An original Japanese action RPG mixing top down exploration with real time combat. The setting is singular, the story touching and the lingering melancholy leaves a real mark.
Your verdict
Category
Action RPG1 player7+
Description
A monster hunter explores forgotten ruins in his living exo-armour in this Hudson Soft action-RPG. Published by Hudson Soft, released in Japan in May 1999. Action-RPG with evolving exo-armour with its own intelligence, dungeon exploration, colossal bosses in a post-apocalyptic universe. Japanese edition.
Elemental Gimmick Gear review
4/5
Art direction
★★★★★
"Striking"
4/5
Music
★★★★★
"Excellent"
3/5
Story
★★★★★
"Solid"
Gameplay
"Solid"
Fun
"Pleasant"
Addictiveness
"Engaging"
Difficulty
"Balanced"
Lifespan
"Average"
Technical info
💾0,52 GB📅27/05/1999
Published by Hudson Soft
Elemental Gimmick Gear (Dreamcast) price, value & rarity
Tucked away in the Dreamcast's Japanese catalogue, this top-down Zelda-like action-RPG stakes everything on mood: a living exo-armour, enigmatic ruins and polished craftsmanship. A sometimes sluggish pace and uneven difficulty did it no favours. But fans of contemplative exploration and puzzle-solving will find a rare charm here.
Is Elemental Gimmick Gear still worth playing in 2026?
Elemental Gimmick Gear is a top-down action-RPG from Hudson Soft, in which you explore ruins inside a living exo-armor. Its polished art direction, Zelda-like dungeons and imposing bosses earn it a status as a confidential gem. The exploration and puzzle pacing has aged rather well, even if the stiffness of some fights betrays the era. For anyone who loves forgotten Japanese action-RPGs, it remains a rewarding discovery and one of the best-kept secrets in the Dreamcast catalog.
