Screenshots & trailers
Review sentiment over time
Weekly positive-review rate (green) and review volume (bars). Dashed lines mark significant patches; the amber line is the start of the current scoring window. Hover the dots to see what drove a dip or a jump.
How this score was computed
The VGC Score is a weighted blend on a press-comparable 0-100 quality scale. Steam approval rates are first calibrated (95% positive on Steam ≈ 89.5 quality, since Steam approval skews high). Press and tracked creator reviews each count ~2x a player review and share one cap against player evidence (creator buy/skip calls pool into an approval rate, calibrated like Steam approval); all-time sentiment is capped and halved (it's context, not verdict); reviews of the current build carry the most weight when a fresh patch anchors the window; and a 'typical game' prior keeps small samples from pegging the scale. Because press reviews and Metacritic user aggregates describe the launch build, their weight decays as the game ages (3-year half-life after a 1-year grace). That's how a game that launched rough can outgrow its old reception once updates win players over. Reviews under 2h playtime (the refund window), non-Steam activations, and free copies are downweighted.
| Component | Positive | Quality (0-100) | Weight (pseudo-reviews) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Press reviews (OpenCritic) | – | 80 | 25 |
| All-time Steam reviews | 87% | 81 | 232 |
| Metacritic user ratings | – | – | 0 |
| Post-patch Steam reviews (trust-weighted) | 66% | 64 | 2 |
| Calibration prior (typical game) | – | 72 | 50 |
Scoring window: last 30 days (no significant patch detected) · 5 reviews sampled · 5 total reviews in window · weighted 2.2 up / 1.1 down · computed 12h ago · full methodology →
Press & Creators reviews (24)
Individual verdicts from outlets we track: scored reviews first, most trusted outlets first among them. The small badge is each outlet's trust score: how well its scoring history aligns with players.
- 80
“It's tough to say whether Azure Striker Gunvolt 3 is a clear improvement over its predecessors, but this entry is every bit as action-packed and razor sharp as them. Kirin offers up a refreshing new take on the tried and tested gameplay, while the tight level designs and focus on the ranking system make this one a highly replayable experience. The only real downsides here are that the gacha system feels awkwardly implemented and the story can be a slog, but both these things are easily ignored when the thrilling gameplay really gets its hooks in you. If you at all enjoyed the previous entries, it goes without saying that you owe it to yourself to pick up Azure Striker Gunvolt 3, but we'd encourage newcomers to give it a shot, too. Action platformers like this don't come along too often, and we're pleased to report that Inti Creates clearly hasn't lost its mojo in this space.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“Even with every positive being cancelled out, I still lean on the positive side about Gunvolt 3 overall. It has its rough moments and pain points, but pulling off a perfect combo and just soaring though the air is pure joy. And even with the ability to break the game as Gunvolt, players that choose to stick with Kirin will still find this game incredibly rewarding to play. Returning Gunvolt fans will find plenty to love here, and I believe this game can act as a great entry point for newcomers as well. Whether you want to master the systems and chase high scores, or just feel like a god smiting every obstacle in front of them, there’s still plenty to enjoy.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Azure Striker Gunvolt 3 is arguably the best the series has offered up so far, harbouring fun, tight gameplay that’s at its best when you’re transfixed by a wonderfully kinetic Kirin Arc Chain display on screen.”
read full review ↗ - 85
“With its signature visual extravagance and flair, the addition of a new character spices the series up”
read full review ↗ - 50
“The Gunvolt series was one of the better, and cooler, platformer series in recent history; unfortunately, the most recent games have just been entirely mediocre. Much like the previous Luminous Avenger, all the pieces are there for an absolutely fantastic game, but it never comes together. Regrettably, the story in Azure Striker Gunvolt 3 is the weakest in the series, and the two main characters are far more annoying than entertaining.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“A lack of challenge and some underwhelming PC options can't stop Azure Striker Gunvolt 3 from being one hell of an entertaining action game, provided you like warping through levels without touching the ground.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Azure Striker Gunvolt 3 represents another step forward for Inti Creates and their retro-inspired flavor of jump-and-shoot, slash-and dash action games. Even if the emphasis on story won't land for everyone, the lightning-fast gameplay is filled with lasers, explosions, and that fun brand of chaos that just seems to hit right. The third Gunvolt entry is an easy recommendation for fans of the series or its spinoffs, and even if the amount of content and challenge aren't that robust, the visual spectacle certainly helps make up for it.”
read full review ↗ - 75
“As a whole, Gunvolt 3 is a solid entry in the series. The gameplay is challenging but supported by precise controls that, when mastered, will see players flying across the screen clearing out whole waves of enemies. Striving to get top Kudos rankings in each stage can quickly become addicting. Although the bloated storyline can become tedious at times, and the lack of a properly playable Gunvolt at all times are disappointing, this is still a game that Gunvolt and action game fans won’t want to miss out on.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“Overall, I have to say that Azure Striker Gunvolt 3 is a great addition to the series, and is easily accessible to both new players and those who have played previous titles. Gameplay and combat is smooth, bosses and stages are interesting, and it’s super fun to collect all the skills and see the cameos from previous titles. While there are a few issues here and there, it isn’t nearly enough to truly take away from the experience. If you’ve been looking for something to meet that old Megaman / Megaman X vibe, you can’t go wrong with Gunvolt.”
read full review ↗ - 77
“The action is fun and the pixel art is awesome but I still don’t feel as excited about Gunvolt 3 as I would have hoped... Criticisms aside, Azure Striker Gunvolt 3 is another entry in a large franchise of titles that will surely be enjoyed by fans.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“Azure Striker GUNVOLT 3 manages to close out the trilogy by upping the ante in all the right ways, introducing new mechanics to keep things fresh whilst re-imagining and building upon what made fans love the series in the first place. A true work of art that blends a retro aesthetic with today's capabilities, this feels like the culmination of Inti Creates' many years of work and has been well worth the wait since its predecessor was released back in 2016. If this is the last GUNVOLT title, then we can at least rest comfortably in the knowledge that the Azure Striker went out with the big blue bang he deserved.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“The third chapter in the Azure Striker Gunvolt series takes few risks with its formula and mostly uses familiar elements that most players will recognize. This does not mean there aren't any new features, and the way the two main characters are used shows just that. When it comes to most of its experience though, it's very reminiscent of its preceding chapters, and that can only be good when it comes to frantic gameplay and an exquisite game world. Pity for the difficulty level though, as Azure Striker Gunvolt 3 really is as simple and accessible as it can be.”
read full review ↗
Nintendo Life
Gamer Escape
VGChartz
Nindie Spotlight
Cubed3
PC Invasion
NintendoWorldReport
Nintendojo
Chalgyr's Game Room
Forever Classic Games
Checkpoint Gaming
Starbit…and 12 more tracked reviews.
Patch history
- Azure Striker Gunvolt 3 has been updated to Ver 1.4.0!Nov 16, 2022significant · resets scoring window