Sammy Ships Two
February 4, 2003

Sammy Studios, a developer, publisher and global distributor of interactive entertainment content, today announced that Guilty Gear X2, the new trailblazing title from the popular 2D fighter series, and Galerians: ASH, the action-thriller sequel to the “survival horror” classic, have shipped to retail outlets nationwide.  The titles, both for the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system, are rated T for Teen and have a debut MSRP of $39.99.

“We’re pleased to bring two exceptional games, both sequels to anime-inspired franchises with a strong following, to PS2 players,” said John Rowe, president of Sammy Studios.  “We’re also happy to be able to let gamers, many of whom have been waiting for the US release of these games, bring these titles home at a very competitive price.”

Guilty Gear X2 marks a revolution in anime-style fighters for home systems, bringing a high-resolution, progressive-scan capable fighting game that delivers the speed, fluidity and intuitive fight system of an arcade fighter on the PS2.  The series is credited as having one of the best fight systems, one to which beginner fighters can quickly take to while providing the depth and sophistication sought by highly-skilled players.  Guilty Gear X2 is the most complete title in the series, adding six new open and hidden fighters, un-lockable special characters that combine old-and-new fight styles, eight modes with additions like Story and Medal-of-Millionaires, and an arsenal of new and improved moves, including the all-new Burst gauge system.

“The Guilty Gear series has established a number of noteworthy trademarks, both aesthetic and substantive,” said Tim Pivnicny, Senior VP, Sales & Marketing of Sammy Studios.  “Its cast of fighters, designed by renowned artist Daisuke Ishiwatari, is known as one of the most unique and compelling in fighting games, notorious for outrageous moves and fighting styles delivered with brilliant animation.  And Guilty Gear’s intuitive control and balanced fighter roster is making it a favorite among hardcore and casual fighters alike.”

When it made its memorable debut on the PlayStation, Galerians injected a heavy dose of “dark future” sci-fi into the “survival horror” genre.  Now Galerians: ASH brings back the series as a fully 3D third-person action game on the PS2. In the bleak biomechanical world that is the series’ backdrop, humans are losing control of the planet to the Galerians; artificially rendered beings with psychokinetic powers.  Galerians: ASH is the new chapter in this epic struggle, where survivors desperately fighting a last powerful group of Galerians find a way to regenerate Rion, the “good Galerian” from the first game who perished while destroying the mother computer.  Armed with Rion’s arsenal of psychic-induced attacks and neural-enhancing serum, and all-new attacks and abilities like lock-on targeting and a psychic shield, players must maneuver through the game’s bleak yet beautifully created 3D environments to infiltrate the Galerians’ lair and save a future for organic life on Earth.

“Galerians: ASH is a highly-imaginative action-thriller that takes a classic survival horror series born on PlayStation and revives it as a visually masterful third-person 3D PS2 game,” said Tim.  “Fans of horror, sci-fi, anime, and just plain squirm-in-your seat action and thrills shouldn’t miss this one.

Reported By: Jared Black