Inti Creates Announces Details and Release Date for Gunvolt Chronicles: Luminous Avenger iX at BitSummit
LBD "Nytetrayn"
One year ago (and some change, if you really want to get specific), Inti Creates announced a new entry in the Gunvolt franchise starring Azure Striker Gunvolt 2’s aggressive anti-hero and second playable character, Copen. Details were few, but as of their panel at BitSummit tonight, that has all changed.
In addition to bringing back accessibility features such as the “Prevasion” and “Anthem” techniques and scoring “Kudos” by avoiding taking damage, Gunvolt Chronicles: Luminous Avenger iX is promising “the most dazzling” sound and graphics effects in the company’s history. In addition, Inti Creates is encouraging the sharing of scores on social media through a “more tricked-out” score card that can be shared for bragging rights.
Following the events of Azure Striker Gunvolt 2, players take on the role of Copen (assisted by his Autonomous Combat Pod, Lola) as he fights the forces of the Institute for the Promotion of Human Evolution, Sumeragi, for the protection of Minos — humans who do not possess Septimal powers. Under the guise of the “Luminous Avenger iX,” the story begins when he encounters a lone girl.
The following profiles come from the official press release:
Copen （VA: Yuuma Uchida） The young man known as the Luminous Avenger iX. Due to his own reticence, his true identity is a mystery to most. Known to some as the “Savior of the Minors,” he journeys far and wide alongside his trusted partner, Lola, to rescue Minors wherever they may be. He seems to be searching for something known as the “Butterfly Effect”.
Lola （VA: Mayu Mineda） A combat support robot created by Copen. She is equipped with a scanning system capable of analyzing enemies’ Septimas. She can then replicate mock versions of those Septimas as “EX Weapons”, which Copen can use at his disposal. She is Copen’s reliable partner. While normally taking on a spheroid shape, ever since Lola analyzed the “Muse” Septima, she is capable of transforming into “Idol Mode” to support Copen in battle with the power of song. In this form, Lola also uploads music videos to the net to give hope to the Minos, among whom she is known as the “Muse of Hope”.
Kohaku （VA: Yumiri Hanamori） A young lady who acts as the leader of the Mino children in the underground slums. Her bright personality supports the children living through such desperate times. She has a knack for repairing machines, and has managed to furnish their underground base with equipment salvaged from junk parts. However, she has no real formal training with machines, working only by intuition. As such, many of the machines she manages to get working are far removed from their original purposes…
Blade （VA: Yui Ishikawa） An Adept with an electric Septima who is affiliated with Sumeragi. He is a ruthless warrior who exterminates Minos without question according to Sumeragi’s orders. Blade is under the direct command of Sumeragi’s supervisory AI, putting him above even the most elite Falcons. His combat prowess is said the be the pinnacle within Sumeragi.
“Minos” are humans without Septimas. While most Minos have been already been exterminated by Sumeragi, this group of children, with Kohaku acting as their leader, have managed to escape Sumeragi’s surveillance by hiding out in an underground base in the city’s slums.
Sumeragi, “Promoters of Evolution” – An organization that aims to usher in a new age of humanity by eliminating all Minos. While on paper, Sumeragi is merely a single corporation, their massive influence gives them control over essentially the entire nation. They hand-select from the nation’s strongest Adepts to become elite “Falcons” and serve Sumeragi’s interests.
Copen plays pretty much as he does in Azure Striker Gunvolt 2, by the sound of things (which I thoroughly enjoyed, by the way). In short: You can shoot enemies with a rapid-fire photon laser gun, or you can dash into them in order to “tag” them, then let your lasers home in on the locked-on targets. You’ll also make use of a “Bullit” gauge to perform air dashes and wall-bounces, as well as the “Prevasion” technique that allows you to dodge most any attack.
Lola lends a hand as well, able to project a protective field around Copen to protect him from missile attacks, or use her Septima Scanning ability to provide him with a mock version of defeated enemies’ Septima known as EX Weapons. Naturally, you can use these to help clear stages and conquer bosses more easily, Mega Man-style.
Collecting Kudos isn’t just good for bragging rights, as mentioned above, but gaining more than 1,000 will enable Lola’s humanoid “Idol Mode,” where she can use her abilities as the “Muse of Hope” to change the stage’s music to a vocal song, automatically restore health, and increase attack power.
What’s more, if Copen’s health reaches 0, there’s a chance Lola’s “Anthem” ability will activate, causing her to go into “Awakened Mode,” which restores his life and grants him his Overdrive abilities, complete with unlimited Bullits and a special Anthem-only vocal track that plays.
And she may have yet another mode, on top of that!
Since its inception, the Gunvolt series has become known amongst fans for its high-speed, stylish 2D action. This game will see series rival/anti-hero Copen take the lead and push the series’ speed and intensity to the next level, all the while keeping the game accessible to new fans. “Experience the apeX of 2D action” with Luminous Avenger iX!
Gunvolt Chronicles: Luminous Avenger iX arrives digitally on the Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, and Steam on September 26th, 2019 for $14.99USD.
David Oxford, or “LBD ‘Nytetrayn’,” as he is sometimes also known, is a freelance writer of many varied interests who resides in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. If you’re interested in hiring him, please drop him a line at david.oxford (at) nyteworks.net.
For a full list of places to find him online, click here.
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