Guilty Gear -Strive- review (PC): A gorgeous and complex fighter

Gg Strive Hero Source: Windows Central

In that location'due south nothing quite like the thrill of chirapsia your friends to a pulp with an over-the-summit special motility that defies gravity and logic. From the fighting game craze of the '90s to the genre'due south resurrection in the late aughts, the satisfaction of a hard-fought win or the maddening frustration that comes with a loss are the essential pillars that drive those who play these games.

While games like Street Fighter V and Mortal Kombat xi enjoy the most mainstream exposure, games similar Guilty Gear cultivated a cult post-obit thanks to its soundtrack, circuitous fighting game engine, and absolutely gorgeous 2D visuals. Now with more 20 years of entries under its belt, tin Arc System Works finally push Guilty Gear into the spotlight it so deserves? It seems like that'south the plan with the latest entry in the series, Guilty Gear -Strive-.

With a more accessible fighting engine, reworked training modes, and improved skill-based matchmaking, Arc Arrangement Works seems determined to make this the Guilty Gear that sticks in the consciousness of fans, casuals, and spectators alike, but does information technology work? Guilty Gear -Strive- is more accessible than ever before and is better for information technology and maintains the same visual flair and outstanding music the serial is known for, only this is a fighter for fighting fans, so don't come in looking for compelling single-actor content.

Ggs Boxart

Guilty Gear -Strive-

Bottom line: Guilty Gear -Strive- volition print longtime fans of the series and has fabricated pregnant changes to lower the bulwark of entry for newcomers, but at that place might not plenty content for some.

The Good

Gorgeous visuals
Great soundtrack
Controls are more than accessible to newcomers
Robust online features

The Bad

Smaller roster than previous entries
Online multiplayer stability remains to exist seen
Lack of single-role player content
No cross-play with PlayStation versions

Guilty Gear -Strive-: Triumph or dice

Guilty Gear I No Source: Windows Key

The biggest change introduced in Guilty Gear -Strive- is the updated visuals. At present running in Unreal Engine iv, the game ditches the 2d pixel visuals for stylized cel-shaded graphics that look amazing. If you thought the work Arc System Works put into Dragon Ball FighterZ was impressive, you haven't seen anything nevertheless. From the intros and outros, flashy finishing moves, and dynamic backgrounds, Guilty Gear -Strive'southward- visual style is unmatched, and the animations are slick and smooth. That goes double for the excellent soundtrack that accompanies each match. It all gives Guilty Gear -Strive- a cinematic flair that turns fights into confrontations direct out of an anime.

Category	GameNameXXX
Championship	Guilty Gear -Strive-
Developer	Arc System Works
Publisher	Arc System Works
Genre	Fighting
Minimum requirements	Windows 8/ten (64 bit), AMD FX-4350 / Intel Cadre i5-3450, 4GB of RAM, Radeon HD 6870, 1 GB / GeForce GTX 650 Ti, i GB
Game size	17.6GB
Players	one-2 players
Launch cost	$60

Aside from the updated visuals, withal, the game is your typical 2nd fighter. Players compete in a 1-on-i contest, though occasionally a second AI-controlled partner will join you two-on-1 boxing in arcade manner. Equally I mentioned before, the developers worked hard to make the game more accessible than it'south ever been, so even filthy fighting game casuals like myself tin pull off combos and finishing moves with ease. There are 15 characters bachelor in the game's roster (with five DLC fighters to come), a bit less than previous entries, merely each graphic symbol has their own unique designs as well as fighting styles. I particularly loved I-NO, the rockstar witch that gave me huge Bayonetta vibes.

There's also a wall pause mechanic that's been introduced in Strive. Essentially, in one case yous vanquish an opponent against the edge of the stage, and can send them flying into some other section of the map. It's not something especially new to the genre but definitely adds to the fast-paced nature of the game, giving it that ballsy anime boxing feel that Dragon Ball FighterZ got right.

All about starting fights

Guilty Gear Strive Multiplayer Source: Windows Central

Now as a single-actor game, Guilty Gear offers an arcade style and a mission mode that helps you larn the game'due south basics likewise as combos for each character, and a story mode that'south just strictly cutscenes and no gameplay. It's essentially a movie that checks in with the various fighters that appear in -Strive-. I wish that this story had been integrated into the arcade mode more linearly, as the interactions between characters in Arcade are cool merely insignificant in the greater scheme of things. I too liked that you could employ credits earned in Arcade mode to go fishing, a very simple minigame that unlocks graphic symbol portraits, icons, and other goodies to go on solo players interested.

The real meat and potatoes of the game — the online multiplayer — is where you'll spend most of your time.

Merely the existent meat and potatoes of the game — the online multiplayer — is where you'll spend near of your fourth dimension. Arc Arrangement Works seems defended to getting the online play correct and has put together a very absurd system that sorts players onto dissimilar floors of a tower by their skill. Once placed in the tower, players can move their 8-bit avatar around and start queuing up for fights at Duel Stations. You lot can even climb the tower to face up stronger opponents, but yous're not allowed to descend the tower to bully noobs, a clever determination that should make things easier for newcomers. If you're non interested in competitive sparring, you tin can also join casual fights in the park department, separate from the belfry.

Unfortunately, at the time of review, the online servers were still under maintenance, and I wasn't able to get many fights in. Arc System Works seems dedicated to getting the online play right, they even cited that as the reason why they delayed the game from its April 9, 2022, release date. They've been listening to fan feedback and accept held public betas leading upwards to release that have been praised by players. At the time of writing, no crossplay is planned between the PC version and the PlayStation 4 or PlayStation 5 version of the game.

Guilty Gear -Strive-: Non enough meat on the bone

Guilty Gear Strive Victory Source: Windows Central

Now I'm not a fighting game aficionado, but even with the added accessibility, Guilty Gear may non appeal to anybody. It'southward not every bit like shooting fish in a barrel as other simple fighters like Marvel vs. Capcom 3, and however requires y'all to put in piece of work to become good. Sure, that's true of every fighter, but I wonder whether the scaled-down mechanics might alienate older fans while still setting the bar of entry as well high for new players. It'due south a balancing human activity that Guilty Gear -Strive- will have to strive (heh) for as players start to discover the game.

Nothing would kill this game faster than abiding network errors.

Most importantly though are the online servers, which were just were notwithstanding being adapted during my playtime. While I trust that Arc System Works volition have whatever problems sorted out by launch, nothing would kill this game faster than constant network errors.

Prospective players should proceed in mind that aside from the multiplayer, there's not much else to exercise. Each grapheme'due south Arcade style took near xx minutes to complete, so if you're a fan of Mortal Kombat's single-player shenanigans, for example, yous're gonna exist disappointed hither. And with a full $threescore price tag, Strive might have a hard time pulling in that new fanbase it clearly wants to attract. It simply doesn't take plenty meat on its basic to appeal to those outside of the target demographic.

Guilty Gear -Strive-: Should y'all play it?

Guilty Gear Strive Wall Break Source: Windows Central

If you're a fan of fighting games that lean on the more complex side or just a fan of the series, Guilty Gear -Strive- delivers another solid entry. It makes an attempt to even the playing field for new players who are joining in, and the combat was slick and fast-paced. I loved the visuals and the music, and I hope that the server issues are ironed out past launch because, without it, the game'south lacking in content. Guilty Gear -Strive- is one of the best fighting games on the PC, and a must-buy for fighting game fans.

Guilty Gear -Strive- establishes a solid foundation for new gamers to feel the long-running series while offering the depth the series is known for. With a Season Pass already on the horizon, I expect Guilty Gear -Strive- to keep to evolve as fourth dimension goes on. While fans of fighters will be happy with Strive's offering, I worry that newcomers might not have a reason to stick around.

With that being said, I enjoyed my fourth dimension with the game enough to recommend it. Be certain to bank check out our picks for the best controllers for playing on the PC or best arcade sticks to ensure you take the gear y'all demand to stand up your ground online.

Ggs Boxart

Guilty Gear -Strive-

Bottom line: Guilty Gear -Strive- is sure to print longtime fans with its visuals and music while welcoming newcomers to the thrashing of their lives.

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