Guilty Gear: Strive

Nintendo Life

Tom Massey·Jan 27, 2025

Critic80/100

Agreement—

Strive is a bold step in a new direction for the Guilty Gear series. Its visual creativity and attention to detail without fault, Arc System Works has again gone above and beyond in its graphical evolution. True, there are some background clashes, but when all is said and done, it's dazzling. With all DLC characters unlocked, there's a lifetime of learning here, as well as tons of modes and bonuses to pore through.While Strive is perhaps only the first step for Guilty Gear's new evolutionary arc, and its sequels will no doubt improve certain aspects and find a way to better appease fans new and old, it remains undeniably solid. The most impressive aspect, though, is the strength of the port here, crafted with a kind of magic to perform near enough 1:1 with its multi-platform counterparts. And the soundtrack? Whether it's your heaven or hell, it most certainly rocks.

Push Square

Robert Ramsey·Jun 18, 2021

Critic90/100

Agreement—

Guilty Gear Strive is a different kind of Guilty Gear. Veteran players may not appreciate some of the changes, but there's no denying that this is still an exceptional fighting game. On a mechanical level, Strive is immensely satisfying and hugely rewarding. On a visual level, it's quite simply unmatched in its genre, and the same can be said of its outstanding online netcode. Where it matters, Strive is a borderline masterpiece.

GameSpot

Mike Epstein·Jun 11, 2021

Critic80/100

Agreement—

Guilty Gear Strive continues the series' legacy of complex and rewarding technical fighters, enhanced with a new look, characters, and ideas that bring its bold, complex gameplay to new heights.

Eurogamer

Wesley Yin-Poole·Jun 9, 2021

Critic80/100

Agreement—

With Guilty Gear Strive, Arc System Works has made its famously complex fighting game series easier to get into, but no less rewarding.

IGN

Mitchell Saltzman·Jun 7, 2021

Critic90/100

Agreement—

Guilty Gear Strive sets a new standard for anime-like fighting games with its visuals, stellar netcode, and flexible fighting system that encourages and rewards creativity.