It’s Time to Get Dizzy with Guilty Gear Xrd -Revelator-

Despite how we live in an age where upgrades as downloadable content have become commonplace, some companies are still sticking with what’s worked for them for many years. Arc System Works is among them, a company that, years ago, released a slew of Guilty Gear X and XX updates on multiple discs when digital distribution methods didn’t exist. But they didn’t change them when consoles shifted to a new generation friendly to digital upgrades, as many Blazblue installments released (and are still releasing) on disc with no option for a downloadable upgrade (not including the similarly-priced digital release). And with the revival of GG with Guilty Gear Xrd -Sign-, the series is once again following the same trend.

Over time, though, the company’s niche fanbase has come to accept it. In addition to that adjustment process, they’re also part of an audience that prefers physical copies to digital, and has begun to cherish them more in an increasingly digital age. They’re also cherishing fighting games that release in a feature-complete form, after the ongoing fiasco (to put it lightly) that’s Street Fighter V’s release and post-release period.

The newest installment is Guilty Gear Xrd -Revelator-, which released on home consoles in Japan today after spending months in arcades. There, players had the opportunity to experience three of its added characters, including returning characters Johnny Sfondi and Jam Kuradoberi, and new face Jack-O’ Valentine. Johnny retains many of his moves and tricks from the older GG games, so older players should feel right at home with him. In fact, I’m sure some newer players will warm up to him, too, as arcade reports and videos from tournaments have shown how he’s a force to be reckoned with thanks to his high damage potential. That is, unless the home version came with some nerfs, but I’ve heard nothing regarding that.

Jack-O, however, is more technical and has to rely on clever tricks and strategies to outwit the opponent, meaning she’s the far from beginner-friendly. She essentially turns this game into a real-time strategy title, and works as a clever nod to Guilty Gear 2: Overture. She sounds like a headache to play and potentially fight when controlled by someone who’s learned how to play her, but you have to respect the homage.

Whenever you see a tier list compiled by someone online or a Japanese tournament player, you’ll frequently find Jam near or at the bottom of them. But that doesn’t mean she isn’t viable and can’t win matches, thanks to how well-balanced this title is. She returns with many of her trademark moves from older GG games, most of which are “high risk, high reward” techniques thanks to how unsafe they are if the opponent blocks. And it also wouldn’t be Jam if she didn’t have an annoyingly high-pitched voice that accompanies any move she makes.

Like -Sign-, the home version of -Revelator- adds more characters to use, some of which are familiar to anyone privy to the franchise’s lore. ArcSys granted the wishes of some fans by finally making Raven, from the aforementioned Revelator, playable in a fighting game installment. He wields a scythe that’s capable of long-ranged and damaging attacks, and possesses a unique special that will fill his gauge as he takes more damage, which will increase the damage output of his other attacks. Brand new to the series is Kum Haehyun, who despite the outward appearance suggesting otherwise, is not a muscular old man. No, it’s actually a robot named “Jeonryeok Kum” that’s piloted by a young woman named Haehyun from within. Leave it to GG to come up with a character like this, who fits right with the other admirable freaks. Both characters will be free until June 21st.

The third character is Dizzy, who won a fan vote from Japanese players after ArcSys held a poll asking which returning character who’d yet to make an appearance in Xrd they wanted back. She hasn’t been officially confirmed, but silhouettes in various trailers have clearly teased her appearance. In previous games, she relied on fast-moving projectiles to either keep opponents away from her, or get in close on them. They’ll show her in due time, and confirm how players can get her. At this point, she’ll undoubtedly be paid DLC.

In addition to those, -Revelator- has improved graphics and effects compared to its predecessor. The character models are noticeably more polished, and damage and dirt are actually visible on character faces and clothes. It also comes with goofy tutorial that’s reportedly very effective in teaching people how to play, which is important to have in a genre whose games are often intimidating to learn for newcomers.

Also included is a brand new story mode that continues the tale started in the previous title. Like the first game’s story, it contains cameos from various returning characters who are bound to make their debut in the next installment. If you want to stay in the dark as to who they are, you’ll want to avoid some discussions about the game, because some people are pretty careless with spoilers. (I won’t spoil them here despite already knowing who they are.) -Revelator- doesn’t include the first game’s story, though the previous game’s events are highlighted in a short recap. But it skips quite a bit, so you’ll have to pick up -Sign- if you want to learn the whole tale in its entirety — which isn’t too bad a deal considering it can be found for $20 or less these days.

It’s pretty funny how Capcom inadvertently made this look like a significant update with the content-deprived SFV, but it goes without saying that anyone who enjoyed -Sign- will get their money’s worth here. But you might already know that, if you’re someone who preordered on PSN. Those who did were able to get a free demo that let players use every character offline, outside the console-exclusive faces. It was a very generous detail, though the catch is how you can’t cancel PSN preorders in America.

The full package will be available on June 7 and 10 in America and Europe, respectively. You won’t have to be envious of Japan for long.