Guilty Gear X2

A comprehensive, deep and fun fighting game.

Arguabl[y] the best 2D fighter on the planet... Mind you, the difficulty is high-high-high. The computer, she can be a cruel mistress, and there's no shame in getting frustrated about it.

Groundbreaking and triumphant. Lesser words just don't do justice to the superior graphics and general aesthetics of Guilty Gear X2.

What may amaze people the most is the sound quality in the game. The game's designers were of the opinion that video games don't have enough hard rock and metal in them, and I'll be, they were right. I suppose it's of no surprise that such edgy material works well with a fighting game, but the quality of the choices just enhances the game. You want to press the attack partly because the music is practically egging you on.

The graphics are nothing short of breathtaking.

Drool-worthy graphics, head-banger’s delight music, and absolutely stunning gameplay.

Beautiful. Stunning. Gorgeous. A heart stopping, melt-in-your-pants looker. High resolution sprites and meticulously animated everything combine to make one hell of an enjoyable visual mess.

The real challenge is not how you perform a move or ability, but rather when to do so. The rules of this title promote fair play by penalizing contenders who resort to stall tactics.

A deep fighting game with loads of strategy involved, tons of game modes and memorable characters, this game showcases two of the fundamental tenets of the genre: addictive, fast-paced action and solid controls.

What makes GGX2 so impressive after long sessions of play are its many layers of depth. [Mar 2003, p.32]

There are tons of extra moves such as two-level jumps, fireballs, hurricane kicks, dust moves, one-kill-punches and the Psych Burst which allows you to stop a combo or super move right in the middle of its execution.

Where the game shines is control. Not to say the other features contained in Guilty Gear X2 are not spectacular, because indeed they are, but I have not in recent memory played a fighting game with such fluid control.

A stunning game with great graphics, sound and outstanding gameplay that adds up a top class fighting game.

As well as this fighter plays (it's like a drug) and as deep as it is, it's the animation that keeps me coming back for more. [Mar 2003, p.64]

I love its speed, I love its character design, I love its music, I love its general wretched excess in nearly every category. [Import]

From an aural standpoint GGX2 is equally impressive.

The mission mode being reason enough to warrant a purchase. [Mar 2003, p.83]

GGX2 is probably the most vibrantly animated two-dimensional videogame ever made, with each attack and movement drawn to exceptional detail.

Among the fastest and most intricate 2D fighting games in existence. [Mar 2003, p.48]

From the demon rock musician, I-no, to the back broken zombie, Zappa, there is something unmistakably Japanese in the extreme garishness of it all.

Nearly as sharp and detailed as the characters in an anime movie, X2's fighters spring to life with fluid visuals that put "Street Fighter III"'s to shame. [Mar 2003, p.126]

Suffers from an aggravating case of bad balancing.

How willing you are to invest time and effort into mastering Guilty Gear X2’s intimidating (and deep) list of moves and potential combos will determine whether this will be a casual distraction or your next obsession.

The game is loud, boasts a blazing metal soundtrack, and features characters that are supposed to mirror real-life rockers. [Mar 2003, p.103]

If you like your fighters to be deep, complex, and thoroughly bizarre, then Guilty Gear is a recommended purchase and might just be the "different" you've been looking for.

The ultrasharp, hi-res character art and fluid animation keep XX at the cutting 2D edge, putting even Capcom's most recent fighters to shame. [Mar 2003, p.66]

GGX2’s stunning anime-inspired graphics more than compensate for the lack of a Z-axis.

One of the most highly evolved 2D fighting games yet, and it's another clear sign that fighting games definitely have some life left in them.

From decent characters to the lack of a useful training mode, the game does fair well in the fighting game genre however, it is not as strong as some of its leading competitors.