BlazBlue: Chrono Phantasma

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While BlazBlue: Chrono Phantasma is, ultimately, a new version of the same game that we’ve had the last four years, there’s quite a bit here to sink your teeth into whether you’re a grizzled veteran, or a curious outsider checking out BlazBlue for the first time. As ever, its beautiful art and rocking heavy metal soundtrack serve as great complements to the fun, fast-paced fights. The new arrivals to its existing roster of wholly unique playable fighters, along with its plentiful single-player modes and exceptional online play, makes for a whole lot to explore and enjoy.

BlazBlue: Chrono Phantasma is the latest game by Japanese developer Arc System Works. It’s the third title in the 2D fighting series BlazBlue, and takes place after the events of BlazBlue: Continuum Shift. The release was originally conceived as an arcade game, which deployed in late 2012. It then received a PlayStation 3 port in Japan in October of last year, before punching its way to North American shores.

BlazBlue: Chrono Phantasma is easily the definitive version of BlazBlue, making it a perfect jumping off point for new players. Veterans might balk at the thought of buying a fourth game in the series (along with its character DLC), but the changes made here are far greater than the incremental ones of previous entries. It will likely not be the final chapter in the BlazBlue saga, but it is the finest way to experience this fighting game series thus far.

This game is pretty much exclusively made for those who already enjoy the BlazBlue franchise and want to continue playing with new and refined characters. BlazBlue: Chrono Phantasma offers things like Stylish Mode and an incredibly comprehensive tutorial that not only teaches BlazBlue tactics, but also fighting game fundamentals. Unfortunately people looking to get into a new fighting game will have trouble both catching up and caring about the story, struggle to pick up and master one of the game’s crazy characters. Arc System Works have improved on their formula at its core, but failed to ma...