Fighting games are starting to see some signs of resurgence 2021, especially after iconic franchises likeStreet FighterandTekkenhave seen such long-lasting appeal to hardcore FGC fans. Another subsect of the FGC recently received a burst in popularity with the recently releasedGuilty Gear Strive, the next title in the long-running anime fighting game franchise since 1998. Often remarked previously as a cult-classic fighting game series, the release ofStriveis bringing so many new fans into theGuilty Gearplayerbase in a big way. Capcom would benefit well from taking such a proactive approach to making the nextStreet Fighterjust as approachable.
Arguably,Street Fighter 5was a very solid attempt at Capcom to make the classic fighting game franchise far more approachable to newcomers. Toning down the speed and complexity of things like one-frame links and input buffer, the fifthStreet Fightergame had its pros and cons with its beginner-friendly design approach. Arc System Works took a similar approach with the recentGuilty Gear Strive, but also went above and beyond in several pivotal ways that’s tangentially caused the huge surge in new players. Especially for a fighting game that was never quite as mainstream asStreet Fighter, Capcom could see similar success in borrowing fromStrive’s innovation.
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Guilty Gear Strive’s Rollback Netcode Is a Pivotal Next Step
Of course, the most obvious advantage that players ofGuilty Gear Strivewould point to is the game’s match stability. The implementation of rollback netcode, built from the ground up, makes the online offering inStrivenearly unparalleled, specifically from a purely gameplay standpoint. There are some missteps in between that moment, for sure;Striveis not a perfect game, but once players get into a match, the gameplay experience easily surpasses fighting games that still utilize delay-based netcode. Even compared to some games that do utilize rollback, Arc System Works has perfected itsonline infrastructure on previousGuilty Gearentries likeAccent CorePlus R.
Now,Strive’s rollback netcode infrastructure is leading the way in evolving the online gameplay experience for fighting games. A prime example for comparison here isStreet Fighter 5, which launched with delay-based netcode, but now implements Capcom’s own version of rollback netcode. When the game launched back in 2016, and in subsequent years, members of the FGCheavily criticizedStreet Fighter 5’s netcode implementationfor severe lag inconsistency and frequent desyncs. After controversy between a modder adding their own netcode fix, and Capcom taking downSF5for server maintenance shortly after, the game’s netcode is still subpar compared toStrive.
The biggest thing that’s going to retain players in a new fighting game is a hassle-free experience, especially when it’s out of the control of the player. Obviously learning a new fighting game can be difficult, especially for a franchise as complex asGuilty Gear, but adding 6-10+ frames of lag on top of that makes things inherently worse.
Strive’s Comprehensive Training Outpaces SF5’s Combo Trials
When it comes to aspects of fighting games thatarein the control of players' hands, learning and training the game is oftentimes the most difficult and frustrating experience.Street Fighter 5was largely competent in this regard; offering a relatively basic but understandable tutorial, comprehensive training and dummy fighter settings for practice and “labbing,” as well asbasic and advanced combo trialsto learn basic “bread and butter” combos. That being said, despite being a relatively solid approach by Capcom to appease beginner players, Arc System Works took so many steps further withGuilty Gear Striveon a fundamental and advanced level.
Striveimplements a very basic tutorial at the beginning of the game, but it’s the mission mode where Arc System Works' efforts truly shine. This is where players can take comprehensive tests known as “missions,” divided into five distinct areas, that range from basic to advanced gameplay mechanics that effectively teaches players howGuilty Gearis played. At leastin the context ofStrive, anyone new toGuilty Gearshould begin there: These tutorials cover everything from the basics of dashing and slashing, all the way to optimal usage of Roman Cancelling, learning when to Burst, Gatling combos into high-damage extensions, and so much more.
Not only do these missions teach how each method is done, but they also inform players on theory-related notes that are applicable in high-level gameplay situations as well. Some of these theory-related notes also transfer over to the Command List for each character as well. Players are not only given the instructions on how to implement specials, but when is the appropriate time to use them.Street Fighter 5teaches you how to do combos, butStriveteaches you how to extend your play even further.
Guilty Gear Strive Isn’t Perfect, But It Should Influence Street Fighter
As mentioned previously,Guilty Gear Striveis by no means a perfect game.Despite the game’s delay instilling hope,Strive’s lobbyand ranked system still remains fairly perplexing in execution. Parks and floors inStrive’s multiplayer lobby system do allow some flexibility in matchup pairings, but in turn can make a player’s floor rank wildly misrepresentative of their respective skill, compared to the overall playerbase. Besides multiplayer, training mode doesn’t display frame data other than damage, and there aren’t nearly as many combo trials inStrivecompared toStreet Fighter 5’s comprehensive offering of basic combos.
However, those are really the only big advantagesStreet Fighter 5has over the recentGuilty Gear Strive. All of the innovations that Arc System Works has made withStrivewould bea welcome addition to the nextStreet Fightergame. Capcom certainly recognizes the benefits of rollback netcode, especially when it comes to retaining players inStreet Fighter’s season pass content roadmap. Plus, considering hardcoreStreet Fighterplayers have been playing multiple entries in the franchise for decades now, adding informative and concise learning tools likeStrivecould make the game far more approachable to fighting game beginners.
Rumors allege thatthe nextStreet Fightergame is currently in development, though it allegedly was delayed even further, with a supposed planned release of Q3 2022. Perhaps that still leaves time for Capcom to examine the places whereGuilty Gear Striveexcels, and how that influence could makeStreet Fighter 6even better.
Guilty Gear Striveis available now on PC, PS4, and PS5.
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