Guilty Gear XX Slash is yet another fine update that can only be recommended to the most dedicated enthusiasts.
While the other installments added a great deal of content that can be noticed right away, even by the un-initiated, Slash presents us with changes that only the most hardened vets will notice. Besides new and obvious background color schemes, HUD changes, gallery pictures and menu art, the updates consist mostly of character balance enhancements. Nearly every character has had speed, damage, and timing changes in an effort to perfect the harmony of each battle. These changes may seem insignificant to most, but to the dedicated players of the series, these changes can make a significant impact on the player’s experience.
Slash also includes two new characters: A.B.A. (from Guilty Gear Isuka), and a new version of Sol, named Order-Sol. With these characters come two new backgrounds, and two new Melodic Metal compositions in the traditional Guilty Gear Spirit. There is also a new mission mode system, where each character has three levels of challenges to complete and unlock new art in the gallery. As always, the M.O.M., training, and survival modes are back, with a new graphical stage select for vs. and training modes. Like the other updates, you can unlock EX and SP versions of all characters, and if you don’t like the changes made to your favorite character in Slash, the game gives you the option of using the #Reload version after you have beat the game with that particular Slash character, or face them as a Dare Devil in Survival.
As usual, this game sports some of the finest 2-D hand-drawn graphics in the business, or fighting games in general for that matter. You will be hard-pressed to find a finer looking 2-D fighter anywhere, and Slash carries that tradition on. The game also supports progressive scan 525P, so if you have an HDTV, you are in for a treat!
Save for the two new music compositions, the soundtrack is the same from the previous two games. Melodic Metal at its best, you will find every track present and intact. The sound effects are also the same, and still provide a great aural experience to each groan, punch; kick and slash (excuse the pun).
So the question is: should you buy this? If you have never played a Guilty Gear game before, or have yet to own one, then this is not a bad choice at all. The game offers up the same great experience the series is known for in game play, sound, and 2-D hand-drawn graphics. Just be ready for a steep learning curve! If you have one or more of the others in the series, and air on the casual side, then this isn’t for you. However, if you are serious about your Guilty Gear (I stress the word serious), or 2-D fighters in general, the added characters and game play elements may just be enough to warrant this upgrade. Plus, the mixture of Slash and #Reload character matches add a dimension to the game play that could equal up to some truly unique fighting experiences.
-Baroque-Legacy