LADYDRAGON.COM - SAMMY STUDIOS AND ARC SYSTEM WORKS RAISE THE BAR ON 2D FIGHTING WITH GUILTY GEAR ISUKA

Wednesday March 03, 2004

SAMMY STUDIOS AND ARC SYSTEM WORKS RAISE THE BAR ON 2D FIGHTING WITH GUILTY GEAR ISUKA

Sequel Brings 4-Player, New Characters and Customization to Acclaimed Fighter Series, Due on PlayStation(r)2 in Q4 2004

Sammy Studios Inc., a developer, publisher and global distributor of interactive entertainment content, today announced that the sequel in the critically acclaimed Guilty Gear fighting series is coming to Sony PlayStation 2. Developed by Arc System Works and due out in the fourth quarter of 2004, Guilty Gear Isuka promises to raise the bar on the 2D fighting game genre, one arguably set by its own predecessor Guilty Gear X2. The 2003 PS2 game Guilty Gear X2 has become one of the highest rated 2D fighters of all time, based on game review scores aggregated by GameRankings.com. Guilty Gear Isuka delivers the same trademarks that made the prequel a hit, such as superb character design, high-resolution 2D graphics and lightening-fast gameplay, while introducing new characters, new arenas and a number of franchise firsts. This game is not yet rated.

"Guilty Gear is currently at the forefront of 2D fighters, propelled in part by hardcore fighter fans who recognize it as an evolution of the genre," said Tim Pivnicny, senior VP of Sammy Studios, Inc. "In Guilty Gear Isuka we want to satisfy existing fighter fans with new content and never-before-seen innovations. We also want to reach out to mainstream fans to show them that, right now, the envelope in fighting games is also being pushed in two dimensions."

In addition to new characters and content, Guilty Gear Isuka introduces 4-player, letting players brawl in 2-on-2 fighting or play 4-player co-op against computer A.I. The new title will also introduce a new mode for character customization, allowing players to earn points to buy new moves and combos for their characters as well as change their appearance.

Guilty Gear Isuka adds 3 new playable fighters for a total of 23 characters, bolstering what is recognized as one of the most unique rosters of any fighting series. Additional features and improvements to the sequel include a side-scrolling Action Game Mode, all-new arenas and a refined Survival Mode. Returning are the series' standout trademarks, including its tremendous attention to detail in its combat system, character design, character animation and background graphics.

Guilty Gear Isuka also delves deeper into the unique Guilty Gear universe. The series is set in a skewed world where science and technology are deemed the source of conflict and are outlawed. Soon however a new reason for discord arises with the discovery of a new form of energy, one ultimately applied to create horrible new weapons called "Gears." These devastatingly powerful soldiers, made by fusing human and animal DNA, declare war on mankind. What ensues is a hundred year war, and the birth of a fighting tournament designed to find humans skilled enough to thwart the Gear threat. Guilty Gear's engaging premise and characters are the work of Daisuke Ishiwatari.