The start is a little clunky to get used to, since there's no "standard" weapons you'd expect from a space invaders type game: you don't shoot forward projectiles, instead you have to use the radar. Earlygame is a little brutal, but once you get into the groove, the game really opens up. The upgrades are all unique and fun to use, and discovering synergies is really fun.
After you start to get better and unlock more augments (pre run upgrades that spice up gameplay), it starts getting into a very addicting loop of "just one more run". Dying never feels unfair, and the position based gameplay is very fine tuned. Level distribution feels fair, and once you can destroy asteroids you start to exponentially level up.
After beating the 3 main zones, you unlock Trials, which make the game harder while still feeling fair. You also unlock Endless mode, which is very, very addicting. Aftermods spice up gameplay even more, and there is a good selection of them to choose from. And the cherry on top is Symbionics: "ultimate" upgrades for your weapons. Some of them require some very strange combos to pull off, but they're very satisfactory to use and reward good game knowledge.
It makes me very happy to know that Gunlocked 2 is in development, I'm very eagerly waiting for it.
A few QOL upgrades that would be nice for it would be the option to skip or "ban" upgrades, it's a little frustrating when your build gets sabotaged by bad luck, a few more Augments that impact things like "luck" (the duck aftermod is a good example, albeit it is very strong), maybe something that makes enemies a little weaker (slightly less shields or a little less damage, nothing huge, just a small, non percentage, nerf to help in early-mid game), something for more gems (the "pull offscreen" one is too niche imo), and something like "you start with an extra weapon/utility but you have less rerolls" or "minus x max shields but +y% shield regeneration" (the existing augment imo doesn't really help since healing 20 to 30 isn't really that impactful from what I experimented)."Obvious" stuff like more slots seems to already be planned, which makes me vert curious to see how the enemies will get harder since now you'll have more weapons and tools.
Either way, it's still amazing for what it has, and the DLC is amazing if you want more content. It doesn't feel like you are missing out if you don't have it, but it does make the game more fun with more weapons and utilities.
The game is great for both short runs and long sessions (the average run takes about 10-20 mins), it's very fun to achievement grind because they make you try different strats, has amazing upgrade diversity and constant new mechanics to keep you engaged. The gameplay loop may not be for everybody, but to me it was the hidden gem from the Summer Sale, most other games I already planned on buying, bundled this one into the others out of intrigue for the artstyle and to get an extra card, and it has been my most played game so far (granted I've only recently started to game on PC).
Highly recommend, will keep an eye out for the sequel, and maybe in the next sale I'll also see the dev's other games as well.
