Of all its features, Gurumin: A Monstrous Adventure's charming localization and colorful atmosphere really help it stand out against other the other action-adventure games. Lead character Parin regains health by eating cake and chocolate. Equippable items, such as goggles and a magic hood, not only protect her from damage, but also allow players to customize her appearance. Parin's sarcastic nature and humorous facial expressions give good reason to sit through the occasional cutscene. Oh, and she fights with a giant drill.

Sadly, Gurumin's game play lacks the same distinctive appeal. Most dungeons rarely stray from the formula of throwing a series of foes at players before requiring them solving a simple puzzle, and both aspects fail to provide a particularly compelling experience. Puzzle solutions don't require much thought, often solved with the pull of a nearby lever or the push of a close block. The constant presses of X in combat begin to grate, especially when facing off against the more powerful foes.

Furthermore, problems with the lock-on system hamper the more interesting encounters, such as pattern-reliant boss fights. As locking-on to an enemy causes the camera to center on them at all times, when they move quickly, the camera does too. This leads to fast movements and awkward camera angles, which disorient the player and make precise movement difficult. Without lock-on through, tracking the location of some enemies and avoiding their attacks proves tricky -- an unhappy catch-22.

Few games on the PSP can compare to the unique world created within Gurumin. Sadly, the rest of the game fails to measure up, and between camera problems and dull design, many will find themselves looking forward to the next cutscene over the gameplay itself. That said, those seeking an amusing and quirky adventure may find something they like in Gurumin: A Monstrous Adventure, but those focused on action-based gameplay should have no qualms passing this game over.

Related Links:

Gurumin: A Monstrous Adventure Game Guide

Gurumin: A Monstrous Adventure Official Site

Mastiff (Publisher)

PSP

Our Final ScoreMediocre

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