Blazblue central fiction crossplay Continue Formats: PlayStation 4 PlayStation 3 Format / Equipment Used: PSN Download PS4, PS3 HDTV Extras: Cross-Buy No Cross-Save Yes Cross-Play Yes Cross-Chat No Titles: BlazBlue: Central Fiction Format: Blu-ray Disc / (PS4 19.56 GB) (PS3 14.8 GB) Release Date: November 1, November 2016 Publisher: Aksys Games Developer: Arc System Works Original MSRP: $59.99 (PS4) / $49.99 (PS3) ESRB Rating: T A copy of this game has been provided by the publisher for review purposes. P.S. Nation Review politics with periodic releases since it first hit the scene in 2008, the BlazBlue series has been around the block several times. It's been over a year since the last game in the franchise, BlazBlue ChronoPhantasma Extend, and it's finally time for a new subtitle for the series. Ahead of the release of BlazBlue: Central Fiction, though, the developers have expressed interest in finally giving the series a rest for a while. As potentially the latest BlazBlue for the foreseeable future, read on to see how the game holds. I will focus on Central fiction from a holistic point of view. For those interested in the new features of the game only, feel free to skip ahead to the last eight paragraphs of the review that deal with the more changes this installment brings to the franchise. Gameplay: BlazBlue is a 2D combat game in every sense of the term, unlike some of the latest fighters. Originally designed as a replacement of sorts for the on-time-in-limb Guilty Gear franchise, BlazBlue has since evolved into its beast. However, the game still fits firmly into the pantheon of Arc System Works (ASW), with similar aspects of their other combat games. Like many ASW fighters, this is a frenetic and fairly fast-paced combat game, with a higher-than-usual focus on long combos. Characters tend to be quite mobile with most having access to things like air dashing and double jumps. There are a lot of mechanics though, as the series has been slowly introducing more and more over the last eight years. Going through the tutorial game, there are a ton of little subtleties to learn, but it does a decent job of teaching them all. Overall though, the fighting is very fluid and it's easy to learn the basics. This is true with normal management, but the game also offers a stylish management scheme to help new players. When selecting players, you only need to stretch one button to make a combo or hold a certain button to perform special attacks. This mode is a bit of a crutch in my opinion, but it allows players of any skill level to jump and enjoy the game. One of the business cards of the franchise is the mechanic Drive. In addition to the usual attack buttons, each character has a D button, the function of which varies greatly between the characters. Some characters simply have normal moves with special properties, while can use the D button for strange mechanics. Mechanics. does a lot to differentiate each character... Some examples include a character that can control the direction of the wind with D, or another that has a puppet partner who can move and attack with the D button. Not that the characters are all that close to the top, but the mechanics of Drive really helps set them all apart. Compared to a game like Street Fighter IV, where multiple characters have only minor variations on the same set, BlazBlue does a lot to differentiate each character. I like a lot of mechanics and the overall feeling of a fight series and fortunately Central Fiction gives the player many ways to use it. Most modes included are pretty standard for combat games: mode of history, training, problems, etc. ASW can even do what Capcom can't - it's not just arcade mode, so it has three. Arcade mode is divided into three separate actions for most characters. Some of the included modes even add additional rules to the mix. The latest ASW fighter jets often include RPG mode, and here the Abyss mode fills this role. It's not too different from past abyss modes, but it does set up some small aspects. ... It can be difficult for a beginner to understand the plot... When playing this mode, the characters can be neither equal nor tailored to the equipment that increase their stats or give them additional abilities. It is a very sturdy mode, with plenty of equipment to collect and levels to grind. One of my favorites is the new Speed Star mode, it's a timer based on a unique twist. Here, the player's character has an endless life and instead tries to beat a number of opponents before the timer runs out. Certain player actions can add time to the timer, which is absolutely necessary to defeat him. The mode even throws in random boss characters who can also knock seconds off the player's timer himself. ASW fighters often have long and involved modes of history and Central fiction is no exception. The story mode is gaining momentum after the events of the last few games and actually solves a lot of story streams that presented previous games. So, it can be difficult for a beginner to understand the plot. The game offers the opportunity to summarize the events of previous entries, but even as someone who played the entire series, I found a resume of wanting, and I had trouble memorizing different plot points. The story is told mostly through a visual novel-style dialogue with a rare struggle thrown in. As in, I think there is more than an hour of reading before the player even gets into his first fight. ... a few new ones, in Minor, tweaks ... In addition to the new Speed Star mode and the sequel to the story, the game also adds seven new characters to bring the list to a whopping thirty-five when DLC. Interestingly, they include characters from BlazBlue by-products. Those familiar with history may remember Hibiki, Nine, and Isan, who all finally make their playable debut. Hibiki uses swords resembling the Titan Attack and focuses on confusing his opponent by making shadows of himself. Nine magicians who can stock up on elements based on her chain of attack to unleash special combination attacks. Isanumi has a strange ability to carry out ground attacks while in the air. Two other characters are also included in the basic game: Naoto and Susanio. Naoto is the protagonist of Bloodedge Experience, a spin-off of the BlazBlue novel, and uses a hand-held style complemented by a weapon created by his blood. Susanoo is unlocked in the game, finishing the story, or paying for DLC, and blocked the ability he can unlock during the fight with his drive moves. There are also two DLC symbols: Es and Mai. Es from XBlaze spin-off Vita games and attacks with a huge sword that can create detonation delays. May from BlazBlue: Remix Heart manga and uses a spear she can throw and control the trajectory of using her Drive. Es is free for a limited time after the game starts. Don't forget to grab it if you want to save a few bucks. Central Fiction has a few new, mostly minor, tweaks to BlazBlue mechanics. The most significant is that each character now has a special super move they can use while in Overdrive. There's also a new active state stream too, which rewards proactive, offensive play. It is worth going through the tutorial to learn about these mechanics, even for returning players, as they can be very powerful. ... Colorful, fluid 2D animation ... Visual effects: As mentioned earlier, BlazBlue: Central Fiction is a 2D combat game, but unlike recent Street Fighter and Guilty Gear recordings, BlazBlue actually retains 2D graphics for the characters. Sprite's work looks very good overall, representing Ragna and the rest of the cast in colorful, fluid 2D animations. I especially adore the astral finish of character moves that often have over-the-top animations to go with match-ending attacks. The backgrounds are all 3D rendered though, which would seem jarring, but it's actually not that bad in practice. Some steps work better than others, but overall the graphics work quite well. Much of the focus is on the two characters anyway, so as the characters tend to pop more than the background elements are more of a plus than anything. Audio: Arc System Works always makes great soundtracks, and this is no exception. Daisuke Ishiwatari once again provides its unique style of crying guitar and fast-paced riffs. If I had a complaint it would be Most of the soundtrack is just carried forward from past games, but it's a small thing. I liked music before, and I still like how New characters get a new theme each though. The biggest controversy over the game is that English dub votes have been removed. It's disappointing for dub lovers and a few English VO have expressed dissatisfaction with the decision online. Presumably, changes have been made to allow the game to start closer to the Japanese release. Japanese voices are still good, but wish there was no more opportunity for fans who wanted it. ... Find players who want to test their bravery... Online /Multiplayer: Although with a lot of single player options nice, combat games can live or die based on their multiplayer appeal. BlazBlue fares very well in this department with lots of options.