Please support Game Informer. Print magazine subscriptions are less than $2 per issue
Top 50 Challenge – Gunpoint
Upon learning that Gunpoint is a side-scrolling noir puzzle title, I was a little skeptical. I didn't want the noir to be too campy, and I hoped the puzzles would be interesting enough to hold my interest – and I'm not a big puzzle gamer. Thankfully, Gunpoint is an engrossing enough game that I think it deserves to be in the conversation of our Top 50 Games of 2013.
Learn more about the Game Informer Fight For the Top 50 Challenge 2013.
Thankfully, Gunpoint doesn't have to solely rely on any one of its elements. Instead, its constituent parts work well by themselves as well as in unison. The puzzles accommodate multiple solutions, and are supported by a series of skill upgrades and equipment that can be helpful – but aren't mandatory. In fact, once I figured out that I didn't have to own any particular equipment other than the Crosslink to solve a given level (except in one case), it freed up my thinking and allowed me to experiment in solving the game's puzzles. Similarly, getting violent with guards isn't always the best route.
The Crosslink device lets you hack buildings' circuitry to open doors, turn off alarms, and influence guards' behavior. Gunpoint's graphic style is slick; unobtrusive in letting you solve levels.
Gunpoint's noir setting is well done, and due to the game's dialogue choices, lets you play it as straight or hard boiled as you like. Your conversation choices even influence events in the game. Overall, the sharpness of the dialogue, jazz music, and use of noir touchstones made the use of the genre more of a big bonus rather than a hindrance.
My Vote
I think Gunpoint is a game worthy of being in the Top 50. Whether it actually lands a coveted spot or not will depend, however, on some of the other games it goes up against. In general, I think puzzle games can be limited in scope, and while Gunpoint can ultimately be guilty of this, it deserves praise for adhering to a tight logic construction without being excessively controlling, as well as for containing an upgrade/equipment system that it's not excessively beholden to. Regardless whether it ultimately makes the list, I think it's worthy of your time.
I’d like to ask you to support Game Informer’s continued coverage of games with a subscription. For less than two dollars per issue, we mail you a full year of 10 print magazines, each with cover stories and preview features filled with exclusive details about the most exciting upcoming games. We profile and interview game creators. We look back on the rich history of gaming, and we celebrate what’s next.
Here on the website, we offer much of our content for free, including game reviews, daily news, videos, event coverage, and more – all with minimal ads.
We do so with a small editorial team, alongside contributing paid writers from around the world – over 65 individuals from 9 countries around the world, just in the last couple of years.
It’s not possible without support.
In a time when game makers and games coverage have faced hard struggles and layoffs, the future of this 30+ year magazine and community is at risk. Our new standalone magazine subscription is the number one way you can keep us alive – and we believe you’ll get a pretty fantastic gaming magazine in your mailbox every few weeks for your trouble.
Thank you.
