Title Guilty Gear XX Accent Core Date 09.19.2007 Genre Action Platform PlayStation 2 Developer Ninja Theory Publisher SCEA

PROS
+ Still very fun to play
+ New characters are cool to use and fit in nicely
+ Character designs, animations, and the backgrounds are still excellent
+ Rocking music!
+ Unlockables and replay value for fighting fans
+ Only 30 bucks

CONS
- Despite gameplay tweaks, this is the same game you've played for years
- No story mode… again
- Arcade mode just doesn't seem to be worth it to beat multiple times
- The knowledge that the next GG game is STILL not X3. It's some lame 3D beat-em' up.  Didn't they learn from Isuka?
- Wait a minute.....3D!!! What the @#!*?

Since that's where the Guilty Gear series has basically been since the release of Guilty Gear X2 back in 2002. Since then all Guilty Gear releases have been rehashes of X2 with added in moves, techniques, a couple characters here and there, and so forth. I believe the last one was Guilty Gear #Reload XX 2 SlashMidnightJudgement….

OK I kid, but there have been a lot of these games that haven't really added anything new to the formula. The latest one being Guilty Gear XX Accent Core, which adds in, you guessed it, some new moves, techniques, and characters. Since, like all the Guilty Gear rehashes, there is no story mode, I'll get right to the meat and potatoes.

GAMEPLAY #RELOADED
If you're a 2D fighter veteran, then you'll instantly be familiar with how Guilty Gear plays. Two players fight on a 2D field and use various button combos to execute special moves, combos, and super attacks to defeat their opponent. The fighting system in GG is very fast and very fun to play. Each character has their own unique weapons and styles, so everyone will be able to find someone they like and are good with. One thing I commend GG for having is a very robust training mode. It lets you set up various situations to help you perform the many special moves and different techniques that each character possesses. I recommend that GG newcomers and even veterans hone their skills here before tackling real combat. I mean, how else will you be able to perform dust attacks, false roman cancels, burst attacks, and instant kills if you don't know how?

Speaking of techniques, GGXX Accent Core adds in a few new one to once again attempt to mix up the GGX2 formula. Throw escapes are self-explanatory; slash back allows you to counterattack quicker after guarding; force break attacks are new special moves done with the dust button that use up some of the tension gauge, and rest in power between special moves and overdrive attacks. Some characters even have additional attacks added to their existing special attacks. Some nice additions, but not a whole lot to make this game feel totally fresh and new.

Gameplay modes are also no different from any other GG game. Arcade mode has you choosing a fighter, defeating several opponents before facing the last boss (a still extremely cheap I-no) and earning…a piece of CG artwork of the character you just beat it with. Almost seems not to be worth it. Vs. mode is the standard two-player fare, M.O.M (medal of millionaire, which was also in GG: Judgment for PSP) mode has you defeating opponents for various medals to increase your high score, and survival mode is also self-explanatory.

You have 21 classic, wacky (in a cool way), anime inspired characters to choose from. From Millia Rage and her deadly hair, to Venom and his billiard set of death. You also get two new characters to use, although only one of them is technically new. That one would be Order-Sol, a remixed version of series regular Sol-Badguy, with some unique attacks of his own. The other is A.B.A., a girl wrapped in bloody bandages dragging around a huge talking key. A.B.A. actually made her debut in Guilty Gear Isuka, so calling her a new character is kind of a stretch. Characters also have many different colors schemes to choose from when selecting them, so find a color you like and start rocking!

GRAPHICS #RELOADED
Although the character designs and animation, as well as the backgrounds, are all recycled from previous games, that doesn't make them any less impressive. Some can argue GG's place among 2D fighters, but none can argue that they are the best looking ones around. The designs and animation still look like they jumped right out of a hi-res anime show and are still fantastic after all these years. The backgrounds fare just as well. It's always a treat to watch Guilty Gear in action, even if it's all been seen before.

SOUND #RELOADED
Just like graphics, it may be recycled, but it's still awesome. That is of course, if you like head-banging metal and fast guitars. Luckily I do, so I still love GG's soundtracks even after who knows how many games. Definitely one of the best soundtracks in any fighting game. Character voices are still entirely in Japanese, but they sound cool enough to give the voice acting a thumbs up.

#RELOAD ANOTHER GUILTY GEAR?
Guilty Gear XX Accent Core comes with plenty of unlockables for you to uncover, including the powerful EX characters you can get in survival mode if you defeat them. You can even unlock a generations mode, which lets you use character with a older version of Guilty Gear's fighting system. The game AI also puts up a good fight, so even without friend the game is always a challenge. Fighting fans have plenty to look forward to here for a long time to come.

However, the various tweaks and new characters can't change the fact that this is basically the same Guilty Gear you've been playing for years now, just with yet another subtitle. It's still a fun game to play, but eventually enough will be enough. GG fanatics will already have bought this game, while fighting game fans who haven't tried a Guilty Gear game yet should at least give it a rental. But those who have had enough rehashes and want the next big Guilty Gear game (which I assume would be X3) should just continue to wait.

Game Score

C

Reviewed By: Contributed