Guilty Gear Strive
{{Short description|2021 video game}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2024}}
{{Infobox video game
| image = Guilty_Gear_Strive.jpg
| caption = Cover art featuring Sol Badguy (Left) and Ky Kiske (Right)
| title = Guilty Gear Strive
| developer = Arc System Works
| publisher = {{Video game release|JP/NA|Arc System Works|EU/AS/AU|Bandai Namco Entertainment|JP|Sega (Arcade)}}
| designer = Daisuke Ishiwatari
| artist = Hidehiko Sakamura
| director = Akira Katano
| composer = Daisuke Ishiwatari
| engine = Unreal Engine 4
| released = PS4, PS5, Windows{{Video game release|WW|June 11, 2021}}Arcade{{Video game release|JP|July 29, 2021}}Xbox One, Series X/S{{Video game release|WW|March 7, 2023}}Nintendo Switch{{Video game release|WW|January 23, 2025}}
| genre = Fighting
| modes = Single-player, multiplayer
| series = Guilty Gear
| platforms = {{ubl|PlayStation 4|PlayStation 5|Windows|Arcade|Xbox One|Xbox Series X/S|Nintendo Switch}}
| arcade system = ALL.Net P-ras MULTI Ver.3
}}
{{nihongo foot|Guilty Gear Strive|ギルティギア ストライヴ|Giruti Gia Sutoraivu|group=lower-alpha|lead=yes}} (stylized as GUILTY GEAR -STRIVE-) is a 2021 fighting game developed and published by Arc System Works. It is the seventh mainline installment in the Guilty Gear series, and the 25th overall. The game was released for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5 and Windows in June 2021, for Japanese arcades in July 2021, and for Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S in March 2023, with a Nintendo Switch port released in January 2025.
Guilty Gear Strive received generally positive reviews from critics, who praised its visuals, gameplay and netcode, and has sold over 3 million copies as of July 2024.
Gameplay
Intended as a "complete reconstruction of the franchise", Guilty Gear Strive retains the core essence of the series but revamps many features and mechanics, except for the removal of the series’ signature mechanic, the Instant Kill.{{Cite web|last=McWhertor|first=Michael|date=August 9, 2019|title=Guilty Gear director calls 2020 sequel 'a complete reconstruction of the franchise'|url=https://www.polygon.com/2019/8/9/20798731/guilty-gear-2020-new-details-daisuke-ishiwatari|access-date=March 29, 2021|website=Polygon|archive-date=June 7, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210607184550/https://www.polygon.com/2019/8/9/20798731/guilty-gear-2020-new-details-daisuke-ishiwatari|url-status=live}} It introduces the "Wall Break" feature, which allows for stage transitions when a combo is initiated in the corner of the arena.{{Cite news|last=O'Connor|first=Alice|date=March 4, 2021|title=Guilty Gear Strive delayed by two months following beta feedback|url=https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/guilty-gear-strive-delayed-by-two-months-following-beta-feedback|access-date=March 29, 2021|website=Rock, Paper, Shotgun|archive-date=April 20, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210420110030/https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/guilty-gear-strive-delayed-by-two-months-following-beta-feedback|url-status=live}}
Synopsis
The story continues after the events of Guilty Gear Xrd.{{Cite web|last=Ramsey|first=Robert|date=February 26, 2021|title=Hands On: Guilty Gear Strive Is Shaping Up to Be the Next Great Fighting Game|url=https://www.pushsquare.com/news/2021/02/hands_on_guilty_gear_strive_is_shaping_up_to_be_the_next_great_fighting_game|access-date=March 29, 2021|website=Push Square|archive-date=April 11, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210411210729/https://www.pushsquare.com/news/2021/02/hands_on_guilty_gear_strive_is_shaping_up_to_be_the_next_great_fighting_game|url-status=live}} It is the conclusion of Sol Badguy's story (A.K.A. The Gear Hunters Saga), set in Washington, D.C., featuring his final confrontation with That Man, Asuka R. Kreutz.
=Main story=
Three weeks after former Sanctus Populi Ariels is defeated, I-No frees the powerful magic-user Happy Chaos from her body. Asuka turns himself in to U.S. president Colin Vernon E. Groubitz, intending to join the White House's G4 peace summit from a holding cell and ask the other nations for assistance in ridding the world of the Tome of Origin and Sol Badguy. The world's leaders fear an attack from I-No and hire knights from each country, including Sol Badguy, now the world's renowned Gear hero who remains a bounty hunter. Sol and his lover, Jack-O', plan to refuse, but accept after noting Ariels' warning about I-No and Chaos' plot. After releasing and brainwashing the samurai Nagoriyuki, I-No surrenders herself to the Illyria police, convincing the world that it is safe to hold the summit. However, Sol and Jack-O notice something wrong and attempt to capture Chaos, but realize that Chaos created weapons using materials from Nagoriyuki's blade, which can kill Gears and other immortal beings. During an interrogation, I-No claims to remember a kind blonde man from her past. In private, Jack-O' reveals to Sol and Ky Kiske that I-No is "incomplete" and must join with her other half to achieve godhood. She suggests sacrificing herself to turn I-No into a regular human, but Sol refuses.
Realizing something will happen at G4, Sol leaves for the U.S. with the third Illyrian King Daryl, while Milla Rage and Zato-1 are enlisted by Daryl to aid the second Illyrian King Leo Whitefang's investigation. During the summit, Chaos brainwashes the White House guards and holds the dignitaries hostage, though Sol and Vernon, the only ones who can open Asuka's cell, manage to escape and request reinforcements from Zepp and Illyria. After Chaos activates the White House's aircraft mode, "Tír na nÓg", Asuka realizes Chaos is "the original," the man responsible for bringing magic to the world and Asuka's former teacher. After learning what Chaos will do with the Tome, Daryl manages to convince the fallen sorcerer to release him and the rest of the dignitaries barring Vernon, Sol, and Asuka, including surviving agent Giovanna. Chipp Zanuff and Anji Mito sneak into the Department of Defense to confirm their allies of Chaos' other identity as another That Man, and the true culprit who had orchestrated the ongoing Crusades. They theorize Chaos intends to fly the White House into Mexico, where it will be shot down, so Chaos can dig the Tome out of the ashes. Sol confronts Nagoriyuki in an attempt to learn Chaos' weakness, but Nagoriyuki lets himself be defeated to free himself from Chaos' control. Asuka tricks Chaos into locking himself in an escape pod and ejecting onto the Earth below.
Ky and Jack-O' arrive at the White House, where Asuka explains he intends to take the Tome and spend the rest of his life on the moon. Asuka reveals he planned to remove the Flame of Corruption from Sol's body, allowing Sol to live a normal life as "Frederick Bulsara", and reconcile their friendship. Soldiers on the ground find that the "Chaos" in the escape pod is a brainwashed guard, and the real Chaos is still on the ship. Chaos steals the real Tome from Asuka's body and uses it to fuse with I-No, granting her godhood. I-No defeats the heroes and announces her intent to share her powers with the world, likely destroying it. Jack-O' attempts to sacrifice herself to stop I-No, but Aria's spirit convinces her to live for herself. Ky and Axl Low distract I-No while Vernon and Sol use the pack of Spiritas 48 from White House's president room to strengthen his Outrage sword into a laser cannon. Nagoriyuki reveals Chaos' true weakness is on his right palm and helps Sol land the shot, mortally wounding I-No. In her last moments, I-No realizes Axl was the blonde man from her past and dies happy.
In the aftermath, "Sol" is given a funeral, having retired as a scientist under his original name, Frederick. He lives with Jack-O' and works on a rocket to visit Asuka, who now hosts a radio show. Axl reunites with Megumi, his lover from the past and I-No's alternate past-self, implied to have received time travel abilities from her fallen future counterpart. In a post-credits scene, Chaos appears alone on an unknown beach.
=Another Story=
While the incident in America triggered by Asuka R. Kreutz’s surrender unfolds, Ramlethal Valentine, now a Special Brigade Commander of Illyria, heads to the outskirts of the country after receiving a report of an emergency. There she finds a girl who closely resembles the late Bedman, who once worked with the possessed Universal Will/Ariels against mankind. That girl is Delilah, Bedman's sister who woke up after the death of her brother, now seeking to avenge her late brother by killing Happy Chaos. As the one-eyed and one-armed samurai woman Baiken learned from Anji and Chipp about who Happy Chaos was, including his involvement on murdering her family, she was entrusted to look over Delilah by Anji, much to her dismay. However, the young girl ran away from Baiken, when Chaos activated "Tír na nÓg" during his invasion there.
Baiken gets an unexpected reinforcement from Sin Kiske, the son of Ky Kiske and Dizzy, now a knight of Illyria who accompanies Ramlethal on her mission while still retaining his royal status because of his parents’ current reputations. Baiken, Sin and Ramlethal enlist Faust, May and April to assist them in stopping Delilah from endangering herself, because her power is unstable and would turn her into a suicide bomber. With the help of Bedman, whose soul now lives in his weaponized bed, Faust is able to administer a cure to permanently negate Delilah's self destruct power at the cost of finally sacrificing Bedman and weakening Faust.
Sometime after the White House incident ended, the G4 World Peace summit succeeds and Delilah is cured. The main Kiske family members (Ky, Dizzy and Sin) greet the people of Illyria during an official peaceful ceremony.
Characters
{{see also|List of Guilty Gear characters}}
Characters listed in bold are new to the series, while guest characters are marked in italics.
The game features fifteen playable characters in its base roster, consisting of 13 returning characters from previous installments, and two new characters: Nagoriyuki, a Nightless vampire samurai who can drain opponents of their blood to increase his attack power; and Giovanna, a special operations unit officer who is accompanied by her wolf spirit, Rei.
New characters have been released as downloadable content via multiple season passes; three seasons of content are currently available, with a fourth season in development. Some of these characters first appeared in the story mode prior to becoming DLC characters. Currently, the DLC roster consists of 11 returning characters from previous installments, and five new characters: Goldlewis Dickinson, an American secretary who fights with an alien-like partner who is inside a coffin dubbed "U.M.A"; Happy Chaos, the overarching series antagonist; the late Bedman's now sentient weaponized bed frame (dubbed "Bedman?"), who is accompanied by his surviving sister, Delilah; Asuka R. Kreutz, a recurring non-player character from previous games; and Unika, a character from the forthcoming Guilty Gear Strive: Dual Rulers anime series. Strive{{'s}} DLC also adds the series' first guest character, Lucy Kushinada from the anime Cyberpunk: Edgerunners.{{cite web | last=Bankhurst | first=Adam | title=Guilty Gear Strive to Add Lucy from Cyberpunk: Edgerunners in Season Pass 4 | website=IGN | date=July 21, 2024 | url=https://www.ign.com/articles/guilty-gear-strive-to-add-lucy-from-cyberpunk-edgerunners-in-season-pass-4 | access-date=July 21, 2024}}
Development
After a new installment in the Guilty Gear series was confirmed to be in development at EVO 2018 by Arc System Works,{{Cite web|last=Romano|first=Sal|date=August 5, 2018|title=New Guilty Gear title in development|url=https://www.gematsu.com/2018/08/new-guilty-gear-title-in-development|access-date=March 29, 2021|website=Gematsu|archive-date=May 12, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210512215411/https://www.gematsu.com/2018/08/new-guilty-gear-title-in-development|url-status=live}} the game had its worldwide reveal and announcement trailer under the working title New Guilty Gear, showcasing the new Unreal Engine 4 graphics and Wall Break mechanic in EVO 2019.{{cite web|last=McWhertor|first=Michael|date=August 5, 2019|title=The new Guilty Gear looks gorgeous|url=https://www.polygon.com/2019/8/5/20754681/new-guilty-gear-2020-evo-teaser-trailer|access-date=March 19, 2021|website=Polygon|archive-date=August 17, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190817232647/https://www.polygon.com/2019/8/5/20754681/new-guilty-gear-2020-evo-teaser-trailer|url-status=live}} Two days later, the game's main theme song, "Smell of the Game", was fully revealed as a promotional single.{{cite web|last=Ramsey|first=Robert|date=November 9, 2019|title=New Guilty Gear's Rocking Theme Song 'Smell of the Game' Is Now on Spotify|url=https://www.pushsquare.com/news/2019/11/new_guilty_gears_rocking_theme_song_smell_of_the_game_is_now_on_spotify|access-date=March 19, 2021|website=Push Square|archive-date=May 7, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210507180325/https://www.pushsquare.com/news/2019/11/new_guilty_gears_rocking_theme_song_smell_of_the_game_is_now_on_spotify|url-status=live}} The title Guilty Gear Strive was revealed in a trailer in November 2019.{{Cite web|last=Mejia|first=Ozzie|date=November 18, 2019|title=The next Guilty Gear game adds Faust and an official title|url=https://www.shacknews.com/article/115059/the-next-guilty-gear-game-adds-faust-and-an-official-title|access-date=March 29, 2021|website=Shacknews|archive-date=May 7, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210507180339/https://www.shacknews.com/article/115059/the-next-guilty-gear-game-adds-faust-and-an-official-title|url-status=live}}
According to director Akira Katano, the team aimed to appeal to more players by making the gameplay of Strive easier to comprehend compared to previous Guilty Gear games, instead of making it easier. He reasoned that with many fighting games, spectators and casual players would have a hard time understanding higher level play and lose interest in watching or improving.{{Cite web |last=Katano |first=Akira |date=28 August 2020 |title=Developer's Backyard |url=https://www.arcsystemworks.jp/guiltygear/db/en/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210317150526/https://www.arcsystemworks.jp/guiltygear/db/en/ |archive-date=17 March 2021 |access-date=24 May 2021 |website=Arc System Works |language=en}} Unlike other entries, detailed explanations of the game's mechanics are absent from the game's tutorial as to "[...] show new players that it is possible to enjoy fighting games without knowing about the battle mechanics [...]".{{Cite web |last=Katano |first=Akira |date=4 June 2021 |title=Sixth volume of "Developer's Backyard"(6/4 Release) |url=https://www.guiltygear.com/ggst/en/news/db6/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210604011526/https://www.guiltygear.com/ggst/en/news/db6/ |archive-date=4 June 2021 |access-date=4 June 2021 |website=Guilty Gear Strive}} The game's network play also does not include a Ranked Mode, a gameplay mode in videogames that match players based on their skill level, measured by matches won, as to not force players to constantly improve against more skilled opponents and to play at their own pace.{{cite web |last1=Gordon |first1=Justin |title='Some leftover [online] features are difficult to use and not intuitive...' — Arc System Works explains feature cut from Strive |url=https://www.eventhubs.com/news/2021/jul/19/cut-feature-online-asw-ggstrive/ |website=Event Hubs |date=19 July 2021 |access-date=11 August 2021 |archive-date=11 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240611100346/https://www.eventhubs.com/news/2021/jul/19/cut-feature-online-asw-ggstrive/ |url-status=live }}
The game was delayed in May 2020 to an unspecified 2021 release date due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.{{Cite web|last=Yin-Poole|first=Wesley|date=May 15, 2020|title=Guilty Gear Strive delayed to early 2021|url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2020-05-15-guilty-gear-strive-delayed-to-early-2021|access-date=March 29, 2021|website=Eurogamer|archive-date=May 7, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210507183525/https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2020-05-15-guilty-gear-strive-delayed-to-early-2021|url-status=live}} After its first public beta went live during February 2021, the game was delayed from April 9, 2021, to June 11, with the development team citing adjustments to certain aspects of the game based on fan feedback for the reason behind its second delay.{{Cite magazine|last=Prescott|first=Shaun|date=March 4, 2021|title=Gorgeous anime fighter Guilty Gear Strive delayed due to reviled lobby system|url=https://www.pcgamer.com/gorgeous-anime-fighter-guilty-gear-strive-delayed-due-to-reviled-lobby-system/|access-date=March 29, 2021|magazine=PC Gamer|archive-date=May 10, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210510143603/https://www.pcgamer.com/gorgeous-anime-fighter-guilty-gear-strive-delayed-due-to-reviled-lobby-system/|url-status=live}} A second public beta was held during May 2021 to gather additional feedback.{{cite web |title=Open Beta Test #2 Announcement |url=https://www.guiltygear.com/ggst/en/news/obt2/ |website=Guilty Gear Strive |access-date=4 June 2021 |archive-date=14 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210514100116/https://www.guiltygear.com/ggst/en/news/obt2/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Sinha |first=Ravi |date=11 May 2021 |title=Guilty Gear Strive Trailer Prepares for Second Open Beta |url=https://gamingbolt.com/guilty-gear-strive-trailer-prepares-for-second-open-beta |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210604190445/https://gamingbolt.com/guilty-gear-strive-trailer-prepares-for-second-open-beta |archive-date=4 June 2021 |access-date=4 June 2021 |website=Gaming Bolt}} During the public beta phase, the game's netcode was highly praised by players.{{cite web|last=Oloman|first=Jordan|date=February 17, 2021|title=The Fighting Game Community Is Very Impressed With Guilty Gear Strive's Netcode|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/the-fighting-game-community-is-very-impressed-with-guilty-gear-strives-netcode|access-date=March 19, 2020|website=IGN|archive-date=February 17, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210217153438/https://www.ign.com/articles/the-fighting-game-community-is-very-impressed-with-guilty-gear-strives-netcode|url-status=live}}
The game was initially planned to be available at Japanese arcades on the same day as the home versions. In June 2021, Arc System Works has announced that the arcade release would be delayed, as testing the game on store locations proved difficult during the COVID-19 pandemic.{{Cite web |title=アーケード版稼働時期変更のお知らせ |trans-title=Notice of change in arcade version release date |url=https://www.guiltygear.com/ggst/jp/news/acrday/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210602062150/https://www.guiltygear.com/ggst/jp/news/acrday/ |archive-date=2 June 2021 |access-date=4 June 2021 |website=Guilty Gear Strive |language=Japanese}}{{cite web |last1=Gordon |first1=Justin |title=Japanese arcade version of Guilty Gear Strive delayed due to COVID-19 |url=https://www.eventhubs.com/news/2021/jun/02/japanese-arcade-version-ggstrive-delayed/ |website=Event Hubs |date=2 June 2021 |access-date=4 June 2021 |archive-date=4 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210604185017/https://www.eventhubs.com/news/2021/jun/02/japanese-arcade-version-ggstrive-delayed/ |url-status=live }}
Release
Guilty Gear Strive released for the PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and Microsoft Windows on June 11, 2021. It was also distributed via Sega to Japanese arcades on July 29, 2021.{{cite web|url=https://www.4gamer.net/games/494/G049473/20210729032/|title=アーケード版「Guilty Gear -Strive-」が本日より，APM3設置店舗で稼働開始|website=4Gamer.net|author=杉浦 諒|date=July 29, 2021|access-date=March 23, 2022|language=Japanese|archive-date=January 8, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220108090416/https://www.4gamer.net/games/494/G049473/20210729032/|url-status=live}} "Limited Edition" and "Ultimate Edition" editions were made available for pre-order; console players who get the latter received early access to the full game on June 8, 2021.{{cite web|url=https://www.siliconera.com/guilty-gear-strive-early-access-will-now-include-all-launch-content/|title=Guilty Gear Strive Early Access Will Now Include All Launch Content|last=Stenbuck|first=Kite|date=March 30, 2021|access-date=May 16, 2021|website=Siliconera|archive-date=May 25, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210525123753/https://www.siliconera.com/guilty-gear-strive-early-access-will-now-include-all-launch-content/|url-status=live}} Cross-platform play was only supported between the PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 versions at launch. Cross-play with the Windows version is set to be added as an update alongside the Season Pass 2.{{cite web|url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2022-03-21-guilty-gear-strive-getting-second-character-pass-and-crossplay|title=Guilty Gear Strive getting second character pass and crossplay|website=Eurogamer|first=Tom|last=Phillips|date=March 21, 2022|access-date=March 23, 2022|archive-date=March 23, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220323100223/https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2022-03-21-guilty-gear-strive-getting-second-character-pass-and-crossplay|url-status=live}} Ver. 1.05 added Korean voices, marking the 3rd game in the franchise to have a Korean dub, alongside Guilty Gear X Plus and Guilty Gear X2 #Reload. Versions for Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S were announced at Tokyo Game Show 2022, and were released on March 7, 2023.{{cite web|url=https://www.destructoid.com/guilty-gear-strive-xbox-spring-2023-port-arc-system-works-tgs/|title=Guilty Gear Strive is coming to Xbox in spring 2023|first=Chris|last=Moyse|website=Destructoid|date=September 15, 2022|access-date=September 15, 2022|archive-date=September 15, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220915101503/https://www.destructoid.com/guilty-gear-strive-xbox-spring-2023-port-arc-system-works-tgs/|url-status=live}} A port for Nintendo Switch was announced in August 2024 at PAX West, and was released on January 23, 2025.{{cite web | last=Romano | first=Sal | title=Guilty Gear: Strive coming to Switch on January 23, 2025 | website=Gematsu | date=August 30, 2024 | url=https://www.gematsu.com/2024/08/guilty-gear-strive-coming-to-switch-on-january-23-2025 | access-date=August 30, 2024}}
=Post-launch support=
More characters are planned for release as downloadable content, with five announced for Season Pass 1 on June 6, 2021, and four announced for Season Pass 2 on August 7, 2022. A third and fourth season pass were also announced.{{cite web|url=https://www.eventhubs.com/news/2021/jun/06/ggstrive-season-pass-dlc-newcomer/|title=First Guilty Gear Strive Season Pass DLC character will be a newcomer releasing in July 2021|date=June 6, 2021|website=EventHubs|access-date=August 22, 2022|first=Justin|last=Gordon|archive-date=August 22, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220822102207/https://www.eventhubs.com/news/2021/jun/06/ggstrive-season-pass-dlc-newcomer/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.eventhubs.com/news/2022/aug/05/guilty-gear-strive-content-map/|title=Guilty Gear Strive's first Season 2 DLC character scheduled for summer 2022 launch, content road map released|date=August 5, 2022|website=EventHubs|access-date=August 22, 2022|first=Steven|last=Chavez|archive-date=August 17, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220817133756/https://www.eventhubs.com/news/2022/aug/05/guilty-gear-strive-content-map/|url-status=live}}{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/live/hruJKT8YWPk?t=30714 |date=March 12, 2023 |type=Live stream record |publisher=Arc System Works |trans-title=[ARC WORLD TOUR FINALS 2022] Official Japanese Distribution |time=8:34:05 |access-date=March 17, 2023 |via=YouTube |script-title=ja:【ARC WORLD TOUR FINALS 2022】公式日本語配信}}
- The first Season Pass 1 fighter, released on July 27, 2021, is Goldlewis Dickinson, the right-hand man of U.S. President Colin Vernon E. Groubitz, who fights alongside an alien spirit-filled coffin codenamed "Area 51 U.M.A.". The second fighter, released on August 27, 2021, is Jack-O', who debuted in Xrd. The third fighter, released on November 30, 2021, is the overarching antagonist of the series who was formally introduced in Strive, Happy Chaos. The fourth fighter, released on January 28, 2022, is Baiken, who debuted in the original Guilty Gear and last appeared in Rev 2 as DLC fighter. The last fighter for Season Pass 1 was revealed to be Testament, whose last appearance was in X2, released on March 31, 2022.
- The first Season Pass 2 fighter, announced on August 7, 2022, is Bridget, whose last appearance was in X2; the character was then released the day after on August 8, 2022. The second fighter, released on November 24, 2022, is Sin Kiske, who debuted in the fourth game Overture and last appeared in Xrd as DLC fighter. The third fighter, referred to as "Bedman?", is in fact Bedman’s sentient weaponized bed robot accompanied by his sister Delilah, and was released on April 6, 2023. The fourth and final fighter, Asuka R. Kreutz, the former series antagonist, was released on May 25, 2023, with his decoy clone, Asuka R♯, appearing as his default color palette.{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nWrkvCU-zhQ |title=GUILTY GEAR -STRIVE- シーズンパス2 第四弾プレイアブルキャラクター『飛鳥＝R♯』トレーラー |date=17 May 2023 |language=en |publisher=Arc System Works |access-date=2023-05-18 |via=YouTube}}
- In the 2023 Arc World Tour Finals, the developers also confirmed that the third Season Pass has been in development. Later, at Evo 2023 on August 7, 2023, the first Season Pass 3 fighter, Johnny was announced; the character was released on August 24, 2023. The second fighter, Elphelt Valentine was announced at The Game Awards 2023 on December 7, 2023; she was released a day later on December 8, 2023. The third character, A.B.A, released on March 26, 2024. The fourth and final Season Pass 3 character was announced at the 2024 Arc World Tour finals,{{Cite tweet |number=1771739238905597966 |user=tvfgc |title=Announced Guilty Gear Strive Season 4 in development and a possible Slayer tease!! |date=2024-03-23 |access-date=2024-03-24}} and was later confirmed to be Slayer, released on May 30, 2024.{{Cite tweet |user=ArcSystemWorksU |number=1784819101829091733 |title=The Laid-back and Dignified Vampire, Slayer Is Your Next Daredevil! He will make his return in Guilty Gear -Strive- on May 30th as the last character of Season 3! #GGST #Slayer | date=2024-04-29 | access-date=2024-04-29}}
- During the 2024 Arc World Tour Finals, it was also announced that a fourth Season Pass was in development. The full contents of the pass were revealed during Evo 2024 on July 21, 2024, to be released throughout the coming year. Characters include returning fighters Dizzy and Venom; Unika, a new character created for the Guilty Gear Strive: Dual Rulers anime series; and Lucy Kushinada, a guest character from the 2022 anime series Cyberpunk: Edgerunners.
Reception
{{Video game reviews
| MC = PC: 84/100{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/guilty-gear-strive-/critic-reviews/?platform=pc |title=Guilty Gear -Strive- for PC Reviews |website=Metacritic |publisher=Red Ventures |access-date=November 19, 2021 |archive-date=June 11, 2024 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240611101521/https://www.metacritic.com/game/guilty-gear-strive-/critic-reviews/?platform=pc |url-status=live }}
PS4: 84/100{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/guilty-gear-strive-/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-4 |title=Guilty Gear -Strive- for PlayStation 4 Reviews |website=Metacritic |publisher=Red Ventures |access-date=November 19, 2021 |archive-date=June 11, 2024 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240611101529/https://www.metacritic.com/game/guilty-gear-strive-/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-4 |url-status=live }}
PS5: 87/100{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/guilty-gear-strive-/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-5 |title=Guilty Gear -Strive- for PlayStation 5 Reviews |website=Metacritic |publisher=Red Ventures |access-date=June 28, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210629141651/https://www.metacritic.com/game/playstation-5/guilty-gear--strive- |archive-date=June 29, 2021 |url-status=live}}
| Destruct = 8.5/10{{cite web |last1=Van Allen |first1=Eric |title=Review: Guilty Gear Strive |url=https://www.destructoid.com/reviews/review-guilty-gear-strive/ |website=Destructoid |date=12 September 2021 |access-date=12 September 2021 |archive-date=15 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230215212406/https://www.destructoid.com/reviews/review-guilty-gear-strive/ |url-status=live }}
| EuroG = Recommended{{cite web |last1=Yin-Poole |first1=Wesley |title=Guilty Gear Strive review - finally, a Guilty Gear for all fighting game fans |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2021-06-09-guilty-gear-strive-review-finally-a-guilty-gear-for-everyone |website=Eurogamer |date=12 September 2021 |access-date=12 September 2021 |archive-date=22 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220122094045/https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2021-06-09-guilty-gear-strive-review-finally-a-guilty-gear-for-everyone |url-status=live }}
| GSpot = 8/10{{cite web |last1=Epstein |first1=Mike |title=Guilty Gear Strive Review |url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/guilty-gear-strive-review-burning-like-a-roman-cancel/1900-6417688/ |website=GameSpot |date=12 September 2021 |access-date=12 September 2021 |archive-date=1 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221101163430/https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/guilty-gear-strive-review-burning-like-a-roman-cancel/1900-6417688/ |url-status=live }}
| IGN = 9/10{{cite web |last1=Saltzman |first1=Mitchell |title=Guilty Gear Strive Review |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/guilty-gear-strive-review |website=IGN |date=12 September 2021 |access-date=12 September 2021 |archive-date=18 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230318162126/https://www.ign.com/articles/guilty-gear-strive-review |url-status=live }}
| JXV = 16/20
| PSQ = {{Rating|9|10}}{{Cite web |last=Ramsey |first=Robert |date=12 September 2021 |title=Guilty Gear Strive Review (PS5) |url=https://www.pushsquare.com/reviews/ps5/guilty_gear_strive |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230223165059/https://www.pushsquare.com/reviews/ps5/guilty_gear_strive |archive-date=23 February 2023 |access-date=12 September 2021 |website=Push Square}}
}}
Guilty Gear Strive received "generally favorable" reviews, according to review aggregator Metacritic. IGN said "Guilty Gear Strive is a milestone 2D fighting game that raises the bar for anime-like fighters in terms of its visuals, online netcode, and sheer creativity found in all aspects of its design." GameSpot said "If you're up for a challenge, or just want a cool, sharp-looking fighting game to mess around with, Strive knows all the right moves."
Guilty Gear Strive won awards for Best Fighting Game at The Game Awards 2021{{cite web|last=Morrow|first=Emily|date=December 9, 2021|url=https://www.digitaltrends.com/gaming/game-awards-2021-winners/|title=The Game Awards 2021: Here's the complete list of winners|website=Digital Trends|publisher=Designtechnica Corporation|access-date=December 9, 2021|df=mdy-all|archive-date=December 10, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211210004139/https://www.digitaltrends.com/gaming/game-awards-2021-winners/|url-status=live}} and Fighting Game of the Year at the 25th Annual D.I.C.E. Awards.{{cite web |url=https://www.interactive.org/awards/award_category_details.asp?idAward=2022&idGameAwardType=62 |title=2022 Awards Category Details Fighting Game of the Year |publisher=Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences |access-date=21 July 2023 |archive-date=8 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221208125620/https://www.interactive.org/awards/award_category_details.asp?idAward=2022&idGameAwardType=62 |url-status=live }}
= Sales =
The PlayStation 4 version of Guilty Gear: Strive sold 11,722 physical copies during its first week of release in Japan, making it the eighth bestselling retail game of the week in the country. During the same week, the PlayStation 5 version was the twenty-second bestselling retail game in Japan, with 3,547 physical copies being sold.{{cite web|last=Romano|first=Sal|date=June 17, 2021|url=https://www.gematsu.com/2021/06/famitsu-sales-6-7-21-6-13-21|title=Famitsu Sales: 6/7/21 – 6/13/21 [Update]|publisher=Gematsu|accessdate=June 24, 2021|archive-date=June 24, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624203724/https://www.gematsu.com/2021/06/famitsu-sales-6-7-21-6-13-21|url-status=live}}
The game entered the UK physical charts at number 26. On Steam, the number of concurrent players reached a peak of 30,939, surpassing both Street Fighter V and Tekken 7.{{Cite web |last=Yin-Poole |first=Wesley |date=15 June 2021 |title=As Guilty Gear Strive punches through 300k sold, dataminer unearths potential DLC characters list |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2021-06-15-as-guilty-gear-strive-punches-through-300-000-sold-dataminer-unearths-potential-season-pass-1-dlc-characters-list |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709183029/https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2021-06-15-as-guilty-gear-strive-punches-through-300-000-sold-dataminer-unearths-potential-season-pass-1-dlc-characters-list |archive-date=2021-07-09 |access-date=2021-07-04 |website=Eurogamer}}
The game sold 500,000 copies as of July 2021 and has sold one million copies as of August 2022, becoming the best-selling title of the franchise. As of July 2024, it has sold more than 3 million copies.{{Cite web |last=Ramsey |first=Robert |date=16 July 2021 |title=Guilty Gear Strive Smashes Through 500,000 Sales, First DLC Character Revealed Next Week |url=https://www.pushsquare.com/news/2021/07/guilty_gear_strive_smashes_through_500000_sales_first_dlc_character_revealed_next_week |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210717112908/https://www.pushsquare.com/news/2021/07/guilty_gear_strive_smashes_through_500000_sales_first_dlc_character_revealed_next_week |archive-date=17 July 2021 |access-date=17 July 2021 |website=Push Square}}{{Cite web |last=Agossah |first=Iyane |date=2022-08-08 |title=Bridget Comes Back To Guilty Gear As Strive Hits 1 Million Copies Sold |url=https://www.dualshockers.com/bridget-guilty-gear-strive-1-million-copies-sold/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230408224752/https://www.dualshockers.com/bridget-guilty-gear-strive-1-million-copies-sold/ |archive-date=2023-04-08 |access-date=2022-08-08 |website=DualShockers |language=en}}{{Cite tweet |number=1808201083224990018 |user=ArcSystemWorksU |title=Guilty Gear Strive Has Reach Over 3 Million Users |date=2024-07-02 |access-date=31 July 2024}}
Anime adaptation
{{main|Guilty Gear Strive: Dual Rulers}}
{{Infobox animanga/Header
| name = Guilty Gear Strive: Dual Rulers
| image =
| caption =
| ja_kanji =
| ja_romaji =
| genre =
| creator = Arc System Works
}}
{{Infobox animanga/Video
| type = TV Series
| director = Shigeru Morikawa
| producer = Seiji Mizushima (associate producer)
| writer = Norimitsu Kaihō
| music = Ryo Takahashi
| studio = Sanzigen
| licensee = Crunchyroll
| network = Tokyo MX, ABC,
BS Shochiku Tokyu, AT-X
| network_en =
| first = April 5, 2025
| last =
| episodes = 2
| episode_list =
}}
{{Infobox animanga/Footer}}
A sequel-based anime television series adaptation titled Guilty Gear Strive: Dual Rulers was announced on June 14, 2024. The series is produced by Sanzigen and directed by Shigeru Morikawa, with Seiji Mizushima serving as associate producer, Norimitsu Kaihō overseeing and writing series scripts, and Ryo Takahashi composing the music. It takes place after the game's two storylines.{{cite web|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2024-06-13/guilty-gear-fighting-games-get-tv-anime/.211930|title=Guilty Gear Fighting Games Get TV Anime|last=Pineda|first=Rafael Antonio|website=Anime News Network|date=June 13, 2024|access-date=June 14, 2024}} The series premiered in April 5, 2025, on Tokyo MX and other networks. The opening theme song is "AXCLUSION", performed by rock band {{ill|ulma sound junction|ja|ulma sound junction}}. Crunchyroll licensed the series.{{cite web|last=Loo|first=Egan|title=Guilty Gear Strive: Dual Rulers Anime's Teaser Trailer Confirms Cast, 2025 Debut|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2024-07-04/guilty-gear-strive-dual-rulers-anime-teaser-trailer-confirms-cast-2025-debut/.212858|website=Anime News Network|access-date=July 4, 2024|date=July 4, 2024}}{{cite web|last=Pineda|first=Rafael Antonio|title=Guilty Gear Strive: Dual Rulers Anime's Trailer Reveals More Cast, Staff, Opening Song, April Premiere With Crunchyroll Streaming|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2025-01-21/guilty-gear-strive-dual-rulers-anime-trailer-reveals-more-cast-staff-opening-song-april-premiere-/.220312|website=Anime News Network|access-date=January 21, 2025|date=January 21, 2025}}
=Episodes=
{{Episode table
| background =
| overall =
| title =
| titleR = {{cite web|url=https://www.guiltygear.com/ggstdr/jp/#story|title=Terebi Anime『Guilty Gear Strive: Dual Rulers』Koshiki Saito|language=ja|script-title=ja:TVアニメ『GUILTY GEAR STRIVE: DUAL RULERS』公式サイト|trans-title=TV Anime『Guilty Gear Strive: Dual Rulers』Official Website|website=anime-ann-e.jp|access-date=April 5, 2025}}{{cite web|url=https://www.crunchyroll.com/series/GEXH3W2MZ|title=Watch GUILTY GEAR STRIVE: DUAL RULERS - Crunchyroll|website=Crunchyroll|access-date=April 5, 2025}}
| director =
| directorR = {{efn|name=EP-Staff|Production staff information is taken from the ending credits of each episode.}}
| writer =
| writerR = {{efn|name=EP-Staff}}
| aux2 =
| aux2T = Storyboarded by
| aux2R = {{efn|name=EP-Staff}}
| airdate =
| episodes =
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 1
| Title = Ceremony
| TranslitTitle = Shikiten -Seremonii-
| NativeTitle = 式典 -Ceremony-
| NativeTitleLangCode = ja
| DirectedBy = Daisuke Suzuki
| WrittenBy = Norimitsu Kaihō
| Aux2 = Kozue Oka, Kenta Sasaki, Kotaro Kobayashi, Yuki Maeda, Chisato Ooshima, Daisuke Suzuki, Shoko Mori & Shigeru Morikawa
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2025|4|5}}
| ShortSummary =
}}
}}
Notes
{{notelist}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{Official website}}
- {{Official website|https://www.guiltygear.com/ggstdr/jp/|Official anime website}} {{in lang|ja}}
{{Guilty Gear series}}
{{Sanzigen}}
Category:2025 anime television series debuts
Category:Anime television series based on video games
Category:The Game Awards winners
Category:LGBTQ-related video games
Category:Multiplayer and single-player video games
Category:Nintendo Switch games
Category:Transgender-related video games
Category:Unreal Engine 4 games
Category:Video games developed in Japan
Category:Video games postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic
Category:Video games with 2.5D graphics
Category:Video games with cel-shaded animation
Category:Video games with cross-platform play