The very first Guilty Gear, founding Arc System Works' series. Fast and technical 2D gameplay with iconic heavy metal characters. Less accessible than Street Fighter but already carrying the seeds of what will become one of the most technical versus fighting systems. A foundational classic.
Your verdict
Category
Fighting2 players12+
Description
Fast 2D versus fighter by Daisuke Ishiwatari, blending post-apocalyptic setting with rock and heavy metal soundtrack. Created by Arc System Works and Atlus for Japan, Sammy for the USA and Sony Computer Entertainment for Europe, released in 1998 in Japan with a revision and in 1999 in the West. Ten fighters with distinct styles, snappy gameplay with air-dash, Instant Kills, detailed sprites and the themes of Sol Badguy and Ky Kiske. Multi-regional edition.
Guilty Gear review
MAX
Art direction
★★★★★
"Iconic"
MAX
Music
★★★★★
"Legendary"
3/5
Story
★★★★★
"Solid"
Hand-drawn sprites, theatrical poses and heavy-metal imagery: Daisuke Ishiwatari imposes a flamboyant style from this very first instalment. Saturated colours and the energy of the animation turn every duel into a visual concert. This graphic audacity, gothic and furious, laid the foundations of a cult saga.
Signed by Daisuke Ishiwatari, the music makes a raging heavy metal scream, matching the stylised fury of the fights. Distorted riffs and blazing solos electrify every duel with an unabashed hard-rock energy. This blazing sonic identity, set from this first entry, would become the hallmark of a cult series.
The first entry in Arc System Works' saga, Guilty Gear lays the foundations of a snappy 2D versus with a heavy metal style, with its hand drawn characters, aggressive combos and spectacular Instant Kills. The energy of the art direction and the rock soundtrack give the title a strong identity. The small roster and an imperfect balance place it below the sequels. A foundational fighting game to recommend for fans of fast 2D versus and the curious about the origins of a great series.
