There are few game series as renowned amongst fighting game fans as the Guilty Gear series. With Guilty Gear Strive, the long-running series looks like it’s ascending to an altogether brand new plane of perfection.
If you’re new to Guilty Gear games or a seasoned hand, one thing you’ll notice in the new game is how accessible the combat is. The combat is a little slower than in some previous games, but that’s all for the better as a greater emphasis is placed on timing and using the right move in the right situation.
This means that more than ever, Guilty Gear Strive is the poster-child for the easy to learn, difficult to master maxim. You’ll be able to work your way through the game’s controls simply enough, but there’s a colossal amount of depth for you to explore on your way to the top.
With new features such as the Wall Break which can change the flow of the battle within seconds and an increased focus on raining down constant attacks on your foe, Guilty Gear Strive’s remixed combat is a breath of fresh air for the series.
Also receiving a revamp are the visuals, with Arc System Works’ artists bringing their absolute best to the table in this instalment. Every character has their own unique style and is instantly recognisable at a glance. This approach to visual clarity also makes sure that even when the fighting is at its most frenetic, you know what’s going on and who’s doing what.
Guilty Gear Strive shows that Arc System Works have learned a staggering amount from their work on Dragonball FighterZ, and now they’re ready to unleash everything they’ve mastered. It’s possible we’re looking at one of the finest fighting games, not just of the year, but of all time.