Guilty Gear Xrd Rev 2
   

   
REVIEW
The seventeenth entry in the series, Guilty Gear Xrd REV 2 is the update to Guilty Gear Xrd -REVELATOR- introducing 2 new playable characters - one fan-favorite veteran and newcomer: Baiken and Answer. The REV 2 update is available via DLC for players who purchased REVELATOR on PS3, PS4 or Steam. The PS4 also received an exclusive physical disc version. Guilty Gear Xrd REV 2 launched on PS4, PS3, and Steam as a standalone title for $39.99, with the digital upgrade costing $19.99 for GGXrd -REVELATOR- owners.

REV 2
features the original modes and content in REVELATOR, but adds new moves all characters, balance changes, and new "Episode" story scenes for Jam, Kum Haehyun, Raven, Dizzy, Baiken and Answer.

 

Guilty Gear Xrd REV 2: Samurai VS Ninja.

  
Guilty Gear Xrd REV 2 retains the modes and features of the earlier installments. The Dojo "Tutorial" mode offers an in-depth look at the game's arguably confusing mechanics, and is just as comprehensive as it was in REVELATOR. In my opinion, the "lime green" HUD isn't exactly easy on the eyes and some of the lessons could've been streamlined... but it's still pretty good.

Combo Mode and Mission Mode also help players become acquainted with each character's strengths and abilities. Players looking to jump into the series and actually learn how to play certainly have plenty of modes to help them through the process! 
  

Baiken's back! ...Now will you BAI the game?

    
As a diversion from the staple single-player and online modes, Medals of Millionaires (M.O.M.) Mode also returns as the game's "Survival" mode. Players can unlock power-ups and accessories for their character and "level up" they face stronger and stronger opponents throughout the mode. Overall, it's a bit monotonous and less fun that some of the best fighting game survival modes I can think of... but it's not bad and might just keep you coming back for more.

Did we mention Baiken is in the game? BAIKEN.

 
GGXrd REV 2's online mode and "cute" online lobbies are still attractive (albeit unnecessary)... but in my experience, the online scene is surprisingly quiet. The delay-based netcode still has its obvious flaws, with smooth / fully-playable online matches far and few between. With some patience, you can still find some good competition (and fish for goodies like unlockable colors, voices & titles in the meantime). All in all, GGXrd REV 2 offers plenty of modes you can sink hours into and definitely one of the best character rosters of the series, to date.
 

Page Updated: December 8th, 2021
Developer(s): Arc System Works
Publisher(s): Arc System Works
Designer(s): Daisuke Ishiwatari        Lead Director
Takeshi Yamanaka        Director / Writer
Hidehiko Sakamura
      Art Director
Artwork By: Daisuke Ishiwatari, Hidehiko Sakamura
Platform(s): Arcade, PS4, PS3, PC
Release Date(s): Mar. 30th, 2017               Arcade
May 25th, 2017
                PS4, PS3, PC
May 26th, 2017              / PS4, PS3, PC
June 1st, 2017                 Steam
Characters Sol Badguy, Ky Kiske, Millia Rage, Chipp, Venom, Potemkin, May, Axl Low, I-No, Faust, Slayer, Zato-One, Bedman, Ramlethal, Sin Kiske, Elphelt, Leo Whitefang, Johnny, Jack-O, Jam Kuradoberi, Dizzy, Kum Haehyun, Raven, Baiken, Answer
Featured Video:
Related Games: Guilty Gear Xrd -REVELATOR-, Guilty Gear Xrd -SIGN-, Guilty Gear -STRIVE-, Guilty Gear, Guilty Gear X, Guilty Gear X Advance, Guilty Gear XX, Guilty Gear X2 #Reload, Guilty Gear XX Slash, Guilty Gear Isuka, Guilty Gear Judgment, Guilty Gear XX Accent Core, Guilty Gear XX Accent Core Plus R, BlazBlue: Central Fiction, King of Fighters 14, Street Fighter 5, Dragon Ball FighterZ, BlazBlue Cross Tag Battle
 

Gameplay Engine  8.5 / 10
Story / Theme  8.0 / 10
Overall Graphics  9.5 / 10
Animation  8.5 / 10
Music / Sound Effects  8.5 / 10
Innovation  8.0 / 10
Art Direction  9.5 / 10
Customization  9.0 / 10
Options / Extras  8.0 / 10
Intro / Presentation  7.5 / 10
Replayability / Fun  6.5 / 10
"Ouch" Factor  7.0 / 10
Characters  9.0 / 10

BOTTOM LINE

 8.8 / 10

 Review based on PS4 Pro version    

  

Final Words:

It seems like every time a I finish a Guilty Gear or BlazBlue review... an updated version of the game is announced a week or a month later. Why you gotta make me work so hard, Arc System Works? Jokes aside, it's pretty amazing to see Arc System Works still supporting the Guilty Gear franchise so enthusiastically. The series was always an important part of fighting game history, and ASW has proudly stuck to its roots in the Xrd series. It's also cool that this "update" is DLC for GGXrd REVELATOR... not requiring a full separate purchase (like the old days).

Visually, the Guilty Gear Xrd series is still among the best looking 2.5D fighting games to date. It doesn't matter if you're a skilled professional or a button-masher... the game will still look brilliant. The enchantingly bizarre and intricate character designs will either speak to your soul or turn you off completely. Either way, GGXrd REV 2 is ART. It's the definitive version of the Xrd saga, and you get to experience the best of what the 2D fighting genre has to offer.

Design-wise, I like how some characters retain their classic look from the XX series - without too many "major" changes (Ex: Slayer, Johnny, Chipp, May). While I loved the 2D sprites from the XX days, some of the animations seemed a bit "off" back then. With Xrd REV 2, it's as if Arc System Works was saying... "Here, this is how the characters are really supposed to look and animate!" Indeed, seeing slight updates to the appearances of movesets of classic characters really does shine a new light on the original intent of the designs. REV2's bright visuals and stunning 2.5D engine combined with cool 3D camera angles is something special.

All characters really make a statement in REV2. The newcomers are a bizarre bunch, but I wouldn't expect any less from the series. For only including 2 "new" characters over REVELATOR, REV2 is still a solid and attractive update. It's great to see Baiken back... and Answer "the business ninja" is a very catchy design from the start (Maybe this installment should've been called GGXrd: Samurai Vs. Ninja?) While I'll probably never be a "serious" Guilty Gear player and couldn't recite the encyclopedia of battle & system mechanics to you on any given day... I can say that I enjoy playing and watching REV2.
~TFG Webmaster | @Fighters_Gen
   

  
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