Jimmyfenix
Member
Cheat Code Central - 4.9/5
Destructoid 9/10
USgamer - 4.5/5
ZTGD - 8.5
IGN - 8.5
HardcoreGamer - 4/5
Guilty Gear Xrd -Sign- is good. Its solid and fun and deep and interesting and a pleasure to look at. I have to think really hard to find problems with this game. It doesnt have a dedicated tournament mode, I guess. Uhhh yeah thats about it.
Otherwise it does so many things right. It focuses on teaching people how to play the game. It has a great graphics system that not only looks good, but it gives you clear visual cues as to what is going on. It has tons of different systems to take advantage of that foster high level play. This is the sort of game that we will be picking apart and dissecting in order to find optimal strategies for years. Is it balanced? I dont know, its only been out for a few days on consoles, but Arc System Works has been known to give their games a lot of patch support, and even without that, I get the feeling that tier lists will shift around a lot for this game, as people figure out interesting ways that mechanics interact with each other.
If you are willing to put the work into the game, then Guilty Gear Xrd -Sign- is awesome, simply awesome. Its a game that you will be playing for years to come, not just a flavor of the week. If you are a more casual gamer, Smash Bros. is still likely more your speed, but for the people who are willing to put the time and effort into learning a new fighting game, it is really hard to do better than Guilty Gear Xrd.
Destructoid 9/10
The online modes are fairly robust, with gigantic 64-player lobbies, reserve slots, "winner stays" settings, room passwords, the ability to "quarter up," track records, and the option to train while you wait. You can tweak nearly every option, including individual round settings and spectator options. There can be four battles going on in each lobby, leading to some intense matches going on simultaneously. Cross-Play between the PS3 and PS4 is the cherry on top.
The netcode itself is running smoothly as tested at launch (12/16). The system is server-based, and you can access a number of regions like North America and Asia. Lobbies vary, as Japan is completely maxed with multiple 64-person lobbies, but some North American regions only have a few full rooms. Once you're rocking, though, the good times keep on rolling. You can even queue up a ranked match and do any other activity in the game while waiting.
Guilty Gear is still one of the most badass fighting franchises out there, and Xrd -Sign- honors that legacy. It looks breathtaking, the action is constant and in-your-face, and although the roster is smaller than I'd like, there is a lot of variation to be found once you start digging into the game.
USgamer - 4.5/5
Guilty Gear Xrd -SIGN- is a triumphant return for a fighting series that stayed in hiding for an entire generation. Arc System Works has laid a visual salvo with 3D models that animate like 2D art. Combined with the amazing soundtrack and technical gameplay, Xrd is a great fighter. The only thing that holds it back is an obtuse online match system and a relatively lean roster. If you're a guilty Gear fan, it's definitely worth a purchase
ZTGD - 8.5
Still, even with its faults, GGXrd is an excellent foundation for the inevitable half dozen or so iterations to come. While it may prove to be a divisive title in the hardcore community, its an excellent point for newcomers to jump in and learn firsthand why the name Guilty Gear commands so much respect in the fighting game community.
IGN - 8.5
Guilty Gear Xrd has enough wacky characters and well-crafted tutorials to be interesting for novices, but its those of us seeking a challenge that will find the most to love here. The online experience is a little rough, but its wildly diverse cast, and its dynamic, offense-oriented combat system makes Guilty Gear Xrd a triumphant, long-awaited return for this venerable fighting game franchise.
HardcoreGamer - 4/5
Guilty Gear Xrd is back to its challenging but entertaining roots, managing to be a happy medium between casual fighters like Mortal Kombat and longtime competitive titles like Street Fighter. Its not without its plot-related flaws, the result of misplaced ambition, assuredly, but Xrd enters the generation as the go-to change-of-pace fighter thats nearly impossible to put down once you get started. Thanks to a solid understanding of core fighting game mechanics, Guilty Gear Xrd -SIGN- is the installment fans have been waiting for.