Review: Gunhouse (Nintendo Switch)

Gunhouse is a part puzzle, part active tower defense game. Make big combos to launch a hail of bullets and special attacks at the alien invaders, who would like nothing better than to consume your delicious orphan friends.

Pros:

  • Cartoon looking graphics.
  • 992MB Download size.
  • Help and tutorial support.
  • Touchscreen support.
  • music by Fez composer Disasterpeace
  • Two game modes-Gunhouse and hardcore mode.
  • Earn cash in game.
  • Store- Buy/upgrade new abilities and increase health and armor.
  • Tower defense puzzle gameplay.
  • Bonus optional objectives for extra cash.
  • The game plays out in two waves- the First wave you build up your weapons and specials. The second wave you use your weapons and specials to take out the enemy waves. Both waves are timed.
  • Three slots to place your weapon. You have 3 block types, One for each gun type and you can equip 3 guns etc.
  • Slide game where you have to make a minimum of a four-block square then slide them offscreen. Swipe left for guns and upgrading the power of the guns. Swipe right to charge up your specials.
  • Each gun has unique abilities like shooting arc and as a rule, each block type does a weapon but also a unique special attack.
  • Touchscreen plays the best.
  • Can sell back store purchases.
  • Can replay levels.
  • Pieces drop vertically.
  • Instant loading.
  • Can swipe unwanted pieces away.
  • Excellent time waster.
  • Bite-sized levels.
  • Boss fights.
  • Nails tension and panic play.
  • Addictive.
  • Just one more go approach.
  • Infinite levels so you never run out of the game and have endless replayability.

Cons:

  • Takes a while to adjust to the way the puzzle sliding pieces work.
  • Not always clear on progress in levels.
  • Feels like a mobile game.
  • Harder to play with a controller.
  • Difficulty spikes.
  • No proper descriptions of weapons or how they fire.
  • Cannot save mid-level.

The Numbers:
  • 8/10
    Graphics - 8/10
  • 8/10
    Sound - 8/10
  • 7/10
    Accessability - 7/10
  • 8/10
    Length - 8/10
  • 8/10
    Fun Factor - 8/10
7.8/10

Summary

Gunhouse is a fantastic little game, Playing a puzzle game that then morphs into a tower defense is nothing short of excellent. Saying out loud its a puzzle tower defense doesn’t do the job of how nailed this experience is. I found it hard to get to grips with the puzzle part but that’s probably because I am so used to typical match 3s that swiping left/right is alien to me. That said this at the moment is my go too game for a quick five-minute fix. It has infinite levels and many fancy weapons to buy. In short, it is cheap and cheerful and full of charm.

Jim Smale

Gaming since the Atari 2600, I enjoy the weirdness in games counting Densha De Go and RC De Go as my favourite titles of all time. I prefer gaming of old where buying games from a shop was a thing, Being social in person was a thing. Join me as I attempt to adapt to this new digital age!