Guilty Gear Strive’s Cyberpunk: Edgerunners Guest Character Has Major Implications Moving Forward

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Guilty Gear Strive's Cyberpunk: Edgerunners Guest Character Has Major Implications Moving Forward

Highlights

  • Lucy’s inclusion in Guilty Gear Strive as a guest fighter signals a new era of crossover possibilities for the franchise.
  • Fans accustomed to legacy fighters in GG may now see anime characters as plausible additions thanks to Lucy’s debut.
  • The unexpected choice of Lucy opens doors for potential crossovers with characters from other popular franchises.

As a long-time fan of Guilty Gear and someone who has followed the series since its early days, I’ve grown accustomed to the unique roster of characters that Arc System Works has consistently delivered over the years. The recent announcement of Lucy from Cyberpunk: Edgerunners as a guest fighter in Guilty Gear Strive, however, has left me both excited and surprised.

Since the release of Guilty Gear Strive, which has taken the series to new levels of popularity, there have been whispers in the fanbase about potential guest characters. With an expanding roster of original characters and richly developed worlds, some may argue that Guilty Gear doesn’t need guests. However, the sudden announcement of new DLC fighters for Guilty Gear Strive has come as a shock to fans, as Arc System Works’ decision to collaborate with an unexpected IP could signal a promising future for crossovers in this franchise.

2024’s EVO event showcased significant updates across the fighting game spectrum, but the unexpected announcement of Guilty Gear Strive’s Season 4 DLC was truly astounding – Lucy, a character from the Cyberpunk: Edgerunners anime, was unveiled as the franchise’s inaugural guest fighter. It may appear surprising that a character originating from an anime adaptation of another video game’s world made it over established characters from other IPs, but Lucy possesses attributes that could effortlessly blend her with the existing roster. What’s more, her presence in Guilty Gear hints at possible future directions for the series, where no franchise is untouchable.

A Cyberpunk: Edgerunners Character in Guilty Gear Means that Anime is Fair Game for Future Guests

Embracing the Style Guilty Gear Has Always Represented

Though it might have been unexpected, Lucy’s unique art style bears resemblance to the vibrant and forward-thinking designs characteristic of Guilty Gear. In a cast dominated by superhumans with cybernetic enhancements in a far-off future, a character from Night City’s criminal underworld in Cyberpunk isn’t entirely out of context.

Fan Requests Seem More Plausible Than Ever

While some fans are disappointed that not all beloved characters from Guilty Gear lore are in Strive, the anticipation for future additions is high due to the excitement surrounding legacy fighters. With the introduction of Lucy, who is crossing over from an animated show, there’s now a new avenue for introducing anime characters into Guilty Gear, expanding the possibilities and potentially delighting more fans.

1. This blend of characters has faced criticism due to the restricted possibilities for these guests to fit seamlessly into the ongoing storyline of GG, with fighters from other Arc System Works games appearing to have no room in the plot. However, a recent interview suggests that the developer purposefully selected a character based on their potential role within the Guilty Gear universe.

A Guest as Unexpected as Lucy Makes Other Arc System Works IP Crossovers Seem Easy

Lucy is Not Even the Protagonist of Her Own Series

As a die-hard fan of Edgerunners, I’ve been buzzing with excitement over the news that a character from the show is getting the limelight next. However, there’s been a bit of a puzzle surrounding who it is exactly. With David being the main protagonist, many of us assumed he would be the one to collaborate with another project. But, it seems that the Guilty Gear studio had other plans, as Strive producer Ken Miyauchi hinted mysteriously in an interview with IGN:

Based on my experience as a long-time fan of video games and following the development news closely, I can relate to Ken Miyauchi’s reluctance to reveal details about upcoming projects. As someone who has seen numerous games get spoiled before release, I understand the importance of keeping certain information under wraps to preserve the element of surprise and excitement for fans.

Fans Were Anticipating an In-House Guest if Any

The guest character in Guilty Gear Strive’s popularity polls was a surprise even among their own IP community due to their unpredictability, but most players of Strive anticipated a character hailing from under Arc System Works’ umbrella. With numerous fighting game franchises boasting renowned characters like Ragna the Bloodedge from BlazBlue and Hyde from Under Night In-Birth, it was a simpler choice for the company when designing the moveset and animations.

An alliance with another fighting game developer could have been a more logical choice, given that Street Fighter 6 will introduce characters like Mai Shiranui and Terry Bogard. However, Arc System Works has chosen to explore new territories, surprising some fans. If the studio eventually invites its own characters as guests, they might seem less daring and simpler to incorporate. Given the daring and innovative approach to guest characters, it’s also probable that these collaborations will continue in the form of loaning out characters to other companies.

Guest Fighters in Guilty Gear Open the Door for GG Characters to Feature in Other Franchises

In an unexpected turn of events, even someone like Lucy, who seems unlikely, can join the roster of Strive just by fitting in with its visual style and atmosphere. This opens up the possibility that other Guilty Gear characters could also make appearances in other games. For instance, Baiken has successfully adapted to the Samurai Shodown reboot in 2019, demonstrating that her unique fighting style can be carried over without losing its distinct identity within the Guilty Gear universe.

As a dedicated gamer of Guilty Gear Strive, I can’t always tell which new addition to the game will be met with enthusiasm from the fanbase. However, introducing a classic character like Sol Badguy is generally a safer bet to avoid any potential backlash. The recent announcement of Lucy from Cyberpunk: Edgerunners joining Strive, though, signifies an exciting expansion for the Guilty Gear roster and the franchise as a whole. This development not only broadens the game’s character selection but also showcases the series’ growing influence that extends beyond the typical gaming crossovers.

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2024-07-29 22:35