Yet, I was pleasantly surprised by what I saw and played. Guilty Gear -Strive- on Switch is no definitive version, but it is also no gimped port in any way. Yes, the visuals are weaker and with a lower resolution, the game functions extremely well, with a silky smooth 60 frames per second even during intense moments like screen filling specials. While the visuals have been dialed back, everything still looks great even at a lower resolution, from the characters to the environments.
Guilty Gear -Strive- is an intense fighting game and not the most welcoming for new players, but its mechanics can be understood if you spend time and really learn the game. The Instant Kill is removed in this entry, but other mechanics are still here and revamped in various ways, giving a tighter and more refined experience that is pure fighting game brilliance. Of course, there is also the Wall Break feature that was introduced in this game that allows for stage transitions, and is very fun to pull off.
There is also a lot in Guilty Gear -Strive- to keep casual players entertained if they do not want to go online either. There is a wide variety of modes for single player enjoyment, as well as other modes, a combo creator and more that will ease people into online. Of course, the online is a major component of Guilty Gear -Strive- and the game is famous for its excellent netcode.
Most people already know about the mechanics of Guilty Gear -Strive-, however, and I want to focus on what the Switch version specifically has to offer. The online works amazingly well here, with no issues during the gameplay, and is a standout among the Switch library, although there is no crossplay. In addition, all previously released DLC is included from the start, so you can start enjoying all the characters right away.
What does drag the Switch port of Guilty Gear -Strive- down though, are the loading times. These are downright insufferable on the Switch version and can be very off putting when trying to just navigate and find a match. There is no slowdown during the matches thankfully, but navigating the menus will be an issue here.
Fortunately Guilty Gear -Strive-has something to keep fans happy while waiting and that is the fantastic music. The Guilty Gear series has always had truly amazing soundtracks, and Guilty Gear -Strive- is no exception. These songs will get you hyped up and ready to fight in no time and even when waiting, you will be happy for their presence, which is a plus.
Guilty Gear -Strive- on Nintendo Switch is not a perfect port, but a very admirable one. Yes, the loading times are an issue, but aside from that this is far better than anyone could have hoped for in a port of Guilty Gear -Strive- to the Switch. Arc System Works clearly took its time and gave a lot of care and attention to the product and it really shows in the final result.
Guilty Gear -Strive- may be one of the best fighting games on Switch, loading times aside, and besides the downgraded visuals, is the complete experience. The performance is amazing, the visuals, even downgraded, are still great, and the gameplay is amazing with excellent online, and all previous content included. I was skeptical when the game was announced for the Switch, but I have been blown away by the end result. This is a technical masterpiece, and if you love the Switch and fighting games, then you owe it to yourself to check out the Nintendo Switch release of Guilty Gear -Strive-.
Disclaimer: A Review key was provided
