User blog comment:BannedLagiacrus/Monster Appreciation Week: Gendrome(4th Gen)/@comment-5020152-20150420160530

GENDROME

Concept: A big Genprey. Moving on. 1/10

Design: Gendrome is more or less a color-swap of the Velocidrome with a few added features. His scales are patterned with green, yellow, and brown, he has two crests instead of one, and he’s got long saber-teeth. The color scheme is actually really interesting, and the mottled colors blend in well to the habitats that Gendrome lives in. The red, cat-like eyes are actually a bit intimidating, and the fangs are pretty scary as well. If Gendrome were a little more different than Velocidrome, I’d say it was a good design… but, well… 4/10

Sound: Exactly the same as Velocidrome. He screeches and chirps at you while the generic Seltas/’drome theme plays in the background. 3/10

Gameplay: Exactly the same as Velocidrome, right down to the difficulty level, even though Gendrome appears a bit later. The only difference is that Gendrome and his minions can paralyze you. It doesn’t happen often, but when it does, chances are it’s at the worst time possible. 3/10

New Stuff: Again, same as Velocidrome. Gendrome can now become enraged, lose stamina, and have his crests broken. He has new attacks in the form of a pin and a lunging bite move, and his textures are a lot better. As well, Gendrome’s paralysis no longer comes from the claws, but the fangs, which is finally consistent with what the game says about Genprey Fangs. The new mechanics, as with Velocidrome, help make Gendrome feel more like a regular boss. 9/10

Equipment: Gendrome, as far as I’m aware, only sports a Sword + Shield and a Light Bowgun for weapons. The first in particular seems like a good weapon, if you’re in need of the Paralysis ailment (and can be upgraded with Gobul material). The Gendrome armor set gives a skill that makes you immune to Paralysis, which is okay. 5/10

Cutscene: The hunter stumbles upon a pack of Genprey, only to be ambushed from the shadows by the Gendrome and pinned to the ground. The Gendrome calls for his pack, but the hunter escapes before the others arrive. This is a strangely good cutscene if you ask me, and it really portrays Gendrome as the leader of the Genprey – both by calling for his pack and for nudging them aside so he can challenge the hunter at the end. Much better than Velocidrome’s. 7/10

Summary: Alas, Gendrome would be a great monster if he wasn’t a redo of Velocidrome. He has the same (admittedly killer) design and the same vocalizations, and the gameplay would also be identical if it wasn’t for the fact that he can paralyze you. In the future, I’d like to see Gendrome have a few more differences between it and Velocidrome besides an extra crest and longer teeth. Overall 4.5/10