DaveBeFree's Blazblue: Continuum Shift Review
I have a fickle relationship with both Anime and fighting games. Neither of these genres have been able to win my heart entirely, but I have been drawn to both at certain times. Despite the factors working against it, however, Blazblue: Clamity Trigger was one the surprises for me from last year, providing a rich and fully realized experience that I didn't expect to enjoy. It may look rather obtuse and strange, but underneath it's niche Japanese exterior is a rather fun game. In some ways I think of Blazblue as the true (albeit crazier) modern evolution of fighting games, with it's glorious animation and intensely intricate structure. It's not a game for everyone, but it's almost impossible to know whether you'll enjoy it until you try it.
Blazblue: Continuum Shift is an an unapologetically Japanese fighting game. Unlike Street Fighter 4, or other similar recent fighters, Blazblue offers no quarter in regards to it's crazy Japanese style. From the opening cut scene, sung in a J-pop-esque native Japanese, you know what your getting is an unadulterated Japanese experience. And for those willing to accept a certain level of cultural dissonance, and full blown crazy, it is an awesome ride.
If you played the orginal Blazblue, however, and know what it's about, what your getting here is a better, more refined experience. Blazblue: Continum shift features fourteen (up from twelve in the orginal) fighters with completely unqiue move sets and animations. This is where Blazblue sets itself apart from the fighting game pack, as there are no recyceled parts. Each charcter is entirely unqiue making the experience markedly diverse for each fight and match-up. Even though all of the players aren't equally fun to play, they all are animated gorgeously with HD sprites that are colorful and highly detailed in a way that it is impossible to not appreciate. From the ice attack of Jin, to the cat people playing in one of the many detailed backgrounds, Blazblue is a visually rich and attractive game. If nothing else you should see this game in action, as it really is one of the prettier games on the market.
One of the games biggest assets, unfortunately, is also one of it's greatest faults. Blazblue features a complex combat system that, even once you've learned it, probably won't really make any sense. There are a number of gauges and context sensitive moves that are perhaps too bogged down in minutia to be trully accesiable. In order to combat the games considerable barrier to entry, a series of lengthy tutorials have been included to teach moves, combos and theory. Unfortunately, these lessons aren't as deep or as helpful as I would have liked, and are perhaps better suited to complete newcomers of the series, rather then vets trying to expand and develop their games.
Finally Blazblue: Continuum Shift features a few added bonuses along with it's deep and exciting fighting. A diversion called legion mode allows you to fight in a board game like set-up and a full "story-mode" helps to flesh out the world and mythology of Blazblue. Neither of these additions will be of any intrest, however, to those put-off by the unique fighting or visuals, as they still rely almost entirely on the core action for the bulk of the experience.
Blazblue, ultimately, isn't for everyone and Continuum Shift isn't going to convert many skeptics. What Blazblue: Continuum Shift does offer, however, is a smoother, funner and more diverse experience then it's predecessor, making this a welcome addition to fans of the series. If you're a huge fighting game or Anime fan, this game may not be for you, but you should at least give this emerging series a chance. You may just find yourself hooked, beside yourself, engrossed in the frenetic gameplay and brilliant visuals. Don't worry; no one will tell your Street Fighter or Modern Warfare friends...
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