Guilty Gear Strive
Seventh mainline Guilty Gear installment beginning a new saga after the Gear Saga.
Wikipedia / Wikimedia Commons
Guilty Gear Strive is a 2021 fighting game developed and published by Arc System Works. It is the seventh mainline installment in the Guilty Gear series, beginning a new saga following the conclusion of the Gear Saga in Guilty Gear Xrd Rev 2. The game was released for multiple platforms between 2021 and 2025, and received generally positive reviews for its visuals, gameplay, and netcode.
- Sales
- over 2.5 million units as of the last confirmed official data (around 2024)
Lore & Background
Guilty Gear Strive was intended as a 'complete reconstruction of the franchise,' retaining core series essence while revamping many features and mechanics. It introduced the Wall Break feature, allowing stage transitions when a combo is initiated in the corner of the arena, and removed the series' signature Instant Kill mechanic. The base roster included 15 playable characters, with two new characters: Nagoriyuki, a vampire samurai who drains blood to increase attack power, and Giovanna, a special operations officer accompanied by a wolf spirit named Rei. Additional characters were released as downloadable content across five seasons.
Reader's Guide
Guilty Gear Strive is significant as the seventh mainline entry in the Guilty Gear series, concluding the Gear Hunters Saga that began with earlier installments. Its story follows the aftermath of Guilty Gear Xrd, focusing on Sol Badguy's final confrontation with That Man, Asuka R. Kreutz, set in Washington, D.C. The narrative involves I-No freeing Happy Chaos, Asuka's surrender to U.S. authorities, and a plot involving the Tome of Origin. The game's Another Story mode follows Ramlethal Valentine, Baiken, Sin Kiske, and others dealing with Delilah, Bedman's sister seeking revenge. The game sold 4 million users as of June 2026, reflecting strong commercial performance. Its development was confirmed at EVO 2018, with a worldwide reveal at EVO 2019 showcasing Unreal Engine 4 graphics and the Wall Break mechanic. The game's main theme song is 'Smell of the Game.'
Did You Know?
- It introduced the Wall Break feature for stage transitions during corner combos.
- The game sold over 2.5 million units as of the last confirmed official data (around 2024).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Guilty Gear Strive?
Guilty Gear Strive is a 2.5D fighting game released in 2021 that acts as the seventh mainline entry in the Guilty Gear franchise. It was both developed and published by Arc System Works and is widely recognized for its polished visuals and competitive online infrastructure.
Who made Guilty Gear Strive?
Arc System Works served as both the developer and the publisher. The studio has been behind the Guilty Gear series since its inception, and Strive continues that long-standing creative relationship.
What platforms can I play Guilty Gear Strive on?
The game launched on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows PC, Japanese arcade cabinets, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S, with a Nintendo Switch version arriving later. Full availability across all listed platforms was completed by 2025.
What story arc does Guilty Gear Strive conclude?
It brings the Gear Hunters Saga to a close, which is the central narrative thread linking the mainline Guilty Gear titles. As the 24th game in the broader franchise, Strive was designed to deliver a definitive ending to that long-running storyline.
How well did Guilty Gear Strive sell?
The game reached four million users by June 2026. Reviewers generally highlighted its striking art direction, tight combat feel, and reliable netcode as key strengths.
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