History VideoGame / GunValkyrie

Unlike many others of the genre, despite the unique and utterly inexplicable mashup of gameplay mechanics, [=GunValkyrie=] is remembered mostly for its unorthodox control scheme, strong curve of difficulty, and a play style that encouraged players to stay airborne at all times and fire down on enemies, as opposed to walking and shooting on foot, which most players didn't realize unless they watched the game's demos.

Designed initially for the UsefulNotes/SegaDreamcast, GV was to employ [[WhatCouldHaveBeen a groundbreaking controller/light-gun combination control scheme]], but Sega's fall from the hardware market resulted in the game being shifted to the UsefulNotes/{{Xbox}}. While the game benefited from very attractive graphics, the light-gun idea was abandoned and a new control scheme was implemented, where moving efficiently (strafing) relied on clicking the control stick buttons when they were not centered on their axis (except for a special move), and using the triggers to jump and fire weapons. The face buttons were only used to switch between weapons and the A button wasn't even used.

Then in 1906, a bunch of colonists disappear on the planet of Tir Na Nog, and [[BodyHorror -by sheer coincidence, surely-]] a bunch of gigantic-mutant-super-powered space bugs show up. The good Doctor disappears, which causes panic throughout the world. In response, two members of an elite force within GV, "Team Dolphin" are sent to investigate: Kelly O'Lenmey, born in Ballymun, Ireland, who once aided the Irish Republic in their fight for independence until their methods proved too much for her and left for GV, and Saburouta Mishima, born in Kyushu, Japan, a space samurai of the Meiji Restoration who was unjustly sentenced to capital punishment and saved by GV. Leading them is Gate's only daughter, Meridian Poe, who is desperate to stop her father after he surgically removed her body and ran off with it. Together they seek to track down Dr. Hebble and find out the truth behind what's going on.

* BigCreepyCrawlies: Most of your enemies are giant spiders that are tough, aggressive, and can even attack in swarms.

* XMeetsY: Since the game involves shooting giant bugs in space, a lot of players and reviewers compared the game to ''Film/StarshipTroopers'', but with a lot more Japan and an anime feel to it.

As for the story, the game takes place in a SciFi SteamPunk AlternateHistory setting, where in 1835 it was discovered that certain individuals exposed to [[AppliedPhlebotinum Haley's Comet]] gained superhuman abilties, known as "Haley's Chosen". Among those was Dr. Hebble Gate, who was exposed to it while he was still in the womb. Born with a superhuman mind, he learned to harness its powers of Haley's Core and gave birth to revolutionary advancements in technology that locked the world in an era of advanced SteamPunk technology and British imperialism forever. Hailed as a genius with power and influence over every industry, even political and military affairs, he also founded the GV organization, comprised of other Haley's Chosen to combat against those [[{{Irony}} who might misuse its technology]].

* RPGElements: The game can be beaten without collecting all the Haley Cores, but it's a lot easier if you do because they increase your (invisible) stats. Also, high scores earn you GV-Points, which you can spend on part upgrades for your suit. Most of them are worthless though.

'''''[=GunValkyrie=]''''' is a 3rd person shooter and PlatformGame developed by Sega's late Smilebit Corporation, released the on 5th of June, 2002 for the original UsefulNotes/{{Xbox}} Console.

'''''[=GunValkyrie=]''''' is a 3rd person shooter and PlatformGame developed by Sega's late Smilebit Corporation, released the 5th of June, 2002 for the UsefulNotes/{{Xbox}} Console.

As for the story, the game takes place in a SciFi SteamPunk AlternateHistory setting, where in 1835 it was discovered where certain individuals exposed to [[AppliedPhlebotinum Haley's Comet]] gained superhuman abilties, known as "Haley's Chosen". Among those was Dr. Hebble Gate, who was exposed to it while he was still in the womb, was granted a superhuman mind and learned to harness its powers, thus somehow locking the world in an era of advanced SteamPunk technology and British imperialism forever, and discovered many other revolutionary advancements in technology. Hailed as a genius with power and influence over every industry, even political and military affairs, he also founded the GV organization, comprised of other Haley's Chosen to combat against those [[{{Irony}} who might misuse its technology]].

* MadScientist: Dr. Hebble Gate. Aside from turning the colonists of Tir Na Nog into insects and running off with his daughter's body, one stage has the player look for a device playing recorded rants from him (which is hidden in a boss, of course), showing he's clearly lost his mind. Then you wonder how he's related to the final boss.

* NintendoHard: The game's no cakewalk even if you figure out how to play the game properly.

* PlatformHell: Somewhat. The platforms themselves aren't so hellish. The real kidney-kick is that ''you aren't supposed to land on 9/10ths of them''. You're supposed to string together unbroken air-maneuver combos to infinitely regenerate your fuel and fly through pretty much the entirety of most levels. But played straight with one level in particular.

* ThirdPersonSeductress: Kelly O'Lenmey. All of her three gearsuits are [[FormFittingWardrobe form-fitting]] and particularly emphasize her butt. The game isn't shy of [[MaleGaze showing off how good she looks in it either]], in the few cutscenes there are in the game, especially during the [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U6pMR8agob8 gearsuit transformation scenes]]. The last boss has a shot of Kelly's nude back exposed for whatever reason.

* GatlingGood / BFG: Kelly acquires one of these at the end of the first mission. Saburouta's main weapon is also a cannon.
* GrapplingHookPistol: There is one.

* MaleGaze: Kelly, again. Her butt-shot pose on the cover is suggestive alone; her second shot in the game is that of her butt, all suited up before arriving for her mission; along with the gearsuit transformation scenes, where her suit evolves into its two stronger forms, and the camera shows off all the new "perks". Promotional art also accentuates [[http://www.jap-sai.com/Games/Gun_Valkyrie/Gun_Valkyrie_Art_05.jpg Kelly's assets]].

* ThirdPersonSeductress: Kelly O'Lenmey. All of her three gearsuits are [[FormFittingWardrobe form-fitting]] and particularly emphasize her butt. The game isn't shy of [[MaleGaze showing off how good she looks in it either]], in the few cutscenes there are in the game, especially during the [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U6pMR8agob8 gearsuit transformation scenes]].

As for the story, the game takes place in a SciFi SteamPunk AlternateHistory setting, where in 1835 it was discovered where certain individuals exposed to [[AppliedPhlebotinum Haley's Comet]] gained superhuman abilties, known as "Haley's Chosen". Among those was Dr. Hebble Gate, who was exposed to it from the womb, was given a superhuman mind and learned to harness its powers, thus somehow locking the world in an era of advanced SteamPunk technology and British imperialism forever, and discovered many other revolutionary advancements in technology. Hailed as a genius with power and influence over every industry, even political and military affairs, he also founded the GV organization, comprised of other Haley's Chosen to combat against those [[{{Irony}} who might misuse its technology]].

Then in 1906, a bunch of colonists disappear on the planet of Tir Na Nog, and [[BodyHorror -by sheer coincidence, surely-]] a bunch of gigantic-mutant-super-powered space bugs show up. The good Doctor disappears, which causes panic throughout the world. In response, two members of an elite force within GV, "Team Dolphin" are sent to investigate: Kelly O'Lenmey, born in Ballymun, Ireland, who once aided the Irish Republic in their fight for independence until their methods proved too much for her and left for GV, and Saburouta Mishima, born in Kyushu, Japan, a space samurai of the Meiji Restoration who was unjustly sentenced to capital punishment and saved by GV. Leading them is Gate's only daughter, Meridian Poe, whose desperate to stop her father after he surgically removed her body and ran off with it. Together they seek to track down Dr. Hebble and find out the truth behind what's going on.

Designed initially for the UsefulNotes/SegaDreamcast, GV was to employ [[WhatCouldHaveBeen a groundbreaking controller/light-gun combination control scheme]], but Sega's fall from the hardware market resulted in the game being shifted to the UsefulNotes/{{Xbox}}. While the game benefited from very attractive graphics, the light-gun idea was abandoned and a new control scheme was implemented, where moving efficiently (strafing) relied on clicking the control stick buttons when they were not centered on their axis (except for a special move), and using the triggers to fire weapons. The face buttons were only used to switch between weapons and the A button wasn't even used.

-->--Baffling opening cutscene

Developed by the late Smilebit Coprporation, published by SEGA of America Inc for the (original) {{XBox}} Console. Released the 5th of June, 2002. Genre-wise, the game is a [[BuffySpeak 3rd-person-arcade-platformer-shooter-science-fiction-steampunk-anime-thing.]]

Despite the unique and utterly inexplicable smashup of gameplay mechanics (which actually worked very well), [=GunValkyrie=] is remembered mostly for its utterly baffling control scheme and speed-dating-with-a-brick-wall curve of difficulty. Styled most likely to appeal to Japanese gamers, the undeniably mishandled game quickly discouraged early takers on both sides of the Pacific. Designed initially for the SEGA Dreamcast, GV was to employ a groundbreaking controller/light-gun combination control scheme.

Naturally, the move to the {{XBox}} resulted in (what were at the time) very attractive graphics. It also resulted in the abandonment of the light-gun idea, and thus a control scheme that relied on mashing the control stick buttons when they were not centered on their axis, and critical, highly-sensitive use of the triggers -those controller organelles first over the hill of mechanical senescence.

Narratively, GV relied on cutscenes and text briefings to relay the core missions aspects. Surrounding this basic plot-like-thing, a number of devices were masterfully employed within various levels to effect haunting, atmospheric, subtle, ambiguous, and highly disturbing revelations.

Basically [[AppliedPhlebotinum Haley's Comet]] powers up puperpowers, and mutates DNA. Cue the British Empire and the Steam Age. Dr. Hebble harnesses the power of Haley's comet to found a new world order, creating an order of super-powered (police agents) people to (do his bidding) fly on spaceships (that we never see) and do stuff. Thus somehow locking the world in an era of advanced SteamPunk technology and British imperialism forever.

Then a bunch of colonists disappear, and [[BodyHorror -by sheer coincidence, surely-]] a bunch of gigantic-mutant-super-powered space bugs show up. Also the good Dr. disappears. I'm sure you can guess where this is going. The only logical follow up is for the abandoned super-powered space-police/agents/people to shoot the bugs, track down Dr. Hebble, and find out what's going on. Those people are Kelly O'Lenmey, who was born in Ballymun, Ireland (daughter of Dr. Hebbel) and Saburouta Mishima (a space-samurai).

What you might not guess is that:
* You are those people
* You will never know what's going on
* The ending boss is [[spoiler:a giant dead baby with superpowers and wings. Proving Dr. Hebble totally-batshit-loco once and for all.]].

* GainaxEnding: That dead baby last boss might be her brother. Possibly. They don't even FIND Dr. Hebble afterward.
* GatlingGood / BFG: Kelly acquires one of these at the end of the first mission.

* OutOfFocus: Despite Saburouta Mishima being an equally powerful character (complete with a rocket launcher and katana of all things!), it's evident the game mainly focuses more on Kelly, as she's the only character who shows up in any of the cutscenes and you can play as her during every boss battle. Not to mention that Saburouta has significantly less upgrades and only has one offensive weapon the entire game.
* PlatformGame: Whilst many of the mechanics of older-style platform games are not present, GV makes fervent, superlative, religious, downright [[DoubleEntendre marital]] use of mid-air direction changing.
** As well as bottomless pits.
** Also, some of the levels are very linear. Some aren't. Some are uniquely awesome.
* PlatformHell: Somewhat. The platforms themselves aren't so hellish. The real kidney-kick is that ''you aren't supposed to land on 9/10ths of them''. You're supposed to string together unbroken air-maneuver combos to infinitely regenerate your fuel and fly through pretty much the entirety of most levels.
* RPGElements - You (re: not you) can theoretically beat the game without collecting all the Haley Cores. It's allot easier if you do though. Because they increase your (invisible) stats. Also, high scores earn you GV-Points. Which you can spend on part upgrades for your suit. Most of them are worthless though.
* ShootEmUp: There is no point in GV where the solution/response is not a combination of frenetic dashing and shooting. Although there is more than one shot to be shot, including a...

* {{Waggle}}: Having to hold in the analog stick buttons and the shoulder pads in order to fly and boost. You have to have either three hands or the patience of a saint in order to do well at the game.

* ChainmailBikini: Kelly's [[FormFittingWardrobe full-body, skin-tight gearsuit]] ultimately transforms into this, becoming skimpier with each evolution, with "Kelly-2" being a [[LeotardOfPower cheeky leotard]] with [[ThighHighBoots thigh-high boots]] and garters, to "Kelly-3" being essentially a bra and panties, complete with [[CombatStilettos heels]].

* OutOfFocus: Despite Saburouta Mishima being an equally powerful character (complete with a rocket launcher and katana of all things!), it's evident the game mainly focuses more on Kelly, as she's the only character who shows up in any of the cutscenes and you can play as her during every boss battle.

* GattlingGood / BFG: Kelly acquires one of these at the end of the first mission.

* OutOfFocus: Despite Saburouta Mishima being an equally powerful character (complete with a rocket launcher and katana of all things!), it's evident the game mainly focuses more on Kelly, as she's the only character you can play as during every boss battle.

Developed by the late Smilebit Coprporation, published by SEGA of America Inc for the (original) {{XBox}} Console. Released the 5th of June, 2002. Genre-wise a Sci-Fi, Platform-Shooter, Anime/Manga, Steampunk, 3rd Person-Shooter Arcade-Platformer/Shooter, etc.

Despite the unique and utterly inexplicable smashup of gameplay mechanics (which actually worked very well), GV ({{GunValkyrie}}) is remembered mostly for its utterly baffling control scheme and speed-dating-with-a-brick-wall curve of difficulty. Styled most likely to appeal to Japanese gamers, the undeniably mishandled game quickly discouraged early takers on both sides of the Pacific. Designed initially for the SEGA Dreamcast, GV was to employ a groundbreaking controller/light-gun combination control scheme.

Naturally, the move to the {{XBox}} resulted in (what were at the time) very attractive Graphics. It also resulted in the abandonment of the light-gun idea, and thus a control scheme that relied on mashing the control stick buttons when they were not centered on their axis, and critical, highly-sensitive use of the triggers -those controller organelles first over the hill of mechanical senescence.

Developed by the late Smilebit Coprporation, published by SEGA of America Inc for the (original) {{XBox}} Console. Released the 5th of June, 2002. Genre-wise a Sci-Fi, Platform-Shooter, Anime/Manga, Steampunk, 3rd Person-Shooter Arcade-Platformer/Shooter, etc. Rated Teen for Blood and Gore, Suggestive Themes, and Violence.

* You is those people

* ThirdPersonSeductress: Kelly O'Lenmey. All of her three gearsuits are [[FormFittingWardrobe form-fitting]] and particularly emphasize her butt. The game isn't shy of [[MaleGaze showing off how good she looks in it either]], in the few cutscenes there are in the game, especially during the [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U6pMR8agob8 gearsuit transformation scenes]].
* MaleGaze: Kelly, again. Her butt-shot pose on the cover is suggestive alone; her second shot in the game is that of her butt, all suited up before arriving for her mission; along with the gearsuit transformation scenes, where her suit evolves into its two stronger forms, and the camera shows off all the new "perks". Promotional art also accentuates [[http://www.jap-sai.com/Games/Gun_Valkyrie/Gun_Valkyrie_Art_05.jpg Kelly's assets]].

* TransformationSequence: Kelly, when [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U6pMR8agob8 she evolves into Kelly-2 and Kelly-3]]. Could also be considered [[TechnologyPorn technology porn]].

* PlatformGame: Whilst many of the mechanics of older-style platform games are not present, GV makes fervent, superlative, religious, downright [[YouKnowWhatIMean marital]] use of mid-air direction changing.

* DoubleJump: Possibly the Mecca of Double Jumps, GV allows (re: demands) the player to double jump in 5 directions. Dashing in any of the six directions can be turned -via double-dash- into flight in that direction. Although in the case of dashing down it activates a hover feature.

* GrapplingHookPistol: There is one.
* RPGElements - You (re: not you) can theoretically beat the game without collecting all the Haley Cores. It's allot easier if you do though. Because they increase your (invisible) stats. Also, high scores earn you GV-Points. Which you can spend on part upgrades for your suit. Most of them are worthless though.

* Fanservice: Kelly. Her butt-shot pose on the cover is suggestive alone, along with the gearsuit transformation scenes, where her suit evolves into its two stronger forms.
* ChainmailBikini: Kelly's [[FormFittingWardrobe full-body, skin-tight gearsuit]] ultimately transforms into this, becoming skimpier with each evolution, with "Kelly-2" being a [[LeotardOfPower cheeky leotard]] with [[ThighHighBoots thigh-high boots]] and garters, to "Kelly-3" being essentially [[Stripperiffic a bra and panties]].
* TransformationSequence: Kelly, when [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U6pMR8agob8 she evolves into Kelly-2 and Kelly-3]].

* ThirdPersonSeductress: Kelly O'Lenmey. All of her three gearsuits are [[FormFittingWardrobe form-fitting]] and particularly emphasize her butt. The game isn't shy of [[MaleGaze showing off how good she looks in it either]], in the few cutscenes there are in the game.

Dead on arrival.

No one remembers that.

Despite the unique and utterly inexplicable smashup of gameplay mechanics (which actually worked very well), GV ({{GunValkyrie}}) is remembered mostly for its utterly baffling control scheme and speed-dating-with-a-brick-wall curve of difficulty. Styled most likely to appeal to Japanese gamers, the undeniably mishandled game quickly discouraged early takers on both sides of the Pacific. Designed initially for the SEGA Dreamcast, GV was to employ a groundbreaking controller/light-gun combination control scheme. Yes folks. Gimmicky bullshit controls are older than the Wii.

Basically [[AppliedPhlebotinum Haley's Comet]] powers up puperpowers, and mutates DNA. Cue the British Empire and the Steam Age. Dr. Hebble harnesses the power of Haley's comet to found a new world order, creating an order of super-powered (police? agents?) people to (do his bidding?) fly on spaceships (that we never see) and do stuff. Thus somehow locking the world in an era of advanced SteamPunk technology and British imperialism forever.

** Also, some of the levels are very linear. Some aren?t. Some are uniquely awesome.
* PlatformHell: Somewhat. The platforms themselves aren?t so hellish. The real kidney-kick is that ''you aren?t supposed to land on 9/10ths of them''. You're supposed to string together unbroken air-maneuver combos to infinitely regenerate your fuel and fly through pretty much the entirety of most levels.

* GainaxEnding ? That dead baby last boss might be her brother. Possibly. They don't even FIND Dr. Hebble afterward.
* LightGunGame ? Partially averted. Although the Lightgun mechanic was removed when GV transitioned to the Xbox, the original idea is probably responsible for the infamous control scheme, and the entire 3rd Person platforming-shooting-flying combat.
* PlatformGame ? Whilst many of the mechanics of older-style platform games are not present, GV makes fervent, superlative, religious, downright [[YouKnowWhatIMean marital]] use of mid-air direction changing.

* PlatformHell ? Somewhat. The platforms themselves aren?t so hellish. The real kidney-kick is that ''you aren?t supposed to land on 9/10ths of them''. You?re supposed to string together unbroken air-maneuver combos to infinitely regenerate your fuel and fly through pretty much the entirety of most levels.
* DoubleJump ? Possibly the Mecca of Double Jumps, GV allows (re: demands) the player to double jump in 5 directions. Dashing in any of the six directions can be turned -via double-dash- into flight in that direction. Although in the case of dashing down it activates a hover feature.
* ShootEmUp ? There is no point in GV where the solution/response is not a combination of frenetic dashing and shooting. Although there is more than one shot to be shot, including a...
* GrapplingHookPistol ? There is one.