During this weekend’s BitSummit expo, beloved indie developer Inti Creates announced the return of its acclaimedAzure Striker Gunvoltseries (known asArmed Blue: Gunvolt), which started on the Nintendo 3DS in 2014.Azure Striker Gunvolt 3was announced by none other thanMega MandesignerandMighty Number 9director Keiji Inafune, who will be participating in this entry’s development.
The trailer, which was revealed during a presentation held by Inti Creates during the expo, reveals improved visuals, new music and, most noteworthy, a brand new playable character in the form of Kirin. Kirin seems to specialize in melee combat, wielding a sword while also utilizing electrical attacks similar to the series' protagonist Gunvolt. She is described by the developers as a “Septimal shrine maiden whose ability is to seal others’ abilities. She attacks with a combination of talismans and a sword crafted from a pewter staff.”
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The announcement that this entry would involveMighty Number 9director Keiji Inafunehas brought much criticism, given the many controversies surrounding the game’s release back in 2015, although it is worth mentioning that this is not the first time Inafune has been involved with aGunvolttitle. In 2014 he was involved in the crossover betweenMighty Number 9andAzure Striker GunvoltwithMighty Gunvolton the Nintendo 3DS, and later in the Nintendo Switch and 3DS follow-up,Mighty Gunvolt Burst.
This announcement also comesonly a few days after the announcementfrom ex-Castlevaniaproducer Koji Igarashi that Inti Creates will also be releasing a sequel to the hit 2D platformerCastlevaniahomageBloodstained: Curse of the Moon 2, the second in the spin-off series to Igarashi’sBloodstained: Ritual of the Nightgame, which launched in June 2019.
CurrentlyAzure Striker Gunvolt 3does not have any sort of release date, however it is confirmed for release on Nintendo Switch. Previously, the first two titles initially launched for Nintendo 3DS but were later ported to Switch, PC PlayStation 4 in the form ofAzure Striker Gunvolt: Striker Pack. The 2018 spin-offGunvolt Chronicles: Luminous Avenger iXalso released on Switch, PC and PS4, so it is likely thatAzure Striker Gunvolt 3will also come to PC and PS4 at some point.
