Guilty Gear Xrd -Revelator- Review

After a successful launch on both the PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 4, Arc System Works’ flashy fighter Guilty Gear Xrd -Revelator- makes its way to Steam. Does this port capture the fighting spirit, or does it hit a flat note?

Guilty Gear Xrd -Revelator- Review

Those unfamiliar with the Guilty Gear universe are in for a treat, as Revelator is one of the deepest fighting games around. Unlike other fighters out on the market, the focus here is strictly on offense. Air-dashes make battles fly by, and mechanics like Roman Cancels allow players to extend their combos to the double digits. Even the button layout is unique, with punch, kick, slash, heavy slash, and “dust” launchers at your fingertips. Those weaned on Street Fighter will no doubt be confounded with the complex mechanics present here, but an excellent platformer-like tutorial, mission mode, and combo guides will get even the most hardened world warrior up to speed.

So what does Revelator bring to the table compared to its prequel -SIGN-? Six new characters (three included, three downloadable) join the fray, with some new faces joining the old. Newcomers like Jack O’ and Raven have a good amount of depth to their design, with the inclusion of minions and altered dash mechanics rounding things out. Even returning characters like Dizzy and Jam Kuradoberi will take some time to truly master. A number of unique stages are included as well, including a gothic opera house and a train dashing through a winter winterland. The creativity present here is astounding, and truly makes an impression.

Also included in Revelator is a story mode that is a direct continuation of the one present in the original -SIGN- release. A solid five hours long, the story focuses on Elphelt Valentine, Jack-O’, “That Man,” and something known only as the “Universal Will.” It can get a little bogged down with jargon, but a handy directory helps players understand exactly what’s going on. Everything is rendered in-engine, giving it more of an anime vibe than that of a visual novel – a welcome sight.

Returning to Revelator is the survival-like M.O.M. mode that offers RPG-like buffs and loot, an arcade mode that adjusts its difficulty depending on your skill level, and a digital figure mode that offers a fair amount of customization to figurines. There is a lot to keep players occupied here, and it sets the standard for what a fighting game can offer.

It’s a shame that the online mode leaves something to be desired. Despite launching two weeks ago, the online community is virtually nonexistant. Matches often had a solid 17 frames of delay, turning the proceedings into a slideshow. Patches may fix things in the future, but those hoping to take the fight worldwide best come with patience.

In many ways, Revelator can be seen as the definitive version of Guilty Gear Xrd. Packing in more characters, more stages, more modes, and more unlockables, this is what -SIGN- should have originally been. Though it is a shame that this is a standalone release rather than a downloadable upgrade, the sheer amount of content available more than makes up for it.