GUILTY GEAR Xrd REV 2
- December 14, 2016
- Arc System Works
- 11h median play time
Impressive efforts with a few noticeable problems holding them back. Won't astound everyone, but is worth your time and cash.
Guilty Gear Xrd REV 2 is a fast-paced 2D fighting game with stunning 3D visuals and anime-inspired aesthetics. It features a wide variety of unique fighters, each with their own distinct combos, special moves, and playstyles. This version includes new characters, stages, and gameplay mechanics, providing a fresh experience for both newcomers and veterans of the series.
Reviews
- gameplay694 mentions
- 40 % positive mentions
- 55 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "Guilty Gear Xrd Rev 2" is widely praised for its depth, complexity, and fast-paced action, offering a rich array of mechanics that cater to both newcomers and seasoned players. While the game features a steep learning curve due to its intricate systems and execution-heavy combos, it also provides an excellent tutorial and training modes to help players grasp the mechanics. Overall, the combination of unique character abilities, stylish visuals, and a dynamic combat system makes for an engaging and rewarding fighting game experience.
“The gameplay is just perfect thanks to the generous yellow Roman cancel mechanic that allows for some crazy mix-ups and okizeme.”
“The mechanics are complex yet rewarding, allowing players to execute flashy combos and engage in intense battles.”
“With its stunning cel-shaded graphics, deep gameplay mechanics, and diverse character roster, it offers an exhilarating and immersive experience.”
“The depth of mechanics and the need to master advanced techniques can be challenging and sometimes discouraging for beginners.”
“Danger time is a mechanic that occurs when you and your opponent's attacks clash at any random point, and it only happens once a round lasting for 10 seconds.”
“The gameplay is incredibly deep with many, many different universal mechanics to learn.”
- story507 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 71 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The story in "Guilty Gear Xrd -Revelator-" is presented as an extensive, cinematic experience akin to an anime film, featuring a complex narrative that builds on the series' rich lore. While the story mode lacks interactivity, it offers a visually stunning and engaging way to explore character backstories and relationships, making it particularly appealing for fans of the franchise. However, newcomers may find the plot convoluted and challenging to follow without prior knowledge of the series.
“The story mode is just a 4-hour long visual novel and cutscenes with stupid dialogues.”
“The story in arcade feels very unfinished, by design, to make you buy the next game.”
“The story mode is essentially just an anime movie, and will probably only appeal to longtime fans of the franchise.”
- music429 mentions
- 53 % positive mentions
- 46 % neutral mentions
- 1 % negative mentions
The music in "Guilty Gear Xrd Rev 2" is widely praised for its high-energy rock and metal soundtrack, composed by Daisuke Ishiwatari, which enhances the game's intense atmosphere and gameplay. Players appreciate the variety of tracks, including both original compositions and classic songs from previous entries in the series, making it a standout feature that resonates with fans of the genre. Overall, the soundtrack is considered one of the best in fighting games, contributing significantly to the game's appeal and excitement.
“The soundtrack continues the tradition of energetic and captivating compositions that perfectly match the frenetic action.”
“Composed by Daisuke Ishiwatari, the music perfectly captures the intense and energetic atmosphere of the game.”
“The music is simply headbanger after headbanger, and it's never dull.”
“If there was a critique I have for this game, it is the soundtrack.”
“But things that keep me away are the girly music (sorry but high pitched screeching is not rock).”
“The music is lacking comparatively.”
- graphics412 mentions
- 58 % positive mentions
- 41 % neutral mentions
- 1 % negative mentions
The graphics of "Guilty Gear Xrd Rev 2" are widely praised for their stunning cel-shaded visuals that create a unique 2.5D effect, making 3D models appear like high-quality 2D sprites. The game's art style, character design, and fluid animations contribute to an immersive experience, with many reviewers noting that it sets a high standard for visual presentation in fighting games. Despite some minor issues with graphical settings on PC, the overall aesthetic and attention to detail are considered exceptional, making it a standout title in the genre.
“The graphics of this game are insanely good; I've never seen another game that so successfully captures the effect of 2D sprites using 3D models.”
“With its stunning cel-shaded graphics, deep gameplay mechanics, and diverse character roster, it has become a beloved title among fighting game enthusiasts.”
“The game's visual quality is already an extremely commented and highlighted point, and with justified reasons, the illusion of 2D graphics through 3D cell-shaded models with keyframed animation does wonders to sell the illusion of ultra-high quality pixel-based illustrations of older fighting games.”
“The graphics are friendly to your PC and it can have smoother gameplay, but there are minimal players that are playing this game, so if you're going on multiplayer, the search for other players takes time or you might not find any.”
“The PC release is a rather shoddy port of the console release - with limited options for tweaking your graphics without going into the config file.”
“It could have been better on the graphics settings side of things (you have to get into the game.config to set up ultra graphics manually)... also the online community is nonexistent :(”
- humor80 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in "Guilty Gear Xrd Rev 2" is a standout feature, with players frequently highlighting the comedic character designs and quirky animations that elicit laughter during gameplay. Characters like Slayer, Faust, and Raven are particularly noted for their funny traits and interactions, contributing to a lighthearted atmosphere that enhances the overall enjoyment of the game. Many reviews emphasize that the humor not only makes the game entertaining but also adds a unique charm that keeps players engaged, even amidst competitive play.
“I can't help but burst out laughing when these types of things happen.”
“Winning in this game feels incredible and losing in it is hilarious.”
“I fucking love Faust, he's so funny; Raven's pretty cool too.”
- character development61 mentions
- 59 % positive mentions
- 36 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
Character development in this game is highly praised for its exceptional creativity and detail, with unique and stylized character designs that enhance the overall visual experience. Players appreciate the depth of personality and distinct play styles each character offers, contributing to a rich and engaging narrative. While some critiques mention the sexualization of female characters, the overall consensus highlights the game's character designs as among the best in the fighting genre, complemented by a strong soundtrack and polished visuals.
“The character designs in this game are absolutely brilliant.”
“Every character design, their movements, and their character writing ooze personality like no other fighter does.”
“A really fun and accessible fighting game with beautifully crafted visuals, alongside the character designs themselves being top-notch.”
“Level design and character design seems to lack some of the grittiness the older, purely 2D games possessed.”
“Even though it provides great worldbuilding around the Guilty Gear universe and character development with the cinematics, I feel there should be some interaction in the form of occasional battles like the Mortal Kombat and Injustice series.”
“I don't know if it's the character design or what, but something about the whole thing is just deeply unappealing to me, and it's sad.”
- optimization25 mentions
- 40 % positive mentions
- 48 % neutral mentions
- 12 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's optimization is generally praised, with many players reporting good performance even at high resolutions like 4K and 1440p. However, some users experience occasional frame drops and performance issues, particularly on specific setups, indicating that while the game has improved since its beta, it may still struggle under certain conditions. Despite these challenges, the game is considered well-optimized for PC, offering a satisfying experience for both casual and competitive players.
“The game performance is good with no issues in 4K.”
“Excellent optimization.”
“Incredible optimization; I can play at 2560x1440 with everything at max settings at around 55/70 fps with a GTS 250 from 10 years ago.”
“It's very poorly optimized and struggles to run after it's been open for a long time, frequently dipping below 60 fps causing a lot of frame skips and lag.”
“There is a problem with the game going at 30fps instead of 60fps if you're playing on a PC (or at least an Acer Nitro 5, I don't know about others). Just plugging it in will fix the 30fps problem and change its GPU and NVIDIA to performance processing, and in the game's settings itself to processing priority. The game still looks amazing with all of that stuff turned on.”
“Horrible PC optimization; by using x360 and setting your monitor resolution to 1080p (if it's not already), you can run this game well and it plays beautifully.”
- grinding15 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 7 % neutral mentions
- 93 % negative mentions
The reviews highlight that grinding in the game can be both extensive and rewarding, with players noting the need for significant time investment to master mechanics and combos. While some modes, like "mom mode," offer a structured grind, newcomers can still enjoy the game without extensive practice, as basic skills are sufficient for online play. Overall, the game balances the grind with accessibility, allowing for both casual and dedicated players to find enjoyment.
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“Despite this being a very complex game, with a huge roster of characters and more mechanics than a repair shop, I still sunk an insane amount of time into it in just the first few days while grinding away.”
“Instead of grinding an RPG character, you're grinding your brain, reflexes, and muscle memory.”
- replayability11 mentions
- 45 % positive mentions
- 27 % neutral mentions
- 27 % negative mentions
The game offers nearly endless replayability, particularly due to its complex gameplay and diverse character roster, making it highly addictive. However, the shift from traditional arcade modes to character-specific story routes may limit replayability for some players, especially in regions with a sparse online community. Overall, while single-player content is robust, the lack of a vibrant multiplayer scene can impact the game's longevity for those seeking competitive play.
“Nearly endless replayability - and addictive to boot too.”
“This game has near endless replay value.”
“Stable and beautifully presented with a good amount of content and complex gameplay that allows for a huge amount of replayability.”
“Replayability/longevity - can't really say...”
“However, I'd try to get someone to buy it with you or just know someone who already plays the game, as the online community is quite nonexistent, at least in Australia, and a large factor for replayability in a fighting game is going against other people.”
“(which is basically a replayable single player mode).”
- monetization8 mentions
- 38 % positive mentions
- 13 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The monetization in the game features microtransactions for cosmetic items and DLCs, which some players view negatively, feeling it detracts from the overall experience. However, others appreciate that the game does not include real money microtransactions, arguing that it supports quality development without excessive financial exploitation. Overall, opinions are mixed, with some labeling it a cash grab while others commend its approach.
“As with many modern games, rev 2 includes microtransactions for cosmetic items and DLCs, which may be seen as a drawback for those who prefer a game experience without additional costs.”
“No real money microtransactions.”
“So remember, in purchasing this game you're not just receiving a masterfully crafted fighting game and supporting AAA development that doesn't nickel and dime you to death with meaningless microtransactions, you're also supporting one of the finest waifu production houses on the planet.”
“As with many modern games, Rev 2 includes microtransactions for cosmetic items and DLCs, which may be seen as a drawback for those who prefer a game experience without additional costs.”
“This new monetization and greed in fighting games is awful!”
“Trash cash grab.”
- emotional6 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its touching and sophisticated story, fully voiced characters, and heartwarming after stories that resonate with players. Users appreciate the depth of content, including meaningful unlockables and nostalgic music, which enhance the overall experience and connection to the game. Despite its emotional richness and high-quality design, there is a sense of heartbreak over its underappreciation in the gaming community.
“The after stories are wholesome and hilarious.”
“You guys just know how to keep your game great, the story is still so emotional and the improvement in the gameplay system is so cool. You made Guilty Gear great again with the Xrd games, so great job and keep it up guys. I give it 200/10; it's just great!”
“This game is more complete than any other fighting game, and it's honestly heartbreaking to see arguably the best fighting game available this generation be the least played of them all.”
- stability5 mentions
- 40 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 60 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's stability is mixed; while many players report smooth performance and enjoyable gameplay, some have experienced glitches and issues with the PC port and netcode. However, improvements in netcode have been noted, enhancing online play for some users.
“This game runs great and looks spectacular!”
“The game runs great; the netcode is even better than before, and now I'm able to play against players I previously couldn't due to my ISP blocking some ports. This is a significant improvement.”
“The PC port is kind of dead, and the netcode is a little buggy; however, the gameplay is incredibly fun and tight for a fighting game nowadays.”
“Excellent game, but there are weird glitches.”
- atmosphere3 mentions
- 67 % positive mentions
- -33 % neutral mentions
- 67 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is characterized by an intense and energetic vibe, enhanced by a thumping, guitar-heavy soundtrack that adds tension to fights. However, some players feel that the beautiful cell-shaded graphics contribute to a lighter overall atmosphere, contrasting with the intensity of the music.
“Composed by Daisuke Ishiwatari, the music perfectly captures the intense and energetic atmosphere of the game.”
“While the cell-shaded graphics are definitely beautiful, the game has a 'lighter' atmosphere.”
“While the cell-shaded graphics are definitely beautiful, the game just seemed 'lighter' in regards to the atmosphere.”
“The thumping, guitar-heavy soundtrack adds atmosphere and tension to fights.”
Critic Reviews
Guilty Gear Xrd -REVELATOR- Review - Let's Rock Again
Rounding it all out, Guilty Gear Xrd -REVELATOR- adds enough new content to appeal to both hardcore and casual fighting game fans alike. Although the game isn't as much an evolution of the franchise as Guilty Gear Xrd -SIGN- was at its release, it's still more than easy enough to recommend.
80%Guilty Gear Xrd -REVELATOR- Review – Reunion Tour
An excellent fighting engine, superb visuals, incredible teaching tools, and ridiculous design chops make Guilty Gear -REVELATOR- one of the best fighting games around. Those who are happy with -SIGN- may balk at the price, but everyone else, from fans to newcomers, should be more than happy with what’s on offer. If you’re ready to rock, Guilty Gear is happy to oblige.
90%Review: Guilty Gear Xrd Revelator
Impressive efforts with a few noticeable problems holding them back. Won't astound everyone, but is worth your time and cash.
80%