They both feature feline protagonists, but Gori Cuddly Carnage is worlds apart from Stray, perhaps the most well-known game in which you take control of a cat.
Stray warmed our souls last year when we played it. While aiding individuals in need, we explored a weird new world. It was a combination of stealth and action, and although there was some combat, it wasn’t the main emphasis. When it comes to Gori, however, we’ve gotten the idea from the levels we’ve played that subtlety is out the window. Instead, combat takes precedence. Think Devil May Cry, but with a cat protagonist, and you’ll get close. Although Gori’s sentient hoverboard and its filthy tongue deserve recognition as well.
Yes, you read it correctly: Gori has a futuristic hoverboard that swears like a sailor, and it’s essential to the gameplay. Gori, you see, does not explore the world around him on foot. Instead, traversal is reminiscent of a floaty Tony Hawk’s.
We were dropped into a level around the middle of the game and explored a weird environment that looked to be controlled over by a doll. We darted about on our hoverboard, utilizing boost to cover more territory faster and pass larger gaps with our jump, double jump, and dash skills. It was also used to grind vibrantly colored rails and wall-ride advertisement boards. But it’s during combat when your hoverboard truly shines.
1st Gori Cuddly Carnage
In Gori, you have two basic attacks that are both powerful against particular sorts of enemies. Fleshy, exposed enemies are best dealt with using your hoverboard’s cutting attacks, which hack them up efficiently. You’re better suited making use of your smash attacks to tenderize an enemy who has a shield or is typically a difficult nut to crack. When you truly want to create havoc, you may combine these attacks with your hoverboard’s boost ability, making them much more lethal. The only problem is that if you run out of boost before charging it again, your choices will be restricted. There are pickups for it, or you may grind rails and assault enemies.
Gori, of course, has further skills under his sleeves, many of which you’ll have to unlock as you play the game. But, in addition to being able to shoot enemies at range, dodge enemy attacks quickly, set up a shield to stop enemy projectiles, and execute a variety of deadly finishers, we got access to enough techniques in our preview to get the impression that the combat won’t grow boring anytime soon.
So far, our main complaint has been that Gori may be a touch too hectic at times. This is a game with a lot of enemies, and keeping track of them while dodging their attacks may be difficult, particularly with your quick mobility. It may also be difficult to focus your attacks on a single enemy or group of enemies, particularly with your slicing attacks, which need you to go through them by nature.
2nd Gori Cuddly Carnage
Gori Cuddly Carnage, on the other hand, is a lot of fun because of its chaotic character, as well as its irreverent attitude. Cutting and smashing enemies left, right, and center is satisfying, particularly when combined with skilfully travellin about the battle field. Exploration between these bouts of action is also enjoyable, as your traversal skills are put to the test. Throw in an absurd environment in where you battle deformed toys like as violent unicorns, disembodied hands, doll heads, and more, all while your hoverboard curses like a nun with tourettes, and you have a game unlike any other.
We were already excited about Gori Cuddly Carnage due of its feline protagonist and unique take on the character action genre. However, after getting our hands on it for this preview, we’re much more enthusiastic about it than before. Its quirky comedy and chaotic combat may not appeal to everyone, but it is likely to create a legion of fans for the same reasons.
Gori: Cuddly Combat will be available on the PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Switch, and PC in early 2024.
