History YMMV / AzureStrikerGunvolt

** Cut dialogue (and added in Steam release) reveals that Merak intentionally floods his base, along with his own mooks inside, so that he can wipe off Gunvolt. Because it's easier that way. In the ''Lazy Kingdom'' OVA, he's also known for capturing Elise and send her to be experimented upon by Sumeragi, not even bothering to report her to the top brass.

** Cut dialogue (and added in Steam release) reveals that Merak intentionally floods his base, along with his own mooks inside, so that he can wipe off Gunvolt. Because it's easier that way.

** What was [[spoiler:Asimov's]] true motive? While the [[VideoGame/LuminousAvengerIX what-if spinoff]] makes no ambiguity that [[spoiler:his plans will result in disastrous consequences if he manages to enact it, there are several ways to interpret this change.]] Was he a [[spoiler:[[EvilAllAlong power-hungry tyrant from the beginning]] who merely used everyone to satiate his own ego? Did he genuinely wanted to stop the Adept persecutions but JumpedOffTheSlipperySlope big time? Did he just had Gunvolt fight Sumeragi for the sake of revenge against what they did to him? And did he genuinely care for Gunvolt and his other comrades until he went off the deep end, or he merely treated them as pawns to further his own goals?]]

** What was [[spoiler:Asimov's]] true motive? While the [[VideoGame/LuminousAvengerIX what-if spinoff]] makes no ambiguity that [[spoiler:his plans will result in disastrous consequences if he manages to enact it, there are several ways to interpret this change.]] Was he a [[spoiler:[[EvilAllAlong power-hungry tyrant from the beginning]] who merely used everyone to satiate his own ego? Did he genuinely wanted to bring peace to Adepts and humans alike but JumpedOffTheSlipperySlope big time? Did he just had Gunvolt fight Sumeragi for the sake of revenge against what they did to him? And did he genuinely care for Gunvolt and his other comrades until he went off the deep end, or he merely treated them as pawns to further his own goals?]]

** What if the Sumeragi group are actually [[spoiler:the LesserOfTwoEvils, but [[LaResistance QUILL]] were the bad guys all along?]] We are seeing things through QUILL's view after all, [[spoiler:and [[YourTerroristsAreOurFreedomFighters they would obviously paint themselves on a good light]].]] The worst things we see from Sumeragi are its numerous shady experiments on Adepts, but they generally aren't full-blown hostile to them. They are [[spoiler:also the only thing (bar post-QUILL Gunvolt) preventing something even worse from happening, which can arrange from a full-scale invasion/genocide attempt from Eden to a full-blown BadFuture where Asimov not only exterminates humans, but traps Adepts in a dystopia where he rules over them with an iron fist.]] It really only proves that [[spoiler:[[VillainHasAPoint Nova was right multiple times across]], and that the Adepts WILL go out of control if something doesn't exist to restrain them.]]

** What if the Sumeragi group are actually [[spoiler:the good guys to some extent, but [[LaResistance QUILL]] were actually the bad guys all along?]] We are seeing things through QUILL's view after all, [[spoiler:and they would obviously paint themselves on a good light.]] The worst things we see from Sumeragi are its numerous shady experiments on Adepts, but they generally aren't full-blown hostile to them. They are [[spoiler:also the only thing (bar post-QUILL Gunvolt) preventing something even worse from happening, which can arrange from a full-scale invasion/genocide attempt from Eden to a full-blown BadFuture where Asimov not only exterminates humans, but traps Adepts in a dystopia where he rules over them with an iron fist.]] It really only proves that [[spoiler:[[VillainHasAPoint Nova was right multiple times across]], and that the Adepts WILL go out of control if something doesn't exist to restrain them.]]

** Gibril commanded the Eden troops under her command to kidnap dozens of people, which might or might not include a friend of Quinn's, and take them to her lair so she can drain them of their blood. Those zombie-like "enemies" that spawn throughout the level? Those are her victims.

** What was [[spoiler:Asimov's]] true motive? While the [[VideoGame/LuminousAvengerIX what-if spinoff]] makes no ambiguity that [[spoiler:his plans will result in disastrous consequences if he manages to enact it, there are several ways to interpret this change.]] Was he a [[spoiler:power-hungry tyrant all along who merely used everyone to satiate his own ego? Did he genuinely wanted to bring peace to Adepts and humans alike but JumpedOffTheSlipperySlope big time? Did he just had Gunvolt fight Sumeragi for the sake of revenge against what they did to him? And did he genuinely care for Gunvolt and his other comrades until he went off the deep end, or he merely treated them as pawns to further his own goals?]]

** What if the Sumeragi group are actually [[spoiler:the good guys to some extent while [[LaResistance QUILL]] were actually the bad guys we're unwittingly rooting for with the exception of Gunvolt?]] We are seeing things through QUILL's view after all, [[spoiler:and they would obviously paint themselves on a good light.]] The worst things we see from Sumeragi are its numerous shady experiments on Adepts, but they generally aren't full-blown hostile to them. They are [[spoiler:also the only thing (bar post-QUILL Gunvolt) preventing something even worse from happening, which can arrange from a full-scale invasion/genocide attempt from Eden to a full-blown BadFuture where Asimov not only exterminates humans, but traps Adepts in a dystopia where he rules over them with an iron fist.]] It really only proves that [[spoiler:[[VillainHasAPoint Nova was right multiple times across]], and that the Adepts WILL go out of control if something doesn't exist to restrain them.]]

** What if the Sumeragi group are actually [[spoiler:the good guys to some extent while [[LaResistance QUILL]] were actually the bad guys we're unwittingly rooting for with the exception of Gunvolt?]] Remember we are seeing things through QUILL's view, [[spoiler:which would obviously paint themselves on a good light.]] The worst things we see from Sumeragi are its numerous shady experiments on Adepts, but they generally aren't full-blown hostile to them, and that [[spoiler:they are the only thing (bar post-QUILL Gunvolt) preventing something even worse from happening, which can arrange from a full-scale invasion/genocide attempt from Eden to a full-blown BadFuture where Asimov not only exterminates humans, but traps Adepts in a dystopia where he rules over them with an iron fist.]] Not helping is that [[spoiler:Nova has been proven right multiple times, showing that the Adepts WILL go out of control if something doesn't exist to restrain them.]]

* AlternativeCharacterInterpretation: What if the Sumeragi group are actually [[spoiler:the good guys to some extent while [[LaResistance QUILL]] were actually the bad guys we're unwittingly rooting for with the exception of Gunvolt?]] Remember we are seeing things through QUILL's view, [[spoiler:which would obviously paint themselves on a good light.]] The worst things we see from Sumeragi are its numerous shady experiments on Adepts, but they generally aren't full-blown hostile to them, and that [[spoiler:they are the only thing (bar post-QUILL Gunvolt) preventing something even worse from happening, which can arrange from a full-scale invasion/genocide attempt from Eden to a full-blown BadFuture where Asimov not only exterminates humans, but traps Adepts in a dystopia where he rules over them with an iron fist.]] Not helping is that [[spoiler:Nova has been proven right multiple times, showing that the Adepts WILL go out of control if something doesn't exist to restrain them.]]

* AlternativeCharacterInterpretation: What if the Sumeragi group are actually [[spoiler:the good guys to some extent while [[LaResistance QUILL]] were actually the bad guys we're unwittingly rooting for with the exception of Gunvolt?]] Remember we are seeing things through QUILL's view, [[spoiler:which would obviously paint themselves on a good light.]] The worst things we see from Sumeragi are its numerous shady experiments on Adepts, but they generally aren't full-blown hostile to them, and that [[spoiler:they are ostensibly the only thing preventing something even worse from happening, which can arrange from a full-scale invasion/genocide attempt from Eden to a full-blown BadFuture where Asimov not only exterminates humans, but traps Adepts in a dystopia where he rules over them with an iron fist.]] Not helping is that [[spoiler:Nova has been proven right multiple times, showing that the Adepts WILL go out of control if something doesn't exist to restrain them.]]

* AlternativeCharacterInterpretation: What if the Sumeragi group are actually [[spoiler:the good guys to some extent while [[LaResistance QUILL]] was actually the bad guys we're unwittingly rooting for with the exception of Gunvolt?]] Remember we are seeing things through QUILL's view, [[spoiler:which would obviously paint themselves on a good light.]] The worst things we see from Sumeragi are its numerous shady experiments on Adepts, but they generally aren't full-blown hostile to them, and that [[spoiler:they are ostensibly the only thing preventing something even worse from happening, which can arrange from a full-scale invasion/genocide attempt from Eden to a full-blown BadFuture where Asimov not only exterminates humans, but traps Adepts in a dystopia where he rules over them with an iron fist.]] Not helping is that [[spoiler:Nova has been proven right multiple times, showing that the Adepts WILL go out of control if something doesn't exist to restrain them.]]

* AlternativeCharacterInterpretation: What if the Sumeragi group is actually [[spoiler:the good guys to some extent while [[LaResistance QUILL]] was actually the bad guys we're unwittingly rooting for with the exception of Gunvolt?]] Remember we are seeing things through QUILL's view, [[spoiler:which would obviously paint themselves on a good light.]] The worst things we see from Sumeragi are its numerous shady experiments on Adepts, but they generally aren't full-blown hostile to them, and that [[spoiler:they are ostensibly the only thing preventing something even worse from happening, which can arrange from a full-scale invasion/genocide attempt from Eden to a full-blown BadFuture where Asimov not only exterminates humans, but traps Adepts in a dystopia where he rules over them with an iron fist.]] Not helping is that [[spoiler:Nova has been proven right multiple times, showing that the Adepts WILL go out of control if something doesn't exist to restrain them.]]

* AlternativeCharacterInterpretation: What if the Sumeragi group is actually [[spoiler:the good guys to some extent while [[LaResistance QUILL]] was actually the bad guys we're unwittingly rooting for with the exception of Gunvolt?]] Remember we are seeing things through QUILL's view, [[spoiler:which would obviously paint themselves on a good light.]] The worst things we see from Sumeragi are its numerous shady experiments on Adepts, but they generally aren't full-blown hostile to them, and that [[spoiler:they are ostensibly the only thing preventing something even worse from happening, which can arrange from a full-scale invasion/genocide attempt from Eden to a full-blown BadFuture where Asimov not only exterminates humans, but controls and perform cruel experiments on Adepts for a century.]] Not helping is that [[spoiler:Nova has been proven right multiple times, showing that the Adepts WILL go out of control if something doesn't exist to restrain them.]]

* AlternativeCharacterInterpretation: What if the Sumeragi group is actually [[spoiler:the good guys to some extent while [[LaResistance QUILL]] was actually the bad guys we're unwittingly rooting for with the exception of Gunvolt?]] Remember we are seeing things through QUILL's view, [[spoiler:which would obviously paint themselves on a good light.]] The worst things we see from Sumeragi are its numerous shady experiments on Adepts, but they generally aren't full-blown hostile to them, and that [[spoiler:they are ostensibly the only thing preventing something even worse from happening, which can arrange from a full-scale invasion/genocide attempt from Eden to a full-blown BadFuture where Asimov not only exterminates humans, but controls and perform cruel experiments on Adepts.]] Not helping is that [[spoiler:Nova has been proven right multiple times, showing that the Adepts WILL go out of control if something doesn't exist to restrain them.]]

* AlternativeCharacterInterpretation: What if the Sumeragi group is actually [[spoiler:the good guys to some extent while [[LaResistance QUILL]] was actually the bad guys we're unwittingly rooting for with the exception of Gunvolt?]] Remember we are seeing things through QUILL's view, [[spoiler:which would obviously paint them on a good light. Sure, Sumeragi does numerous shady experiments on Adepts, but they are ostensibly the only thing preventing something even worse from happening, which can arrange from a full-scale invasion/genocide attempt from Eden to a full-blown BadFuture where Asimov not only exterminates humans, but controls and perform cruel experiments on Adepts.]] Not helping is that [[spoiler:Nova has been proven right multiple times, showing that the Adepts WILL go out of control if something doesn't exist to restrain them.]]

* FandomRivalry: After ''VideoGame/MightyNo9''[='=]s perceived failure by many of its backers, critics, and ''Mega Man'' fans, most ''Gunvolt'' fans have been acting very condescending towards ''Mighty No. 9'' (and Keiji Inafune) for not living up to expectations it was met with, suddenly pulling a 180 from this series SoOkayItsAverage reception to claiming its a "true" successor to ''Mega Man'', ignoring that Inti Creates were involved in the development of it as well. The release of ''Azure Striker Gunvolt 2'' (being considered a much-improved sequel to its predecessor) only months a few later from ''Mighty No. 9'' and then followed up by ''Mighty Gunvolt Burst'' in 2017 (which was developed entirely by Inti Creates outside of Inafune's approval to use the ''Mighty No. 9'' characters) are not helping ''Mighty No. 9''[='=]s case save for the very few can appreciate both series.

** The same translation also made up fictional pronouns to refer to Zonda, "xe" and "xem". This didn't exactly please anyone, so the Steam translation took those out as well and just used "they" and "them".

* PolishedPort: The Striker Pack for the UsefulNotes/NintendoSwitch and UsefulNotes/{{PlayStation 4}} are the definitive version of ''both'' games, as it backports several improvements from the sequel to the first game, as well as all the extras the Steam version has, including support for Christmas Mode, and bundles all of the the sequel's [=DLCs=]. It also offers a full HD 60 FPS experience across both games compared to their previous releases with high-resolution cutscenes, dialogue portraits, and special attack cut-ins.

** The Underworld Stage; it starts out tame (it takes place outside the warehouse with a single mook standing guard) but the atmosphere goes to a dark turn once you go inside. It's a [[BlackOutBasement pitch black underground facility]], and there's not a single soul in sight except for the [[MechaMooks robots]] stationed there, and your only source of light is a Flashfield or a [[HelpfulMook robot that provides light if zapped]]. But once you open the emergency lights, you'll immediately be greeted by a zombie who proceeds to jump on you.[[note]]If you use your Flashfield beforehand, you'll notice that they are lying down, lifeless.[[/note]] The kicker? These are scientists and guards who were killed by Elise in their attempts to control her, and contrary to Gunvolt's claims, they are not bred in a lab.

* PortingDisaster: Despite the Steam version being updated to be somewhat comparable to the Switch's and [=PlayStation=] 4's ''Striker Pack'' versions, a major that has yet to be addressed is the game's poorly implemented Steam DRM, which prevents the game from being playable without a constant internet connection even when using Steam's Offline Mode. The September 17, 2020 patch also manages to render the game's Speedrun Mode unplayable due to a "Memory Shortage" error. Other issues include the game still using the Nintendo-like menu configuration despite being on PC and not having the option to properly reverse the Confirm and Cancel buttons like in some of their other PC ports, the game still uses the very low resolution art assets from the [=3DS=] version rather than the HD ones from the Switch/[=PlayStation=] 4 versions, keyboard users cannot rebind certain buttons such as the Skill Activation buttons which have been pre-defined to use the F1-F4 keys, and most other languages still outside of English (Japanese Voice mode), Japanese, Korean, and Traditional Chinese uses the mediocre localization by 8-4 with the missing voice-overs rather than Inti Create's own in-house localization with the fully-voiced dialogue intact.

* PolishedPort:
** Although the Steam version of the first ''Gunvolt'' was a mostly a direct port of the 3DS version, it does include new modes exclusive to that version, such as a Speedrun Mode, a (now removed) Christmas Mode, an Easy and Hard Mode with their own changes in the gameplay.
** The Striker Pack for the UsefulNotes/NintendoSwitch is the definitive version of ''both'' games, as it backports several improvements from the sequel to the first game, as well as all the extras the Steam version has, including support for Christmas Mode, and bundles all of the the sequel's [=DLCs=]. It also offers a full HD 60 FPS experience across both games compared to their previous releases with high-resolution cutscenes, dialogue portraits, and special attack cut-ins.

** This BGM [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wv2_yVsNOLE Despair]] is a very unsettling theme that plays during particularly dire and grim situations, the scare chords that plays during the scene doesn't help either.

** The Underworld Stage; it starts out tame (it takes place outside the warehouse with a single mook standing guard) but the atmosphere goes to a dark turn once you go inside. It's a pitch black basement, and there's not a single soul in sight except for the [[MechaMooks robots]] stationed there, and your only source of light is a Flashfield or a [[HelpfulMook robot that provides light if zapped]]. But once you open the emergency lights, you'll be suddenly jumped by zombies.[[note]]If you use your Flashfield beforehand, you'll notice that they are lying down, lifeless.[[/note]] The kicker? These are scientists and guards who were killed by Elise in an attempt to control her, and contrary to Gunvolt's claims, they are not bred in a lab.
*** Also compared to the Screamers fought in the [[VideoGame/AzureStrikerGunvolt2 sequel]], the Zombies in this game have a genuinely intimidating and scary design with glowing red eyes and lines (implied to be their blood), and very sharp fangs. There are also dangling variants where if you shot the strings they're attached to, they will be torn apart by its impact and [[InterfaceScrew splatter a goo like substance that obscures the screen]].

* {{Nightmarefuel}}:
** The Underworld Stage; it starts out tame (it takes place outside the warehouse with a single mook standing guard) but the atmosphere goes to a dark turn once you go inside. It's a pitch black basement, and there's not a single soul in sight except for the [[MechaMooks robots]] stationed there, and your only source of light is a Flashfield or a [[HelpfulMook robot that provides light if zapped]]. But once you open the emergency lights, you'll be suddenly jumped by zombies[[note]]If you use your Flashfield beforehand, you'll notice that they are lying down, lifeless.[[/note]]. The kicker? These are scientists and guards who were killed by Elise in an attempt to control her, and contrary to Gunvolt's claims, they are not bred in a lab.

** The infamous [[BadExportForYou 3DS translation]] prominently featured a ton of "fake" swearing, which was essentially real swearing but with all the swear words censored with fictional equivalents that didn't even try to hide the words they were based on. It sounds really dumb and was a very inelegant solution to [[GettingCrapPastTheRadar avoiding the radar.]] The Steam translation and later games cut out the fake swearing entirely, essentially [[{{Retcon}} retconning]] their use.

* VindicatedByHistory: When the first game was released, it had a SoOkayItsAverage reception. However, after the disastrous and luckluster reception of ''VideoGame/MightyNo9'', and the second game being a SurprisinglyImprovedSequel coming a few months later, many are clamoring to this game as one of the true {{Spiritual Successor}}s to ''Franchise/MegaMan'' alongside other more faithful similar games such as ''VigeoGame/{{Rosenkreuzstilette}}''.