Guilty Gear Isuka

51%
Game Brain Score Based on 284 reviews
  • music
  • gameplay
  • graphics
Guilty Gear Isuka Game Cover
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"Guilty Gear Isuka" is a fast-paced 2D fighting game with unique characters and distinct fighting styles. It introduces a four-player battle mode, allowing for chaotic and strategic matches. The game also features a survival mode and a range of single-player and multiplayer options, making it a comprehensive fighting experience.

  • PC
  • Windows
  • Play​Station
  • Play​station 2
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

51%
Audience ScoreBased on 284 reviews
music28 positive mentions
graphics6 negative mentions
  • The 'GGBOOST' mode is extremely fun, allowing players to beat up groups of enemies with unique supers.
  • The game features a great soundtrack and nostalgic elements for long-time Guilty Gear fans.
  • Robo-Ky Mk. II customization adds a unique twist, allowing players to create their own character builds.
  • The manual turn button and lane system make gameplay cumbersome and confusing, especially in 1v1 matches.
  • The port lacks modern features like online multiplayer and proper controller support, making it frustrating to play.
  • Overall, the game feels like a poorly executed experiment rather than a polished entry in the Guilty Gear series.
  • music55 mentions

    The music in the game is widely praised, with many reviewers highlighting it as one of the standout features, often describing it as "amazing," "rockin'," and "one of the best soundtracks" in the Guilty Gear series. Despite the game's gameplay shortcomings, the soundtrack is frequently recommended as a reason to purchase the game, with some noting that it includes a full soundtrack accessible outside of the game. Overall, while the music is celebrated, it is often contrasted with the game's less favorable aspects, leading many to suggest buying it primarily for the soundtrack.

    • “The soundtrack is one of the best Ishiwtari has ever done.”
    • “On the positive side, Isuka sports some of the best music and the most beautiful backgrounds in the series.”
    • “The streets of rage-like GG Boost mode and the amazing soundtrack are the two bright spots on an otherwise underwhelming game.”
    • “Music is too upbeat, backgrounds hurt the eyes and the gameplay with ridiculously non-player-friendly line switching and turning is pure cancer.”
    • “The included soundtrack isn't even the full one, missing songs like a.b.a.'s theme (which is my favorite track, so that's a downer).”
    • “This is just a bad game with a bad soundtrack.”
  • gameplay52 mentions

    The gameplay of this title has received overwhelmingly negative feedback, with many players criticizing its chaotic mechanics, particularly the cumbersome button for character direction changes, which disrupts the flow of combat. While some appreciate the game's unique features and cooperative play, the overall consensus is that the controls are poorly designed and the mechanics are overly complicated, leading to a frustrating experience. Despite a strong soundtrack and some interesting character dynamics, the gameplay is often described as tedious and lacking the polish expected from the Guilty Gear series.

    • “But co-op lets you bust asses with a friend, making the gameplay more engaging.”
    • “Every character can win, with enough skill; strong system mechanics tie together interesting character mechanics into a cohesive battle system that is both intuitive and deep.”
    • “Arcade style, frenetic gameplay.”
    • “This game is utter dogshit; it controls horrifically and has mechanics no fighting game player should ever be forced to use. This is an ancient relic and shouldn't be touched at all unless you're deranged and want to try out every single Guilty Gear game.”
    • “The gameplay lags a lot, and when it's doing decent, it has graphic issues. I'm pissed.”
    • “The game is good, but I can't get around the fighting mechanics. The fact that you have to toggle a button to switch sides is tedious as hell.”
  • graphics31 mentions

    The graphics of the game have received mixed to negative feedback, with many users noting that they appear dated, reminiscent of early 2000s visuals, and lacking in customization options. Players have expressed frustration over graphical issues such as choppiness and poor character representation compared to promotional artwork. While some appreciate the nostalgic anime-style visuals, the overall consensus is that the graphics do not meet modern standards and detract from the gameplay experience.

    • “It's a good fighting game with cool characters and good artwork.”
    • “The graphics and music are perfectly ported, as are sounds despite some voice effects missing.”
    • “When I played the GG games back on the PlayStation, I was amazed; wonderful anime-style artwork, brilliant characters, and a rocking soundtrack.”
    • “The port shows in many ways that you would in all likelihood be better off emulating the PS2 version, as at least that would have some control over the graphics.”
    • “This is a PC game that appears to lack a graphics menu, something standard on most every PC game.”
    • “Graphics are typical for 2003, which means terrible in comparison to our standards.”
  • story16 mentions

    The reviews highlight a significant lack of a cohesive story in many games, with some titles offering only chaotic battles and no narrative depth. While a few users appreciate the moral lessons embedded in the gameplay, the absence of a dedicated story mode is frequently criticized, leading to a perception of the games as shallow or repetitive. Overall, the storytelling aspect is seen as a major shortcoming, detracting from the overall experience.

    • “Moral of the story: you never know what life has in store for you, and if I had given up when all odds were against me, I wouldn't be where I am today.”
    • “But for some reason this game seems endless as opposed to a plot-driven script as in Guilty Gear X2 Reload.”
    • “Amazing story system and mechanics definitely worth the buy.”
    • “It's a very bare bones game; no story mode, just a pure onslaught of never-ending waves of opponents.”
    • “Isuka possesses no story at all; it focuses on chaotic battles between 4 fighters and introduces a mode called GG Boost, which kind of reminds me of Tekken Force from Tekken 3.”
    • “No story modes for characters is a big miss in my opinion.”
  • humor12 mentions

    The humor in this game is highlighted by its absurdity and the chaotic fun that emerges from cooperative gameplay, especially when played with friends. Players find the comedic elements particularly enjoyable, with hilarious animations and unexpected interactions, making it a lighthearted experience despite its fighting game roots. The game is best appreciated by those with a sense of humor, as it subverts traditional fighting game expectations and encourages silly, entertaining moments.

    • “This is a party game disguised as a fighting game, and it becomes funny as hell when you treat it like one, because none of these archetypes work in a game like this.”
    • “It's hilarious to see the crybabies who didn't even search what the game is about, buy the game then get upset and downvote it because it isn't like the other titles in the series when even the game description in this very Steam page mentions 'Guilty Gear Isuka introduces the brand new mechanic of cooperative gameplay.'”
    • “The animations for this are often hilarious and absurd, such as pulling out a giant electrified fly swatter for Anji's command grab attack, or a giant frying pan for Zappa's Raou Bellow's Malice super, and flinging bacon at the enemy.”
  • grinding3 mentions

    Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be somewhat excessive, particularly noting that much of the playtime involves repetitive card farming. While the game has its merits, the fighting mechanics, especially the cumbersome button toggling to switch sides, contribute to a tedious experience.

    • “The game can feel a bit grindy at times, but the rewards make it worthwhile.”
    • “Grinding is a necessary part of the experience, and it adds depth to character progression.”
    • “While there are moments of grinding, they are balanced by engaging gameplay and satisfying rewards.”
    • “The game is good, but I can't get around the fighting mechanics; the fact that you have to toggle a button to switch sides is tedious.”
    • “Playtime is mostly card farming.”
    • “It can be a bit grindy sometimes.”
  • replayability2 mentions

    The game's replayability is rated 7/10, with some users noting that it was more engaging on consoles compared to its current PC version, suggesting a decline in replay value over time.

    • “The replay value is a solid 7/10.”
    • “Even after six years away from consoles, I find this game infinitely more playable now on PC.”
    • “I have trouble saying this because I stopped playing consoles around six years ago, but even then, this game was infinitely more playable back then than it is now on PC.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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