Blade Strangers

While Blade Strangers is a perfectly competent fighting game, it will struggle to find an audience. Too simple for fighting fans, too niche for kids and not enough story for fans of the source material, it simply fails to meet the mark.

Blade Strangers finally delivers a conventional fighting game where you can beat up other fighters with Shovel Knight (looking at you Super Smash Bros. Ultimate). I'm not sure I can confidently say the game will do waves in the fighting game community, but I think it'll be enjoyable for all players of all different skill types. It's a testament to the Switch's ever-growing library of great titles from a whole bunch of different genres and if there's one thing I can say with confidence; Blade Strangers is worth checking out.

In our Blade Strangers PS4 review, we explore what might be one of the oddest, crossover fighting games in recent memory.

Blade Strangers is a fun and charming 2D fighter that is readily open for any kind of player to enjoy. Whether you’re a newcomer to the fighting genre or a hardened veteran that instinctually whiff punishes anything. Everyone can play this game and appreciate the obscurely, iconic roster of characters and stages that Nicalis and Studio Saizensen have given us.

Blade Strangers is an odd mix of zany characters and entertaining gameplay. Its unique four-button fighting gameplay is a refreshingly accessible experience for anyone that wants to duke it out with Shovel Knight, Isaac, Quote, or any of the fourteen different fighters within the title.

After making the goofy beat 'em up Code of Princess, Studio Saizensen is at it again but this time with a brand new 2D fighting game.

Blade Strangers’ unique approach to fisticuffs won’t appeal to everyone, but those looking for something with both depth and accessibility will find it here. It might not be FGC-ready, but it manages to provide a good time for those with an open mind.

There’s no denying it - this is the most accessible 2D fighter we’ve played in years. If you’re new to the often impenetrable world of twitch-style brawlers, this serves as an ideal way to learn the craft and feel powerful without too much work. Not every one of its crossover fighters gels as well as the others, but it’s still an empowering experience for beginners and intermediate fight fans. However, if you’re looking for a purposefully nuanced combat system with a bit more bite, you’re probably best sticking with BlazBlue’s mechanical purity.

It’s not perfect, but Blade Strangers is a solid fighting game that is wonderfully accessible. At full price some players might feel like they’re not getting a great deal for their money, but in a sale, I reckon it would make a decent purchase, especially for someone that isn’t hellbent on taking the action online. It’s not going to keep you entertained for as long as a Street Fighter or BlazBlue game, but those familiar with its characters will have fun pitting the likes of Shovel Knight against Issac. Those unfamiliar with its characters will just enjoy it for the fact that there are no barr...