Guilty Gear

Last updated
Guilty Gear
Guilty gear logo.jpg
Logo since 2019; as seen in Guilty Gear Strive
Genre(s) Fighting game
Developer(s) Arc System Works
Publisher(s) Arc System Works
Aksys Games
PQube
Bandai Namco Entertainment
Netmarble
Sega
Sammy Entertainment (formerly)
Kiss Ltd. (formerly)
Creator(s) Daisuke Ishiwatari
First release Guilty Gear
May 14, 1998
Latest release Guilty Gear Strive
June 11, 2021

Guilty Gear is a series of fighting games by Arc System Works, created and designed by artist Daisuke Ishiwatari. The first game was published in 1998, and has spawned several sequels. It has also adapted to other media such as manga and drama CD. Guilty Gear has generally received praise from video game reviewers for its highly technical gameplay, graphics, soundtrack, and for its characters. Another fighting game franchise by Arc System Works, BlazBlue , is considered a spiritual successor of the series.

Contents

Synopsis

The story is set in a world where magic has replaced almost every aspect of modern-day technology. But through its dire consequences leading up to the creation of a race of magic-infused creatures known as "Gears", the world has nearly become a post-apocalyptic environment due to Crusades’ effects on the world. But even though the world is still recovering, much work is still needed to be done and the mysteries behind the creation of the gears have yet to be resolved.

The story mostly focuses on Sol Badguy, a brash bounty hunter and die hard Queen enthusiast who, feeling guilty of his past creations which in turn, results in him becoming a gear, decides to make up for his own actions through fighting them whilst keeping his own identity a secret. However, his own reluctance to help others, as well as his selfish actions, often attracts the attention of Ky Kiske, his own rival and former comrade, who tries to get into fights with him whenever annoyed. Throughout the story, Sol enacts his own vengeance upon That Man, who is mainly the cause behind most of the series conflicts, through killing him.

As the series progresses, much of his past is revealed, along with his connections with That Man, as well as his long lost fiancée, Aria. With it, Sol begins to realize that his own past is what deeply conflicts him the most, and through his past rivalries with Ky, as well as his relationships with the other characters, helps to overcome the enemy that he sorely sought to destroy in the first place.

A recurring theme throughout the franchise is redemption, with many of the character’s story arcs revolve around attempting to clear their name and is also presented as a religious motif mainly related to Christianity. Other recurring themes reflect upon real world issues, such as the destructive consequences of wars, racial prejudice, and the dangers of unchecked scientific progress.

Games

Main series

TitleDetails

Original release dates:
  • JP: May 14, 1998
  • NA: October 31, 1998
  • EU: May 2000
Release years by system:
1998 – PlayStation [1]
2019 – Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Microsoft Windows

Original release dates:
  • JP: July 2000
  • NA: September 30, 2001
  • EU: March 1, 2002
Release years by system:
2000 – Arcade, [1] Sega Dreamcast
2001 – PlayStation 2, Microsoft Windows
2002 – Game Boy Advance

Original release dates:
  • JP: May 23, 2002
  • NA: February 4, 2003
  • EU: March 7, 2003
Release years by system:
2002 – Arcade [1]
2003 – PlayStation 2

Original release dates:
  • JP: November 29, 2007
  • NA: October 7, 2008
  • EU: September 25, 2009
Release years by system:
2007 – Xbox 360 [2]
2016 – Microsoft Windows
Notes:
  • First game in the franchise to use English dub.
  • The only main entry that is not a fighting game.

Original release dates:
  • JP: February 20, 2014
  • NA: December 16, 2014
  • EU: June 3, 2015
Release years by system:
2014 – Arcade, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4
2015 – Microsoft Windows
Notes:
  • It is the third game under the X title, the second entry in the series to use 3D models instead of sprites, and the 5th mainline title overall. [3]
  • Second game in the franchise to use English dub.

Original release dates:
  • JP: August 25, 2015
  • NA: June 7, 2016
  • EU: June 10, 2016
Release years by system:
2015 – Arcade
2016 – PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Microsoft Windows
Notes:
  • Currently updated to Guilty Gear Xrd -REV 2-

Original release dates: [4]
  • WW: June 11, 2021
Release years by system:
2021 – PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Microsoft Windows, Arcade [5] [6]
2023 – Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
2025 – Nintendo Switch
Notes:
  • Announced with the working title New Guilty Gear. [7] [8]
  • Third game in the franchise to use English and Korean dubs (Korean dub added in Ver. 1.05), marks the first time to have finally credited the dubbing’s voice actors and both dub languages selectable. [9]
  • Asian and European versions of the home release published by Bandai Namco Entertainment [10]
  • The arcade version was published by Sega Interactive.

Updated versions

TitleDetails

Original release dates:
  • JP: November 29, 2001
  • EU: March 1, 2002
Release years by system:
2001 – PlayStation 2
Notes:
  • Released in Japan and South Korea.
  • First game in the franchise to use Korean dub.

Original release dates:
  • JP: November 29, 2001
  • EU: March 1, 2002
Release years by system:
2003 – Arcade
Notes:
  • Atomiswave arcade-system version.

Original release dates:
  • JP: March 26, 2003
  • NA: September 14, 2004
  • EU: November 26, 2004
Release years by system:
2003 – Arcade
2004 – PlayStation 2, Xbox
2005 – Microsoft Windows, PlayStation Portable
Notes:
  • Hidden character Robo-Ky is made playable from the beginning.
  • The South Korean version of the game features an alternate soundtrack.
  • Second game in the franchise to use Korean dub.

Original release dates:
  • JP: September 28, 2005
Release years by system:
2005 – Arcade
2006 – PlayStation 2
Notes:
  • New characters introduced to the game, A.B.A and Order-Sol.

Original release dates:
  • JP: December 20, 2006
  • NA: September 11, 2007
  • EU: February 29, 2008
Release years by system:
2006 – Arcade
2007 – PlayStation 2, Nintendo Wii
Notes:
  • New mechanics added to the game, Force Break, Slashback, and Throw Breaks.
  • Characters Justice and Kliff were removed from the playable cast.

Original release dates:
  • JP: March 27, 2008
  • NA: May 12, 2009
  • EU: May 20, 2011
Release years by system:
2008 – PlayStation 2, PlayStation Portable
2009 – Nintendo Wii
2012 – Xbox 360, PlayStation 3
Notes:
  • This version features a new story mode which is a continuation of the storyline from Guilty Gear X2.
  • Characters Justice and Kliff were added back and balancing changes were made across all playable characters.

Original release dates:
  • JP: September 20, 2012
  • NA: April 23, 2013
  • EU: February 14, 2013
Release years by system:
2012 – Arcade
2013 – PlayStation Vita, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360
2015 – Microsoft Windows
2019 – Nintendo Switch
Notes:
  • Further balancing changes were incorporated in this version.
  • The PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 versions of Accent Core Plus received a free update to the Plus R version.
  • The Nintendo Switch release features the option to change the BGM to the 2003 South Korean release soundtrack. [11]

Original release dates:
  • JP: May 25, 2017
  • NA: May 26, 2017
  • EU: May 26, 2017
Release years by system:
2017 – Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4
Notes:
  • Introduction of 2 new playable characters, rebalancing of the cast, online mode improvements, and additional story scenarios.
  • First installment in the Guilty Gear series to receive a simultaneous release across consoles and PC.
  • Immediate update from Guilty Gear Xrd -REVELATOR- instead of as standalone update.

Spin-offs

TitleDetails
Guilty Gear Petit

Original release dates:
  • JP: January 25, 2001
Release years by system:
2001 – Wonderswan [1]
Notes:
  • 2D fighting game in super deformed style. Has one series-exclusive character, Fanny.
Guilty Gear Petit 2

Original release dates:
  • JP: September 27, 2001
Release years by system:
2001 – Wonderswan [1]

Original release dates:
  • JP: December 17, 2003
  • NA: November 2, 2004
  • EU: June 16, 2005
Release years by system:
2003 – Arcade [1]
2004 – PlayStation 2, Xbox
2005 – Microsoft Windows
Notes:
  • 4-player battle arena fighting game.

Original release dates:
  • JP: October 5, 2006
  • NA: April 25, 2006
  • EU: August 3, 2007
Release years by system:
2006 – Nintendo DS [12]
Notes:
  • 4-player battle arena fighting game.

Original release dates:
  • JP: August 24, 2006
  • NA: September 5, 2006
  • EU: August 3, 2007
Release years by system:
2006 – PlayStation Portable [13]
Pro Jumper! Guilty Gear Tangent!?

Original release dates:
  • JP: September 1, 2010
  • NA: June 23, 2011
Release years by system:
2010 – DSiWare [14]

Gameplay

Guilty Gear consists primarily of one-on-one competitive battles. Players are tasked with depleting their opponent's life gauge by utilizing attacks unique to each playable character. In the case of timed matches, the player with the most remaining life when time runs out is the victor of that round. The series' emphasis on speed and technicality and introduction of unique movement options such as an "air dash" would ultimately become the foundation for the "anime" subgenre of fighting games.

Guilty Gear Isuka prominently allowed up to four simultaneous players in battle, as well as the option to divide the characters into teams. It also eschewed the typical multiple-round format in favor of each player having a limited stock of "souls". Depleting a player's life gauge decreased their stock of souls and temporarily incapacitated them, and each remaining soul allowed a player to return to battle with a full life gauge. They would be defeated for the rest of the match if their life gauge and souls were both exhausted. These features have not returned for subsequent games.

Each game in the series includes a "Tension Gauge" that fills as the player performs offensive maneuvers, such as approaching the opponent or attacking them. Portions of the Tension Gauge can be expended to perform various techniques. Each character has at least one Overdrive, special attacks that can deal extensive damage to an opponent or bolster aspects of the user, like speed or attack power. "Faultless Defense" allows players to prevent "chip damage," damage received from normally guarding against attacks, at the expense of the Tension Gauge. Guilty Gear X and later titles introduced more advanced techniques involving the Tension Gauge, such as the "Roman Cancel", allowing players to immediately stop the remaining animation of an attack, and "Dead Angle Attacks", counterattacks performed while a player is guarding.

The Tension Gauge is also tied in with the usage of "instant kill" techniques, which are high-risk attacks that are difficult to connect but instantly inflict death on the opponent regardless of the amount of life remaining. In Guilty Gear, these attacks ended the entire match if they successfully hit the opponent, but this was toned down in later games by ending the round instead. Failing to connect with the technique penalizes the user by removing the Tension Gauge and its related uses for the rest of the round.

Guilty Gear X2 introduced a "Burst Gauge" that slowly fills during the progression of a match. When completely filled, players can perform a "Psyche Burst" in an attempt to quickly stop an opponent's offense, even knocking back the opponent if they are close enough. This mechanic has also appeared in some form in other Arc System Works games, such as BlazBlue and Persona 4 Arena , as well as other fighting games such as Skullgirls .

Many characters also feature their own unique mechanics that differentiate them from each other. For example, Zato-1 utilizes a shadow-like symbiotic creature named Eddie that is able to detach itself and be controlled separately for a period of time, allowing complex tandem attacks between the two. Venom can set out weaponized billiard balls on screen that can be projected in various directions depending on how the player strikes them with certain attacks. Johnny carries a limited set of coins that can be thrown at the opponent. Though the coins themselves deal little damage, each successive hit strengthens his "Mist Finer" technique to incredibly powerful levels.

Playable characters

Character Guilty Gear X [15] Petit [16] X2 [17] Isuka [18] DS [19] Judgment [20] 2 [21] Xrd [22] Strive [23]
Flag of None.svg A.B.A Dark Red x.svgDark Red x.svgDark Red x.svgCheck-green.svg a Check-green.svg b Dark Red x.svgDark Red x.svgDark Red x.svgDark Red x.svgDLC
Flag of Japan.svg Anji Mito Dark Red x.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svg c Check-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgDark Red x.svgDark Red x.svgCheck-green.svg
Flag of None.svg Answer Dark Red x.svgDark Red x.svgDark Red x.svgDark Red x.svgDark Red x.svgDark Red x.svgDark Red x.svgDark Red x.svgCheck-green.svg g Dark Red x.svg
Flag of the United States.svg Asuka R. Kreutz / Asuka R♯ Dark Red x.svgDark Red x.svgDark Red x.svgDark Red x.svgDark Red x.svgDark Red x.svgDark Red x.svgDark Red x.svgDark Red x.svgDLC
Flag of England.svg Axl Low Check-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svg c Check-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgDark Red x.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svg
Flag of Japan.svg Baiken Check-green.svgCheck-green.svgDark Red x.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgDark Red x.svgDLCDLC
Flag of None.svg Bedman Dark Red x.svgDark Red x.svgDark Red x.svgDark Red x.svgDark Red x.svgDark Red x.svgDark Red x.svgDark Red x.svgCheck-green.svgDLC h
Flag of England.svg Bridget Dark Red x.svgDark Red x.svgDark Red x.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgDark Red x.svgDark Red x.svgDLC
Flag of the United States.svg Chipp Zanuff Check-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svg c Check-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgDark Red x.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svg
Flag of None.svg Dizzy Dark Red x.svgCheck-green.svgDark Red x.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgDark Red x.svgCheck-green.svg e DLC
Flag of the United States.svg Dr. Paradigm Dark Red x.svgDark Red x.svgDark Red x.svgDark Red x.svgDark Red x.svgDark Red x.svgDark Red x.svgCheck-green.svgDark Red x.svgDark Red x.svg
Flag of None.svg Elphelt Valentine Dark Red x.svgDark Red x.svgDark Red x.svgDark Red x.svgDark Red x.svgDark Red x.svgDark Red x.svgDark Red x.svgCheck-green.svgDLC
Flag of None.svg Fanny Dark Red x.svgDark Red x.svgCheck-green.svgDark Red x.svgDark Red x.svgDark Red x.svgDark Red x.svgDark Red x.svgDark Red x.svgDark Red x.svg
Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg Faust/Dr. Baldhead Check-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svg c Check-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgDark Red x.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svg
Flag of Brazil.svg Giovanna Dark Red x.svgDark Red x.svgDark Red x.svgDark Red x.svgDark Red x.svgDark Red x.svgDark Red x.svgDark Red x.svgDark Red x.svgCheck-green.svg
Flag of the United States.svg Goldlewis Dickinson Dark Red x.svgDark Red x.svgDark Red x.svgDark Red x.svgDark Red x.svgDark Red x.svgDark Red x.svgDark Red x.svgDark Red x.svgDLC
Flag of the United States.svg Holy Order-Sol Dark Red x.svgDark Red x.svgDark Red x.svgCheck-green.svg a Dark Red x.svgDark Red x.svgDark Red x.svgDark Red x.svgDark Red x.svgDark Red x.svg
Flag of Ireland.svg Happy Chaos Dark Red x.svgDark Red x.svgDark Red x.svgDark Red x.svgDark Red x.svgDark Red x.svgDark Red x.svgDark Red x.svgDark Red x.svgDLC
Flag of None.svg I-No Dark Red x.svgDark Red x.svgDark Red x.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgDark Red x.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svg
Flag of None.svg Izuna Dark Red x.svgDark Red x.svgDark Red x.svgDark Red x.svgDark Red x.svgDark Red x.svgDark Red x.svgCheck-green.svgDark Red x.svgDark Red x.svg
Flag of None.svg Jack-O' Valentine Dark Red x.svgDark Red x.svgDark Red x.svgDark Red x.svgDark Red x.svgDark Red x.svgDark Red x.svgDark Red x.svgCheck-green.svg e DLC
Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg Jam Kuradoberi Dark Red x.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgDark Red x.svgCheck-green.svg e Dark Red x.svg
Flag of the United States.svg Johnny Dark Red x.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svg c Check-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgDark Red x.svgCheck-green.svg e DLC
Flag of None.svg Judgment Dark Red x.svgDark Red x.svgDark Red x.svgDark Red x.svgDark Red x.svgDark Red x.svgCheck-green.svgDark Red x.svgDark Red x.svgDark Red x.svg
Flag of None.svg Justice Check-green.svgCheck-green.svg d Dark Red x.svgCheck-green.svg f Dark Red x.svgDark Red x.svgDark Red x.svgDark Red x.svgDark Red x.svgDark Red x.svg
Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg Kliff Undersn Check-green.svgCheck-green.svg d Dark Red x.svgCheck-green.svg f Dark Red x.svgDark Red x.svgDark Red x.svgDark Red x.svgDark Red x.svgDark Red x.svg
Flag of France.svg Ky Kiske Check-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svg
Flag of South Korea.svg Kum Haehyun Dark Red x.svgDark Red x.svgDark Red x.svgDark Red x.svgDark Red x.svgDark Red x.svgDark Red x.svgDark Red x.svgCheck-green.svg e Dark Red x.svg
Flag of Germany.svg Leo Whitefang Dark Red x.svgDark Red x.svgDark Red x.svgDark Red x.svgDark Red x.svgDark Red x.svgDark Red x.svgDark Red x.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svg
Flag of None.svg Leopaldon Dark Red x.svgDark Red x.svgDark Red x.svgDark Red x.svgCheck-green.svgDark Red x.svgDark Red x.svgDark Red x.svgDark Red x.svgDark Red x.svg
Flag of None.svg Lucy i Dark Red x.svgDark Red x.svgDark Red x.svgDark Red x.svgDark Red x.svgDark Red x.svgDark Red x.svgDark Red x.svgDark Red x.svgDLC
Flag of Japan.svg May Check-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgDark Red x.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svg
Flag of Russia.svg Millia Rage Check-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgDark Red x.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svg
Flag of Nigeria.svg Nagoriyuki Dark Red x.svgDark Red x.svgDark Red x.svgDark Red x.svgDark Red x.svgDark Red x.svgDark Red x.svgDark Red x.svgDark Red x.svgCheck-green.svg
Flag of None.svg Potemkin Check-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgDark Red x.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svg
Flag of None.svg Ramlethal Valentine Dark Red x.svgDark Red x.svgDark Red x.svgDark Red x.svgDark Red x.svgDark Red x.svgDark Red x.svgDark Red x.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svg
Flag of Liechtenstein.svg Raven Dark Red x.svgDark Red x.svgDark Red x.svgDark Red x.svgDark Red x.svgDark Red x.svgDark Red x.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svg e Dark Red x.svg
Flag of Canada.svg Robo-Ky Dark Red x.svgCheck-green.svg d Dark Red x.svgCheck-green.svgDark Red x.svgCheck-green.svgDark Red x.svgDark Red x.svgDark Red x.svgDark Red x.svg
Flag of None.svg Robo-Ky Mk. II Dark Red x.svgDark Red x.svgDark Red x.svgDark Red x.svgCheck-green.svg b Dark Red x.svgDark Red x.svgDark Red x.svgDark Red x.svgDark Red x.svg
Flag of None.svg Sin Kiske Dark Red x.svgDark Red x.svgDark Red x.svgDark Red x.svgDark Red x.svgDark Red x.svgDark Red x.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgDLC
Flag of Romania.svg Slayer Dark Red x.svgDark Red x.svgDark Red x.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgDark Red x.svgCheck-green.svgDLC
Flag of the United States.svg Sol Badguy Check-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svg
Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg Testament Check-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svg c Check-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgDark Red x.svgDark Red x.svgDLC
Flag of None.svg Unika Dark Red x.svgDark Red x.svgDark Red x.svgDark Red x.svgDark Red x.svgDark Red x.svgDark Red x.svgDark Red x.svgDark Red x.svgDLC
Flag of None.svg Valentine Dark Red x.svgDark Red x.svgDark Red x.svgDark Red x.svgDark Red x.svgDark Red x.svgDark Red x.svgCheck-green.svgDark Red x.svgDark Red x.svg
Flag of England.svg Venom Dark Red x.svgCheck-green.svgDark Red x.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgDark Red x.svgCheck-green.svgDLC
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Zappa Dark Red x.svgDark Red x.svgDark Red x.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgDark Red x.svgDark Red x.svgDark Red x.svg
Flag of Spain.svg Zato-1 / Eddie Check-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svg c Check-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgDark Red x.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svg
Total13191425232121724+115+16
Notes

^a Playable in the Slash update onward, Guilty Gear XX Slash . [24] [25]
^b Only playable in the PlayStation 2 version. [26]
^c Only in Guilty Gear Petit 2 . [27]
^d Only in the update version, Guilty Gear X Plus . [28] [29]
^e Only playable in the update/sequel version onward, Guilty Gear Xrd -REVELATOR- . [30]
^f Kliff and Justice were balanced for tournament play in the Guilty Gear XX Accent Core Plus R update, and were absent in Guilty Gear XX Accent Core. [25]
^g Only playable in the update/sequel version, Guilty Gear Xrd Rev 2 .
^h Appears under the name "Bedman?", who is Bedman's sentient weaponized bed robot accompanied by his sister Delilah.
^i Guest character.

Media

In addition to the Guilty Gear video game series, other products were also released. Two novelizations of Guilty Gear X were written by Norimitsu Kaihō, illustrated by Daisuke Ishiwatari, and published by Enterbrain: Lightning the Argent [a] , and The Butterfly and Her Gale [b] , on January 20, 2001 and on August 24, 2002. [31] [32] A manga titled Guilty Gear Xtra, a collaboration among Daisuke Ishiwatari, Norimitsu Kaihō, and Akihito Sumii, was serialized in Kodansha's Magazine Z on September 22, 2003. [33] Studio DNA and Enterbrain also published comics anthologies. [32] [34]

Several drama CDs were published; Scitron released a series of two drama CDs—Guilty Gear X Vol. 1 and Vol. 2—between October 24, and November 24, 2001, [34] and two series of drama CDs based on Guilty Gear X2 were released by Team Entertainment: Red and Black—a series— were released in 2003 between July 16, and August 20. [32] Another series of drama CDs, Night of Knives, was published in three volumes between October 20 and December 22, 2004. [35] [36] Also action figures, guidebooks, and a trading card game series based on Guilty Gear were released. [32] [34]

On February 11, 2017, Arc System Works announced a collaboration with Tecmo Koei's Team Ninja to release an Arc System Works Costume Set consisting of the costumes of some characters from the BlazBlue and Guilty Gear series in March 2017 for Dead or Alive 5: Last Round . [37] Guilty Gear cosmetics are unlockable in the PC version of Them's Fightin' Herds for players that also own Guilty Gear Xrd Rev 2. [38] [39]

An anime series, Guilty Gear Strive: Dual Rulers, was announced in June 2024, and is scheduled to premiere in 2025. Its story will continue the events of Guilty Gear Strive. [40] [41]

Reception and legacy

Aggregate review scores
As of July 13, 2021.
Game Metacritic
Guilty Gear NA
Guilty Gear X (PS2) 79% [42]
(GBA) 67 [43]
Guilty Gear X2 (PS2) 87% [44]
Guilty Gear X2 #Reload (Xbox) 86% [45]
Guilty Gear Isuka (PS2) 73% [46]
Guilty Gear Dust Strikers (DS) 60% [47]
Guilty Gear Judgment (PSP) 77% [48]
Guilty Gear XX Accent Core (PS2) 77% [49]
(Wii) 75 [50]
Guilty Gear 2: Overture (360) 56% [51]
Guilty Gear XX Accent Core Plus (Wii) 76% [52]
(360) 74 [53]
(PS3) 75 [54]
Pro Jumper! Guilty Gear Tangent!? NA [55]
Guilty Gear XX Accent Core Plus R (PSVita) 71% [56]
Guilty Gear Xrd SIGN (PS4) 84% [57]
Guilty Gear Strive (PS5) 87% [58]

The Guilty Gear series is considered a cult classic among video game fans. [59] [60] [61] [62] The series has often been remarked upon for its visual elements, fighting engine, soundtrack, and the variety of designs of the characters and attacks. [63] [64] [65] [66] [67] [68] [69] [70] [71] X's Dreamcast version has the highest score of the series as compiled by review aggregator GameRankings (89.33%), [72] while X2 for PlayStation 2 occupies that position according to the other major aggregator, Metacritic (87). [44] On the other hand, the lowest score is given to Guilty Gear 2: Overture from both GameRankings (58.19%) [73] and Metacritic (56/100). [51]

Guilty Gear is considered by several sources to be the greatest 2D fighting game. [74] [75] [76] GameSpot said that "Guilty Gear is one of the few non-Capcom or SNK 2D fighters to make any sort of impact on the genre", [77] while Eurogamer stated: "If 2D beat-em-ups are moving toward extinction, they really are ending on a high note with stuff like this." [78] Its sequels were also well received. GameSpy said "Guilty Gear X is hands-down the best 2D fighting game to date", [79] and Guilty Gear X2 was described by About.com as "easily the best 2D fighter to come around in a long time." [80]

In 2012, Complex ranked Guilty Gear at number 47 on the list of the best video game franchises, commenting: "Where other fighters were moving toward realism and more down to Earth physics and combos, Guilty Gear was content to turn those notions on their head, paving the way for the more chaotic fighters we're seeing today." [81] Yahoo! Voices' editor S.W. Hampson included Guilty Gear among the 10 best fighting game franchises of all time, praising the series's evolution along the years, the "distinctive visual flair" of its 2D sprites, and the "well-defined story lines", adding "its identity is among the most unique in the world of beat-'em-ups." [59]

BlazBlue: Calamity Trigger , another fighting game developed by Arc System Works, was once considered a spiritual successor of the Guilty Gear series. [82] [83] [84] [85] [86]

In an interview with Dexerto , creator Daisuke Ishiwatari said that Guilty Gear Strive was made to change the direction of the series completely. Arc System Works CEO Minoru Kidooka commented that while the game represented a big departure for the series, the company is happy with their new expanded audience. [87]

Notes

  1. Japanese: 白銀の迅雷 (lit. Silver Lighting)
  2. Japanese: 胡蝶と疾風 (lit. Lighting and Gale)

Related Research Articles

<i>Guilty Gear X</i> 2000 video game

Guilty Gear X, subtitled By Your Side in Japan, is a fighting game developed by Arc System Works and published by Sammy Studios. The second installment of the Guilty Gear series, Guilty Gear X was developed over a period of about two years after the first game's success. It was released in July 2000 for Japanese arcades, re-released on Dreamcast in December 2000, and later ported to PlayStation 2 in November 2001 and Game Boy Advance in January 2002.

<i>Guilty Gear Isuka</i> 2003 2D fighting video game

Guilty Gear Isuka is a 2D fighting video game developed by Arc System Works and published by Sammy Corporation. Announced by Arc in September, it was released on December 17, 2003, in Japanese arcades as the sixth installment of the Guilty Gear series. Later, the game was ported for a release on the PlayStation 2 (PS2), Xbox, and Windows in Japan. The PS2 version was brought to North America by Sammy, and, in Europe, the home console version was released by 505 Game Street and the PC version by Zoo Digital Publishing.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Daisuke Ishiwatari</span> Japanese video game developer (born 1973)

Daisuke Ishiwatari is a Japanese video game developer, illustrator, musician, composer, and voice actor. He is best known for creating the 2D fighting game series Guilty Gear. He designed the characters and storyline, and wrote the music. He also formerly provided the in-game voices for the characters Sol Badguy and Order-Sol, as well as Freed Velez in Battle Fantasia.

This is a list of characters from the Guilty Gear fighting game series.

Dizzy (<i>Guilty Gear</i>) Fictional character from Guilty Gear

Dizzy is a character in Arc System Works' Guilty Gear fighting game series. Created by Daisuke Ishiwatari and first appearing in the 2000 video game Guilty Gear X, she acts as the game's final boss. Designed to resemble an angel, Ishiwatari wanted to illustrate the contrast of a character feared for her abilities despite her appearance. Her wings Necro and Undine have distinct personalities, attacking on her behalf due to her nature of hating conflict. Since her initial appearance she has returned as a playable character in most subsequent Guilty Gear series titles, as well as several mobile games and the ecchi game Queen's Gate: Spiral Chaos. In all appearances, she is voiced by Kazue Fujita, with Kira Buckland providing her English voice for Guilty Gear Strive.

Bridget (<i>Guilty Gear</i>) Fictional character in the Guilty Gear video game series

Bridget is a fictional character in Arc System Works's Guilty Gear video game series. Bridget first appeared in the 2002 video game Guilty Gear X2. In the series, Bridget was born male with a twin brother in a village where the birth of same-sex twins is considered bad luck; therefore, Bridget's parents named and raised Bridget as a girl to hide her identity, despite how much it pained them. In her youth, Bridget recognized their pain and set out to be a man and gain great wealth in order to disprove the superstition and to make her parents happy. After disproving the superstition, Bridget found that being a man did not make her happy, and realized that her true self was her desire to live as a woman in accordance with her gender identity.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I-No</span> Fictional character from Guilty Gear

I-No is a character in Arc System Works' Guilty Gear fighting game series. Created by Daisuke Ishiwatari and first appearing in the 2002 video game Guilty Gear X2, she was originally conceived as a replacement for previous character Justice in the title, and a combination of a wizard and a musician. Ishiwatari designed her to be "the ultimate erotic character", making her cruel and sexually aggressive, while basing her physical appearance on musician Ringo Sheena. In the game's setting, she is a minion of series villain Asuka R. Kreutz, though works towards her own goals, and often manipulates the other fighters against each other. Since her initial appearance, she has since gone on to appear as a playable character in most Guilty Gear series titles, as well as several mobile games. She is voiced in Japanese by Kikuko Inoue, and by Amber Lee Connors in the English localization of Guilty Gear Strive.

Faust (<i>Guilty Gear</i>) Fictional character from Guilty Gear

Faust is a character in Arc System Works' Guilty Gear fighting game series. Created by Daisuke Ishiwatari, he first appeared as a playable character in the 1998 video game Guilty Gear as Dr. Baldhead, a former doctor who became a serial killer after the death of one of his patients. After he regains his sanity, he begins wearing a bag over his head calling himself Faust. As Faust, he travels as an eccentric doctor trying to help others. Originally voiced by Kaneto Shiwozawa, after the first game he was voiced by Takashi Kondou for all later appearances. In English, he is voiced by Kaiji Tang as of Guilty Gear Xrd.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Baiken</span> Fictional character from Guilty Gear

Baiken is a character in Arc System Works' Guilty Gear fighting game series. Created by Daisuke Ishiwatari and first appearing in the 1998 video game Guilty Gear, Baiken was originally depicted as being male, before being changed to female tomboy to give her more impact as a character. While she was an optional boss in the first game, she has since appeared as a fully playable character in every entry since. The survivor of an attack upon Japan that cost her her family, an eye, and her right arm, Baiken seeks revenge against the man responsible. Dressed in a kimono and wielding a katana, she has a grappling hook concealed in her right sleeve, and fights by parrying her opponent's attacks. Over the course of the series she has been voiced by Satomi Koorogi, Miho Sudou, Yonemoto Chizu, Mayumi Asano, and Patty Mattson.

<i>Guilty Gear X2</i> 2002 video game

Guilty Gear X2, also known as Guilty Gear XX and subtitled The Midnight Carnival in Japan, is a fighting game developed by Arc System Works and published by Sammy Studios. The third main installment of the Guilty Gear series, Guilty Gear X2 furthered the plot of the series, as well as introduced new characters and gameplay mechanics. A sequel to Guilty Gear X, it was announced in January 2002, and was released on May 23, 2002, for the arcades. It was later ported to the PlayStation 2 and published in North America and Europe.

<i>Battle Fantasia</i> 2007 video game

Battle Fantasia is a fighting video game developed by Arc System Works. Originally released in Japanese arcades in April 2007, the title was ported to the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 in Japan in May 2008, followed by a North American release for Xbox 360 in September 2008 by Aksys Games. It was later released in the PAL region in 2009 for both systems by 505 Games (Europe) and Aksys Games (Australia). A PC version, ported in collaboration with DotEmu and distributed via Steam, was released on July 7, 2015 globally as Battle Fantasia: Revised Edition. The game's development was headed by Emiko Iwasaki, who had previously served as illustrator for the company's Guilty Gear series, and features three-dimensional character models restricted to a two-dimensional plane. Battle Fantasia retains a number of features of its predecessor including fast-paced gameplay, colorful anime-style graphics, and over-the-top effects, yet was designed to be a more basic representation of the fighting genre.

<i>Guilty Gear</i> (video game) 1998 video game

Guilty Gear is a 2D fighting video game developed by Team Neo Blood, an Arc System Works production group led by Daisuke Ishiwatari, and published by Arc System Works. First released on May 14, 1998, for the PlayStation, it is the first installment in the series of the same name. Set in a world destroyed by a war between humans and bio-organic weapons called Gears, it follows ten fighters as they enter a tournament held to prevent resurrection of the Gears' leader. Its gameplay consists of one-on-one fights, a four-button attack configuration featuring special moves and instant kill techniques, as well as three different playable modes.

<i>BlazBlue: Continuum Shift</i> 2009 video game

BlazBlue: Continuum Shift is a 2009 fighting game developed by Arc System Works as an official sequel to BlazBlue: Calamity Trigger. As with the previous game, the game first came to arcades before both the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 versions as the game was currently released for the Taito Type X2 arcade system board, with a 1.66:1 aspect ratio and 1280 x 768 pixels (768p) resolution.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Evolution Championship Series</span> Annual United States fighting game tournament

The Evolution Championship Series, commonly known as Evo, is an American annual esports event that focuses exclusively on fighting games. The tournaments are completely open and use the double elimination format. As with Super Battle Opera, contestants travel from all over the world to participate, most notably from Japan. The first Evolution was originally held as a Super Street Fighter II Turbo and Street Fighter Alpha 2 tournament called the Battle by the Bay. It changed its name to Evo in 2002. Every successive tournament has seen an increase of attendees. It has been held at various venues across the Las Vegas Valley since 2005. As of 2021, the event is jointly owned by Sony Interactive Entertainment and the Endeavor esports venture RTS.

<i>BlazBlue: Chrono Phantasma</i> 2012 video game

BlazBlue: Chrono Phantasma, released in Japan as BlazBlue: Chronophantasma, is a 2-D fighting game developed by Arc System Works. It is the third game of the Blazblue series, set after the events of BlazBlue: Continuum Shift. The game was originally to be released first as an arcade game in the early fourth quarter of 2012, which was later pushed forward to November, 2012. A PlayStation 3 version of the game was released in Japan on October 24, 2013, while it was released in the North America on March 25, 2014. Due to limited hardware and disc space the game was not released on the Xbox 360.

<i>Guilty Gear Xrd</i> Japanese fighting game developed by Arc System Works

Guilty Gear Xrd is a fighting video game sub-series by Arc System Works and part of the Guilty Gear series. Guilty Gear Xrd was developed using Unreal Engine 3, with cel-shaded graphics in place of the series traditional hand drawn sprites. Following the storyline of the last game in the series, Guilty Gear 2: Overture, it introduced seven new characters.

Guilty Gear X2 is a 2D fighting video game developed by Arc System Works, and published by Sammy Studios. It was first released on May 23, 2002 for Japanese arcades, and later ported to the PlayStation 2 for North America in 2003. The game received updated versions for several platforms, each containing various adjustments: Guilty Gear X2 #Reload (2003), Guilty Gear XX Slash (2005), Guilty Gear XX Accent Core (2006), Guilty Gear XX Accent Core Plus (2008), and Guilty Gear XX Accent Core Plus R (2012).

<i>BlazBlue: Central Fiction</i> 2015 video game

BlazBlue: Central Fiction, released in Japan as BlazBlue: Centralfiction, is a 2-D fighting video game developed by Arc System Works. It is the fourth game in the BlazBlue series, and is set after the events of BlazBlue: Chrono Phantasma. It is also the final game with Ragna as the main protagonist, and serves as the conclusion of the C-Series that began in Calamity Trigger.

<i>Guilty Gear Strive</i> 2021 video game

Guilty Gear Strive is a fighting video game developed and published by Arc System Works. It is the seventh mainline installment of the Guilty Gear series, and the 25th overall. The game was released for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5 and Windows in June 2021, for Japanese arcades in July 2021, and for Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S in March 2023, with a Nintendo Switch port scheduled for a January 2025 release.

Testament (<i>Guilty Gear</i>) Fictional character

Testament (テスタメント) is a fictional character in the Guilty Gear franchise. They first appeared in the first game in the series, Guilty Gear, as a non-playable boss character, before later appearing in Guilty Gear X and Guilty Gear XX as a playable character. They did not appear in any other Guilty Gear games until Guilty Gear Strive. They originally appeared as an androgynous male character, before being identified as agender in Guilty Gear Strive, though an earlier interview with series creator Daisuke Ishiwatari noted that they "transcended human existence" and becoming non-binary when becoming a Gear. They were originally voiced by Takami Akkun in the first Guilty Gear, before being voiced by Katsuaki Kobayashi in Guilty Gear X and XX. For Guilty Gear Strive, they were voiced by Yū Kobayashi and Kayleigh McKee in Japanese and English respectively, the latter receiving positive reception due to being a transgender actress voicing Testament.

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