Gal Metal
By Paul Semel,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Interesting, cluttered music game forces rhythmic precision.
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Gal Metal
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What’s It About?
In GAL METAL, a bunch of Japanese teenagers in a heavy metal band have to save the world from some music-hating aliens. The problem for players is that you're the drummer, but you don't know how to play drums because you're actually a boy whose consciousness has been trapped in a girl's body by those aliens. To save the world and get back to where you once belonged, you have to use the Switch's controllers like drumsticks to follow along with the music and accurately hit notes.
Is It Any Good?
While this music game is fun when you get to play drums, there's way too much between you and the music to keep you engaged. In Gal Metal, some music-hating aliens have come to Earth to take over, and it's up to you and your band mates to stop them by rockin' out. Holding the Switch's controllers like they're drumsticks, you have to follow along with the rhythm, scoring points as you go. In other words, it's like if the drumming parts of Rock Band or Guitar Hero got their own Japanese-flavored spin-off game.
If this is all there was to Gal Metal, it would be a lot of fun. But there's a lot that gets between you and the rockin', and most of it ain't fun. For instance, the game's story is told through manga-style panels, but it goes on way too long, especially at the beginning. You also have rather chatty friends, who insist on roping you into lengthy group texts. It also doesn't help that this game's rather unforgiving; you have to be right on the beat, and there's no wiggle room. Some players might also be annoyed that the music isn't great, and also isn't that metal. But if you are looking for a drum game and don't mind all the waiting and/or enjoy Japanese faux-metal, Gal Metal will help you rock and roll all night, and suffer from drummer's elbow every day.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about gender identity. In Gal Metal, a young boy is forced by aliens to inhabit a girl's body. What do you think you could learn if you were forced to do this with a member of the opposite sex? Can you understand why feeling like you're not in the body you should be in would be a problem, even if it wasn't aliens that did it but how you were born?
How do you think practicing any skill or activity would help you in your life?
Game Details
- Platform: Nintendo Switch
- Pricing structure: Paid
- Available online?: Available online
- Publisher: Xseed Games
- Release date: October 30, 2018
- Genre: Music & Dance
- Topics: Music and Sing-Along, Space and Aliens
- ESRB rating: T for Fantasy Violence, Suggestive Themes
- Last updated: October 8, 2021
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