The high-risk high-reward bullet hell shooter Graze Counter GM gets a demo on Steam

Written by. Nick Mosier based on the original Japanese article (original article’s publication date: 2022-02-10 14:05 JST)

Publisher Henteko Doujin has released a demo for Graze Counter GM on Steam. The demo features two stages, two playable characters, and multiple game modes.

Graze Counter GM is a vertical scrolling shooter where you charge a powerful ability called the “Graze Counter” by grazing past enemy attacks. The game is a remake of 2017’s Graze Counter, with more stages, more characters, remastered music, and new music tracks.

The game takes place in the 23^rd century where mankind has flourished thanks to a virtual reality network system called EDEN. But EDEN has suddenly run amok and cut off communication with the outside world causing 100 million minds to be trapped inside. In order to get things under control a covert special task force called the Saviours are called into action. The main protagonist Uzuki Ginyose pilots an attack program called the April Divider, and a battle unfolds as Uzuki investigates inside EDEN to destroy the control system.

The game’s main gimmick is called the Graze Counter. It’s a powerful attack players can unleash that’s charged by grazing past enemy bullets. Each ship is equipped with the ability to absorb nearby enemy attacks and convert them into energy. In other words, flying near enemies and their attacks charge the Graze Counter gauge. Unleashing the Graze Counter makes you invincible for a certain period of time and lets you unleash a powerful attack.

The game’s Steam page describes it as a high-risk high-reward shooter that wants you to play dangerously. You can think of the Graze Counter as a replacement for bombs in more traditional shooters. The core of the gameplay revolves around how you go about charging this Graze Counter.

In the demo, 2 of the 16 total characters are available to play as. Stages 2-A and 2-B are available to play through on 4 different difficulty levels. There’s also a Mission Mode which acts as a tutorial to teach new players the ropes while they play. The full release will contain 2 alternate stages for a total of 7 stages, an “All Stages” mode, a bonus extreme difficulty stage, and a bonus minigame.

Graze Counter GM is being made by the Japanese doujin/hobbyist development team Bikkuri Software. Bikkuri Software has made a number of 2D shoot ‘em ups including the original Graze Counter which released in 2017. That title received over 150 user reviews on Steam with over 98% of them being positive to give the game an overall rating of “Very Positive.” Players praised the game for its Graze Counter system and for being approachable to beginners.

Graze Counter GM will support 9 languages including English and Japanese, and is scheduled to release on the PlayStation 4, PlayStation5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, and PC (Steam). If you’re interested, give the demo a download from the game’s Steam page.