Review: BlazBlue: Continuum Shift

[yanipheonu]

Guys this game is so good, easily mty favourite figher of this gen.

Also, this is easily the best story I've ever seen in a fighter (which isn't saying much but still). Lots of great plot twists, and great character interaction (when Hakumen met Tsubaki, :0 it was heart touching DAAAAAAAAAWWWW), and the ending sets up a sequel I REALLY want to see, since a lot of crazy stuff is sure to happen!

 

[Arisato-kun]

I own the game, I love the game, I got it on release day. However, as good as the music is, Daisuke Ishiwatari hasn't been as good as before. Nothing made compares to the high-speed "Suck a Sage" from Guilty Gear or the haunting you're-gonna-die-and-like-it echoes of "The Midnight Carnival". Still petty thought. Great game.

I can see what you're saying and can agree that Guilty Gear has a stronger soundtrack overall. But I think there are some songs that really go above and beyond what Guilty Gear presented. I personally consider Condemnation Wings and Howling Moon as the finest pieces Daisuke has composed. Add Nightmare Fiction, Gluttony Fang and Reppu to the list and you have some solid tracks that could stand up to whatever GG has to offer IMO.

Not to say that I'm not a fan of GG's music. Just presenting my opinion. I will always love Holy Orders, Suck a Sage and Awe of She.

 

[Aiddon_v1legacy]

Valkenhayn has been officially announced, even showing his sprite:

http://www.famitsu.com/game/news/1238639_1124.html

 

[SageRuffin]

Am I the only one who thinks that the girl in the blue uniform with the two pistols that would make Dante ashamed (shown from the thirty second mark to about the forty-four second mark) is hotter than hell?

I once made a joke when footage of Noel (the girl with the blue uniform and two pistols you're talking about) dropped about her being the legitimate love child of Dante and Bridget from Guilty Gear [http://www.creativeuncut.com/gallery-03/art/ggx2-bridget-03.jpg].

The only thing(s) I don't like about this new installment is some of the aesthetic changes (the new manga-esque art style removes the intensity of some of the characters [how am supposed to be afraid of someone nicknamed the "Grim Reaper" and he looks like that], and the new HUD design), and the new challenge mode reminiscent of the impractical-ass combos from the SF4 series. Other than that, both BB games are probably my favorite 2D fighters (next only to SF3:3S).

Edit: Hmm... the pic doesn't wanna pop up. Dammit...

 

[Ken_J]

Mokoto is down loadable now, and she kicks ASS! (She can punch you through the MOON!!). But, she doesn't have an arcade mode or story so not as kick-ass. Also Yahtzee would like her, impact, her drive, is basically a quick-time event.

And for those who are saying 'well that didn't take long.' that's true for use we had to wait a week and a half but the Japanese had to wait a month.

 

[-Seraph-]

The only thing(s) I don't like about this new installment is some of the aesthetic changes (the new manga-esque art style removes the intensity of some of the characters [how am supposed to be afraid of someone nicknamed the "Grim Reaper" and he looks like that], and the new HUD design), and the new challenge mode reminiscent of the impractical-ass combos from the SF4 series. Other than that, both BB games are probably my favorite 2D fighters (next only to SF3:3S).

Really? you found the new HUD bad? it's a lot clearer and the placement of the character meters is better. Looking at Hakumens magatama (my main) is way easier. The only aesthetic I didn't like the them changing the announcers voice to some kid....thing; I liked the older woman voice better, it just fit.

Although my biggest gripe (although it's not TOO bad) is how they altered the burst system. While with this minor change it looks like they are steering it closer to Guilty Gear, I don't like how bursts no longer destroy your barrier gauge. Now that may sound crazy to some, but I liked how barrier bursts where a 'get out of jail free' card against that lethal combo when you are near death. It was also a good way just to shrug the guy off and start pounding them too, but it carried serious consequences. I liked how if you used burst you no longer had a barrier and you took more damage so its one of those things you gotta use wisely.

Now they did alter it so the loser of the previous round gets an extra burst, but the risk factor of using bursts is pretty much gone. I dunno...just the bursts from the first game worked well in my opinion and they didn't have to make it easier.

Now once again...where's my PC version AKSYS!!

 

[SageRuffin]

The only thing(s) I don't like about this new installment is some of the aesthetic changes (the new manga-esque art style removes the intensity of some of the characters [how am supposed to be afraid of someone nicknamed the "Grim Reaper" and he looks like that], and the new HUD design), and the new challenge mode reminiscent of the impractical-ass combos from the SF4 series. Other than that, both BB games are probably my favorite 2D fighters (next only to SF3:3S).

Really? you found the new HUD bad? it's a lot clearer and the placement of the character meters is better. Looking at Hakumens magatama (my main) is way easier. The only aesthetic I didn't like the them changing the announcers voice to some kid....thing; I liked the older woman voice better, it just fit.

I don't think it's so much bad as just unnecessary. The old HUD worked fine I think, though I do like how the Heat gauge was redesigned (especially in Jin's case, but not so much for Haku-men). And the new announcer is quite that grating, though I'm still debating whether or not to get one of the character system voices instead. :/

 

[Ken_J]

The only thing(s) I don't like about this new installment is some of the aesthetic changes (the new manga-esque art style removes the intensity of some of the characters [how am supposed to be afraid of someone nicknamed the "Grim Reaper" and he looks like that], and the new HUD design), and the new challenge mode reminiscent of the impractical-ass combos from the SF4 series. Other than that, both BB games are probably my favorite 2D fighters (next only to SF3:3S).

Really? you found the new HUD bad? it's a lot clearer and the placement of the character meters is better. Looking at Hakumens magatama (my main) is way easier. The only aesthetic I didn't like the them changing the announcers voice to some kid....thing; I liked the older woman voice better, it just fit.

I don't think it's so much bad as just unnecessary. The old HUD worked fine I think, though I do like how the Heat gauge was redesigned (especially in Jin's case, but not so much for Haku-men). And the new announcer is quite that grating, though I'm still debating whether or not to get one of the character system voices instead. :/

I like the new HUD and come to think of it the old announcer fit better, not that thrilled with the new one. However one thing I don't like is the fact that the took out the right stick function which made it waaay easier for new players.

 

[John Funk]

I own the game, I love the game, I got it on release day. However, as good as the music is, Daisuke Ishiwatari hasn't been as good as before. Nothing made compares to the high-speed "Suck a Sage" from Guilty Gear or the haunting you're-gonna-die-and-like-it echoes of "The Midnight Carnival". Still petty thought. Great game.

I own the game, I love the game, I got it on release day. However, as good as the music is, Daisuke Ishiwatari hasn't been as good as before. Nothing made compares to the high-speed "Suck a Sage" from Guilty Gear or the haunting you're-gonna-die-and-like-it echoes of "The Midnight Carnival". Still petty thought. Great game.

I can see what you're saying and can agree that Guilty Gear has a stronger soundtrack overall. But I think there are some songs that really go above and beyond what Guilty Gear presented. I personally consider Condemnation Wings and Howling Moon as the finest pieces Daisuke has composed. Add Nightmare Fiction, Gluttony Fang and Reppu to the list and you have some solid tracks that could stand up to whatever GG has to offer IMO.

Not to say that I'm not a fan of GG's music. Just presenting my opinion. I will always love Holy Orders, Suck a Sage and Awe of She.

I may be about to commit Ishiwatari Heresy here, but... some of my favorite tracks from a Daisuke Ishiwatari game weren't actually composed by Daisuke.

I think overall the Korean GGXX #R soundtrack isn't as good as his stuff but it does have some STELLAR tracks:

Megatona Furioso (Potemkin)


The Great Empress (Millia)


Blacklight Babe (I-no)


Vampire Saga (Slayer)


Midnight Carnival (Boss I-no)


And my personal favorite...

Vortex Infinium (Robo-Ky)

 

[Arisato-kun]

I own the game, I love the game, I got it on release day. However, as good as the music is, Daisuke Ishiwatari hasn't been as good as before. Nothing made compares to the high-speed "Suck a Sage" from Guilty Gear or the haunting you're-gonna-die-and-like-it echoes of "The Midnight Carnival". Still petty thought. Great game.

I own the game, I love the game, I got it on release day. However, as good as the music is, Daisuke Ishiwatari hasn't been as good as before. Nothing made compares to the high-speed "Suck a Sage" from Guilty Gear or the haunting you're-gonna-die-and-like-it echoes of "The Midnight Carnival". Still petty thought. Great game.

I can see what you're saying and can agree that Guilty Gear has a stronger soundtrack overall. But I think there are some songs that really go above and beyond what Guilty Gear presented. I personally consider Condemnation Wings and Howling Moon as the finest pieces Daisuke has composed. Add Nightmare Fiction, Gluttony Fang and Reppu to the list and you have some solid tracks that could stand up to whatever GG has to offer IMO.

Not to say that I'm not a fan of GG's music. Just presenting my opinion. I will always love Holy Orders, Suck a Sage and Awe of She.

I may be about to commit Ishiwatari Heresy here, but... some of my favorite tracks from a Daisuke Ishiwatari game weren't actually composed by Daisuke.

I think overall the Korean GGXX #R soundtrack isn't as good as his stuff but it does have some STELLAR tracks:

Megatona Furioso (Potemkin)

Funk that is perfectly ok. The Korean GG OST is a masterpiece as well. I completely favor Megatona Furioso over both Burly Heart and Motor Head. Vortex Infinitum is superior to Holy Orders? as well.

 

[Kurt Horsting]

Good grief Blazblue Doesn't like Europe, it's only been a month or two that I bought the first one on release date and completed it.

Anyway great review and it looks awesome, as if you'll get to play as the vampire butler soon!!

Valkenheim Hellsing is a werewolf. The evidence for this being his theme being "Howling moon", there are wolves on his coat buttons, and his drive being "lycanthropy".

There are images of him in game on dustloop and SRK.

 

[Ken_J]

I keep trying to get an acquaintance of mine to give this game a chance, but he has wrote it off as a bad game after play it for an hour and a half. To be fair he played it (a bit) but my friend and I still rip into him about it and today he asked,
"Whats so good about BlazBlue? it sucks Street Fighters much better."

My response, "The characters are all unique as well as the setting, the characters are all characters before copy and pasted fighting styles, and it just oozes style!"
But he still prefers Super Street Fighter IV where the most unique character is an obese Bruce Lee wannabe.

 

[Ghengis John]

Am I the only one who thinks that the girl in the blue uniform with the two pistols that would make Dante ashamed (shown from the thirty second mark to about the forty-four second mark) is hotter than hell?

OT: Hmm, never saw much in the BlazeBlue games (not one for fighters), but the need for a new party game at my house after the death of a Rock Band guitar and the neat character designs might have me giving this a look.

No, no sir you are not. That's Noel Vermillion. I'd always liked her. That said she has an alternate form in this game, where there is a lot of booty. So much so that when you unlock it, the achievement pic is of said booty. The developers are pretty tongue-in-cheek it seems. Speaking of which the achievements are pretty humorous. Some of my favorites included "Twirling towards freedom" (nice Simpsons reference) and "For great justice!" (Launch all D With Tsubaki). I love how they break the fourth wall all the time and address the player and their community in some of the character conversations. Like when Kokonoe (this cat-girl scientist) says arakune "had such crazy stuff in the original normal players would start shitting bricks when he entered a match" or how she says "you don't need to lose on purpose anymore to get 100% completion. Yeah apparently that pissed a lot of people off the first time." It's funny, they own up to their mistakes and they actually listened to the players. Best part.

I'd really advise you to check this out. If you haven't played the original you might not get some of the elements in story mode, but they have recaps on what's going on and the actual game play is a blast. The soundtrack is great, the characters all have a lot of personality and the story mode actually gives you a good sense of who they are and what they're doing.

I liked this review a lot. Mainly for existing. This game has sort of come in under the radar. That might have to do with coming out the same day as starcraft two, but you'd think most review staffs could spare a man. I salute you, Funk and the staff at The Escapist. I don't see many reviews and half the people I know who wanted it couldn't find it in stores. Gamestop stocked a criminally small number, I got the display copy at my local store at about noon. That said, at least I got it day one. And what joy I found.

Changes from the original? There's some new characters of course. Every character got a few new moves too. The game also got a pretty significant overhaul in the balance department. You'd quickly notice it if you happened to play a really powerful character like Rachael Alucard or a really low tier character like Bang Shishigami in the original. I played Bang so I applaud all changes. Rachael players might not, but who cares, BANG baby! Bang. WOOOOOOoooOOOoo! ... I mean, My condolences.

Suddenly I have all this freedom in my combo chest, overheads that come out faster than rust develops and can be comboed into without the use of meter and a super that works anti-air, counters a lot of other supers and breaks pressure. It doesn't do great damage but hey it's utility is great. Good sequel. (lol) Continuing the story form the original, also good. Also, DLC characters. Great idea. Got Makoto, she can roll through projectiles and long-range pokes like an SNK character, beautiful. I wish Namco had been so thoughtful with Soul Calibur IV and Dampierre. And Valkenhym. His Japanese Voice actor was Walter from Hellsing. What Fanboys. Bless em. Look forward to seeing him show up.

 

[Samurai Goomba]

Man, I started playing Third Strike recently, realized how awesome that was, then dusted off my old copy of Accent Core and actually learned to play the freaking game. Now I love technical fighters and especially Accent Core, so naturally I'm all keyed up to go find some version of BlazBlue. I've always liked 2D fighters, I just couldn't get into the really technical, air-dashy, combo-heavy ones until recently.

Can't get enough of that music, man. Really, part of why I like these games is the perfect marriage of brilliant gameplay, delicate balancing, awesome music and gorgeous visuals. I'm not sure if Accent Core is a better game than Third Strike, BlazBlue, etc. However, at present it's probably my favorite, at least 'till I can get a copy of BlazBlue to try.

Shame no PC port. Come on! Guess I'm gonna have to buy the PSP version.

Oh, and somebody said something about BlazBlue being the most BALANCED fighter? I dunno, maybe it is, but something tells me Accent Core (not Plus, the other one) is better balanced if you disregard all the shadow/gold cheat characters and are just talking the core roster. I mean, far as I know you can beat anyone with anyone, although some characters are definitely quite easy to be strong with. Still, I don't know if it's even possible for a player who is less skilled to beat somebody more skilled at Accent Core.

 

[Kurt Horsting]

I have the original release of BlazBlue on my PS3, and I'm curious of continuum shift is something I can DL as DLC to compliment the game, or if I have to go purchase a whole new release. ;_;

It isn't unfortunately (which is bullshit in my opinion but there's plenty of people who'll argue it deserved a full release) but it only retails for $40.

Ya, it needed a separate release. Aside from 3 new characters (doesn't sound like much, but trust me, its a lot for a game like this), the sub system of the game drastically changed. Character based prorate, same move scaling, supers having guarantied damage, the primer system, the new burst system, fatal counters, and hitstun not being changed based on how how long the combo lasts etc.

Thats excluding all the character specific changes, like how arakune's drive mechanic has completely changed, or how when hakumen 'cuts' a projectile now it creates a giant black hole that blocks incoming projectiles or how Bang is an unstoppable bullshit machine. Then add the coding for allowing DLC characters (3 more comming to be exact) and patchable gameplay, then i hope you can see why its a separate release. And its still cheaper then a regular sequel unlike what gears, cod, and halo do.

...

Oh, and somebody said something about BlazBlue being the most BALANCED fighter? I dunno, maybe it is, but something tells me Accent Core (not Plus, the other one)

In terms of gameplay, Accent core and Plus are exactlly alike. Kliff and Justice are tournament banned (and have always been banned).

 

[The Wooster]

I have the original release of BlazBlue on my PS3, and I'm curious of continuum shift is something I can DL as DLC to compliment the game, or if I have to go purchase a whole new release. ;_;

It isn't unfortunately (which is bullshit in my opinion but there's plenty of people who'll argue it deserved a full release) but it only retails for $40.

Ya, it needed a separate release. Aside from 3 new characters (doesn't sound like much, but trust me, its a lot for a game like this), the sub system of the game drastically changed. Character based prorate, same move scaling, supers having guarantied damage, the primer system, the new burst system, fatal counters, and hitstun not being changed based on how how long the combo lasts etc.

Thats excluding all the character specific changes, like how arakune's drive mechanic has completely changed, or how when hakumen 'cuts' a projectile now it creates a giant black hole that blocks incoming projectiles or how Bang is an unstoppable bullshit machine. Then add the coding for allowing DLC characters (3 more comming to be exact) and patchable gameplay, then i hope you can see why its a separate release. And its still cheaper then a regular sequel unlike what gears, cod, and halo do.

...

Oh, and somebody said something about BlazBlue being the most BALANCED fighter? I dunno, maybe it is, but something tells me Accent Core (not Plus, the other one)

In terms of gameplay, Accent core and Plus are exactlly alike. Kliff and Justice are tournament banned (and have always been banned).

The first game should have been patchable. Hell any fighting game made for this generation of consoles should be patchable. While I apreciate the work put into the sequel I also shouldn't have to shell out 40 bucks for some actual character balance (and some fixes to the CT's fucking atrocious matchmaking system)

That being said I don't regreat my purchase, for $40 you can't really go wrong. The DLC characters are overpriced in my opinion though, for anybody playing the game on a serious level those characters are must-haves which puts the total price of the game over $60 (even though Makoto plays wonderfully. Though she looks skanky as fuck)

 

[Kurt Horsting]

...
The first game should have been patchable. Hell any fighting game made for this generation of consoles should be patchable. While I apreciate the work put into the sequel I also shouldn't have to shell out 40 bucks for some actual character balance (and some fixes to the CT's fucking atrocious matchmaking system)...

I'm just saying the system changed so much that they couldn't do it through a patch. It would be like going from Street Fighter 2 to Super Street Fighter 4 and demanding it just be a graphics and roster update (not as drastic, but you get my point).

Also its helpful to remember that CT didn't have Tutorial or challenge modes in the game. (To compensate, the people who preordered got the 'limited edition' which came with the sound track, and a instructional dvd.)

And the balance changes arn't like Super 4's 'lets make this move 2 frames faster' kinda changes. It's like 'What can we do to make the character feel similar, but be as different to the same character from ct as possible?'

Its something closer to an expansion, rather then a sequel, but deferentially more changed then what a patch could do.