Summary
Guilty Gear -Strive-, the successful latest entry in the Guilty Gear fighting game series, just revealed the complete roster of the upcoming season 4. And in a surprising turn of events, Lucy from Cyberpunk Edgerunners will be the final character of the season, marking the first-ever guest character in the series. While some fans are disappointed by the reveal, expecting to see other fan favorites. Many others are excited, and many anime fans who haven’t played the game are now interested in it.
The Guilty Gear series, created by Daisuke Ishiwatari, has always been a niche franchise with a dedicated following. With the release ofGuilty Gear -Strive-in 2021, the series saw massive success, attracting many new fans. A combination of amazing visuals, an incredible original soundtrack,likable characters, and fun gameplay, -Strive- gave the series what it never had: worldwide appeal. The game has received three seasons of character and stage DLC, along with expansions to the story and new mechanics. After adding A.B.A and Slayer, two fan-favorite characters, players eagerly waited for a fourth season.
Right before the Top 6 Finals at EVO 2024, ArcSystem Works unveiled a trailer showcasing the upcoming 3 v 3 Team Mode, new stages, and the four characters of season four. The first was Dizzy, a massively popular character, now called Queen Dizzy. Next, it was Venom, the beloved Phantom. Then Unika, a brand-new character, makes her debut in the upcoming Guilty Gear -Strive- Dual Rulers anime. And finally, surprising everyone, in a collaboration with CD Projekt Red, Lucy Kushinada from Cyberpunk Edgerunners anime.
Fan Favorites, A New Face, and an Unexpected Guest
An Exciting New Season of DLC
Fan reception to Dizzy and Venom has been overwhelmingly positive, as they are characters fans have asked for for years. However, the reactions to Lucy have been mixed. Many diehard fans are disappointed to see her instead of requested characters like Jam Kuradobery, Robo-Ky, or Raven. While many others are excited to see the first guest character in the series. And so are fans of the Cyberpunk Edgerunners anime, as they have expressednewfound interest in the gamethanks to her inclusion.
Lucy hacks her way intoGuilty Gear -Strive-in the Summer of 2025. While her background is much different from Guilty Gear, her fighting style with wires and guns may fit well in the game. Guilty Gear has several rush down-type characters, and Lucy may well fit into this category, with a style similar to Eltnum Sion from Under Night in Birth and Melty Blood. However fans feel about her inclusion, only time will tell if Lucy will be well implemented into the game. Fans can trust Daisuke’s vision.
