Guilty Gear: Strive – The Board Game (2024) Board Game

Guilty Gear: Strive – The Board Game is a tabletop adaptation of the popular fighting video game series, Guilty Gear. Created by Level 99 Games, this board game version brings the fast-paced action of the video game to the tabletop format, allowing players to battle it out in a new way.

Game Components of Guilty Gear: Strive – The Board Game

20 character decks from Guilty Gear -Strive-

Play mat

Rulebook

Special edition coins (Heaven/Hell coins)

Tuck boxes for each character

Acrylic stands for characters

Reference cards for each character’s moves and rules

How To Setup Guilty Gear: Strive – The Board Game

To set up the game, each player selects a character deck and places their character’s acrylic stand on the play mat. The play mat represents a 9-space board similar to a 2D fighter’s stage. Players shuffle their decks and draw a starting hand. The rulebook provides detailed instructions and visual examples to help with the setup and gameplay.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Gameplay Mechanics:
– Card drafting and hand management to execute special moves, basic attacks, and super specials.
– Use of cancel mechanics unique to Guilty Gear Strive to set up various boosts without sacrificing turns.
– Positioning on the board to take advantage of abilities.

Game Objective:
– Reduce the opponent’s life points to zero.
– Utilize character-specific abilities and moves to outmaneuver the opponent.

Player Experience

Playing **Guilty Gear: Strive – The Board Game** feels like a true adaptation of the video game experience. The game requires players to read their opponents’ moves and respond quickly, much like in a video game. The fast-paced nature of the game, with most matches lasting less than half an hour, makes it an engaging and quick-playing experience. The different character styles and mechanics offer various strategies, allowing players to learn and adapt without needing a complete restart when switching characters.

Pros

Accurate Representation: The game accurately captures the intensity and moment-to-moment action of the video game.

Fast-Paced: Quick matches that last less than half an hour.

Strategic Depth: Requires strategic thinking and quick responses.

Character Variety: 20 characters from Guilty Gear -Strive-, with the option to play against characters from other franchises.

High-Quality Components: Solid-feeling cards, sturdy tuck boxes, and a well-constructed neoprene play mat.

Cons

Expensive: The game is quite pricey, especially for a strictly two-player game.

Artwork Issues: Some players have noted that the card artwork is simply screenshots from the video game, which feels cheap given the game’s price.

Color Issues: Minor color inconsistencies on some cards, which could potentially affect gameplay.

Portability: The game comes in a large box, making it less portable.

Niche Audience: Strictly designed for two players, which can limit its appeal.

Personal Thoughts on Guilty Gear: Strive – The Board Game

This game is ideal for fans of both board games and fighting games, particularly those who enjoy the Guilty Gear series. The Exceed Fighting System allows for cross-series battles, making it a unique and engaging experience for players who enjoy strategy and quick-paced gameplay. However, due to its high price and niche audience, it may not be the best fit for everyone. If you’re looking for a deep, strategic card game that captures the essence of a fighting game, **Guilty Gear: Strive – The Board Game** is certainly worth considering.

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