Guilty Gear -Strive-

“Strive is a bold step in a new direction for the Guilty Gear series. Its visual creativity and attention to detail without fault, Arc System Works has again gone above and beyond in its graphical evolution. True, there are some background clashes, but when all is said and done, it's dazzling. With all DLC characters unlocked, there's a lifetime of learning here, as well as tons of modes and bonuses to pore through.While Strive is perhaps only the first step for Guilty Gear's new evolutionary arc, and its sequels will no doubt improve certain aspects and find a way to better appease fans new and old, it remains undeniably solid. The most impressive aspect, though, is the strength of the port here, crafted with a kind of magic to perform near enough 1:1 with its multi-platform counterparts. And the soundtrack? Whether it's your heaven or hell, it most certainly rocks.”

“Guilty Gear Strive is a massively impressive fighting game that manages to walk a fine line between approachability and depth.”

“Despite a rocky development cycle amongst a series of open and closed betas that had the FGC divided in their impressions of the game, Strive has released in its best state so far and presents itself as a solid foundation to build upon for many iterations to come in the future.”

“If I was looking for an on-ramp to understanding Guilty Gear or even one-on-one anime fighters, this is the game to do it with; and what’s here looks ready to act as a platform for more to come, as there will no doubt be balance changes and new characters to come. I can lament what it might be missing, but Guilty Gear Strive is also what I needed right now: a good, solid, very online-capable fighting game with plenty of big swords, charging dolphins, and doctors with questionable credentials to go around.”

“Guilty Gear -Strive- excels in all the areas you'd expect it to – the music is sick, the characters look crazy, the fighting is fun, and May players deserve nothing. It's an old dog that's been taught new tricks, and all of those tricks are rad as hell. At the same time, it feels like it can be so much more. The story mode is clunky and the Online Mode can use some work, but I'm sure as post-launch support ramps up we'll see stellar improvements to both those fronts.”

“Guilty Gear Strive continues the series' legacy of complex and rewarding technical fighters, enhanced with a new look, characters, and ideas that bring its bold, complex gameplay to new heights.”

“Guilty Gear Strive pushes the fighting game genre into the next generation with immense style and engrossing gameplay.”

“With Guilty Gear -Strive-, Arc System Works has found a formula to make accessibility and depth coexist. The characters are memorable and the game mechanics guarantee always varied games, despite more limited move lists and combo routes than in the past.”

“Guilty Gear Strive is a real triumph for Arc System Works, fast becoming the gold standard of the genre, and it is going to be extremely fun to see how it plays out in coming months.”

“With Guilty Gear Strive, Arc System Works has made its famously complex fighting game series easier to get into, but no less rewarding.”

“Guilty Gear Strive is a hyperbolic exercise in style in the fighting genre, the next step in a path initiated by Arc System Works that combines form and substance to create a new instalment that reaffirms the strength of a saga that, despite being niche, is practically undeniable. Lucid to achieve that "easy to play, difficult to master", as precise as it is enjoyable in combat and concise in its proposal. A must for fans of the genre and a safe bet for anyone in the mood for great fights to the rhythm of good guitar playing.”

“Guilty Gear Strive is easily the best fighting game of 2021 so far, and there doesn't seem to be much on the horizon that can top it. If you're looking for a new fighting game to play this year, this is the easiest decision you'll ever make.”

“‎Making its mastery a habit, Arc System Works further strengthens the value and relevance of its famous saga through a Guilty Gear -Strive- that stands as an essential acquisition for all fans of the fighting genre. In its role of perfecting the famed style that has characterized the franchise, this new iteration fully fulfills the mandate and is shaping up to become one of the most enjoyable titles of the entire current year.‎”

“Guilty Gear -Strive- doesn't trend far from the beloved franchise roots while still showing some new elements with a new skin of beautiful visuals and great soundtracks, there's also great online functions and a good story that missed the chance to make it playable, the gameplay is still fun like we remember but could have been better if it was more responsive and less static”

“One of the most spectacular fighting games ever made, with a game dynamics that may appeal to any player... Although its main focus is online gaming. It may feel a little too shallow in content.”

“Guilty Gear -Strive- will impress longtime fans of the series and has made significant changes to lower the barrier of entry for newcomers, but there might not enough content for some.”

“Guilty Gear Strive proves there's still some fight left in 2D gaming.”

“Guilty Gear Strive sets a new standard for anime-like fighting games with its visuals, stellar netcode, and flexible fighting system that encourages and rewards creativity.”

“It’s been such an incredibly long road for Guilty Gear. I actually cried in joy when Guilty Gear Xrd was first announced, bringing proper 2D fighting back under the reins Arc System Works. With Strive, my heart still fluttered, but for more than just getting a new fighting game in this franchise I so love. I marvel at what it means for fighting games as a whole. Guilty Gear Strive is a whole new level of beast. It represents the most visually gorgeous, the most full-featured, and the most technically sound that modern 2D fighting games have to offer, and anything that hopes to compete with it has quite the work cut out for it.”