Guilty Gear X2

Guilty Gear X2
Japanese PlayStation 2 cover art
Developer(s)	Arc System Works
Publisher(s)	Sammy Studios
Producer(s)	Daisuke Ishiwatari
Designer(s)	Daisuke Ishiwatari
Composer(s)	Daisuke Ishiwatari Koichi Seiyama
Series	Guilty Gear
Platform(s)	Arcade, PlayStation 2
Release date(s)	May 23, 2002 Arcade JP: May 23, 2002 PlayStation 2 JP: December 12, 2002 NA: February 4, 2003 EU: March 7, 2003
Genre(s)	Fighting game
Mode(s)	Single-player, multiplayer
Arcade system	Sega NAOMI

Aggregate scores
Aggregator	Score
GameRankings	86.14%
Metacritic	87/100
Review scores
Publication	Score
1UP.com	B+
AllGame
EGM	25/30
Famitsu	33/40
G4
GamePro	4/5
Game Revolution	B+
GameSpot	8/10
GameSpy	93/100
GameZone	9.2/10
IGN	9/10
OPM (US)	4/5
Cincinnati Enquirer
GameNOW	B+
Gaming Age	A

Guilty Gear X2, also known as Guilty Gear XX (Japanese: ギルティギア イグゼクス, Hepburn: Giruti Gia Iguzekusu^?) and subtitled The Midnight Carnival in Japan, is a fighting game developed by Arc System Works and published by Sammy Studios. The third main installment (5th overall) of the Guilty Gear series, Guilty Gear X2 furthered the plot of the series, as well as introduced new characters and gameplay mechanics. A sequel to Guilty Gear X, it was first announced in January 2002, and was released on May 23, 2002, for the arcades, in Japan. It was later ported to the PlayStation 2 and published in North America and Europe.

The PlayStation 2 version of Guilty Gear X2 has sold well in Japan; over 140,000 copies were sold between 2002 and 2004. In addition to the public reception, the game has been praised by video game critics. Several aspects were commended, the most noticeable being its gameplay, visuals, music, and new additions from Guilty Gear X, the second game in the series. It was found to be the best title of the series, as well as one of the best titles of the year, on the console, and on the genre by some reviewers. Since its release, it has received five updated versions, each offering additional features over previous versions.

The fighting system works around a four main attack button configuration, consisting of punch, kick, slash, and heavy slash. Additional buttons allow the player to perform taunts, and throw enemies in the air. When a character causes damage or moves toward its adversary, a tension gauge charges. However, when a character moves backwards or uses defensive moves often, its tension gauge is reduced. Once a character's gauge is filled, Super Mode can be engaged. When a character is in this state, super moves called Overdrive Attacks, or a variety of special techniques—"Instant Kill", "Faultless Defense," "Dead Angle Attacks" or "Roman Cancels"—can be performed.