Guilty Gear (video game)
{{Short description|1998 video game}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2025}}
{{Infobox video game
| title = Guilty Gear
| image = Guilty Gear Coverart.png
| caption = North American box art
| developer = Arc System Works
| publisher = {{vgrelease|JP|Arc System Works|NA|Atlus|UK|Virgin Interactive Entertainment}}
| producer = Daisuke Ishiwatari
| designer = Daisuke Ishiwatari
| composer = {{ubl|Daisuke Ishiwatari|Takahiro Uematsu|Hatsuaki Takami|Takuya Moritou}}
| engine =
| programmer = Hideyuki Anbe
| series = Guilty Gear
| released = PlayStation{{Video game release|JP|May 14, 1998|NA|November 9, 1998|UK|May 19, 2000}}Nintendo Switch, PS4, Windows{{vgrelease|WW|May 16, 2019}}
| genre = Fighting
| modes = Single-player, multiplayer
| platforms = {{ubl|PlayStation|Nintendo Switch|PlayStation 4|Windows}}
}}
Guilty Gear (subtitled The Missing Link in Japan) is a 1998 fighting game developed and published by Arc System Works for the PlayStation. It is the first installment in the Guilty Gear series. Set in a world destroyed by a war between humans and bio-organic weapons called Gears, it follows ten fighters as they enter a tournament held to prevent resurrection of the Gears' leader. Its gameplay consists of one-on-one fights, a four-button attack configuration featuring special moves and instant kill techniques, as well as three different playable modes.
Conceptualized by Daisuke Ishiwatari, it spent a year and a half in production, with influences from Capcom's Street Fighter and manga. After its original release, it was brought to both North America, and Europe and the PAL region, and achieved a cult status among fans. It has received favorable critical reception, with praise towards its characters' roster, 2D graphics and fast gameplay that differentiates it from other games of the same genre. It has been labeled as one of few games of its era to cause a lasting impact on the genre, alongside the hegemonic Capcom and SNK games. However, it received criticism due to its difficulty and unbalanced set of characters.
Gameplay
File:GG screenshot.png and Testament. The upper bar shows the character's health while the bottom bar is the tension gauge. The red orbs under the health bar display the rounds each player has won.]]
After selecting one of ten characters available from the outset, the player must defeat the enemy in battle by winning two out of three rounds.{{citation needed|date=January 2014}} It uses a six-button layout: four of which are responsible for the attacks—one punch, one kick, and two for weapon attacks—with the other two used for special actions.{{cite web | url=http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/guiltygear/guiltygear.htm | author1=Kalata, Kurt | author2=Natabuu | publisher=Hardcore Gaming 101 | title=Guilty Gear | page=1 | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140613212436/http://www.hardcoregaming101.net//guiltygear/guiltygear.htm | archivedate=June 13, 2014 | url-status=dead | ref={{sfnref|Kalata & Natabuu}} }}{{cite web | url=http://www.miastogier.pl/encyklopedia,,7786.html | title=Guilty Gear (PSX) | author=Domański, Maciej | date=February 10, 2010 | work=Miastogier | accessdate=January 29, 2014 | language=Polish | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140202122321/http://www.miastogier.pl/encyklopedia,,7786.html | archivedate=February 2, 2014 | url-status=live }} Guilty Gear also features instant kill techniques that, if successfully landed on an opponent, ends the match.{{cite web | url=http://www.gamespot.com/dreamcast/action/guiltygear10/preview_2670912.html | title=Guilty Gear X Hands-On | author=Lopez, Miguel | date=January 4, 2001 | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20031006190933/http://www.gamespot.com/dreamcast/action/guiltygear10/preview_2670912.html | archivedate=October 6, 2003 | accessdate=January 11, 2015}}
It uses a tension gauge, which fills up when the character lands a hit or takes damage. When the gauge is full, characters become stronger, and can input certain commands to activate special moves called Chaos Attacks. The game has a feature called Chaos Mode that is activated when a character's health is at the half-way point (yellow bar). A red aura will surround the character and they are able to perform unlimited Chaos Attacks.{{citation needed|date=January 2014}}
It features three modes: "Arcade Mode", a single-player mode culminating in battles with the bosses{{citation needed|date=January 2014}} and the only one that reveals character's reasoning for fighting; "Versus Mode", which gives the opportunity to play against another player;{{cite web | url=http://www.ign.com/games/guilty-gear/ps-4034 | title=Guilty Gear - PlayStation | work=IGN | publisher=Ziff Davis Media | accessdate=January 9, 2015 | archive-date=November 29, 2014 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141129132022/http://www.ign.com/games/guilty-gear/ps-4034 | url-status=dead }} and "Training Mode", which allows players to practice freely. The game's settings allow the player to select the duration of the round, but do not allow them to change the number of rounds in a fight, nor the difficulty in the single-player mode.{{sfn|Kalata & Natabuu|p=[http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/guiltygear/guiltygear2.htm 2]. [https://web.archive.org/web/20140614033615/http://www.hardcoregaming101.net//guiltygear/guiltygear2.htm Archived] from the original on June 13, 2014}}
Controls and Gatling
The game involves four attack buttons known as
P - Punch(Just.... A simple punch)
K - Kick(Just.... A simple kick)
S - Slash(A move done with a character's "weapon" e.g Ky kiske sword, Millia rage hair, Zato-1 Eddie)
HS/H - Heavy Slash(A powerful but slow move done with a character's "weaponGuilty Gear 1/X")
There is also a gatling system that allows you to chain attacks into one another. Although gatling options differ for most moves a basic one is P->K->S->HSGuilty gear gatling system
Synopsis
=Plot=
In 2010, mankind discovered an unlimited energy source of incredible power, which was labeled “magic”. Despite providing a solution for the world energy crisis, war conflicts continued to exist. After a long time, a group consisting of Asuka R. Kreutz(Who will be known as That Man) Frederick Bulsara (Who will be known as Sol BadGuy) and his fiancee Aria Hale (Who will be known as Justice and Jack-O Valentine) combined the power of These are official guilty gear characters that have all been featured in the story and in a least 1 GG game magic with humans and other creatures via experiments, creating living weapons known as "Gears". Eventually, the Gears turned on the human race, beginning a global war known as the Crusades. After a century of battles, a military group known as the Sacred Order of Holy Knights fought and defeated Justice, the leader of the Gears. With Justice having been locked away in a dimensional prison, all other Gears seemingly ceased to function, bringing an end to an age of conflict.
The story of Guilty Gear takes place in the 22nd century, in the year 2180, five years after the end of the Crusades. A Gear named Testament began a plan to resurrect Justice, and wipe out the human race. Fearing this, the Union of Nations organized a fighting tournament in order to find fighters who would be able to defeat Testament and prevent her revival, awarding the winner with anything they may desire.
Ten combatants sign up to enter "The Second Sacred Order Tournament". As the combatants fight through the stages of the tournament they begin to discover the true goal behind it. A bounty hunter named Sol Badguy defeats Testament in the second to last stage of the tournament. However, he is too late to prevent Justice's resurrection. After an arduous battle, Justice is defeated by Sol, restoring peace for the time being.
=Characters=
{{Further|List of Guilty Gear characters}}
Guilty Gear features ten playable characters available from the outset. The characters have different styles of fighting, special abilities, and weapons (with some fighting only with their bodies). Aside from the initial ten, the player can unlock three hidden characters to use exclusively in the "Versus Mode". The starting characters are Axl Low, Chipp Zanuff, Dr. Baldhead, Kliff Undersn, Ky Kiske, May, Millia Rage, Potemkin, Sol Badguy (the main character{{sfn|Guilty Gear Bible 1998|p=157}}), and Zato-1,{{citation needed|date=June 2014}} while Baiken, Justice, and Testament are boss characters that are unlockable.{{cite web | url=http://www.atlus.com/gameguilty.php | title=Guilty Gear | publisher=Atlus | accessdate=December 12, 2013 | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131213072916/http://www.atlus.com/gameguilty.php | archivedate=December 13, 2013 | url-status=dead }}
Development and release
File:Daisuke Ishiwatari at FanimeCon 2010-05-29 1.JPG
The concept for Guilty Gear was conceived by Daisuke Ishiwatari during his period in vocational school.{{cite web | url=http://www.gamasutra.com/view/feature/134973/games_that_cant_be_duplicated_.php?page=3 | title=Games That Can't Be Duplicated: Arc System Works' Ishiwatari Speaks | date=January 23, 2012 | work=Gamasutra | publisher=UBM plc | accessdate=January 30, 2014 | page=3 | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140511054042/http://www.gamasutra.com/view/feature/134973/games_that_cant_be_duplicated_.php?page=3 | archivedate=May 11, 2014 | url-status=live | ref={{sfnref|Gamasutra|2012}} }} When Ishiwatari joined Arc System Works, he initially worked on other concepts, until revealing to Arc System Works president Minoru Kidooka that he wanted to make a game like Street Fighter. During the planning stage, he was inspired by Street Fighter II, especially by its simplicity and tactics-emphasis, but he abandoned this idea in favor of a "flashy game" after discussing with programmer Hideyuki Anbe.{{sfn|Guilty Gear Bible 1998|p=150}} As such, Ishiwatari created Guilty Gear, as he was dissatisfied with other fighting games, focused on creating "cool" characters. Kidooka approved the idea and gave Ishiwatari a team of around 12 developers,{{sfn|Gamasutra|2012|page=[http://www.gamasutra.com/view/feature/134973/games_that_cant_be_duplicated_.php 1]. [https://web.archive.org/web/20140510125017/http://www.gamasutra.com/view/feature/134973/games_that_cant_be_duplicated_.php Archived] from the original on June 13, 2014.}} nicknamed "Team Neo Blood", to develop the game. Ishiwatari, however, said only four people were doing the main work and that all group had no experience in creating video games.{{sfn|Guilty Gear Bible 1998|p=152}} In consequence, it took a year and a half for the game to be completed.{{cite journal | journal=PlayStation Magazine | year=1998 | url=https://shmuplations.com/guiltygear/ | title=Guilty Gear – 1998 Developer Interview}} With influences of the fantasy setting of the manga Bastard‼, Ishiwatari created the series hoping it would appeal not only to game fans but to anime fans too.{{cite web | url=http://www.asiaarts.ucla.edu/article.asp?parentid=110450 | title=Anime Expo 2009: interview with Daisuke Ishiwatari and Toshimichi Mori | author=Asia Pacif Arts Staff | date=July 17, 2009 | publisher=University of California, Los Angeles | accessdate=January 30, 2014 | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100713103610/http://asiaarts.ucla.edu/article.asp?parentid=110450 | archivedate=July 13, 2010}} For this purpose, Ishiwatari ordered characters' design to an anime company.{{sfn|Guilty Gear Bible 1998|p=153}} Originally, the game was designed with rendered 3-D visuals, but this was later replaced by hand-drawn artwork because Ishiwatari disliked the result.{{cite web | url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/the-x-button/2009-08-05 | title=Guilty Motivation - The X-Button | date=August 5, 2009 | author=Ciolek, Todd | publisher=Anime News Network | accessdate=January 28, 2014 | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140615133856/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/the-x-button/2009-08-05 | archivedate=June 15, 2014 | url-status=live }}{{sfn|Guilty Gear Bible 1998|p=151}}
Ishiwatari was convinced that the game "should be something difficult" because he saw fighting games trying and failing to appeal to casual players. Two main aspects prioritized for Guilty Gear were prediction of the opponent's movement and strategy/tactics. He explained his main focus was to create a product that would satisfy its players, and that could "expand the possibilities of the game itself." A different layout of buttons, "one of the things that defined" the game, was necessary because "we wanted to come up with something different to the other games – it needed to be different." For this reason, the instant-kill techniques were added; their function was also to add tension or thrill to the fight as someone who was winning could be defeated suddenly,{{sfn|Guilty Gear Bible 1998|p=151}} "something we really wanted to be a strong theme for the game."{{cite journal | journal=GamesTM | publisher=Imagine Publishing | year=2011 | issue=108 | title=Behind the Scenes: Guilty Gear | pages=140–145}} Ishiwatari also inserted them as a selling strategy{{sfn|Guilty Gear Bible 1998|p=151}} and because Guilty Gear would be released as a home console-only video game. It was divise feature among the staff;{{sfn|Guilty Gear Bible 1998|p=151}} in the end, Ishiwatari and Anbe concluded they were an extraneous mechanic, but they did not have time to remove them before release.
Guilty Gear took a long time between its first announcement after Arc's then latest release—Wizard's Harmony (1995)—and its actual release.{{sfn|Guilty Gear Bible 1998|p=150}} It was first released in Japan on May 14, 1998 for the PlayStation.{{cite web | url=http://www.arcsystemworks.jp/official/home/other.html | script-title=ja:その他ゲーム機 |trans-title=Other games | publisher=Arc System Works | accessdate=January 29, 2014 | language=Japanese | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140603125159/http://www.arcsystemworks.jp/official/home/other.html | archivedate=June 3, 2014 | url-status=live | title=Arc System Works Official Website }} In August of the same year, Arc System Works licensed a North American release to Atlus.{{cite web | url=http://www.ign.com/articles/1998/08/13/atlus-consumed-by-guilt | title=Atlus Consumed By Guilt | date=August 12, 1998 | work=IGN | publisher=Ziff Davis Media | accessdate=January 30, 2014 | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140223164947/http://www.ign.com/articles/1998/08/13/atlus-consumed-by-guilt | archivedate=February 23, 2014 | url-status=live }} The company let players choose the game's box art by voting for their favorites from three available box arts.{{cite web | url=http://www.ign.com/articles/1998/09/12/consider-yourself-an-art-critic | title=Consider Yourself an Art Critic? | date=September 11, 1998 | work=IGN | publisher=Ziff Davis Media | accessdate=January 29, 2014 | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140223164913/http://www.ign.com/articles/1998/09/12/consider-yourself-an-art-critic | archivedate=February 23, 2014 | url-status=live }} When the contest ended, Atlus released the game on November 9, 1998.{{Cite web |author=I. G. N. Staff |date=1998-11-10 |title=Guilty Gear Ships |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/1998/11/10/guilty-gear-ships |access-date=2024-01-21 |website=IGN |language=en}} In the United Kingdom, the game was published by Virgin Interactive Entertainment, and was released on May 19, 2000.{{Cite web |date= |title=Guilty Gear |url=http://www.chipsworld.co.uk/detProd.asp?ProductCode=2393 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010724003856/http://www.chipsworld.co.uk/detProd.asp?ProductCode=2393 |archive-date=July 24, 2001 |access-date=January 20, 2024 |website=Chipsworld}} In continental Europe, it was licensed and published by Studio 3 in May 2000.{{cite web | url=http://www.js91.dial.pipex.com/files/gg_press_release.pdf | title=Guilty Gear - The best 2D fighting game on the Playstation | publisher=Studio 3 | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140201194523/http://www.js91.dial.pipex.com/files/gg_press_release.pdf | url-status=dead | archivedate=February 1, 2014}}{{cite web | url=http://www.jeuxvideo.com/articles/0000/00000661_test.htm | title=Test de Guilty Gear sur PlayStation | date=May 24, 2000 | publisher=L'Odyssée Interactive | website=Jeuxvideo.com | accessdate=January 30, 2014 | language=French | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140202101505/http://www.jeuxvideo.com/articles/0000/00000661_test.htm | archivedate=February 2, 2014 | url-status=live }}
Reception
{{Video game reviews
| GR = 78%{{cite web | url=https://www.gamerankings.com/ps/197504-guilty-gear/index.html | title=Guilty Gear for PlayStation | work=GameRankings | publisher=CBS Interactive | access-date=June 29, 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140618194402/http://www.gamerankings.com/ps/197504-guilty-gear/index.html | archive-date=June 18, 2014 | url-status=dead}}
| CVG = 3/5{{cite journal | author=Lomas, Ed | journal=Computer and Video Games | publisher=Future plc | issue=200 | date=July 1998 | page=58 | url=https://archive.org/stream/Computer_and_Video_Games_Issue_200_1998-07_EMAP_Images_GB#page/n74/mode/1up | title=Guilty Gear}}
| EGM = 6.7/10{{cite magazine | magazine=Electronic Gaming Monthly | issue=113 | date=December 1998 | page=260 | title=Guilty Gear}}
| EuroG = 8/10{{cite web | url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/guiltygear_psx | title=Guilty Gear Review | work=Eurogamer | publisher=Gamer Network | accessdate=September 6, 2013 | author=Bramwell, Tom | date=May 31, 2000 | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140620102528/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/guiltygear_psx | archivedate=June 20, 2014 | url-status=live }}
| GI = 8.25/10{{cite magazine | url=http://www.gameinformer.com/cgi-bin/review.cgi?sys=psx&path=dec98&doc=guilty | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19990914113051/http://www.gameinformer.com/cgi-bin/review.cgi?sys=psx&path=dec98&doc=guilty | archive-date=September 14, 1999 | title=Guilty Gear - PlayStation | date=December 1998 | magazine=Game Informer | publisher=GameStop | url-status=dead | access-date=June 15, 2014}}
| GamePro = 4/5{{cite magazine | url=http://www.gamepro.com/sony/psx/games/reviews/130.shtml | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20050213222917/http://www.gamepro.com/sony/psx/games/reviews/130.shtml | archivedate=February 13, 2005 | title=Guilty Gear Review for PlayStation | author=Fatt, Bobba | date=January 1, 2000 | magazine=GamePro | publisher=IDG | accessdate=June 15, 2014}}
| GSpot = 7.9/10{{cite web | url=http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/guilty-gear-review/1900-2547849/ | title=Guilty Gear Review for PlayStation | work=GameSpot | publisher=CBS Interactive | accessdate=September 6, 2013 | author=Mielke, James | date=August 6, 1998 | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150219072202/http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/guilty-gear-review/1900-2547849/ | archivedate=February 19, 2015 | url-status=live }}
}}
Reviews for it were generally positive, with an aggregate score of 78% from GameRankings. PlayStation Power reported that both Japanese and American reviewers commended the combination of humor and "futuristic manga-style" action, and the variety of moves and combos.{{cite journal | url=https://archive.org/stream/PlayStation_Power_Issue_048_2000-01_Future_Publishing_GB#page/n47/mode/1up | title=Coming Soon... The Ultimate Preview | journal=PlayStation Power | publisher=Future plc | issue=48 | date=January 2000 | page=48}} IGN staff said it would be well received by fans of traditional 2D fighting video games and considered it one of the bests of the genre on PlayStation.{{cite web | url=http://www.ign.com/articles/1998/11/13/holiday-spotlight-atlus | title=Holiday Spotlight: Atlus | date=November 12, 1998 | work=IGN | publisher=Ziff Davis Media | accessdate=February 8, 2014 | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140223223310/http://www.ign.com/articles/1998/11/13/holiday-spotlight-atlus | archivedate=February 23, 2014 | url-status=live }} Writing for Electronic Gaming Monthly (EGM), a reviewer dubbed "Sushi" said it was the second best 2D fighter on PlayStation behind Street Fighter Alpha 2. Harry Slater of Pocket Gamer and Eurogamer's Wesley Yin-Poole affirmed it as regarded "by many to be the greatest 2D, one on one fighter of the era" and "the greatest fighting game of all time", respectively.{{cite web | url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2011-03-16-the-arc-of-fighting-interview | title=The Arc of Fighting | author=Yin-Poole, Wesley | date=March 17, 2011 | work=Eurogamer | publisher=Gamer Network | accessdate=January 30, 2014 | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131213155814/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2011-03-16-the-arc-of-fighting-interview | archivedate=December 13, 2013 | url-status=live }}
Its graphics have been well received by James Mielke of GameSpot, who qualified it as having "fast and fluid animation". Allgame's Michael L. House also described it as "fluid". Writing for Eurogamer, Tom Bramwell noted "the classic 'cartoon' look suits Guilty Gear perfectly", and Randy Nelson from IGN praised its "unrivaled animation quality". Slater stated "it's one of the coolest 2D fighters from a time when 2D fighters just weren't cool". In opposition, Ed Lomas of Computer and Video Games declared, "the graphics aren't great, but a lot of effort has been put into certain characters, especially in terms of animation." An EGM reviewer deemed the graphics and animation as "the big draw" of Guilty Gear,{{cite magazine | magazine=Electronic Gaming Monthly | issue=113 | date=December 1998 | page=122 | title=Guilty Gear}} while a Jeuxvideo.com contributor said it could be "more polished".
Its gameplay has been praised, with Mielke, House, and Nelson describing it as "fast, [and] furious". Conversely, Play criticized its speed as "Guilty Gear takes it away too far." Lomas praised its combo system, and compared to Street Fighter Alpha games, while IGN staff also commended its "over-the-top" combos. Bobba Fatt of GamePro, however, complained that it was difficult to perform some special moves. Mielke declared it is "one of the few non-Capcom or SNK 2D fighters to make any sort of impact on the genre." Though stating that Capcom was still the best developer, Nelson said Guilty Gear is "better than 90% of those [2D fighting games] on the market". Similarly, Jeuxvideo.com writer thought it was the game that would "finally provide a valid alternative to Capcom's hegemony" in the niche.
While Lomas called the characters "unoriginal", John R and Shawn from EGM described them as "OK" and "cool-looking". Nelson, on other hand, called them "the best ... outside Capcom/SNK", and Mielke found them "truly awesome", noting that their diversity "keeps Guilty Gear fresh". House declared "superb is the only way to describe them", asserting that they are all "pretty original". A Jeuxvideo.com commentator wrote that they are "varied enough not to bore", while Fatt praised the characters' uniqueness as each have "distinct looks and strategies."
A Jeuxvideo.com reviewer praised its music and sound, while Mielke said its combination created "a truly awesome sound experience". Conversely, House and Nelson felt it "is very unoriginal", and "[s]trictly average", respectively. Most of criticism, however, is directed to how the AI makes the game difficult and how there are some attacks that cause too much damage. EGM{{'}}s four critics consensus was that the worst feature of the game was the balance of characters. Both Nelson and Bramwell felt the aforementioned problems are the two major issues of the game. On this matter, House commented "the computer will destroy you a lot", and that "[a] few characters can execute attacks that really take off way too much damage and this is real the problem with the game". In spite of it, Game Informer considered the instant-kill move to be the "biggest" concept introduced by Guilty Gear.
Lomas wrote a more negative review, saying it "is initially totally unappealing, with ... nothing that hasn't been done loads of times before". Game Informer named the game one of the top ten weirdest of all time.{{cite magazine|title=The Top 10 Weirdest Games of All Time|magazine=Game Informer|volume=180|date=April 2008|page=28}} In contrast, most of critics were positive in their conclusions. Mielke said it "is as good as it gets", and it was described by House as "just a solid, well-executed 2D fighting game that has class, personality and a great engine". Nelson declared "[n]o true fan of the genre should be without a copy", and Bramwell urged "If 2D beat-em-ups are moving toward extinction, they really are ending on a high note with stuff like this." In retrospect, Evan Shamoon wrote for the Official Dreamcast Magazine that Guilty Gear is one of the most "beloved-yet-under-appreciated" games, commenting it defined itself for its balance, "wonderful art design", and "extremely tight control."{{cite journal | url=https://archive.org/stream/OfficialSegaDreamcast10Holiday2000/Official_Sega_Dreamcast_10_Holiday_2000#page/n61/mode/1upv | title=Guilty Gear X | issue=10 | date=December 20, 2000 | journal=Official Dreamcast Magazine | publisher=Imagine Media | page=60}}
= Controversy =
In a 1999 speech condemning advertisements for violent video games aimed at children, U.S. President Bill Clinton held up an advertisement for Guilty Gear, denouncing how the game promoted violence with a tagline about how players could "kill your friends, guilt-free." Years later, a portrait of Clinton was later added to the Digital Figure mode in Guilty Gear Strive (2021) to commemorate the incident.{{Cite web |title=Bill Clinton, Who Famously Condemned Guilty Gear, Is Now In Guilty Gear Strive |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/bill-clinton-who-famously-condemned-guilty-gear-is-now-in-guilty-gear-strive/1100-6501972/ |access-date=2023-01-14 |website=GameSpot |language=en-US}}
=Legacy=
The Guilty Gear game was the first installment of the series that is considered a cult classic among video game fans.{{cite web|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2012/12/08/guilty-gear-xx-accent-core-plus-review-4|title=Guilty Gear XX Accent Core Plus Review|author=Ingenito, Vincent|date=December 7, 2012|work=IGN|publisher=Ziff Davis Media|accessdate=September 6, 2013}}{{cite web | url=http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=59079 | title=Guilty Gear X2: The Midnight Carnival -- #Reload - Overview | author=Deci, T.J. | work=Allgame | publisher=Rovi Corporation |accessdate=August 10, 2013 | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100216105826/http://allgame.com/game.php?id=59079 | archivedate=February 16, 2010}}{{cite web|url=http://www.complex.com/video-games/2012/04/10-fighting-game-crossovers-we-want-to-see/darkstalkers-vs-guilty-gear|title=10 Fighting Game Crossovers We Want To See|author=Jones, Elton|date=April 10, 2012|work=Complex|publisher=Complex Media|accessdate=August 10, 2013|archive-date=November 6, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131106073331/http://www.complex.com/video-games/2012/04/10-fighting-game-crossovers-we-want-to-see/darkstalkers-vs-guilty-gear|url-status=dead}}{{cite web | url=http://www.t3.com/features/best-fighting-games-of-all-time/guilty-gear-xx-ac-jpg | title=Best fighting games of all time: 7. Guilty Gear XX Accent Core (2006) | date=April 12, 2013 | author=Dreyer, Pete | work=T3.com | publisher=Future plc | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131221150720/http://www.t3.com/features/best-fighting-games-of-all-time/guilty-gear-xx-ac-jpg | archive-date=December 21, 2013}} It was followed by five direct sequels, Guilty Gear X (2000), Guilty Gear X2 (2002),{{cite web|url=http://guiltygearx.com/old/archive/ggx/museum.html|title=Museum|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130216214624/http://guiltygearx.com/old/archive/ggx/museum.html|archivedate=February 16, 2013|publisher=Guiltygearx.com|accessdate=August 8, 2013|language=Japanese}} Guilty Gear 2: Overture (2007),{{cite web | url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/guilty-gear-2-overture-dated-for-europe | title=Guilty Gear 2: Overture dated for Europe | author=Bramwell, Tom | date=July 3, 2009 | work=Eurogamer | publisher=Gamer Network | accessdate=February 10, 2014}} Guilty Gear Xrd (2014),{{cite web | url=http://metro.co.uk/2015/01/06/guilty-gear-xrd-sign-review-unreal-fighter-5010522/ | title=Guilty Gear Xrd -SIGN- review – unreal fighter | author=Jenkins, David | date=January 6, 2015 | work=Metro | publisher=DMG Media | accessdate=April 8, 2015 | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150726205221/http://metro.co.uk/2015/01/06/guilty-gear-xrd-sign-review-unreal-fighter-5010522/ | archivedate=July 26, 2015 | url-status=live }} Guilty Gear Strive (2021),{{cite web | url=https://www.polygon.com/2019/8/9/20798731/guilty-gear-2020-new-details-daisuke-ishiwatari | title=Guilty Gear director calls 2020 sequel 'a complete reconstruction of the franchise' | date=August 9, 2019 | author=McWhertor, Michael | website=Polygon | access-date=January 25, 2022}} and several spin-offs. Arc System Works re-released Guilty Gear in a "reprinted edition" on September 22, 1999 for a cheaper price. It later became available by download on PlayStation Store as a PSone Classic in Japan on May 31, 2007,{{cite web | url=http://www.jp.playstation.com/software/title/jp0036npjj00053_000000000000000001.html | script-title=ja:ギルティギア 復刻版 |trans-title=Guilty Gear Reprinted edition | publisher=Playstation.com | accessdate=September 6, 2013 | language=Japanese | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141214003446/http://www.jp.playstation.com/software/title/jp0036npjj00053_000000000000000001.html | archivedate=December 14, 2014 | url-status=live }} in Europe on January 7, 2010,{{cite web | url=http://www.vg247.com/2010/01/07/eu-ps-store-update-january-7/ | title=EU PS store update, January 7 | date=January 7, 2010 | publisher=VG247 | author=Cullen, Johnny | accessdate=September 9, 2013 | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140225010225/http://www.vg247.com/2010/01/07/eu-ps-store-update-january-7/ | archivedate=February 25, 2014 | url-status=live }} and in PAL region on January 8, 2010.{{cite web | url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/new-pal-releases-roundup-8th-jan-2010 | title=New PAL Releases Roundup | date=January 8, 2010 | work=Eurogamer | publisher=Gamer Network | accessdate=January 30, 2014 | author=Bramwell, Tom | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140202095927/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/new-pal-releases-roundup-8th-jan-2010 | archivedate=February 2, 2014 | url-status=live }} It was also released as a mobile game for PlayStation certified devices in 2012.{{cite web | url=http://www.pocketgamer.co.uk/r/Xperia+Play/Tekken+2/news.asp?c=43025 | title=Tekken 2 and Guilty Gear smash onto the PlayStation Store for PS-certified phones | date=July 12, 2012 | author=Slater, Harry | work=Pocket Gamer | publisher=Steel Media | accessdate=September 6, 2013 | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924114833/http://www.pocketgamer.co.uk/r/Xperia+Play/Tekken+2/news.asp?c=43025 | archivedate=September 24, 2015 | url-status=live }} For the game's 20th anniversary, Arc System Works announced the production of a port for the Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4 and PC.{{cite web|url=http://www.siliconera.com/2018/05/14/guilty-gear-heading-nintendo-switch-playstation-4-pc/|title=Guilty Gear Heading To The Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4 And PC|author=Lada, Jenni|website=Siliconera|date=May 14, 2018|access-date=May 16, 2018}}
Other media
In the same year of the game's release, a strategy guide titled Official Walkthrough Fanbook Guilty Gear Complete Bible was released by Takarajimasha on May 28 in Japan.{{cite web | url=http://www.bookoffonline.co.jp/old/0015425547 | title=公式攻略ファンブック ギルティ・ギア コンプリートバイブル | publisher=BookOffOnline | accessdate=February 10, 2014 | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140223002631/http://www.bookoffonline.co.jp/old/0015425547 | archivedate=February 23, 2014 | url-status=live }}
Following the game's original release, a soundtrack album was released by Nippon Columbia on May 21, 1998. Guilty Gear Original Sound Collection was composed by Ishiwatari, Takahiro Uematsu, Hatsuaki Takami, Takuya Moritou, arranged by Yasuharu Takanashi,{{cite web | url=http://www.squareenixmusic.com/albums/g/guiltygear.shtml | title=Guilty Gear Original Sound Collection | publisher=Square Enix Music Online | accessdate=September 9, 2013 | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140417194702/http://www.squareenixmusic.com/albums/g/guiltygear.shtml | archivedate=April 17, 2014 | url-status=dead }} and consisting mostly of rock and heavy metal music.
The album was well received by critics; Don Kotowski of Square Enix Music called the tracks "very enjoyable", but he felt it is "less refined" than subsequent soundtracks.{{cite web | url=http://www.squareenixmusic.com/reviews/don/guiltygear.shtml | author=Kotowski, Don | title=Guilty Gear Original Sound Collection :: Review by Don | publisher=Square Enix Music | accessdate=January 27, 2014 | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130929051840/https://www.squareenixmusic.com/reviews/don/guiltygear.shtml | archivedate=September 29, 2013 | url-status=dead }} Another reviewer from the same site, GoldfishX, said the only drawback the disc has is the mastering of the CD which can make it difficult to hear the guitars on rhythm in some tracks. Nevertheless, as it was not a problem related to composition, he still gave a perfect score to the soundtrack.{{cite web | url=http://www.squareenixmusic.com/reviews/goldfish/guiltygear.shtml | title=Guilty Gear Original Sound Collection :: Review by GoldfishX | publisher=Square Enix Music | accessdate=January 27, 2014 | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130929053650/https://www.squareenixmusic.com/reviews/goldfish/guiltygear.shtml | archivedate=September 29, 2013 | url-status=dead }}
Several themes featured in the game, such as "Keep Yourself Alive" and "Holy Orders (Be Just or Be Dead)", were used in subsequent games, and its soundtrack as a whole became one of the aspects the series is most known for.{{cite web | url=http://www.gamesradar.com/guilty-gear-xx-accent-core-plus-2/ | title=Guilty Gear XX Accent Core Plus | date=June 14, 2013 | work=GamesRadar | publisher=Future plc | accessdate=February 10, 2014 | url-status=dead | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131223130516/http://www.gamesradar.com/guilty-gear-xx-accent-core-plus-2/ | archivedate=December 23, 2013 }}
Notes
{{Notelist}}
References
{{Reflist}}
=Bibliography=
- {{cite book|script-title=ja:公式攻略ファンブック ギルティ・ギア コンプリートバイブル|trans-title=Official Walkthrough Fanbook Guilty Gear Complete Bible|publisher=Takarajimasha|date=May 28, 1998|isbn=978-4-796-61347-7|language=Japanese|ref={{sfnref|Guilty Gear Bible 1998}}}}
External links
- {{moby game|id=/guilty-gear}}
{{Guilty Gear}}
{{Portal bar|Video games|1990s}}
{{Authority control}}
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Category:Video games developed in Japan
Category:Video games scored by Daisuke Ishiwatari
Category:Video games set in the 22nd century