MaverickHunterX
Member
Release Date: 10/20/15 - United States - 10/23/15 - Europe
Publisher - Ubisoft
Developer - Ubisoft Osaka/Ubisoft San Francisco
Platform - Nintendo 3DS
Price - $29.99/£17.99
Gravity Falls: Legend of the Gnome Gemults is the first "traditional" video game based off the Disney Channel/XD animated series of the same name. Powered by the UbiArt Framework engine that other Ubisoft games such as Rayman Legends, Child of Light, and Valiant Hearts: The Great War used, Gravity Falls is presented as an adventure/platformer that retrains the fluid, hand-drawn art style as that of the show itself.
For the uninitiated, Gravity Falls tells the story of twins Dipper and Mabel Pines, who are sent unwillingly from their comfy California home to spend the summer out in the middle of nowhere in the Oregon Wilderness with their Great-Uncle Stan (called "Grunkle" for short)
At first, things seem boring and low-key until Dipper finds an old journal hidden away in the woods. The tome tells the kids about the strange and supernatural side of the mountain town, including horrifying monsters, warped oddities, evil clones, ghosts, goblins, shape-shifters, and dream demons. As Dipper and Mabel make friends and become more familiar with their surroundings, they learn that in Gravity Falls, nothing is what it appears to be; their most important lesson being:
At the same time, the overall story is presented with an unique sense of charm and heart not seen on television since the early days of the Simpsons. The ideology of "growing up" and what comes with it, rings as true in this series just as much as its sci-fi structuring.
So, TL;DR: Think Tween-friendly X-Files mixed with a sprinkle of classic Simpsons = best thing Disney's done in years (Frozen, my ass!)
The game's story revolves around the gnome creatures introduced early in the first season of the series. The tribe's leader, Jeff, seeks out the Pines twins' aid when the Gnome Gemluts are stolen from their resting place. Without the presence of the Gemluts, he claims that all of the magic in the Gravity Falls Forest will wither and die!
Reluctant to help their one-time foe at first, Dipper and Mabel are bribed with promises of Gnome gold and magic in order to take on the journey across town in an effort to discover the true culprit.
Gravity Falls: LOTGG is an original story created for the 3DS in conjunction with the series creator, Alex Hirsch. Hirsch helped Ubisoft with nearly every aspect including:
-artwork and new character design
-story and script creation
although it is unclear where the game sits in the series' chronological order as of yet...
In this game, you can play as either of the Pines twins, Dipper and Mabel, switching between the two at any given time (think Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin)
Using the special weapons given by the gnome people, each character has unique abilities required to progress in the game.
Dipper uses a flashlight that is meant to uncover hidden items and messages tucked away in the various areas of Gravity Falls:
...as well as "Gnome Battle Cuffs" to give a wallop to any monsters, or even be used as a defensive tool:
Mabel, on the other end, is given a "Fleece of Bedazzlement" that is able to strike enemies from a distance...
...plus, she is gifted with the fan-favorite
which allows her to cross large gaps both far and beyond.
As the twins progress further in their quest, finding secret items, accomplishing quests, and taking on massive bosses, more of Gravity Falls will become unlocked, including numerous show locations such as:
-Grunkle Stan's Mystery Shack
-Wendy's Gift Shop counter
-Gravity Falls Forest
-Mountainside
-Man-cave
-Lake Gravity Falls/Scuttlebutt Island
-Old Man McGucket's Junkyard Hideout
-The Gnome hideaway
Dipper and Mabel Pines are the twelve-year-old twins forced to spend their summer vacation with their great-uncle in Gravity Falls, Oregon. Dipper is an intelligent and curious child, yet having an incredibly anxious side (think of a tiny Fox Mulder without the charisma) while Mabel is the complete opposite, finding delight and joy in life as she views the world through a goofy, yet sweet perspective. Despite their differences, the siblings are tight-knit, depending on one another as they encounter all of the weirdness that the quaint town has to offer.
"Grunkle" Stan
ley
Jesus "Soos" Ramirez is the Mystery Shack's handyman. A stout-hearted man-child, Soos is gifted with the ability to fix nearly anything, considering his natural dim-wittedness. What Soos lacks in intelligence, he makes up for in heart, as he would do anything for his family and friends. In the game, Soos is able to upgrade the twins' weaponry.
Arguably the best character on the show,
where she'll probably stay as under-appreciated/unused in the game as she is in the show - consider ourselves lucky if she ends up a damsel in distress by game's end
Fiddleford H. McGucket is said to be the town "kook," but behind his fragile mind lies a tragic past as well as a brilliant creative intelligence. His role in the game is unknown as of the moment...
Jeff the Gnome King is the leader of the tribe of Gnomes living in the Gravity Falls Forest. Originally presented as an foe in the first episode,
as he kidnaps Mabel in hopes of making her his child bride,
TBA
Announcement trailer:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y1vSV3F7P40
Launch Trailer:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZxHBj5ovrhE
Alex Hirsch and the Gravity Falls Team
Mysteryofgf/Gravity Falls Cipher (thanks anyways for the help)
Gravity Falls Wiki
And last, but not least, the excellent GF community here on NeoGAF!