Guacamelee! Gold Edition (Video Game Review)

Guacamelee! Gold Edition is the newest release from developer Drinkbox Studios. The company is well known for their Tales from Space series on PlayStation Network, and in fact, the new Steam release gives players instant access to the hit title Tales from Space: Mutant Blobs Attack. Guacamelee! offers a completely different style of play however. The game's developers and gamers both like to use the word Metroidvania when describing the gameplay featured in Guacamelee!, because the game offers an ever increasingly difficult challenge with unlockable abilities that continue to allow players to find additional secrets and access new areas in the game. Guacamelee! also features classic side scrolling, beat 'em up action full of combination attacks, throws and special moves as well as a good share of platforming puzzles. No matter how players describe Guacamelee!, few would argue that the game is anything less than stellar.

Players begin Guacamelee! in control of a hardworking agave farmer named Juan Aguacate. Shortly after beginning the game, Juan sets off to rescue the kidnapped daughter of El Presidente only to be killed by the powerful Charro skeleton that goes by the name of Carlos Calaca. Juan wakes up in the world of the dead and comes across a mystical Luchadore wrestling mask that grants him great powers. Juan is now able to travel between the worlds of the dead and living to battle enemies and gain new powers to save El Presidente's daughter, but it won't be easy with plenty of supernatural enemies and even characters from Juan's past ready exile his soul from existence for good. The game is littered with humor and colorful loading screens that emphasize key moments throughout the storyline. Guacamelee! is easily one of the most fun storylines we've had a privilege to play through this year and is one that all gamers should experience for themselves.

Guacamelee! is packed with plenty of Mexican culture and lore as well as wrestling attacks. The Mexican influence is clear throughout the game with an exciting soundtrack that fully immerses the player in the game and its Luchadore theme. There are also plenty of mythical creatures from Mexican lore to brawl with including chupacabras, ghosts and zombies. The colorful cast of characters are excellent in the game and add plenty of fun dialogue to the game without actually speaking a word. Battling against the enemies in the game is a mixture of light and heavy attacks in addition to special moves unlocked throughout the game. Enemies can also be suplexed, slammed, clotheslined and otherwise wrestled into submission. Combat in the game can get a bit hectic at times, but the game never becomes too difficult on the default setting.

The other large portion of the game will have Juan carefully platforming across dangerous gaps and accessing secret areas to find and complete side missions or acquire some new moves for use in and out of combat. There is a definite sense of progression in the game, as Juan continues to unlock moves and make the ending of the game feel nothing similar to how it begins. One of Juan's most important moves allows him to transform into a chicken and utilize a small size and new abilities to reach previously inaccessible areas. Juan will need all of his abilities to complete the game and conquer the numerous challenges in the game and reach the end of arena matches in one piece. There is enough content packed into the game already, but Guacamelee! Gold Edition packs plenty of additional content including more outfits for Juan and the blazing El Infierno area that has plenty more challenges for the player to complete.



Guacamelee! features some of the best animations seen in recent games with Juan's arms flailing while running through the game world, and each attack looking better than a real life wrestling match. The colorful art style of the game is spectacular as well with some of the better character models and environments Drinkbox Studios has ever produced. The controls are also very precise and work well whether platforming or battling supernatural foes. The entire game can be played in cooperative multiplayer with two players with the second player taking control of the female Luchador, Juanita. Guacamelee! left us completely satisfied with the time spent with the game with the only major complaints being that the game wasn't a bit longer with the game only lasting 5-10 hours depending on what percentage of the game the player wants to complete.

Guacamelee! Gold Edition is easily one of the best looking and most entertaining games of 2013. Additional content includes the Costume Pack and Devil's Playground that adds even more content to an already great game. Colorful aesthetics, an excellent soundtrack and great controls while battling or platforming make Guacamelee! Gold Edition one of the most impressive new games to be released in the last year, and the new release proves Drinkbox Studios is one of the best indie development companies around. Don your mask and enter the ring in Guacamelee! Gold Edition on Steam for PC today!

Guacamelee! is now available for PlayStation Network and PC via Steam and can be purchased for $14.99. Guacamelee! is rated E by the ESRB for Fantasy Violence, Mild Blood, Suggestive Themes & Use of Alcohol. For more information on the game, check out the official Guacamelee! website.

Game Features:

Cooperative Multiplayer 1-2

Bonus Costumes and Areas

DLC Support

Steam Trading Cards

Trophy/Achievement Support

Game Information:
Developer & Publisher: Drinkbox Studios
Platforms: PlayStation Network & Steam (reviewed)
Release Date: August 8, 2013

Score: 9 out of 10