The Gunk

 Xbox Series X
The Gunk Image
Metascore
70

Mixed or average reviews - based on 41 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
6.8

Mixed or average reviews- based on 165 Ratings

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  • Summary: The Gunk is a game about two friends who run a small scavenging outfit together, and who travel from one space rock to another in search for resources they can harvest and sell. One day they land on a planet that looks dead from a distance, turns out to be unlike any other they’ve set footThe Gunk is a game about two friends who run a small scavenging outfit together, and who travel from one space rock to another in search for resources they can harvest and sell. One day they land on a planet that looks dead from a distance, turns out to be unlike any other they’ve set foot on. A slimy parasite­ — or gunk — covers vast areas and seems to corrupt the otherwise vibrant nature and wildlife. It’s clear that they must fight this gunk to understand what’s happened and to save the dying planet. But this also creates a rift between them; on one hand, the planet will die if we don’t rid the planet of the gunk. On the other, we’ve got problems of our own and surely this isn’t our fight to begin with. So, who cares… right? Do we have to? [Thunderful Group]… Expand

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 41
  2. Mixed: 27 out of 41
  3. Negative: 1 out of 41
  1. GamingBolt
    Dec 17, 2021
    90
    Image and Form swaps 2D for 3D, but still delivers an excellently crafted game with a captivating story and heartfelt characters.
  2. Eurogamer Italy
    Dec 16, 2021
    80
    The Gunk is a fun and engaging indie title with a simple and addicting gameplay. The environmental puzzles are many and always different, well implemented within the experience.
  3. SpazioGames
    Dec 19, 2021
    75
    The Gunk is a little hidden gem that, despite not feeling innovative or deep, is able to entertain and move the player.
  4. Game Informer
    Dec 16, 2021
    70
    The Gunk deserves a fair bit of criticism and only a little unreserved praise. The connection between the characters holds up the story, sucking up goo is strangely satisfying, and the mechanics work as intended. However, I wish the world felt more distinctive and better realized. The environment has the potential to be a vibrant kaleidoscope with brilliant hues and unearthly forms. Unfortunately, it doesn’t quite hit that mark. All said, The Gunk is a competent romp through space, but not a stellar one.
  5. Edge Magazine
    Dec 30, 2021
    70
    In just a fraction of the time it would take another game, The Gunk manages to instil the full sense of exploring an unknown planet to its core. [Issue#367, p.110]
    All this publication's reviews
  6. Gamer.nl
    Dec 24, 2021
    65
    The Gunk has to rely mainly on its beautiful game world and nicely written dialogues. Those are unfortunately just not good enough to compensate for the faltering story and lack of challenging battles or puzzles.
  7. Het Nieuwsblad
    Jan 10, 2022
    40
    Some might see it as an indictment of our current polluting society, others just as a very short and simple platform game with a wafer-thin story and few challenging puzzles that - unlike the titular gunk - doesn't stick around for long.

See all 43 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 39 out of 65
  2. Mixed: 17 out of 65
  3. Negative: 9 out of 65
  1. RoverDiscover
    Dec 18, 2021
    10
    A nice surprise. The game looks beautiful, and it's very relaxing. A new great game on Xbox
  2. Squintmink
    Dec 21, 2021
    9
    The game makes vacuum cleaning seem like an amazing activity to do. Combat is simple, and the platforming elements are not overly difficult.The game makes vacuum cleaning seem like an amazing activity to do. Combat is simple, and the platforming elements are not overly difficult.

    Spent a few hours in total with it, and would recommend this game.

    Few bugs where you'd get stuck on something, or the game won't progress even after clearing everything in the area. Luckily the auto-saves are frequent, so you don't lose too much progress.    … Expand
  4. Sallaboy
    Dec 17, 2021
    9
    Very underrated indie game !

    Action adventure game filled with interesting dialogs. Addicted gameplay. Very colorful graphics and amazing    Very underrated indie game !

    Action adventure game filled with interesting dialogs. Addicted gameplay. Very colorful graphics and amazing environment. The story is also interesting, nothing new but very good written..
    Dont miss, try it out.    … Expand
  5. L3Fari0us
    Dec 20, 2021
    8
    The Gunk is a colorful chill experience with some delightful characters.

    Pros: +Casual & chill experience +Interesting main cast    The Gunk is a colorful chill experience with some delightful characters.

    Pros:
    +Casual & chill experience
    +Interesting main cast
    +Beautiful environments & soundtrack
    +Simple puzzles & combat that enhance the casual experience
    +Perfect length (5 to 6 hours to complete the game)
    +Fun mechanics
    +Good character designs
    +The need for resources makes exploration feel natural

    Cons:
    -Lack of puzzle & enemy variety
    -Facial animations leave a lot to be desired
    -Upgrades for your character cost too much (forcing the player to backtrack to find resources they missed)
    -Some upgrades feel meaningless & very niche
    -Levels are a bit too linear which restricts exploration

    Overall, while The Gunk isn't a game for everyone, I certainly recommend it to people who are looking for a more laid-back and creative game to play while traversing through beautiful landscapes.    … Expand
  6. zezeljmare
    Mar 20, 2022
    7
    EN:
    Visually beautiful game, but the mechanics of the game are not overly innovative, and after a while it becomes repetitive. Solid voice    EN:
    Visually beautiful game, but the mechanics of the game are not overly innovative, and after a while it becomes repetitive. Solid voice acting and storytelling.

    SRB:
    Vizuelno lepa igra, međutim mehanika igre nije preterano inovativna, i posle nekog vremena postaje repetativno. Solidan voice acting i priča.    … Expand
  7. Benzant
    Dec 18, 2021
    6
    boring mechanics that have everything done to be a worthy competitor of Rachet and Clark but it is not another game with progress where youboring mechanics that have everything done to be a worthy competitor of Rachet and Clark but it is not another game with progress where you have to take advantage of the inclusion of black skins, he is missing villains and his upgrade system is pointless… Expand
  8. Badger1990
    Dec 21, 2021
    0
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. #XboxNeedsRussianVoice no Russian localization, the game is not complete. I do not know English.
    No russian localization in 2021?!! Seriasly?    … Expand

See all 65 User Reviews

Awards & Rankings

66
#66 Best Xbox Series X Game of 2021
21
#21 Most Discussed Xbox Series X Game of 2021

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