Never have I been more disappointed and flat out angry at a game than I have playing this piece of dog-shit. The game started out strong, really strong, but how quickly it can turn around, for no fault of your own, is so agonizing. Enemies in this game respawn in areas you’ve already cleared, which isn’t bad by itself, but resources don’t. You will always be limited by resources, so if you consistently back track and go to places you’ve already been as I did in my playthrough you will be utterly screwed. Some enemies just flat out cannot be killed unless you have the ammo. Sure a phantom can be killed by a wrench and combat time, but what if you didn’t opt into combat time? What the fuck can you do? Honestly, if this was it, and I just got deadlocked because I didn’t know I shouldn’t backtrack, I didn’t know I 100% needed to constantly use wrench, I probably would rate this higher. I just wanted the game to be over with in the final two hours. So I went with an albeit lame ending, using alex’s escape pod. I spent those final two hours just resetting and resetting until I finally didn’t die and got the shit to get the card. And what am I rewarded with? The ending is a fucking red herring. It’s honestly so disgusting that this game was developed, published and praised. This game doesn't deserve a well-polished review, or any fucking thought that is cultivated. This is the turing test of our generation.

By what metrics do we believe a game is good? In the space of gaming, there exists a spectrum of experiences. Some games, like The Last of Us, are solely focused on storytelling, while others, such as Minecraft, prioritize mechanics above all else. Then there are games that attempt to strike a balance between narrative and gameplay, like Baldurs Gate. As gaming is an art form, one might wonder: Is there a right or wrong way to approach it? Are mechanics-driven games mere consumption, and are story-focused games inherently inferior to books or movies? Is there a truly correct way to measure the value of a game?

For me, the answer lies in the question: "Can I find personal meaning in this piece of art, and is this medium the best way to convey that meaning?" This broad perspective applies not only to gaming but to art in general. I find it challenging to derive meaning from purely mechanics-focused games, as enjoyable as they may be. Conversely, story-driven games that fail to leverage the gaming medium's unique strengths might be better suited for a different medium. This realization conflicts with my love for mechanics-focused games, it aligns with my values and how I perceive games and I have to live with that.

Gunfire Reborn offers glimpses of a story and thematic elements. Inspired by Asian culture and design, the game presents beautiful landscapes and characters with a distinct aesthetic. In an era where high fidelity is the norm, Gunfire Reborn's stylistic approach is a refreshing change of pace.

However, the mechanics themselves do not deviate significantly from the standard roguelike formula, which is acceptable but lacks depth. One of the unique ways a mechanics-focused game can create meaning is by exploring the genre's mechanics in a novel way and displaying beauty through style. While Gunfire Reborn's visuals are beautiful, they are not unique to the game, as other titles have achieved this far better. Additionally, the soundtrack is lackluster, and the mechanics are recycled from the genre as a whole.

Despite its shortcomings, I love Gunfire Reborn to pieces. It is one of the most enjoyable roguelikes I have ever played, and I have invested more time into it than any other game in the genre. Yet, it falls short of being truly great. It’s merely okay, and while it could have been better, it doesn't need to be. This raises the question I still don’t have an answer for: Can enjoyment itself be a source of meaning? Can the sheer pleasure derived from a game be sufficient, or is there a need for something more profound?

As I grapple with these questions for the next game that presents a similar dynamic, I currently do not believe that enjoyment alone can constitute meaning. At least, not on its own. Art and consumption are intertwined, but there is also the element of enjoyment to consider. Gunfire Reborn excels in providing an enjoyable experience, but it falls short in offering a deeper, more meaningful experience.