Gal*Gun 2 - Pole Position Pin-up

There are games I launch to challenge myself. Games that test my reflexes, push my brain, or give me a deep, introspective experience.

See on Steam

“This game doesn't pretend to be high art. It knows exactly what it is: a slightly unhinged, shamelessly cheeky rail-shooter with a heart full of anime tropes, pink sparkles, and absurdity dialed up to 11. And you know what? I had fun. Weird, cringey, over-the-top fun.”

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What Is This Game, Exactly?

Okay, deep breath.

GalGun 2 – Pole Position Pin-up* is a spinoff-slash-expansion-slash-slightly-rebranded edition of GalGun 2*, a game where you're armed with a “pheromone gun” and must defend yourself against waves of overly affectionate schoolgirls.

Yes, really.

In this particular version — lovingly subtitled Pole Position Pin-up — the developers leaned even harder into the “pin-up” aesthetic, throwing in stylized camera angles, suggestive poses, and costume customization that ranges from “cute” to “you’re playing this with the curtains closed, right?”

It’s not subtle. It’s also not trying to be.

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Gameplay: A Rail Shooter with... Affection?

Mechanically, it's actually a decent on-rails shooter. Think Time Crisis meets anime dating sim energy. You move through pre-set paths, aim with your mouse/controller, and “shoot” heart-infused beams to subdue incoming waves of love-crazed classmates.

In this version, the Pin-up twist mostly adds:

New outfit mechanics that actually affect gameplay (some give stat boosts or affect crowd behavior).

Updated character animations that are clearly designed to crank up the fanservice.

More elaborate interactions in the “home” segments, where you can customize your crush's outfit, room, and emotional state. Not creepy at all. (Okay, maybe a little.)

There’s also a scoring system that rewards precision, headshots (yes, that’s a thing), and combos — which surprisingly adds a layer of skill to what could’ve easily been pure chaos.

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Story Mode (Yes, There’s a Plot)
You play as an unnamed male protagonist who, through an unfortunate accident involving angelic tech, becomes irresistibly attractive to every girl in the school. To avoid being swarmed to death by affection, you agree to help an angel named Risu zap corrupted girls and restore balance.

The story is fully voice-acted (in Japanese, with subtitles) and filled with that classic “anime logic” that somehow makes total nonsense feel… oddly acceptable?

Expect dialogue like:

“You must neutralize their emotional overload before their love energy causes spatial instability!”

And then you shoot a heart into someone’s forehead. Because, of course.

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Pin-up Aesthetic: Tongue-in-Cheek, On-the-Nose

Let’s talk about the elephant in the room. Or rather, the tight uniforms, the sparkle physics, and the fact that one mission literally involves scanning for lost underwear in another dimension.

The “Pin-up” branding is accurate. This version dials the fanservice way up — but in a way that’s more self-aware than sleazy. The devs clearly know they’re making a ridiculous game, and they embrace it with goofy charm.

That said, this is absolutely not something you play in a public place. Or in front of your mom. Or your cat.

But in a weird way, it works? It’s campy, not creepy. Silly, not sinister. And if you're in the right headspace, it’s actually kind of refreshing how unapologetically weird it is.

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Performance & Tech

Ran perfectly on my mid-range setup. Load times are snappy, controls are responsive (especially on a gamepad), and the UI is surprisingly clean.

I didn’t run into any major bugs, though I did get stuck in a closet for a solid minute during a side quest. I choose to believe that was a metaphor.

Also, major props for the Steam Deck compatibility — this thing is kinda perfect for handheld chaos.

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Why I Kept Coming Back

I think the real reason I kept playing wasn’t the mechanics or even the score-chasing. It was just… different. In a world of serious, gritty games, GalGun 2 – Pole Position Pin-up* is this weird pink fever dream where nothing makes sense but everything’s sort of entertaining anyway.

The absurdity becomes its own kind of comfort food. It’s the kind of game you launch after a long day when your brain’s too fried to care about plot twists or leveling trees.

Plus, there’s genuine fun in trying to perfect a stage. The combo system, the bullet timing, and the upgrades give it just enough depth to scratch that “I want to get better” itch.

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Who This Game Is (and Isn’t) For

Let’s be real: this isn’t for everyone.

If you’re uncomfortable with fanservice, this game is going to make you sweat. If you're looking for a serious shooter or anything remotely subtle… keep scrolling.

But if you’re the kind of person who can laugh at bizarre anime logic, appreciate tongue-in-cheek pin-up silliness, and maybe enjoy a chaotic, sparkly rail shooter from time to time — this is exactly your kind of weird.

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Final Thoughts
GalGun 2 – Pole Position Pin-up* is ridiculous. And that’s kind of the point.

It’s awkward, hilarious, occasionally cringey, and somehow — weirdly — a bit wholesome under all the blush and chaos. It knows what it is and doesn’t try to be anything else.

Did I feel weird playing it at first? Yeah. Did I also shout “double heartshot!” at my screen like a maniac during a boss fight? Also yes.

If you’re curious and don’t take yourself too seriously, give it a shot. Just, you know… maybe wear headphones.

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— Eli