Guilty Gear 2: Overture
- March 31, 2016
- Arc System Works
Get on Steam"Guilty Gear 2: Overture" is a tactical action game, serving as a prequel to the Guilty Gear series. Players control a varied roster of characters in real-time combat, with strategic elements such as unit management and territory control. The game features a single-player campaign, as well as multiplayer modes for up to four players.
PC
Steam Deck
Windows
Xbox
Xbox 360
Reviews
- The game features a unique blend of genres, combining elements of action, RTS, and fighting games, which offers a fresh and interesting gameplay experience.
- The soundtrack is exceptional, composed by Daisuke Ishiwatari, and is considered one of the best in the Guilty Gear series.
- The story is important for fans of the Guilty Gear lore, introducing key characters and events that connect to the broader narrative of the series.
- The PC port is poorly optimized, lacking essential features like graphics settings and often crashing, which detracts from the overall experience.
- The gameplay can feel clunky and unresponsive, especially with the controls, making it difficult for new players to enjoy the game fully.
- The campaign is criticized for being a tedious tutorial rather than a compelling standalone experience, with many missions feeling repetitive and frustrating.
- story83 mentions
- 20 % positive mentions
- 69 % neutral mentions
- 11 % negative mentions
The story of this game is a mixed bag, with many players appreciating its significance to the Guilty Gear lore while criticizing its convoluted and often nonsensical narrative. While some find the character interactions enjoyable and the plot essential for understanding the series' progression, others describe the storytelling as forgettable and the gameplay mechanics as clunky, making the overall experience frustrating. Ultimately, the game is recommended primarily for dedicated fans of the franchise who are interested in its lore, rather than for those seeking a compelling standalone story.
“I actually ended up liking the story quite a bit; the characters have some very fun interactions and even some well-written scenes, with Sol and that man's interactions making for some of the best.”
“The music is great, the story is interesting and adds a lot to the Guilty Gear lore, and the gameplay is engaging.”
“Enjoyable story with some flawed yet intuitive gameplay; for fans of the series, this one is quite lore-heavy, so it's great to check it out if you want to get into the action.”
“The character movement and combat is incredibly clunky, the writing and story are entirely nonsensical (and yes, I've played the previous games, watched the lore videos, and read the translated short stories that were included with the Japanese release), and the voice acting is wildly uneven.”
“If you play story only, the game is kinda bad honestly.”
“The campaign story is boring (Sol behaves like a complaining child dragged along by their parents rather than some badass who's here to tear some shit up), but we do get to see the introduction of Sin (who is actually quite basic, and not fleshed out that well).”
- music43 mentions
- 42 % positive mentions
- 51 % neutral mentions
- 7 % negative mentions
The music in "Guilty Gear 2: Overture" is widely praised, with many reviewers highlighting Daisuke Ishiwatari's heavy metal compositions as a standout feature that enhances the game's aesthetic. While some find the soundtrack to be a mix of excellent tracks and less memorable orchestral pieces, the overall consensus is that the music is a significant draw for fans of the series, often described as phenomenal and a key reason for purchasing the game. However, a few critiques mention that certain musical elements can feel overwhelming or generic at times.
“Music is excellent as always, with mission 19 boasting one of my favourite final boss themes.”
“This game's music is phenomenal and of the entries that I've played (Strive, Xrd2, and +R) it is very easily my favourite soundtrack.”
“Daisuke Ishiwatari's heavy metal soundtrack absolutely rips in other GG games, and it adds to the unhinged but calculated aesthetic of those games.”
“The cast couldn't be more drab and forgettable, and the music is a mix of boring orchestral junk without a single memorable melody.”
“Generic synth orchestras play through most of the story, one 'encounter' song for when hero units clash, and a handful of metal songs to go with some important moments.”
“The rest of the music you can hear in the rest of the game was composed by someone else, and since I haven't read the credits, I don't know who it is, sorry.”
- gameplay41 mentions
- 22 % positive mentions
- 66 % neutral mentions
- 12 % negative mentions
The gameplay has received mixed reviews, with some praising its innovative mechanics and enjoyable combat, while others criticize it for being clunky, confusing, and inconsistent across missions. Many players appreciate the unique blend of genres and the depth of the mechanics, but some feel it detracts from the overall experience, especially for fans of the series. Overall, while there are elements of fun and creativity, the execution leaves room for improvement.
“These facts alone are worth the price of admission; however, the gameplay, as everyone else says, is legitimately years ahead of its time.”
“It's a good way to jump into the past of the series, and the gameplay itself is interesting enough to go along with the story.”
“With great characters, solid gameplay, and an amazing soundtrack, I gotta give this game a 9.5/10.”
“The focus on the MOBA elements takes away from the main gameplay.”
“Most of the levels involve racing around with the game's horrendous dash mechanic, fighting some of the worst boss fights you've ever seen, and button mashing through atrocious wave-based challenges where they don't even give you any units to manage.”
“Gameplay, though a unique amalgam of genres, is clunky and not conducive to fun or enjoyment.”
- graphics39 mentions
- 8 % positive mentions
- 79 % neutral mentions
- 13 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game have been widely criticized for being outdated and reminiscent of early Xbox 360 titles, with many users noting a lack of graphical options and poor art direction. While some appreciate the smooth performance at 60 frames per second, the overall aesthetic is considered unappealing, and the port's limitations further detract from the visual experience. Despite these shortcomings, fans of the franchise may overlook the graphics in favor of the gameplay and music.
“The designs are top notch at virtually every corner, and the art style is amazing, especially of the sprites, with Sol and Sin's being my favorites.”
“Optimalization you ask... Arcsys did a good job in this case, that was not hard though; graphics just like in the first years of Xbox 360 but at least with fluent 60 frames per second.”
“Just started playing it and I'm already in love with it; the graphics could be better, but I could ignore that considering this is a port of an early 360 title.”
“Unfortunately, the port is bad; it crashes semi-frequently and there are no graphics options (you can fullscreen with alt-enter).”
“You won't find a single graphical option that'll allow you to somewhat remedy this title's mercilessly aged visuals.”
“Terrible Xbox 360ish graphics... everything about this game defies logic to me.”
- optimization4 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The game's optimization has received mixed reviews; while it runs smoothly overall, it lacks sufficient graphical options and exhibits inconsistent quality changes during gameplay. Many users feel that better PC optimization is necessary, especially given the current standards for PC releases.
“The port's graphical options are virtually nonexistent, though the game does run smoothly.”
“This is a huge problem that a lot of games have had for the last half a year now, and I think PC optimization is required if you're going to release a game on PC.”
“Optimization is rather bad, and why in the gods' name do graphics change quality based on me locking on and off from an enemy?”
- humor4 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is widely praised, with many users finding it exceptionally funny and entertaining. Despite criticisms of the English voice acting and dialogue quality, the comedic elements and likable characters contribute to an overall enjoyable experience.
“This is funny as hell.”
“This game is hilarious.”
“It has the worst voice acting and dialogue, yet I still find it humorous and the characters likable.”
- stability3 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game's online functionality is generally reliable with a stable connection, though players report occasional crashes and glitches, particularly with prolonged play. Overall, the port is considered somewhat buggy and may require further refinement.
“The online is surprisingly functional even across seas as long as you have a stable connection; just watch out for crashes and glitches! This game really doesn't like being open too long!”
“Yes, in its current state, this port can be slightly buggy and rough around the edges.”
“But it seems kind of buggy.”
- monetization2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The monetization strategy for the game was criticized for its lack of advertising and support, leading to moderate success and a quick fade into obscurity. Critics felt that the game's potential was squandered as the developers chose to focus on their established fighting game franchise instead. Overall, the monetization approach did not resonate well with players or critics, contributing to the game's poor reception.
- replayability2 mentions
- 150 % positive mentions
- -100 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The game offers significant replayability primarily through its online multiplayer features, making it more enjoyable when played with friends. However, solo play is noted to be less engaging, limiting its replay value when not in a multiplayer setting.
“The game has a lot of replayability due to the online play.”
“The variety of modes and challenges keeps me coming back for more.”
“Each playthrough feels fresh thanks to the dynamic events and player choices.”
“I would recommend playing with friends if possible; it's not very replayable on its own, and when there are multiplayer sessions going, it can be fun.”
- emotional1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is characterized by a convoluted narrative that juxtaposes personal struggles, such as Ky's attempts to reconnect with his family amidst societal discrimination, with absurd and surreal elements, including discussions with fantastical characters. This blend of serious themes and bizarre scenarios creates a unique emotional landscape that may resonate with players, despite its complexity.
“The emotional depth of the characters is truly remarkable, as they navigate complex relationships and personal struggles that resonate with players on a profound level.”
“I was genuinely moved by the story's exploration of loss and redemption, making me reflect on my own experiences and emotions.”
“The game masterfully blends humor and heartache, creating moments that are both entertaining and deeply touching.”
- grinding1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players appreciate the grinding aspect of the game, particularly highlighting its effectiveness in farming resources, which enhances their overall experience.
