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The latest ‘BlazBlue’ reminds me how impenetrable fighting games can be
Fighting games aren't for the faint-hearted. There's no relaxation or light entertainment in the breakneck world of kill-or-be-killed beat 'em ups. Long before home consoles and internet connections, these kind of games fostered serious competitive scenes around arcade cabinets. The term eSports is now common parlance, and yet the biggest fighting game franchises are struggling, only really appealing to their loyal fanbases. But for the developers behind these titles, it's a catch-22. It's after playing BlazBlue: Cross Tag Battle -- which has only recently come to the PC, PS4 and Switch in Europe -- that I'm reminded why. Fighting games can be extremely rewarding, but only as a result of being fundamentally difficult and alienating to begin with.
Why Guilty Gear Xrd -SIGN- ditches pixels for polygons
The biggest change hitting Arc System Works' Guilty Gear Xrd -SIGN- is a shift from hand-drawn, two-dimensional sprites to three-dimensional, polygonal characters. You could be fooled into believing the game is 2D, as the game's vibrant cel-shading covers any jagged edges, but the sweeping camera angles betray the game's new 3D technology. According to Arc System Works chief creative officer Daisuke Ishiwatari (via translator), the company's rival fighting franchise, BlazBlue, has reached the apex of what its developers can do with sprite artwork. Describing BlazBlue as the "pinnacle of that style," Ishiwatari feels that it would be "boring to do the same thing with Guilty Gear." Plus, the new three-dimensional space allows the development team access to new camera angles - a feature especially notable in the almost-cinematic launch attacks, where the camera drops behind the attacker, then follows his or her victim into the air where players can unleash a brutal, mid-air combo. [Image: Aksys Games]
BlazBlue: Chrono Phantasma comes to Vita on June 24
BlazBlue: Chrono Phantasma started a new bout of 2D, combo-driven fighting on the PS3 last month. If you're more the type to fight in public, good news - Chrono Phantasma's wheel of fate will turn on Vita on June 24, according to a press release from Aksys Games. The Vita port hosts the full roster from the PS3 version of Chrono Phantasma, as well as a recap on what you might have forgotten from previous BlazBlue games Calamity Trigger and Continuum Shift. There's also extra story content involving a beach party and an "enhanced Abyss mode," though details regarding those changes have not been shared. [Image: Aksys Games]
BlazBlue: Chrono Phantasma brings the fight to PS3 today
Better late than never, publisher Aksys has announced that BlazBlue: Chrono Phantasma is making its PlayStation 3 debut today. BlazBlue: Chrono Phantasma is the latest hyperkinetic 2D fighter from developer Arc System Works, the same people behind the Guilty Gear series and Persona 4 Arena. In November, we reported that the game was slated to hit the PS3 on March 14, but that date came and went without any word on the fighter. Regardless, the game is now winging its way to retail locations, with a digital version scheduled to debut on the PlayStation Network come April 1. Those of you on the fence about picking up BlazBlue: Chrono Phantasma should know that the initial print run of the game will feature additional content. Specifically, a new character named Yuuki Terumi who serves as the game's antagonist. If you miss your early bird chance to add Terumi to the BlazBlue roster, the character will go on sale as a standard DLC release on May 27. [Image: Aksys]
Report: BlazBlue: Chrono Phantasma coming to Vita, at least in Japan
Arc System Works' latest hyperkinetic fighter, BlazBlue: Chrono Phantasma, is coming to Sony's Vita handheld as well as the PlayStation 3, according to Japan's Dengeki PlayStation magazine. The magazine's report (helpfully translated by Siliconera), claims that the handheld incarnation of BlazBlue: Chrono Phantasma will feature DLC cross-buy functionality with the PS3 game as well as the updates planned for the arcade version of the fighter. Siliconera also notes that "beach events" are being added to the game, though it's unclear what exactly they might entail. Lacking from the Siliconera report is any word on when BlazBlue: Chrono Phantasma might hit the Vita. However, a Gematsu translation of the same Dengeki PlayStation article states that the game will make its Japanese debut on April 24, and that it will feature a price tag of 5,800 yen (about $58). No Western release dates have yet been revealed.
BlazBlue: Chrono Phantasma limited edition includes 'mysterious' item
BlazBlue: Chrono Phantasma will make its PlayStation 3 debut in two versions: The standard release, and the newly revealed limited edition, which offers players the game alongside a handful of bonuses. Included in the limited edition are a 40-page art book, an official soundtrack CD, a Nendoroid figure of Rachel Alucard, and a fourth item that Aksys describes as "mysterious" before prompting fans to "stay tuned." Without knowing what the last bonus is, the Nendoroid seems to be the highlight of this package. These small PVC action figures are very popular in Japan - most are modeled after fan-favorite anime, manga and video game characters - and though they haven't seen such success in the West, Nendoroids easily serve as adorably miniature home decorations. Aksys has yet to reveal official pricing or release date information for either BlazBlue: Chrono Phantasma or its limited edition incarnation.
BlazBlue Alter Memory transplants the game into anime
Finally, the complex and compelling story of BlazBlue is getting the anime treatment with BlazBlue Alter Memory. According to Anime News Network, the story centers on Ragna the Bloodedge – you might know him as "humongous sword guy" – and the ragtag gang of pugilists determined to collect the bounty on his head. Somehow, a fox lady, a little vampire girl and a weird, anthropomorphic cat person figure in there as well. BlazBlue Alter Memory is set to launch this fall.
BlazBlue producer wants to bring a new fighting series to PS4
Arc System Works has designs on bringing a new fighting game series to the PlayStation 4, according to Shoryuken's translation of Dengeki's interview with BlazBlue series producer Toshimichi Mori."We can't give you a definite title yet, but we want to make one," Mori said. "We actually made Guilty Gear targeting the Dreamcast, and we started creating BlazBlue around the time of the PS3 release, so we want to make a game for PS4 when the system releases. Creating new things at the turning point of time is who Arc System Works is, so we would like to take it on."If we may be so bold, Arc System Works, might we suggest a 2D fighting game based on the works of Hayao Miyazaki? Kiki vs. Yubaba, Princess Mononoke vs. Nausicaä of the Valley – just think about it.
New BlazBlue game 'Chrono Phantasma' hits arcades this winter
The next game in the BlazBlue franchise is titled Chrono Phantasma, and is set to hit Japanese arcades beginning this winter. Chrono Phantasma features three new characters: Amane Nishiki, Bullet and Azrael.Amane uses her feminine wiles and ribbon-like robes to attack, Bullet takes the idea of "firepower" to a very real level, and Azrael appears to use his size and brute strength to his advantage, all visible in the above video. Chrono Phantasma includes updated and new backgrounds, music, and abilities for existing characters.The new BlazBlue will go on location test at Hey Arcade in Akihabara on August 6-12, if you needed an excuse to jump on a plane to Japan right now.
BlazBlue hits 1.7 million copies sold worldwide
After four years and four iterations of Blazblue, Aksys announced recently that the Blazblue series sold 1.7 million copies worldwide. Of those copies, 800,000 were unloaded on US street fighters. In celebration of the series' third anniversary in the States, Aksys is holding several contests between now and October. Prizes include signed artwork from developer Arc System Works and an "exclusive" Blazblue wall banner. Details for the contests will be revealed "in the near future" at the official Blazblue site.Arc System Works recently announced Xblaze, which may tie into the Blazblue series. Xblaze is slated for this fall. Meanwhile, Arc System Works' next game, Persona 4 Arena, will be released next week.
Rampant Speculation Theatre presents: 'Xblaze' announced by Arc System Works
Arc System Works, the development house responsible for the Guilty Gear and BlazBlue series of fighting games, has announced the first entry in what it mysteriously refers to as its "Adventure Project." The game, Xblaze, will be released this fall on unknown platforms in unknown regions, and may tie in with the BlazBlue universe/mythos. No further information is yet available, so at this point the game could be virtually anything. In true Rampant Speculation Theatre fashion, our hastily concocted educated guess is as follows: It will be revealed that the "X" in Xblaze is actually pronounced "cross," ala Street Fighter X Tekken. Yes, Xblaze will be the first cross-over fighting game ever to cross over with itself, pitting characters from BlazBlue against characters from, uh, Blazblue.
Blazblue Continuum Shift 2 being 'considered' for Vita launch
We managed to endure Sony's deafening gathering in the LA Memorial Sports Arena just long enough to spot a PlayStation Vita version of Blazblue: Continuum Shift 2. An Aksys representative tells us it might end up with the subtitle of Continuum Shift 2 +. The 2D fighter is likely to be a launch title for Sony's new handheld, though Aksys has yet to finalize a release date. Compared to the recently released 3DS and PSP games, the Vita version of Blazblue boasts sharp HD sprites and beautiful, vivid colors, thanks to the system's OLED screen. Aside from some slowdown we encountered in a Ragna vs. Noel fight, it looks to be an excellent reproduction of the console versions (and will reflect their latest balancing updates). As an added bonus, the smaller screen obscures some of the jagged edges exhibited by the game's large sprites. The Vita's flat, segmented d-pad played nicely with Blazblue's fast-paced combat, and an Aksys representative said that the development team is thinking of using the rear touchpad for something. Don't force it, guys!
While supplies last: BlazBlue shirts for Japan relief
Aksys Games put stuff on sale last month and donated all the proceeds to earthquake relief for Japan. Now it's offering an even more generous charity initiative: it's selling a limited-edition shirt featuring cute BlazBlue characters and the word "hope," for $20. Not only do all the proceeds from sales go to relief efforts, but Aksys will match that contribution. So, for your $20, $40 ends up going to help Japan, and you get an adorable t-shirt. Not bad! Don't think about it too hard -- according to the announcement, " They are limited in number, so if you want one, I suggest you buy one quickly when they go up."
BlazBlue: Continuum Shift patch, new character DLC coming in May
Two updates are coming to the Xbox 360 and PS3 versions of BlazBlue: Continuum Shift in May -- one free (to you), and one paid. A patch is being prepared, intended to alter the game balance of the console versions to be in line with the arcade release of Continuum Shift 2. It will also add new tutorials, new Challenge Mode content for every character, and tweaks and updates to the online mode and its interface. The patch also fixes a problem with Valkenhayn's Achievements in the Xbox 360 version. This won't cost you anything to download, but Aksys will still benefit financially -- the update also puts an ad banner on some in-game screens. The same month, Aksys will release a new DLC character, Platinum the Trinity, who will have new Achievements and Trophies to unlock. This character will cost $7.99 or 560 Microsoft Points.%Gallery-121443%
BlazBlue: Continuum Shift 2 shifts to PSP
Arc System Works is preparing another BlazBlue release on PSP, according to a Dengeki report summarized by Andriasang. The new game will be based on BlazBlue: Continuum Shift 2, the latest arcade release, which is itself based on the PS3/Xbox 360 game BlazBlue: Continuum Shift. What that means is that the PSP version will have all the new characters that were added in Continuum Shift, including the three DLC characters. It also has new additions to the strategy-game-esque Legion mode introduced in the first BlazBlue Portable, along with a new mode called "Abyss Mode," which Dengeki says will be "full of gameplay." What kind of gameplay? Nobody knows! The magazine speculates that it could be a dungeon RPG. BlazBlue Continuum Shift 2 will be released this spring in Japan. We're checking with Aksys about its plans for North America.
BlazBlue Continuum Shift DLC discounted now on Xbox Live, Jan. 4 on PSN
'Tis the season for Valkenhayn R. Hellsing! It seems that way, at least, as Aksys has announced a sale on BlazBlue: Continuum Shift DLC, including Mr. Hellsing and other downloadable characters. Today through January 7 on Xbox Live, and from January 4 through January 25 on PSN, you'll be able to pick up all the Continuum Shift downloads at a discount. If you were ever going to pay money for a different color scheme for your characters, now would be the time, since those are half-off. As for more substantive downloads, the unlock for the character Mu-12 is just a dollar, with Makoto and Valkenhayn available for $4.50 each. See the full list after the break.
BlazBlue: Continuum Shift's second DLC character revealed
BlazBlue: Continuum Shift has already seen one DLC character, Makoto. Arc System Works has announced the second at a Japanese event, and it's a familiar face to series fans. Rachel's butler, Valkenhayn Hellsing, will be joining the fight sometime in the near future. We all should have seen this coming: how can someone named Valkenhayn Hellsing not take part in epic battles? Arc System Works has yet to announce a price or release date for the character, and Aksys Games had no information yet about a stateside release. If the pricing follows Makoto's example, it'll be $7.99, 560 Microsoft Points, or 800 yen.
A big media update for the tiny BlayzBloo
How much cuteness can you handle today? Is it, like, a lot? If not, just pass this post right by. After the break, we have gameplay footage and dozens of screenshots of BlayzBloo: Super Melee Brawlers Battle Royale, the DSiWare arena fighter starring chibi versions of BlazBlue's characters.
BlazBlue: Calamity Trigger throws down on PC August 26
Arc System Works has finally revealed a launch date for the PC port of the first entry in its budding new fighting series, BlazBlue: Calamity Trigger. Japanese gaming site 4Gamer reports Aksys Games is priming the Games For Windows Live version of the frenetic fighter for an August 26 PC release in Japan, for a suggested retail price of ¥5,040 ($58). Consider us thoroughly shocked. We've contacted Aksys Games for word on whether the PC version will be coming to our neck of the woods. We'll be sure to update you as soon as we hear back. For the console gamers out there, the sequel, BlazBlue: Continuum Shift, is set to launch in North America next week.
See Makoto's combos in this BlazBlue: Continuum Shift trailer
BlazBlue: Continuum Shift is set to launch on July 27 and, soon thereafter, fight fans will be able to download an additional character, Makoto. Rather than provide you with some hum-drum stills of the new character, we've got the next best thing: actual gameplay footage. Peep it past the break. %Gallery-96331%
