Guilty Gear Xrd: Sign

72%
Game Brain Score Based on 1,001 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • graphics
Guilty Gear Xrd: Sign Game Cover
Guilty Gear Xrd -Sign- is packed with plenty of content and excellent tutorial modes to teach you its fighting mechanics, but its community has already moved on.
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"Guilty Gear Xrd: Sign" is the latest entry in the Guilty Gear series, now on Steam with updated 3D graphics and hand-drawn anime aesthetics. The battle system has been revamped with a focus on the "Roman Cancel" system, allowing for strategic gameplay. The game features a roster of 17 characters, including both returning and new faces. *Sin, Elphelt, and Leo can be unlocked through gameplay.

  • PC
  • Play​station 4
  • Play​station 5
  • Steam Deck
  • Windows
  • Play​Station
  • Play​station 3
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

72%
Audience ScoreBased on 1,001 reviews
story55 positive mentions
stability7 negative mentions
  • Gorgeous graphics and art style that blend 3D models with a 2D aesthetic.
  • Deep and rewarding gameplay mechanics with a great tutorial for newcomers.
  • Diverse character roster with unique playstyles, making each match feel fresh.
  • Online play is often dead, making it hard to find matches.
  • Some players experience performance issues, including frame drops and input lag.
  • The story mode is mostly a visual novel with little to no gameplay involved.
  • story244 mentions

    The story in "Guilty Gear Xrd -Sign-" is often described as convoluted and difficult to follow, with many players feeling lost without prior knowledge of the series. While the story mode is presented as a lengthy visual novel with high production values and engaging character interactions, it lacks gameplay, making it feel more like watching an anime than participating in a game. Despite its flaws, fans appreciate the emotional moments and character development, suggesting that the story is best enjoyed by those invested in the lore, though many recommend watching the cutscenes online instead of purchasing the game solely for the narrative.

    • “As an old fan of Guilty Gear, I found some inconsistencies in the story and some trinkets in the user interface, but if the story mode made me cry, I am willing to forget the flaws.”
    • “The story mode is now a movie (estimated 4 hours) without some interaction, so you can sit back and press only the text screens away during talking between characters.”
    • “The story has no gameplay so there is no forced fights that ruin the pace of the story, which happened to me with Mortal Kombat; you can just sit back, relax, and enjoy watching the chaos unfold.”
    • “I honestly don't know what the hell is going on with the story of any Guilty Gear game.”
    • “The story mode really is just talking the whole time with not an ounce of gameplay in it, and the animation for such lovely 3D models doesn't do much justice; it's like seeing static visual novel portraits in 3D.”
    • “One more thing, unlike in other Arc System fighting games in the past, the story mode in this game is more of a visual novel than anything else; you literally will not fight in its entirety, but rather be a spectator.”
  • gameplay193 mentions

    The gameplay of "Guilty Gear Xrd -Sign-" is praised for its depth and complexity, featuring a wide array of mechanics that require significant mastery, making it one of the more challenging fighting games available. While the game offers a steep learning curve, it is also accessible to newcomers thanks to its comprehensive tutorial system. Players appreciate the fast-paced, fluid combat, unique character designs, and stunning visuals, although some note that the online community is less active compared to other titles in the genre.

    • “The gameplay shines as an honored example of just how fighting games should function, with clean inputs, logical damage distribution, and a whole laundry list of combos that the player can mess around with.”
    • “Intense and fast gameplay, incredible visual design, and the kick-ass soundtrack you would expect from the Guilty Gear series.”
    • “The mechanics of roman cancel, faultless guard, jump cancel, burst and much more intricate mechanics make sure that literally no match is decided by character selection; it's all skill.”
    • “The gameplay has taken a few steps back, e.g. removing certain moves and systems, the cast is only half as big etc., and, as such, resembles xx2: reloaded a lot more than its updated re-releases.”
    • “The story is still impenetrable, and the gameplay isn't much better for casual players, but the good news is that Guilty Gear is always fun to experience on a basic surface level.”
    • “I don't really know how to identify how these 2D anime fighting games can be considered as 'good', but for me it was good because the inputs are precise, the action is fast, the animations are amazing, it has a visual novel style story mode and a classic arcade style story mode, and has a progression mechanic (in-game store) where you can buy wallpapers, BGMs, extra characters.”
  • graphics172 mentions

    The graphics of the game have received widespread acclaim for their stunning visual style, effectively blending 3D models with a 2D anime aesthetic that many players find breathtaking. Reviewers highlight the game's beautiful artwork, smooth animations, and impressive character designs, often stating that it sets a new standard for cel-shaded graphics in fighting games. However, some users have noted performance issues on lower-end systems and a desire for more graphical customization options.

    • “The graphics here are simply incredible and spectacular.”
    • “Amazing graphics, eye candy; in my opinion, this is the way fighting games should look like, just check out the screens for yourself.”
    • “The visuals are breathtakingly stunning.”
    • “Bad gameplay, bad graphics, bad everything.”
    • “Even having all the system requirements and playing at lowest graphics, with my power settings at high performance, the FPS stays between 15 and 25 FPS, and I believe that many other players would have this same problem.”
    • “The customization regarding graphics is quite limited.”
  • music138 mentions

    The music in the game has received widespread acclaim, with many reviewers praising its heavy metal and rock influences, which enhance the overall gameplay experience. While some players feel that the soundtrack may not be as memorable as previous entries in the series, it is still considered fantastic and well-integrated with the game's visuals and mechanics. Overall, the soundtrack is described as a standout feature, contributing significantly to the game's appeal for fans of the genre.

    • “The soundtrack is a masterpiece; I keep listening to it just like I would to any epic album from the top charts.”
    • “As with previous Guilty Gear titles, the soundtrack is phenomenal, and I never get tired of listening to it, especially with how well it blends with the gameplay experience.”
    • “The game has a fantastic soundtrack, and the English voice acting is top-notch, save for one character.”
    • “My only gripe with the series is that it has a pretty forgettable soundtrack - only the menu music sticks for me.”
    • “Many songs just have no progression and sound very similar to one another.”
    • “It's good and makes sense for this game, but as a rather completely new player, I don't want to hear the same song over and over again when I'm struggling my way through the 50-step tutorial.”
  • optimization32 mentions

    Overall, the game's optimization is generally praised, with many users reporting smooth performance across various PC configurations, including lower-end systems. While there are minor issues such as memory leaks and occasional frame lag in multiplayer, the port is considered solid, with good graphics settings and responsive controls. Some users noted that the game runs well even at high settings, making it a successful adaptation from console to PC.

    • “Great optimization settings; works like a charm and doesn't even cause stress on performance even on high optimization settings.”
    • “Well optimized and the netcode is solid.”
    • “Amazing port, all is well optimized.”
    • “I personally feel like it then judges your performance too harshly as a result; it gives you little leeway, and expects too much, especially if you’re a beginner.”
    • “Either way, changing the display/graphics options isn't very helpful, because you can actually just pick two options in-game: either performance or quality. You can change the resolution and basically that's it. I enjoyed those 48 minutes, but playing a game that is poorly ported to PC and can't even run on it isn't fun. Even MKX or SF4 was ported better and with those games, no problems whatsoever.”
    • “I cannot change the settings to optimize its performance on my system.”
  • character development18 mentions

    Overall, character development in the game is highly praised for its unique and varied designs, which stand out with a signature style that enhances the gameplay experience. Players appreciate the depth of character backstories, particularly highlighted in tutorials and additional content like Steam trading cards. The combination of excellent animations and engaging character mechanics contributes to a fun and immersive fighting experience.

    • “I love the character design; it's so varied and original - so much fun to learn the different play styles.”
    • “Arc System Works did an amazing job on character design... I honestly cannot say enough good things about it.”
    • “It's deep, funny, action-packed, and the characters/character development is pretty awesome.”
    • “Don't know much, but there is character development in the tutorial (and the Steam trading cards give backstory!), which is good.”
    • “Fighting game with Japanese character design, some story going on across the many installments and an emphasis on fabulousness.”
    • “Guilty Gear is a game where there are a lot of system mechanics, along with some really unique character designs.”
  • stability12 mentions

    Overall, the game's stability is a mixed bag; while many players report smooth performance and solid frame rates, significant bugs and glitches in lobbies and matchmaking detract from the experience. Issues such as input icon inconsistencies, random disconnects, and occasional freezes have been noted, indicating that while the core gameplay is stable, the online infrastructure requires improvement.

    • “The game runs great maxed out on my system @ 1080p (FX 8350 @ 4.6 GHz, GTX 670, 5GB RAM, Windows 7 64-bit) stable 60fps online and offline.”
    • “The game runs great, looks great, sounds great, feels great.”
    • “The game runs great on my i5 3450 and GTX 550 Ti.”
    • “I love Strive, but this game is so buggy and won't even let me use 1080p.”
    • “This game has two noteworthy problems: the icons for button inputs don't seem to know what you're using to input them, so they just flash back and forth constantly between that of a keyboard and an Xbox 360 controller, and there are some inexplicable freezes and/or crashes that occur from time to time.”
    • “Player matches are very buggy at the moment; if a lot is going on in public lobbies, there seem to be many issues causing players to vanish, be fighting no opponent, or just get kicked out of the lobby.”
  • humor12 mentions

    The humor in the game is frequently highlighted as a standout feature, with players enjoying the quirky character expressions and witty writing that often elicits laughter. The blend of funny character interactions, amusing quotes, and humorous instant kills contributes to an engaging and entertaining experience, making the gameplay feel lively and enjoyable. Overall, the humor complements the game's deep combat system and stylish presentation, enhancing the overall enjoyment for players.

    • “The writing is on point and often funny af.”
    • “Very stylish, the music kicks ass, the characters are all badass or hilarious.”
    • “These characters fought with their hair... so the first character in GG Xrd I pick up is 'Millia'... funny.”
  • replayability3 mentions

    Reviewers suggest that while the game offers a solid experience, its replayability is somewhat diminished compared to its predecessor due to a lack of branching story paths and fewer playable characters. The potential for future content updates may enhance replay value, but currently, it feels less engaging in terms of varied gameplay experiences.

    • “I do kind of miss having the story be more ingrained in the gameplay and the various branching story paths, as they added more replay value and also presented some cool what-if scenarios.”
    • “Like everyone else has said, you're really better off getting Rev 2 instead of Sign, as it's essentially the same thing but with more playable characters and content.”
    • “Could have had more playable characters, which I believe they are going to release more.”
  • grinding3 mentions

    Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be a mixed experience; while unlocking new characters and content can be achieved relatively quickly through challenges, the "mom mode" is criticized for being tedious and frustrating, leading to a lengthy grind with minimal rewards. Additionally, there is an option to purchase items with real money, which some may find appealing to bypass the grind.

    • “It eventually becomes such a tediously long grind that you end up wasting large amounts of time for little reward.”
    • “Unlocking miscellaneous stuff, such as new characters, announcers, and color palettes, doesn't take too long, as completing challenges and clearing each character's arcade mode nets in-game currency quite fast. However, you can just buy them with real money if it still feels too tedious.”
    • “-mom mode is poorly executed and ultimately is tedious and frustrating to play.”
  • emotional1 mentions

    Players express that despite some inconsistencies in the story and user interface, the emotional impact of the story mode, which moved them to tears, allows them to overlook these flaws.

    • “As an old fan of Guilty Gear, I found some inconsistencies in the story and some trinkets in the user interface, but if the story mode made me cry, I am willing to forget the flaws.”
    • “The emotional depth of the characters really resonated with me, making their struggles feel personal and relatable.”
    • “I was genuinely moved by the storyline; it tugged at my heartstrings and left a lasting impression long after I finished playing.”
  • atmosphere1 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is noted as unique and engaging, complementing the decent gameplay experience.

    • “In short, decent gameplay with a unique atmosphere.”
  • monetization1 mentions

    The monetization aspect of the game is generally viewed positively, with players appreciating the high-paced, deep 2D combat experience reminiscent of Japanese style games, suggesting that the monetization strategies do not detract from the overall enjoyment.

Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

63% average critic score

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Play time

20hMedian play time
43hAverage play time
10-100hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 3 analyzed playthroughs

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