Even though Gori Cuddly Carnage released in 2024, my first hands-on experience with this cuddly little cat was in 2022. Back then I attended a Wired Productions media event and was able to sample the array of games on offer. One of those games was Gori Cuddly Carnage! I was able to play through the vast majority of the first level. And it was definitely a highlight of that particular day. But has this hack-and-slash adventure from Angry Demon Studio held up? Wired Productions were kind enough to send me a review code, so I’ve had the chance to check out the entire game.
Brash, childish and abrasive
Let’s get one thing clear. This game is an unapologetically brash game. It is full of childish humour, abrasive language, and most certainly not for everyone. There is everything here that players can expect from this genre of game. Finishing moves, dodging, using different weapons against a variety of enemies. It all handles, and feels, fairly satisfying. Each battle finishes with a slow motion effect too, which is always fun.
As Gori (the titular character) rides around on a hoverboard known as F.R.A.N.K., that smooth handling is very important. It translates into movement (both in and out of battle) that is fun. Whilst the game doesn’t excel at either exploration or confrontations, there is a competent moveset. One which is easy to pick up but difficult to master. It can feel limited at times though. Gori has a grind move for example, but it only works on specific surfaces. Why can he only wall grind on specific billboards, instead of just regular walls? The same with the select few rails that can be grinded. As this move generates a usable substance – fuel – it would have been great to have more options to collect it.
Post-apocalyptic hellscape filled with fun
Not that the lack of grindable surfaces detracts from the overall levels. Earth has been turned into a vast post-apocalypse hellscape. Many levels are set in derelict cityscapes coupled with some almost nonsensical theming.
At one point I springboarded from a billboard and grinded my way along the neon-bright strings of a colossal guitar. I then leapt my way over the massive ball pit that was the street below, only to land on the top of a building decked out like a pinball table. That was followed by a quick double hop to the surface of a massive air hockey table and then an extended leap across to a VHS tape stuck under the hulking mass of a CRT TV dominating the city skyline.
Is this all some kind of drug-fueled hallucination, or has the world truly been decimated by a mega-maniacal toy manufacturer? Judging by the half-too, half-living hybrids running around, it’s definitely the latter. All this is lightly explored in the backstory, mostly through animated comic books sandwiched between each level. There’s also a professor involved and some other animals more sentient than usual.
As expected from Angry Demon Studio, horror features pretty heavily in Gori Cuddly Carnage – specifically body horror. Cute plastic exteriors give way to gross fleshy innards. Once family-friendly playthings have transformed into nightmarish entities. The studio gets a lot out of this aesthetic, to the point of it being fairly abstract.
Edgy but cute
Although starting out very strong, the game does lose its edge the longer it goes on. Creative character and environment design fade to generic and well-worn themes. The aforementioned cityscape featuring bits of retro paraphernalia is definitely the strongest level, design-wise at least. After this, claustrophobic corridors and rooms prevail over everything. The cohesive cast of villains spiral out of control too. It’s great that there’s a wide variety of enemies, but the first few are so heavily linked thematically, it’s surprising when something different appears.
Gori himself helps bring something extra to the game. He curls up and purrs when left to idle. Super cute! A good selection of emotive sounds emanates from him throughout the dialogue sections. Even cuter! There is even a dedicated “meow” button which makes him produce that sound on command. The cutest!
Cheap thrills
Gori Cuddly Carnage is a great example of a jack-of-all-trades, master of none. It gets enough things right to be a well-rounded and fun title. Bookended by a few strong opening levels and an epic final boss, the middle loses its way slightly. Battles drag on a bit too long, although the need to constantly be moving to avoid enemy attacks keeps things entertaining.
It is a rock solid AA game, one with a price tag that is more than worth the purchase. Gameplay is long enough to justify the price. There are 34 trophies/achievements to unlock, about half of which unlock through a single playthrough. Plus, the nitro-fueled soundtrack and custom theme tune will worm its way inside your mind making that deal even sweeter. Now sing with me – “Gori Gori Gori!”
A Playstation 5 review code was provided by the publisher
