Christmas Mode

"It's that time of year where presents rain from the sky and the world of Azure Striker Gunvolt turns into a winter wonderland!"
—@IntiCreatesEN, Inti Creates' Twitter

Christmas Mode is a time-limited game mode in Azure Striker Gunvolt, available via the Striker Pack and the Steam version. As one might imagine, this mode is generally available only on two days; December 24th and December 25th. It allows players to play holiday-themed versions of the stages. In the Steam version, pressing Control+X on the keyboard in the main menu will unlock the mode during that game session only. After closing the game, the button combo must be pressed again in order to unlock the mode again.

Mode Composition

"Take on stages that have been transformed into a Christmas themed winter wonderland. Be sure to visit the following stages: Merak, Jota, Viper, Carrera, Elise, Stratos. You may receive presents from Santa Claus throughout your adventure. Caution: Floors are pretty slippery."
—Mode Select Screen, Azure Striker Gunvolt

The objective of this mode appears to be collecting the most amount of presents you can within a stage before defeating the stage's boss. When booted up, you begin the game in the loading screen for 1st Sumeragi at level one, as if you were playing the game for the first time. Saving is disabled, and all progress is erased when you close the game, incentivizing players to complete as much of the game as they can in one sitting.

Some features or lack thereof unique to this mode:

• Mid-stage dialogue, mid-boss dialogue, and cutscenes are disabled, as well as the "Talk to Joule" feature, although mission briefing is still available.
• Small changes are made to the UI, with the addition of a present counter in the bottom left of the screen. A high score is recorded at the end of each level and can be beaten in replays of the same level.
• Every surface has ice physics. It's effectively impossible to get a strong foothold unless you're standing completely still.
• The color palette of every level, discounting characters, items, and stage gimmicks, has been painted grayscale.
• A visual effect for falling snow is present in the outdoor or window background of every level.
• Present collectibles fall at intermittent parts of every level. They're most commonly spawned after breaking Hexapyles, although each stage has certain areas where more presents spawn to give players the potential for high scores.
  • For example, presents most commonly spawn during the rising water section of Subaquatic Base and whenever a light switch is activated in Stratacombs.
• Sinner's Row doesn't unlock after defeating three bosses, and is inaccessible.

Available Missions

• Anthem (1st Sumeragi)
• Abyss (Subaquatic Base)
• Minaret (Media Tower)
• Conflagration (Biochem Plant)
• Spintronics (Datastore)
• Underworld (Stratacombs)
• Garden (Pharma Lab)

Gallery

In 1st Sumeragi.

In Pharma Lab, indoors.

Not really feeling "Christmas cheer" in this one.

In Stratacombs.

In Subaquatic Base.

There's a very minor hue change after the bosses are defeated, as well.

Trivia

• The method of unlocking this mode outside of Christmas may be a reference to the term 'Xmas'. The player must press Control+X to unlock the mode.