Gungrave follows the most generic formula for an action game.  An avenging lone hero goes through a bevy of levels set in different locales filled with many enemy types finalyzing with a boss character.
    The title is based on the Japanese anime of the same name.  The players control the main character known as BEYOND THE GRAVE.  He has come back from beyond the grave (get it?) to take vengeance on a former business partner who sent him to meet his maker.  GRAVE, as his friends call him, is armed with twin unlimitted ammo pistols, and a coffin on his back.  The coffin is used for GRAVE's special attacks.  These usually consist of some sort of screen clearing attack.
    So far, the game could not be more generic, could it?  Well ...
    There is one aspect that separates Gungrave from the majority of the action titles on the market - Style.  This title oozes it in bunches.  I have seen very few games that can match the spectacular style found in Gungrave.  There is even a button for striking poses during the action.  At the end of the levels you get awarded Style points.  How many games can claim that?
    The characters in the game are just cool.  From the guntoting alley thugs to the men in suits carrying the machine gun briefcases.  The bosses are very inventive and well done.  The PS2 jaggies are definitely found in the game but do not hinder.  The cut scenes seem ripped straight out of the anime.
    The music of Gungrave is fabulous.  Lots of horns mixed in with guitars and drums.  Sound effects mostly consist of gun fire and explosions but are also well done.
    Once the game is beaten, which will not take too long, some cool extras are unlocked.  Perhaps the best extra is a "bullet time" effect that can now be used during the game.  Another unlockable is a gallery of the game's characters.  These are displayed as action figures you would find in a store stil in their packaging.  Style can even be found in the extras.
    The game made me feel like I was playing an actual anime.  The characters, action, cut scenes, and everything else thrown into the mix produced one extremely fun, if a tad short, goot time.  Add the sub $20 price tag and you could do a heck of a lot worse.

score = 7.8 / 10

- bman