6 Games Like Guilty Gear [Recommendations]

Breaking onto the scene in 1998, Guilty Gear was lauded by many for its gameplay, story, and art. Even though it was released to home consoles, and not for arcade like most games at the time, it was labeled as "one of the non-Capcom or SNK 2D fighters to make any sort of impact on the genre." Since then, Guilty Gear has produced five more games in the main series, achieved a 'cult' following, and become one of the greatest fighting game franchises of all time.

Guilty Gear's success comes from its memorable and unique characters, humorous dialog, and action that matches its manga aesthetics. Another part of Guilty Gear's char is its fair learning curve: it's an easy game to pick and enjoy fully, yet it still has a lot for hardcore fighter fans to master.

When players hear "Heaven of Hell. Duel 1. Let's rock!" they know that they are in for a fast, beautifully animated fighting game. Guilty Gear isn't the only game that can offer that to players, of course. Here are 6 Games Like Guilty Gear.


Similar Games to Guilty Gear

1. Street Fighter

  • System/Platform: Arcade
  • Publisher: Capcom
  • Developer: Capcom
  • Release Date: August 30, 1987

Street Fighter is one of the original 2d fighting games. As such, it deserves a mention in just about every list of 2D fighters.
Street Fighter has a bit more is a learning curve than Guilty Gear, but it is fun to see the similar ways that both games evolved visually. Originally using sprites for characters, Street Fighter and Guilty Gear have since begun to feature 3D models. Street Fighter doesn't have as many game-changing abilities as Guilty Gear, but it still provides fast-paced fights, especially for those at the top of their street fighter game.

Many of Guilty Gear's game mechanics were based on many of Street Fighter's innovations, as with many other 2d fighters. So, in a way Street Fighter isn't like Guilty Gear as much as Guilty Gear is like Street Fighter.


2. Naruto: Ultimate Ninja Storm

  • System/Platform: PlayStation 3, Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
  • Publisher: Bandai (JP & EU), Bandai Namco Games (NA & AU)
  • Developer: CyberConnect 2
  • Release Date: November 4, 2008

The Naruto: Ultimate Ninja series took the Naruto Clash of Ninja series and brought the ninja to the world of 3D fighters, leaving behind much of what made the Clash of Ninja series so unique and fun to play. Stripping down the game, however, did not take away all that made the Naruto games fun and exciting.

Much like Guilty Gear, Naruto: Ultimate Ninja Storm has simple controls with lots of room for mastery. Despite these simple controls, Naruto is a fast paced fighting game, with every match being decidedly different from the last. The gauge system varies across games in the series, but generally, they allow the player to unleash Awakening and Ultimate Jutsu attacks, which can do devastating damage and help turn the tide of the battle.

Naruto: Ultimate Ninja Storm provides the same fast paced action, with over the top attacks, moves, and tricks that are just as much style as it is smoke bombs and mirrors.

Naruto: Ultimate Ninja Storm Trailer:


3. Marvel vs Capcom

  • System/Platform: Arcade, Dreamcast, PlayStation, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360
  • Publisher: Capcom
  • Developer: Capcom
  • Release Date: January 23, 1998

Capcom knows how to make a fighting game. Known for its hallmark Street Fighter series, in the early 90's Capcom also developed several Marvel fighting games. These games featured your standard gauge attacks, as well as introducing new mechanics such as super jumps, multi-tiered environments and controlling projectile direction. Theses games became the basis for the Marvel vs Capcom series. Marvel vs Capcom is a literal high-flying, fast-paced fighting game, with a focus on aerial combat.

Although Marvel vs Capcom also features simplified buttons, it is still a very difficult game for new fighter fans to pick up. As much fun as the aerial combat is to successfully pull off, the extent to which it is done in Marvel vs Capcom adds a slight extra level of difficulty. Still, if you want a fast paced and beautiful 2D fighter like Guilty Gear, Marvel vs Capcom is a sure bet.



Any Anime Like Guilty Gear ?

4. Dengeki Bunko: Fighting Climax

  • System/Platform: Arcade, PlayStation 3, PlayStation Vita, PlayStation 4
  • Publisher: Sega
  • Developer: Ecole Software, French Bread
  • Release Date: March 18, 2004

Fighting games have stories; sometimes that's forgotten. Dengeki Bunko: Fighting Climax forgoes a deep and intricate story, instead simply taking characters from established visual novels and bringing them together in a battle royale.

Dengeki Bunko: Fighting Climax is your standard fast paced 2D fighter. Dengeki Bunko: Fighting Climax is loaded with a roster of thirty characters from twenty-two different Dengeki Bunko light novels. More than half of these characters are only assisting characters, offering a great number of gameplay options when it comes to main and assist combinations.

Dengeki Bunko: Fighting Climax Trailer:


5. Persona 4 Arena

  • System/Platform: Arcade, PlayStation 3, XBox 360
  • Publisher: Atlus
  • Developer: Arc System Works, Atlus
  • Release Date: March 1, 2012

Fans of Guilty Gear will feel very at home with Persona 4 Arena, as many of the attack combinations found in Guilty Gear are also present here as well. Characters' elemental attacks and persona are featured prominently here as well, helping to make every fighter feel unique. Persona 4 Arena's SP Gauge bar allows the character to perform an Instant Kill attack, a staple in Guilty Gear games.

Persona 4 Arena also throws in its own extra gauge, which fills up and unlocks additional moves to be performed by the character's persona. Persona 4 Arena does a good job of making these moves part of the move set, and not feel like it’s gimmicky or complicates the combo system.

Persona 4 Arena was handled by Arc System Works, the same team as the Guilty Gear series. As a result, shades of Guilty Gear can be found throughout the RPG-turned-fighter. Fans of the Persona or Guilty Gear series should dust off their last generation consoles and joysticks and give Persona 4 Arena and its sequel, Persona 4 Arena Ultimax, a chance.

Persona 4 Arena Trailer:


6. BlazBlue

  • System/Platform: Arcade, PlayStation 3, XBox 360
  • Publisher: Arc System Works
  • Developer: Arc System Works
  • Release Date: November 19, 2008

Labeled as the spiritual successor to Guilty Gear, it's no wonder that BlazBlue finds itself in the number one spot. Arc System Works took what worked with Guilty Gear, and applied it to BlazBlue, from its alliteration to uniquely named rounds. This, however, does not make BlazBlue a simple clone of Guilty Gear.

BlazBlue features the same stunning graphics that made Guilty Gear a success, yet this is what also sets itself apart from Guilty Gear. Nearly all the characters in BlazBlue are designed in a way that allows the story mode to truly flow cohesively. BlazBlue is not devoid of unique characters or character interactions, either. BlazBlue's assortment of characters have their own movesets, making nearly all characters feel unique.

BlazBlue borrows from Guilty Gear's use of four attack inputs button. Despite these simplified control system, BlazBlue's combo system revolves around"stacking" simple commands to create longer chains. BlazBlue has a lot in common with Guilty Gear but is able to set itself apart and over the years has found a way to step out from its predecessor's shadow.

BlazBlue Trailer:


Final Thoughts

Guilty Gear is an iconic 2D fighter, and for good reason. Breaking onto the market during a time of saturation and dominance by Capcom and SNK, Guilty Gear was able to make its own lane and leave a resounding influence on many fighters to follow. Which game did we miss? Let us know in the comments below! Or meet us in the arcade, settle this old school.

Guilty-Gear-Xrd-game-dvd-300x411 6 Games Like Guilty Gear [Recommendations]

Writer

Author: Jabulani Blyden

This feels like I'm writing a dating profile... Am I pretty enough? In addition to watching anime I like playing video games, mostly RPGs and indies. I lose a lot of Otaku street cred for the games and shows on my backlog (TTGL & FFVII for example #FeelsBadMan). I run a podcast with my friends where we talk about video games and anime. Nice to meet you... or something.

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