Guilty Gear 2: Overture

Overview

Guilty Gear 2: Overture is a video game in the Guilty Gear series made by Arc System Works for the Xbox 360; unlike the previous games, however, Overture is not a fighting game. The fourth main installment in the series, Guilty Gear 2 makes use of 3D graphics, unlike its predecessors. A playable demo of Guilty Gear 2 featuring three modes of gameplay was released in Japan via Xbox Live on 30 October 2007. The demo describes the game as, "a mix between the action and real-time strategy genre." A North American version was released on October 7, 2008 released by Aksys Games.

Guilty Gear 2: Overture uses an action-based gameplay similar to Devil May Cry and Dynasty Warriors while retaining special moves and animations that have been used in past 2D Guilty Gear fighters, combined with RTS/MOBA elements similar to Herzog Zwei and DotA, in order to create a new genre which designer Daisuke Ishiwatari describes as "Melee Action". Aside from the simple genre change from its arcade fighter predecessors, Overture utilizes a troop management system as well as certain points around each of the levels that can be captured and used as spawning points for troops. Various troops from the demo include the light infantry, capable of a special attack; Heavy infantry, capable of launching and juggle attacks; as well as magical troops which can heal and perform status increasing spells.

The story takes place in the late 22nd century, in the year 2185, five years after the first Guilty Gear game. Sol Badguy is still free, but now travels with the young warrior Sin. Meanwhile, Ky Kiske, who is now the king of a country named Illyria, has learned of two shocking developments: first, the Gears that have been sealed away for many years are now beginning to vanish; and second, his kingdom is under attack by a mysterious force. Desperate, he sends out a "Wanted" poster with Sol's face on it, demanding he'd be brought to Illyria. Sol and Sin have realized that this is Ky's way of calling for help, and rush to the rescue as they find themselves surrounded by strange, doll-like women armed with giant wrenches.

The game was published in North America by Aksys Games on October 7, 2008. The game was released in Europe on September 25, 2009 by 505 Games.

Reception has been "mixed or average". The Xbox 360 version has an aggregate score of 56/100 on Metacritic.

Screenshots

Game details

Genres

Hack and slash/Beat 'em up, MOBA

Developer

Arc System Works

Publisher

505 Games, Arc System Works

Series

Guilty Gear

Platforms

Windows, Xbox 360

Age rating

ESRB T

Modes

Single player

Yes

Local multiplayer

Yes

Online multiplayer

Yes

Co op

Yes

Age ratings

PEGI

12

ESRB

T

Release dates

Playable today

Credits

Publisher

505 Games, Arc System Works

Developer

Arc System Works

Released

2007-10-07

Age rating

ESRB T

Region

US

Time to beat

about 6.8 hours