This week, Aksys Games released the latest chapter in its Guilty Gear saga, the gorgeous Xrd SIGN for PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 4. If you’re a fan of the series, you already know what to expect with its complex yet easy-to-grasp fighting system. If not, don’t worry, there’s room to grow.
These tips will help you get started. It can be a lot to take in, especially if you’re playing one of the more difficult characters in the game (as highlighted in our six favorite characters guide we posted yesterday, so follow these pointers and you’ll eventually become a fighting master. Just don’t expect an overnight transformation – it takes time to get good.
Start with a Well-Rounded Character
Some of Guilty Gear’s fighters – like I-No and the combination of Zato-1/Eddie–are incredibly hard to grasp at first, mainly due to their varied fighting styles. If you’re starting for the first time, it’s best to go with a well-rounded character who’s easy to get into.
One of the first characters we can easily recommend is Sol Badguy. He sounds cool, and his moves are easy to unleash, including a dashing sword attack that can cut through almost anything, as well as a charging uppercut that produces multiple hits if you nail it just right.
Sol’s move set is easy to memorize, and lets you get into the rhythm of what the game has to offer within a few minutes. He’s quick, agile and perfect for those looking to catch up with Guilty Gear’s tempo. From there, after you’ve played a couple of matches with him, you can circle around and try a few others, but make sure you save I-No and Zato-1/Eddie for later on, once you’ve figured out the Overcharges (supers) and other techniques.
Speaking of which, there’s one stop you should make when it comes to learning the basics of Guilty Gear.
Enter the Tutorial Mode
As with other great Aksys fighting games, Guilty Gear Xrd SIGN offers a wonderfully detailed tutorial mode that breaks down literally every system you need to know about the game, including counters, Overcharges and other techniques, such as air dashing. It can be a lot to take in, but the way the mode is set up, it’s very informative.
Each chapter is broken down to teach you a certain technique, such as putting together combos and how to use Tension to your advantage. You can practice these as often as you like until you feel you have the hang of them, and you don’t have to worry about being downgraded should you get something wrong. This mode is all about making you a better fighter.
Note: this will take time, especially with bigger and badder characters in the game. You shouldn’t assume that you’ll get the hang of everyone overnight, because Xrd SIGN doesn’t work that way. That said, you’ll certainly learn a lot, and be able to apply these practices into an overall smooth-flowing style that will benefit you in the long run.
Speaking of competition…
Don’t Jump Online too Soon
Just a word of warning: Guilty Gear Xrd SIGN supports online play, but there are a number of people who will destroy you in short order. We’re talking players that can use counters in their sleep and sometimes even achieve perfects against opponents who aren’t prepared.
This could be a nightmare for newbies, so the best advice we have is to stay offline until you feel you have a grasp for the system. Otherwise, you could find yourself getting frustrated rather easily, and that’s the last thing you want to do with a game like this.
Until you get the hang of your favorite characters, stick with offline modes. There are plenty to choose from, including a rather deep Story mode (fans will probably get the most mileage from it) and a great Challenge mode where you can test your skills against a number of pre-set tasks put ahead of you, such as taking on two opponents in a row. This is the best way to see how good you’re getting with the system put into Xrd SIGN, and once you beat these, you might just be ready to hop online.
One more thing – if you have friends that don’t mind a good fighting game, be sure to invite them over for some practice. Remember – you don’t have to take on the world right away.
Guilty Gear Xrd SIGN is available now for PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 4.
