Gynoug Review

Game: Gynoug
Genre: Action, Arcade
System: Nintendo Switch (Also on PS4 & Xbox)
Developer|Publisher: Masaya | Ratalaika Games
Age Rating: EU 12+ | US Teen
Price:  US $6.99 | UK £5.99 | EU € 6,99
Release Date: November 12th, 2021

Review code provided with many thanks to PR Hound

Back From the Past

Gynoug (pronounced Jinoog I think, the internet is a little unclear on this) is a side-scrolling shooter that was originally released in 1991 on the Sega Mega Drive. It was renamed Wings of War for its American release possibly because no one knew how to pronounce the title. This was a game that really just came and went back in the day.

As a young gamer, I vividly remember being captivated by the box art of this game. A muscle bound man with graceful angel wings standing in a power pose with some sinister enemies lurking in the background. This image alone sold me on the game and I desperately wanted to rent it but alas my funds were low that week. Time would pass and Gynoug would disappear from memories as well as a presence in gaming culture since this was the only standalone release for the series. But now thirty years later the game sees a digital re-release and I’ve been given the chance to see if the game itself lives up to its epic cover art. 

Angels and Demons

Gynoug is a side scrolling shooter similar in vein to space shooters or, as we like to call them, shmups. The story behind this game is the heavens are being attacked by demons led by a being known as the Destroyer. As the angel Wor, it’s up to you to fly through demon infested levels and send them packing back to where they came from.

The only reason I know this plot is because I looked it up online. Back in retro days, you found out the story of video games and their controls by reading the manual but since this version of the game is a digital only release you basically press start on the menu and start the game. While many will not see the point of a games manual anymore it’s a shame the developers didn’t include a digital version to flick through. 

16-Bit Goodness 

The actual gameplay is very enjoyable. Wor moves around very comfortably on screen and you take out your enemies with a standard shot. A standard shot can quickly be upgraded into a spread shot to the extent that pellets will flood the screen. You can also pick up magical scrolls which when activated give Wor some extra limited moves like a thunderbolt which can be used in a pinch.

The formula of the game is very simple. Fly through the levels destroying as many enemies as possible. And avoid their incoming fire, upgrade your moves and take out the bosses. What enhances the experience is just how bizarre and unique some of the enemies and bosses you face are. In the first level alone Wor is literally fighting volcanoes and a large train boss with a face. It’s enemy designs like this that feel like something off a heavy metal album and it really threw me back to playing my old Mega Drive. The soundtrack of this game is also just sublime. A memorable score to enjoy as you weave between bullets.

Quality of Life Improvements

Gynoug is not an easy game. You are able to adjust the difficulty and even your life count. But like the old days, this is just a game you get better at by playing through practice, without any experience points like you see in modern gaming today. But it doesn’t need it. Gynoug is pick up and play awesomeness and will absolutely appeal to those looking for just that and don’t have a lot of playtime on their hands. 

What this port adds over the original is the usual options you would expect. Adjust the graphics from CRT to full screen. Map the controls how you see fit. You have save states and a rewind function if you need it. Additionally cheats can be switched on like max power ups and invincibility.

You are able to access these right from the start and don’t need to finish the game to unlock them. Would have been nice to learn more about the history of this title but for the price of entry, these are good features.

Conclusion – A Wing and a Prayer 

Gynoug is a relic from the past that I had an absolute blast playing in the present. It took me back to a simpler time of gaming. One where you don’t need excessive plot and gaming gimmicks to impress. Just solid gameplay. Of course this style won’t appeal to everyone. Some folk might question why the game wasn’t just remade from the ground up. Gynoug, for me, has aged surprisingly well as a Mega Drive game and if you somehow missed this back in the day, now is a great time to try it at a fair price point. 

Final Verdict: I Like it a Lot