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 action and RTS mechanics, providing a fresh experience for fans of the genre.
- The soundtrack is exceptional, composed by Daisuke Ishiwatari, and adds to the overall enjoyment of the game.
- The story is important to the Guilty Gear lore, introducing key characters and events that are referenced in later titles.
- The PC port is lacking in graphical options and has numerous bugs, making it feel incomplete.
- The gameplay can be clunky and unresponsive, particularly with the controls, which may frustrate players.
- The campaign is often criticized for being tedious and not enjoyable, with many missions feeling like a tutorial rather than a cohesive experience.
- story166 mentions
- 20 % positive mentions
- 69 % neutral mentions
- 11 % negative mentions
The story of this game is a significant chapter in the Guilty Gear series, providing essential lore and character introductions that connect to later titles. While some players appreciate the narrative's depth and character interactions, many criticize it for being convoluted, nonsensical, and often overshadowed by clunky gameplay mechanics. Overall, the story is deemed enjoyable for series fans but may feel tedious and forgettable for newcomers or those seeking a more engaging experience.
“I actually ended up liking the story quite a bit; the characters have some very fun interactions and even some well-written scenes, I feel. Sol and that man's interactions make for some of the best, while Valentine falls flat for me but makes up for it with her significance to Sol.”
“The music is great, the story is interesting and adds a lot to the Guilty Gear lore, and the gameplay is interesting.”
“Not to mention, this installment of Guilty Gear is probably the most important when it comes to story.”
“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).”
- music86 mentions
- 42 % positive mentions
- 53 % neutral mentions
- 5 % 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 orchestral elements less memorable, the overall soundtrack is considered one of the best in the series, with numerous tracks being described as "bangers." Despite some criticisms regarding volume levels and certain musical choices, the consensus is that the music significantly contributes to the game's appeal.
“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. The designs are top-notch at virtually every corner, with Sol, Sin, Izuna, Paradigm, and Valentine delivering banger after banger, and the art style is amazing, especially of the sprites.”
“Then there's the music: 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 game was composed by someone else, and since I haven't read the credits, I don't know who it is, sorry.”
- gameplay82 mentions
- 22 % positive mentions
- 66 % neutral mentions
- 12 % negative mentions
The gameplay has received mixed reviews, with some praising its innovative mechanics and engaging combat, while others criticize it for being clunky, confusing, and inconsistent across missions. Many players appreciate the blend of genres and the depth of the mechanics, but note that the execution can be flawed, leading to a less enjoyable experience overall. Despite its shortcomings, fans of the series may find value in the gameplay, especially when considering the lore and character designs.
“These facts alone are worth the price of admission; however, the gameplay, as everyone else says, is legitimately years ahead of its time.”
“With great characters, solid gameplay, and an amazing soundtrack, I gotta give this game a 9.5/10.”
“Overall, the combat is a bit complex but rewarding to those that experiment with combining mechanics in creative ways.”
“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.”
- graphics79 mentions
- 5 % positive mentions
- 81 % neutral mentions
- 14 % 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 absence of customization options further detracts from the experience. Despite these shortcomings, fans of the franchise may still find value in the gameplay and music, though the visuals leave much to be desired.
“This game's music is phenomenal, and of the entries that I've played (Strive, Xrd2, and +R), it is very easily my favorite soundtrack. The designs are top-notch at virtually every corner, and the art style is amazing, especially the sprites, with Sol and Sin's being my favorites.”
“Optimalization you ask... Arcsys did a good job in this case. The graphics are reminiscent of the first years of the Xbox 360, but at least it runs smoothly at 60 frames per second, plus they added all the DLC.”
“Just started playing it and I'm already in love with it. The graphics could be better, but I can ignore that considering this is a port of an early 360 title. The gameplay is really good, nothing original but still enjoyable.”
“The port is pretty bad with no graphic options.”
“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.”
- optimization8 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The game's optimization has received mixed reviews, with players noting a lack of graphical options and inconsistent visual quality, particularly when locking onto enemies. While the game runs smoothly overall, many feel that better PC optimization is necessary for a more polished experience.
“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?”
- humor8 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is widely praised, with many players finding it "hilarious" and "funny as hell." Despite criticisms of the English voice acting and dialogue quality, the comedic elements and likable characters contribute to an overall enjoyable experience.
“This game is funny as hell.”
“This game's hilarious.”
“The biggest disadvantage is the English voice acting; it is not bad but sometimes not good enough either. Surprisingly, the English voices make the final boss kind of funny (ever heard about Flame Hyenard?).”
- stability6 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game's stability is generally functional for online play, especially with a stable connection, but users report frequent crashes and glitches, particularly with prolonged use. Overall, the port is considered somewhat buggy and rough around the edges.
“Yes, in its current state, this port can be slightly buggy and rough around the edges.”
“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!).”
“But it seems kind of buggy.”
- monetization4 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The monetization strategy for the game was criticized for its lack of advertising, which contributed to its moderate success and poor reception among players. Despite its potential, the game is largely forgotten, overshadowed by the developer's focus on continuing their fighting game legacy rather than expanding into other genres.
- replayability4 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 0 % 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 game has a lot of replayability due to the online play.”
“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.”
- emotional2 mentions
- 150 % positive mentions
- -50 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is characterized by a convoluted narrative that intertwines personal struggles with absurdity, as characters grapple with themes of familial disconnection and societal discrimination amidst bizarre sci-fi elements. The dialogue often veers into the surreal, highlighting the characters' emotional turmoil in a setting that blends humor with darker undertones.
“The emotional depth of the characters is striking, especially as Ky struggles to reconnect with his family amidst a chaotic and discriminatory political climate.”
“The story weaves complex emotional narratives, showcasing the turmoil of characters like Sol, who is faced with the haunting task of confronting his past.”
“The interactions between characters, filled with humor and heartache, create a unique emotional experience that resonates deeply with players.”
- grinding2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Users express a positive sentiment towards grinding in the game, particularly highlighting its effectiveness in farming for resources or rewards, with one user specifically thanking the game for making the process enjoyable and beneficial.
