Guilty Gear: Judgment
9
10
1
1
Guilty Gear X2 is the real gem here
This game was my first experience with a Guilty Gear title, and it will NOT be my last. Guilty Gear Judgement is actually 2 games in one package, Guilty Gear Judgement and Guilty Gear X2. Guilty Gear X2 is the best 2-D fighter there is, and it's a real treat to have on the go. The PSP version is very solid, though it was stripped of the story mode that the Xbox version shipped with. I guess they decided the Judgement game was story enough for us. The fighting is superb. It's fast paced, complex, and beautiful. The characters are very imaginative and intriguing, and the action is intense. This is easily the best 2-D fighter on the PSP in all aspects. But what sets Guilty Gear X2 apart from other fighters are the game mechanics. With moves like Burst, and Roman cancel, the combos become more intricate than any Street Fighter or other Capcom fighters. The dash and air-dashes, as well as the screens abiltity to smoothly zoom in and out make for an intense experience. The characters are all so unique, not just in looks, but in functionality as well. Though the game follows a basic scheme for everyone, you'll find yourself learning a completely different way to play when you try a new character. The music in this game is great as well. Though it's all composed in a similar rock style, it sounds very unique and creative at times. The music may also change depending on which characters are fighting each other. The "Judgement" portion is a new game, and was Sammy's attempt at a single player action game, and though it can be good for killing a little time, it's nothing special. You play through about 5 levels, all being relatively unexciting, and you learn almost nothing about the Guilty Gear story. The enemies are repetitive, and the action is very simple. I think I got through the whole game doing 2-3 moves. They tried to break up the monotony with some creatures you can ride and some uninspired bosses, but it's overall a very shallow experience. However, the music is very well done, and was my motivation to continue playing at times. Overall, this is a great buy if you like 2-D fighters, since it is the best of it's kind. I bought Guilty Gear X2 from the Xbox LIVE market place after I got this version, and I also bought this from the US Playstation store later for my PSP just so I'd have another copy to play against my friends when I'm traveling. I'm a huge fan of this series because the fighting is solid and intricate and the characters are creative and exciting. I ordered a copy of "Guilty Gear Accent Core Plus" for the PSP from Japan, and if it comes out in the US, I'll get that version as well. The scores I gave this game suffered because of the "Judgement" part. The Guilty Gear X2 part would score higher, especially in graphics and challenge. And though it is a port, stripped of it's story mode, it's still worth every penny. My only real complaints are that they didn't include the original story mode or online infrastructure play. Those two things would have given this game a near perfect review from me. Still, I'm very glad I tried this.
11/2/08