the difficulty. I’m sure with each new biome the number of opponents and flying bullets will increase exponentially. That’s ok with me though, Sergeant Wildcat is ready to bring the fight to them.

---

Wildcat Gun Machine is available on consoles (PlayStation, Xbox and Nintendo Switch) and PC.

*A review copy of Wildcat Gun Machine was provided by the publisher.