Overview
Aquapazza: Aquaplus Dream Match is a 2D fighting game developed by Examu and released by Aquaplus for arcades (using the PC-based Taito Type X² platform and NESiCAxLive digital distribution) exclusively in Japan on June 22, 2011.
Developed by the studio behind the Arcana Heart series, Aquapazza is a crossover fighting game featuring characters from visual novels published by Aquaplus (mainly ToHeart2, Tears to Tiara, and Utawarerumono).
Along with multiple updates to the main game (adding new characters), the game was later ported to the PlayStation 3 in both Japan (on August 30, 2012) and North America (by Atlus on November 19, 2013).
Gameplay
Active Emotion System
Gameplay ScreenshotThe game features what is called the Active Emotion System. The player character's mood and state of health affect modifiers applied to their attack and defense. There are three emotional states that characters can be in, and the health gauge is divided into two bars worth 10,000 hit points each.
The effects of the Active Emotion System are as follows:
High: Emotion marked by a red portrait. High emotion can be caused by playing aggressively or utilizing the Impact Guard. Being in an emotion high increases attack damage by 10% (15% if the health is below 10,000).
Normal: The default emotional state. No stat modifiers are applied.
Low: The fighter will enter a low if the player is too defensive. Being in a low causes guard breaks to occur more frequently and lowers defense by 30%.
Other Mechanics
Splash Arts: A super that costs three units of the Power Gauge. It can only be used at or below half the characters health and when the character's portrait begins flashing.
Heavy Smashes are heavy blows that will wall bounce on hit and can be combo'd off of. It is performed with B+C.
Throws are unblockable moves that require close range. It is performed by holding back or forward with the C button.
Impact Guard: Performed by blocking right before an attack connects. This game's instant blocking. It increases sensitivity and prevents chip damage and guard crush.
Resist Smash: Allows the player's block to cancel into a heavy smash at the cost of 1 Power Gauge. Used by blocking and the pressing forward B+C.
Fast Standing: Allows the player to get up immediately after being knocked down. Used by holding up while being knocked down.
Characters
The base game includes 10 playable characters, with three added post-release (for a total of 13).
Other Games
Partners
In addition to choosing their main character, players can choose from one of 10 assist characters (with three more added post-release, bringing the total to 13).
Each Partner has their own unique ability that is activated using the D button, with most Partners having an alternate ability when Back or Forward is held on the joystick. Assists cost one unit of the Power Gauge only if the player cancels another attack (or cancels their guard) into them.
Characters are grouped based on two types: the abilities they perform and their "standby" action. Their ability types include "Shot" (Shageki) for long-ranged attacks, "Hit" (Dageki) for close-ranged attacks, "Balanced" (Ban'nou) for a combination of the two, and "Support" (Hojo) for unique abilities. Their "standby" types include:
- Wait (Taiki) - Remains stationary on the screen until activated.
- Chase (Tsuishou) - Follows the player character around as much as possible.
- Special - Remains hidden off-screen until activated. They cannot be interrupted.
- Yuma Tonami - Hit / Wait
- Ma-ryan - Balanced / Chase - Final "boss" who fights under a character chosen at random. Originally locked during the game's first month. Has a unique unlockable "final boss" version in the PS3 and 2.01 versions.
- Mizuki Takase - Hit / Wait
- Yu Inagawa (added in 1.5A) - Hit / Chase
Other Games
- Satsuki Yuasa (from Routes) - Shot / Chase
- Serika Kurusugawa (from To Heart, added in 2.0) - Balanced / Wait
Story
The game features two separate story modes, the default story mode, and a second entitled "Another Story." To unlock a fighter for use in Another Story, the player must first beat the standard story mode with that character.
Story
The various universes are merged together when Ma-ryan of To Heart 2 botches an attempt to craft a love potion. In the process, she also creates Aquapazza, a magical water that can turn people into mindless slaves. The player's chosen characters fight to restore the others to their right minds and stop the power-mad Ma-ryan from using Aquapazza to take over the multiple worlds.
Another Story
When rumor spreads that the legendary Yata no Kagami, a sacred mirror, has surfaced, the characters all go in search of it hoping that it will grant their greatest wishes. However, when Chizuru Kashiwagi of the game Kizato finds it, hoping to wish away the curse in her bloodline, she is instead possessed by the mirror, which threatens her life as well as the lives of others.
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