How familiar are you with old-school, PlayStation 2-era action games? You’ve probably heard of some of the mainstays. Devil May Cry, God of War, Kingdom Hearts, maybe even a Viewtiful Joe or an Okami somewhere sprinkled in there. Godhand, on the other hand (hey!) is not one many casual game fans are aware of. And I don’t blame them.
Godhand is a crazy game. It’s got a story that makes little to no sense. It has this odd, B-movie camp factor that doesn’t seem too far off from Capcom’s Resident Evil games. Not only does it have the same clunky tank controls as those games, but they even share the same visionary Director, Shinji Mikami. This guy knows his stuff, he’s quite the legendary director, and Godhand is quite an underrated game with some weird elements, but also some of the most fun you can have on the console.
Godhand is Goofy and Charming
Alright, so Mikami helped create Resident Evil. He knows how to make games that are campy and goofy and kind of unsettling. Godhand is very similar in that regard. The story is quite bare. Gene is the main character, and he is a young and cocky scrapper who can’t help but get into fights. His companion Olivia, who knows more than she lets on, helps Gene on his journey to eliminate a ton of demons who are trying to take over the world.
This story ain’t no Devil May Cry 3, but it doesn’t have to be. This game has a campy and cheesy atmosphere that is second to none. No one is really taking this seriously, and it adds to the charm and heart of the game. Characters are always wise-cracking, but not in the modern way that gets annoying easily. Everyone is written with the same charm and camp as a Power Rangers episode, and it really makes the game light and enjoyable.
Godhand is TOUGH
Going into the gameplay, Godhand is unlike anything else. So this is a third-person action game, but with a camera that you would find in a third-person shooter. In fact, this game came out a year after Resident Evil 4, Mikami’s magnum opus. The cameras in both games are the exact same. It’s a very odd setup, but the gameplay is great due to how customizable Gene’s move set is. Also, get used to dying.
Yeah, you’re going to die a lot here. Godhand has an adaptive difficulty setting. You do well in gameplay, and you’ll fill up a four-level bar that will make the game harder. Do worse, and that bar will go down. So yeah, the game will kick your ass. It’s a satisfying difficulty though. The kind that feels impossible, but you adapt and learn and end up smoking the boss without getting a hit taken. It’s great stuff, and what gaming is all about.
Godhand is Memorable
Lastly, the game is just one of a kind. It has so much style, charm, and heart. It’s hard to describe, but you really just have to play the game in order to experience it yourself. It’s a great time. It’s not for the faint of heart though, and this game is certainly from the mid-2000s. You can tell by the writing and the aesthetic and vibe. No complaints on my end.
It’s unfortunate because, on release, Godhand flopped. Clover, the studio that developed it, ended up being shut down shortly after. It didn’t review well, infamously receiving a 3.0/10 by IGN which is crazy by the way. I’m glad because now, Godhand has this niche community on the internet of people who adore and admire the game. I would recommend it. Give it a try. It might end up being one of your new favorite games. It’ll certainly test your mettle.
About the Author
Nicolas Scagnelli is a young and ambitious writer. He graduated with a degree in English with a concentration in Creative Writing at Binghamton University. As an undergrad, he published over 60 op-eds for the campus newspaper, Pipe Dream. Nicolas has his own personal blog, Lunch with Nick, where he posts daily about various topics ranging from entertainment to music to mental health. Other than writing, Nicolas loves to spend time in the gym, reading, listening to music, and hanging out with family and friends.
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