Guilty Gear X2

The whole thing is presented with high resolution 2D graphics, and like I said it looks the business. The best way to describe the look of GGX2 is by saying it's like watching a fight in a Japanese anime movie, and it really has to be seen in action to be appreciated. It certainly shames the blocky 16 colour sprites Capcom still uses in their 2D beat 'em ups. The character design is crazier than some people can comprehend, from token cool as ice swordsman 'Sol Badguy' (I kid you not) to nine foot tall psycho surgeon 'Faust' who wields a giant scalpel and wears a paper bag on his head (I have no idea why). The four new characters in this sequel continue the out there feel of the original line up with guitar swinging rock chick 'I-No' who wears something resembling the Sorting Hat from Harry Potter, and explosive yo-yo wielding transvestite 'Bridget' whose attacks include a spinning bladed pink teddy bear. You're probably now wearing a frown on your forehead, but when you see them in action you realise GGX2 doesn't take itself too seriously, and you may even laugh appreciatively from time to time whilst playing it.

You should, however, take the game play seriously. Amateurs can pick up a joypad, bash away at the buttons and pull off one or two cool looking moves, whilst more seasoned beat 'em up gamers can learn how to use the myriad of gauges and special attacks to best strategic effect. It can all get a little hectic at times, though not at the cost of control as with the Marvel Vs Capcom games, but controls aren't quite as pin sharp as Capcom Vs SNK 2, but this is a small gripe.

Check out the reviews on US games sites, everyone loves GGX2, and I reckon you will as well.

The characters are brilliant too: Token cool dude ‘Sol Badguy’ has a sword that looks like a chainsaw and can conjure fire at will; female ronin ‘Baiken’ has a steel claw on the end of a chain attached to the stump of her severed arm; 9” tall psycho surgeon ‘Faust’ wields a giant scalpel and wears a paper bag on his head (I kid you not) and the list goes on.

The four new characters in this (second) sequel continue the out there feel of the original line up. Guitar swinging rock chick ‘I-No’ wears something resembling the Sorting Hat from Harry Potter, yo-yo wielding transvestite ‘Bridget’ can attack with a pink teddy bear, vampire master ‘Slayer’ sucks the blood of a young maiden before he starts fighting, and ‘Zappa’ is a boy possessed by evil spirits whose back contorts back on itself while ghost dogs and limbless ghouls materialize out of thin air around him. It all sounds completely over the top, and it is, but when you see GGX2 in action you’ll realise it doesn’t take itself too seriously, and you may even laugh appreciatively from time to time whilst playing it.

Don’t let the initial craziness distract you from the fact this is a solid beat ‘em up. You have all the usual special moves, and super combos that were established by Capcom, but Arc System Works have a few ideas of their own that add something new and refreshing to the genre. Many special moves can only be performed as a follow up to another special move, creating quick and deadly special combos. The Dust attack allows you to temporarily disable your opponent and hurl them into the air, exposing them to as many attacks as you can land. The Roman Cancel allows you to cut short any special move halfway through, so you can create your own combos. And the Instant Kill move will finish a round in one move, as long as you’re willing to trade in the chance to perform super combos should you miss. Thankfully the controls are spot on so the whole thing works brilliantly.

Check out the reviews on US game websites, everyone loves GGX2, and I reckon you will as well.