As someone new to the series, I dove into Gal Guardians: Servants of the Dark with no expectations. This sequel changes from a straight-line “Classicvania” to a full Metroidvania with a bigger, connected world. It’s a 2D action title with great pixel graphics and voice acting that matches the detailed characters. In this game, you play as demon maid sisters Kirika and Masha. They must travel through the Demon Realm to bring back their master, Demon Lord Maxim, by finding his bones and beating the rival Demon Lord Lyzenorg.
The combat system is cleverly built around the interplay between Kirika and Masha. Kirika, a ranged fighter, uses a submachine gun for distant attacks and a shotgun-like blast while dodging, but she needs to reload her ammo. Masha, a melee specialist, wields a thorny vine whip with a satisfying three-hit combo, alongside magical sub-weapons like summoned spiders. You can swap between the sisters instantly in solo play, or control one each in co-op mode.
Sub-weapons, which are found in chests or dropped by enemies, consume Demon Points (DP) and offer diverse effects, from grenades to auto-targeting swords. Additionally, the “Sister Rescue” mechanic lets you revive a fallen sister by reaching her corpse. However, combat pacing suffers on normal difficulty due to repetitive enemy types and overly easy encounters; some sub-weapons also feel unbalanced. It doesn’t help that enemies are easily stunned out of their attack patterns. Once you learn their moves, like the Grim Reaper teleporting behind you, encounters become very simple.
“The combat system is cleverly built around the interplay between Kirika and Masha.”
Each boss fight has many stages. For example, a spider boss might first use web traps, then call small helpers, and finally fill the room with poison. The game has over a dozen bosses, from rival Demon Lord Lyzenorg’s helpers to creepy, gothic-looking creatures like dragon maidens, and moving statues. These fights happen in special areas made for each boss, often with environmental dangers that make battles harder.
Some bosses have shields that only Masha’s whip can break, while others need Kirika’s precise shots to hit weak spots from far away. As mentioend, in co-op mode, you and a friend each control one sister. This lets you attack at the same time, making fights quicker, but it needs good teamwork. Bosses also often need special sub-weapons to stop their attacks or do extra damage. For example, you might use ice grenades to freeze a lava-spitting dragon or homing swords for enemies in the air.
Gal Guardians: Servants of the Dark has a big, connected map with different areas like castles, forests, and lava zones. You explore to find Maxim’s bones, hidden chests, and Demon Relics. These relics unlock new areas and abilities, like double jumps or air dashes. The map is also easy to use even while moving, showing rooms you’ve explored, chests, and save points.
However, moving around can be confusing. The game doesn’t tell you much about where to go or how to use sub-weapons to get past obstacles. This lack of guidance often means frustratingly going back, and there aren’t many fast-travel points. Some areas feel plain or same too, with confusing paths and dead ends that slow down your exploration.
“The visuals are a bigger strength here than the gameplay.”
Maxim bones can be traded at the throne room for stat boosts and new abilities, encouraging more in-depth exploring, but it’s often slowed down by needing to go back to the castle, usually without easy fast-travel. While Demon Relics and sub-weapons offer some ways to customize, the upgrade system feels too simple. The game also has three difficulty modes: Casual, Veteran, Legend.
The visuals are a bigger strength here than the gameplay. Kirika and Masha look great, with distinct designs: Kirika has a cool, crimson look, while Masha shows off green, playful energy. Enemies are diverse and detailed, blending gothic and anime styles, and the art style echoes Castlevania: Symphony of the Night with its colorful, sometimes suggestive touches. Additionally, excellent Japanese voice acting really stands out here, adding a lot of charm to the characters.
I didn’t run into any bugs or issues with the game; it felt like a pretty average Metroidvania to me. The biggest selling points are probably the graphics and voice acting. However, with odd fast-travel options and combat that’s just okay (even if the characters themselves are fun), this game might not be for everyone. Since I haven’t played the first game, I can’t compare them, but this sequel was neither disappointing nor amazing.
Review copy provided by the publisher
