[Review] GigaBash: Is This Malaysian Kaiju Brawler Worth The Hype Despite Its Steam Rating?

The Product Snapshot

GigaBash is a 4-player arena brawler video game developed by Passion Republic Games, a Malaysian indie studio. It channels the chaotic, city-stomping spirit of classic kaiju (giant monster) and tokusatsu (Japanese special effects, e.g., Ultraman) films into an accessible, party-friendly package.

• 📦 Product: GigaBash
• 🏷️ Category: Video Game / Indie Brawler
• 💰 Price Range: RM 79.90 (Standard Edition on Steam)
• 🎯 Target Audience: Local & international gamers, fans of couch co-op/party games, kaiju & anime enthusiasts, supporters of Malaysian game dev.

The Hook: Why It Matters Now

GigaBash garnered significant pre-launch buzz as a high-profile Malaysian indie title with impressive visuals and a fun premise. However, upon its Steam release, it was met with an "Overwhelmingly Negative" user review rating—a shocking contrast to the initial hype. This review isn't about piling on; it's a forensic dive to separate legitimate critique from potential review-bombing, and to answer the core question for Malaysian gamers and the local industry: Does the game deserve its rating, or is there a quality product buried beneath the noise?

The Deep Dive: Features & Experience

Upon booting up GigaBash, the first thing that strikes you is its phenomenal presentation. The art style is vibrant, the monster designs are creatively original yet nostalgically familiar, and the destruction physics as you hurl buildings at opponents are viscerally satisfying. The core gameplay loop is easy to grasp: pick a giant character, enter an arena, and bash three others until one remains. The controls are simple, making it perfect for casual couch multiplayer sessions.

However, the experience begins to fray at the edges. The single-player content feels notably thin. The story mode is brief and lacks narrative depth, serving more as a prolonged tutorial. For business owners or product managers analyzing its value, this highlights a key market risk: in an era where games demand substantial solo or online engagement, GigaBash's primary value is almost exclusively tied to local multiplayer. The online matchmaking at launch was plagued with issues, effectively crippling a major pillar of its longevity. This directly addresses the negative reviews—players felt they paid for a full package but received a feature-incomplete product at launch, leading to justified frustration.

Its USP is clear: a gorgeous, love-letter to kaiju chaos perfect for local play. But as a commercial product, its initial failure to deliver on promised online functionality and robust solo content was its critical flaw.

Under The Hood: Specs & Performance

• Platforms: PC (Steam), PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch
• Game Modes: 4-Player Local/Online Brawl, Single-Player Campaign, Party Modes (Mayhem, ClassiC)
• Roster Size: 10 unique playable Titans (base game)
• Key Tech: Dynamic destruction system, scalable arena hazards
• Post-Launch Support: DLC collaborations including Godzilla and Ultraman packs

The Verdict: Buy or Skip?

GigaBash is a game of two realities. The core combat and presentation are a triumphant proof-of-concept for Malaysian game development talent. For the right user—someone with a regular group of local friends for couch gaming, or a die-hard kaiju fan—it can deliver bursts of fantastic fun. However, the launch state justified its poor reception. The subsequent patches and major licensed DLC have significantly improved its value and stability.

Verdict: A cautious BUY for local multiplayer enthusiasts and genre fans; a SKIP for those seeking a deep solo or seamless online experience.

• 🎨 Design & Build: 9/10
• 🚀 Performance (Post-Patches): 7/10
• 💎 Value for Money (With DLC): 7/10

"A visually stunning love letter to kaiju chaos, hamstrung at launch but evolving into a worthy party contender—especially for local play."