Info about GUILTY GEAR -STRIVE-:

Official game description:
Now Available: 2.0 Starter Edition
==================================
\[Guilty Gear -Strive- 2.0 Starter Edition Content\]
・Guilty Gear -Strive- main game
・GGST Season Pass 1-5
・Guilty Gear -Strive- Digital sound and artworks
・Guilty Gear -Strive- Ultimate Edition Special Color
・GGST Guilty Gear 25th Anniversary Colors
necessary discrepancy original soundtrack
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◆Rock to the Music!  
_GUILTY GEAR -STRIVE- ORIGINAL SOUNDTRACK 『Necessary Discrepancy』_is now available on Steam.  
Blast this amazing album, by composer and General Director Daisuke Ishiwatari, even when you aren't in the game.  
About the Game
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Discover the Smell of the Game with Guilty Gear -Strive-! Immerse yourself in new gameplay mechanics designed to be simple and welcoming for fighting game newcomers, yet deep and creative for veterans. Ride the Fire into a heavy metal inspired alternate future full of over-the-top action, style and fun! Blazing!  
“Guilty Gear -Strive-“ is the latest entry in the critically acclaimed Guilty Gear fighting game franchise. Created by Daisuke Ishiwatari and developed by Arc System Works, “Guilty Gear -Strive-“ upholds the series’ reputation for a high octane soundtrack, groundbreaking hybrid 2D/3D cell-shaded graphics and intense, rewarding gameplay.  
◆The fate of the universe will be determined…  
Head into the final confrontation with That Man, the person responsible for all the destruction and damage to the world and and it's inhabitants. Join Sol Badguy, his rival Ky Kiske, and a total starting roster of 15 unique characters as they face the astonishing conclusion to a story 20 years in the making!  
◆A Sensory BLAST for Your Eyes and Ears  
Rock out to the thrashing tracks laid down by series creator and music composer, Daisuke Ishiwatari! Bang your head and beat your opponent to the killer soundtrack while being blown away by the most stunning and dynamic 3D cell-shaded visuals produced to date!  
◆New Revolution in Fighting Games!  
Guilty Gear -Strive- brings a number of new and innovative game play mechanics designed to allow players new to the series to quickly learn the fundamentals while maintaining the deep, creative gameplay Guilty Gear is praised for. New additions to the series such as a wall-breaking mechanic will allow for new and exciting approaches to battle.

Release date: Jun 11, 2021

Categories: Fighting Game, Third-Person Action, Combo System, Stylish Combat, High Mobility, Story-driven Gameplay, Multiplayer Functionality, Competitive Multiplayer

Feature scans:
- MTX: score 85; verdict: Predatory Monetization; summary: The game has significant issues related to its monetization strategy, particularly with the extensive use of DLC to lock content behind paywalls. Many powerful and easy-to-play characters are locked behind these paywalls, creating a pay-to-win scenario. The high cost of DLC and season passes, which can exceed the price of the base game, adds to the frustration. Additionally, players who already own some DLC do not receive discounts when purchasing new bundles, and there is no option to try out DLC characters before buying them. These factors contribute to a negative perception of the game's monetization practices.
- Wiki: score 50; verdict: Needs Improvement; summary: The user feedback highlights a significant reliance on external wikis and resources to understand complex game mechanics, character information, and technical issues. This dependency on external data sources indicates that the game lacks sufficient in-game guidance and support, leading users to seek information elsewhere to fully grasp and enjoy the game.
- Proton/Linux: score 20; verdict: Works Well with Minor Issues; summary: The game generally runs well on Linux with Proton, with no significant performance loss. However, there are minor visual bugs and specific issues with controller input in coop mode. Overall, the compatibility and ease of use are positive, but some tweaks may be required for optimal performance.
- Steam Deck: score 40; verdict: Tinkering Required; summary: The analysis of user feedback reveals several key themes. Controller issues are a significant concern, with multiple users reporting difficulties with connectivity and setup. While the game generally performs well on Linux, there are notable issues such as visual bugs and controller input problems in coop mode. On the positive side, many users have praised the game's graphics, soundtrack, and overall gameplay experience. Additionally, the game has been reported to run well on the Steam Deck, indicating good compatibility with this platform.

- Hardware Profile: No data
Feature extractions:
- Community Price:
  - Community fair range: $20.00 - $40.00
  - Reasoning: The evidence suggests that the community generally finds the game worth purchasing, particularly when it is on sale. Multiple reviews mention that the game is worth getting at a discounted price, often around $20. Some reviews also indicate that even at full price, the game is considered worth it, but the consensus leans towards a lower price point being more favorable.
- Playtime Metrics:
  - Game completion: 20.0h
  - Story completion: 5.0h
  - Session length: N/A
  - Endgame: N/A
  - Reasoning: The evidence provides direct mentions of playtime. One user mentions having 6 hours of playtime, another mentions over 800 hours, and another mentions playing for 10 hours straight. These quotes help establish typical playtime metrics. The reasoning for session length is weaker, as there are no direct mentions of typical session lengths.
- Time-to-fun:
  - Summary: The game becomes fun after players complete the tutorial and start understanding the mechanics. The comprehensive tutorial and playing with friends are key factors that enhance the enjoyment.
  - Stance: Fun after tutorial
  - Anchor: Completing the tutorial
  - Time to anchor: 1h 0m
  - Friction: Complex mechanics; Initial learning curve; Overwhelming for beginners
  - Unlock drivers: Comprehensive tutorial; Training modes; Playing with friends
  - Conditions: Playing with friends; Variety of characters; Understanding game mechanics; Completing the tutorial
- Player Archetypes:
  - Beginner-Friendly Enthusiast (sale)
    - Motivation: Accessibility and ease of learning
    - Playstyle: Casual, learning-focused
    - Experience: newcomer
    - Purchase stance: sale
    - Labels: newcomer; casual player
    - Reference games: Street Fighter; Tekken
  - Passionate Community Member (buy)
    - Motivation: Emotional connection and community engagement
    - Playstyle: Dedicated, story-driven
    - Experience: veteran
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: veteran; community member
    - Reference games: Guilty Gear series
  - Competitive Fighter (buy)
    - Motivation: Competitive gameplay and mastery
    - Playstyle: High-skill, competitive
    - Experience: mixed
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: competitive player; high-skill player
    - Reference games: Street Fighter; Tekken; Mortal Kombat
  - Critical Multiplayer Player (deep sale)
    - Motivation: Improvement of multiplayer experience
    - Playstyle: Casual, critical
    - Experience: familiar
    - Purchase stance: deep sale
    - Labels: critical player; multiplayer enthusiast
    - Reference games: Guilty Gear series


Below are summaries of things people say about the game per category.
Each point is assigned a weight that represents how often it is mentioned across all reviews.
What players like:
- Beautiful visual and art style (weight 0.26): The visual and art style of the game were frequently praised for being beautiful and visually stunning.
- Praised soundtrack and music (weight 0.19): Many players highlighted the game's soundtrack and music as standout features, contributing positively to the overall experience.
- Attractive character designs (weight 0.16): The game features appealing and well-designed characters, which players found visually attractive and engaging.
- General enjoyment of the game (weight 0.16): Overall, players found the game enjoyable and a good experience, both offline and in comparison to other games like Tekken 8.
- Positive fighting mechanics (weight 0.11): The fighting mechanics were generally well-received, with players finding them balanced and skill-based.
- Enjoyable multiplayer experience (weight 0.08): Players enjoyed the multiplayer experience, especially with non-DLC characters, and found the local community engaging.
- Engaging story mode (weight 0.07): Players appreciated the story mode, describing it as luxurious and engaging.
- Inclusion of specific characters (weight 0.07): Players appreciated the inclusion of specific characters like Bridget and Dizzy, adding to the game's appeal.
- Unique strengths and features (weight 0.07): The game was noted for its unique strengths and features, such as the cyberpunk crossover, which added to its distinctiveness.
- Game updates and improvements (weight 0.04): Updates to the game were noted to have improved the overall experience, making it more enjoyable.

Common complaints:
- High DLC costs (weight 0.31): Many players are frustrated with the high cost of DLC characters, which are often priced much higher than the base game itself. This makes the overall experience expensive and feels necessary for a complete roster.
- Balance issues (weight 0.21): Players report various balance issues, including character imbalances and inconsistent balance patches. This affects the fairness and enjoyment of the game.
- Game difficulty (weight 0.15): The game is considered too difficult and not enjoyable by some players. This includes difficulties with learning the game and specific challenges like the final boss in arcade mode.
- Controller issues (weight 0.14): Players report various problems with controller inputs, including incorrect functionality and compatibility issues. This affects the overall control and enjoyment of the game.
- Expensive base game (weight 0.13): The base game is considered too expensive by many players, which is a barrier to entry. The high cost is a common complaint among the community.
- Matchmaking problems (weight 0.11): There are significant issues with matchmaking, including problems with starting matches and ranked match issues. This affects the online multiplayer experience.
- Frustration with character mechanics (weight 0.07): Players express frustration with character strategies, mechanics, and combos, which affects their enjoyment of the game.
- Unpopular game mode (weight 0.07): The 3 on 3 mode is unwanted and unpopular among players, affecting their overall experience.

Gameplay feedback:
- Character balance and adjustments (weight 0.27): Players frequently mention character balance issues and the impact of character adjustments on gameplay. Balance patches and character changes are crucial for maintaining a fair and enjoyable experience.
- Tutorial and training mode limitations (weight 0.19): The tutorial and training modes have been criticized for their difficulty and lack of useful features. Players find these modes necessary but insufficient for learning the game effectively.
- Content and gameplay variety (weight 0.16): The game offers a mix of DLC and base game content, but some players find the gameplay speed slow and the replay system limited. The variety of content and gameplay mechanics is a significant aspect of the game.
- Complex character strategies and combos (weight 0.14): The game features complex character strategies and combos that can be frustrating for players. This complexity affects gameplay and requires significant practice to master.
- Accessibility and beginner-friendly mechanics (weight 0.13): The game includes accessibility features and beginner-friendly mechanics, making it easier for new players to get into the game. However, some players still find the combat system complex and requiring external resources to learn.

Performance notes:
- Network and online issues (weight 0.12): Players are experiencing network performance issues and online stability problems. These issues affect the overall gameplay experience.
- Graphics quality concerns (weight 0.04): Some players have raised concerns about the graphics quality. This can impact the visual experience and immersion in the game.

Recommendations:
- Comparison to other fighting games (weight 0.05): The game is compared to other popular fighting games such as Street Fighter and Tekken, indicating that players are evaluating it in the context of well-known titles in the genre.
- Play GUILTY GEAR Xrd REV 2 (weight 0.04): Players recommend trying out GUILTY GEAR Xrd REV 2, likely due to its unique gameplay or features.
- Normal and deluxe versions (weight 0.04): There are suggestions for both normal and deluxe versions of the game, implying that players are considering different editions based on their preferences or budget.

Other player notes:
No miscpoints

Emotions:
- Frustration (weight 0.5): Players are frustrated primarily due to game balance issues, frequent updates that invalidate practiced combos, and character performance problems. Additional frustrations stem from high DLC costs, poor matchmaking, and technical issues such as controller input problems and network lag.
- Disappointment (weight 0.33): Disappointment arises from the game's high cost, lack of content, and poor handling of updates and balance patches. Players also feel let down by the lack of beginner-friendly content, censorship, and the overall poor quality of the game compared to previous versions.
- Anger (weight 0.13): Anger is mainly caused by the high cost of the game and DLC characters, as well as dissatisfaction with updates and character reworks. Players are also angry about unfair gameplay mechanics, lack of balance, and poorly designed tutorials.
- Criticism (weight 0.02): Criticism is directed at the game's expensive season passes and lack of substantial content. Players also criticize the game in comparison to other fighting games, highlighting inherited weaknesses.
- Hope (weight 0.01): Hope is expressed due to updates that have improved the game. Players are hopeful that continued updates will address outstanding issues and enhance the overall gaming experience.}