This Day in Games: April 5, 2016
On April 5, 2016, PlayStation 4 players got Trials Fusion: Awesome Level Max, and indie fans saw Prison Architect leave Early Access. At the same time, Dodge Roll and Devolver Digital quietly released Enter the Gungeon on PC and consoles. That same week, rumors started swirling about Nintendo’s NX hardware, and Blizzard was gearing up for Overwatch’s beta. But many hardcore gamers found themselves hooked on this pixel-perfect, bullet-hell dungeon crawler.
Overview & Premise
Enter the Gungeon is a fast-paced twin-stick shooter with roguelike elements. You pick one of four “Gungeoneers,” each haunted by regret, and head into a maze-like fortress to find the Gun That Can Kill the Past. Along the way, you’ll shoot enemies, grab loot, dodge-roll to avoid danger, and even flip tables for cover—all in a bid to make things right.
Gameplay Mechanics
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Twin-stick bullet hell: Bullets swarm the screen, so you need quick reflexes to survive.
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Dodge rolling: A well-timed roll makes you briefly invincible, which is key to getting out of tight spots.
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Mix of fixed and random rooms: Some rooms are carefully designed, while others are shuffled each run, keeping each playthrough fresh.
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Loot and progress: There are over 300 different guns—think missile launchers, laser rifles, foam-dart shooters, and even bee blasters—plus items that boost your stats or give you special powers.
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Local co-op: Team up with a friend for two-player runs, plan your weapon combos, and watch each other’s backs in real time.
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Secrets & shops: You’ll meet quirky NPCs, find hidden rooms, and haggle for rare gear that can turn the tide.
Visuals & Audio
The pixel art in Enter the Gungeon is both charming and clear: every bullet, explosion, and enemy is crisply animated so you can keep track of what’s happening. Meanwhile, the soundtrack—an energetic mix of chiptune beats and moody dungeon melodies—keeps you pumped, and punchy sound effects make every ricochet and table flip feel satisfying.
Community Reception & Ratings
Steam user reviews say it all:
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Recent Reviews: “Very Positive” (90% of 691 reviews)
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All-Time Reviews: “Overwhelmingly Positive” (95% of 75,361 reviews)
Players consistently praise the game’s tough but fair challenge, the huge selection of guns, and nearly endless replay value. Some people do mention that it can feel unfair at times because the random layouts can spike the difficulty unexpectedly. Still, even those who struggle agree that mastering Gungeon’s mechanics is incredibly rewarding.
Impact on the Industry
Enter the Gungeon redefined what a bullet-hell roguelike could be by blending well-crafted arenas with unpredictable, procedural layouts. As a result, it paved the way for later hits like Dead Cells and Rogue Legacy 2. Moreover, it inspired a host of “Gungeonvania” games that borrowed its tight combat and inventive weapon design. Today, developers and players alike recognize it as a gold standard for challenge-focused design and creative weapon variety.
Final Verdict
Enter the Gungeon is a must-play for action-roguelike fans. Its mix of punishing difficulty, maze-like levels, and wildly inventive weapons keeps you coming back run after run. New players might be overwhelmed by the initial bullet barrage, but if you stick with it, you’ll find an exhilarating adventure. With “Very Positive” recent reviews and “Overwhelmingly Positive” all-time acclaim, this past-killing journey is one you don’t want to miss.
