Author Archives: supermetagross
Guilty Gear Xrd: Rev 2 Review Let’s Rock!
Developer: Arc System Works
Publisher: Aksys Games
ESRB Rating: Teen
Platforms: PS4, PS3, PC
MRSP: $39.99 USD Retail ($19.99 Upgrade on all platforms)
(Review Copy Y/N) A review copy was provided by Aksys for the PS4 and we are grateful for the opportunity given to us.
We’ll be tackling a powerhouse in the world of fighting games today with “Guilty Gear Xrd: Rev 2.” Created and developed by Daisuke Ishiwatari and his team at Arc System Works, and published by Aksys Games; as of now Rev 2 is the 17th entry in the Guilty Gear series. From the previous entry, Revelator, to Rev 2, the game has received numerous changes and new additions to boot which will be gone over along with the mechanics. So with this short introduction out of the way, will we see Rev 2 exceed expectations as an enhancement, or will it succumb to being an unnecessary coat of paint over an already exceptional game? Only the Heavens and Hell will decide, so without further adieu…
Fate/Extella: The Umbral Star- Return to the Moon
Developer: Marvelous Inc.
Publisher: XSEED Games
Platform: PS4, PS Vita; reviewed on PS4.
ESRB Rating: Rated T
MRSP: $49.99 (USD)
A review copy was received by XSEED Games, thank you.
Today we’ll be returning to the Moon Cell to take a look at Fate/Extella: The Umbral Star, the next entry in the on-going series of Fate games that began with Fate/Extra. To not go too far into the story of Extella (to avoid serious spoilers,) we continue after the events of Fate/Extra with the same protagonist and servant companion who now begin what could be their last battle to claim the entirety of the Moon Cell.
Nitroplus Blasterz: Heroines Infinite Duel Review
Developer: Examu
Publisher: XSEED Games
ESRB Rating: T
Release Date: (PC) December 8th, 2016
A review copy was provided by XSEED Games, thank you.
Today we’re taking some time to take a look at Nitroplus Blasterz: Heroines Infinite Duel developed by Examu, which has just made its way to PC. Will this port of the fighting game which uses visual novel characters and the like be able to hold itself up on this platform, like it has in the arcades and on console? Let’s see!
Nitroplus follows some traditions set in place by previous powerhouses in the genre with fast-paced gameplay, double jumps, assist characters, and air dashing, all mixed in to the fray. The button layout is the more unique five button type, which includes: Weak, Medium, Strong, Escape, and even a Heavy Action button. Weak, medium, and strong are your standard normal moves; Heavy Action (HA) is similar to a blow back action when standing, while crouching HA is turned into a sweeping move that will knock down the other player, immediately. Doing HA while in the air causes the same effect; while holding HA will turn it into a guard-crush move. The escape move is simply a dodge-rollー similar to that in King of Fighters, and follows the same properties as well. This move can also be done in the air, and is often used as a blitz option during combos or for applying pressure on an opponent. So much more could be said about the buttons and what they do, but as most fighting games go: it’s all about discovery, and what can be done with those tools.
Before we head into the meat of the game (the gameplay,) let’s cover what modes there are to the game. We have your standard arcade-mode-Story mode involving beating a set amount of fighters and then fighting the final boss (with cut scenes, of course.) After completing this story mode once, we then unlock “Another Story”ーwhich is a continuation of the story offered in arcade mode. Next up is Versus, your standard, local play mode; Score Attack mode, where you take place in continuous fights to make your score the best on the leaderboard and Training, where you can brush up on practicing your most damage dealing combos and more! Visiting the Gallery allows you to view the art and cut scenes from Story and Another Story mode. Option mode lets you adjust the audio, window options, keyboard and controller key settings, and in-game settings such as rounds, time limit, and CPU level. Lastly, we’re going to go over one of the more important modes: Network mode. What we have here is like all other online modes: a ranked, casual lobby search mode; replay options; a leaderboard. The netcode of the game felt on par to that of Ultra Street Fighter 4, when a stable green connection is made between two players. In other words: the game only has about 4-6 frames of input lag, which, on average, is very minimal in terms of impacting online matches
Setting all this aside, it’s finally time to look at the gameplay of Nitroplus. During character select there are 14 playable characters, ranging from all sorts of different visual novels and similar IPs. A few worth noting being Saya from Saya no Uta, and Aino Heart from the “Arcana Heart” series. There are plenty more, of course. Once your character is selected, you then need to choose two assist characters from a roster of 19 different options, with each one again from a series or title connected to the Japanese publisher in some way. While in game, you have the standard health bar and super gauge, although it is broken into three separate bars. This is a bit unusual, but not unheard of. Apart from the usual, you also have your assist gauges, which charge over time to become available. Once a round is over, said gauges deplete back to zero in time for the following round. One of the more interesting mechanics to Nitroplus is the Infinite Blast move, which works similar to that of the burst from “Guilty Gear” with additional properties. To quickly go over what Infinite Blast does: when activated it’ll regenerate health over time, gain more to the super gauge, and cancel special moves into escape actions. On the flipside, it can only work once per round.
Overall, Nitroplus Blasterz: Heroines Infinite Duel is another one of a kind fighting game brought over to the PC. Although one of the more niche fighting games using primarily characters from visual novels, there is no doubt it’ll make an even greater impact now that it’s accessible to the PC fighting-game crowd, and market.
My verdict for Nitroplus Blasterz: Heroines Infinite Duel is:
7/10
Pros:
-Phenomenal/Solid gameplay
-Varying archetypes of playable characters
-Very solid netcode
Cons:
-Less than average roster size
Blazblue: Central Fiction Review
Blazblue: Central Fiction (PS4, PS3)
Gaming Gamma Review
Release Date: (NA) November 1st, 2016
Developer: Arc System Works
Publisher: Arc System Works, Aksys Games
Thank You Aksys for Providing a Review Copy of this Game.
One of the most essential fighting game developers, Arc System Works, has just released their latest game out in North America; today we’re taking a look at Blazblue: Central Fiction. The latest title in the popular Blazblue series developed by Arc System Works, will Central Fiction be able to overtake other fighters currently in the market or will it be left to the wheel of fate to decide? Find out here and now!
Blazblue: Central Fiction just like previous Blazblue titles use the same button prompts and input indicators of A, B, C, D and motion inputs. The only substantial difference is the addition of new characters such as Naoto Kurogane; DLC character Es, and more. Central Fiction as well adds new normal and special moves for previously included characters along with a new universal mechanic called Exceed Accel, a powerful one off move that automatically ends the duration of your Overdrive.
Heading into game modes we see some of the previously included ones such as story mode, training mode, arcade mode, versus, network mode, and more. Some of the more important singleplayer game modes are story mode and arcade mode, to not go in-depth with story mode it is in a visual novel like format that continues what the previous title; Chrono Phantasma Extend left off on, what I can say is that there is an unlockable character once completing the story mode but mentioning his or her name would also be a substantial spoiler. Central Fiction also offers new game modes such as the Grim of the Abyss mode, similar to a tower/ladder like game mode where you work your way to the end to fight the boss of the tower and along the way increase the stats of your selected character.
Now onto network mode, this includes the standard fighting game online system of: ranked, casual, multi-man lobbies, and settings for said modes. The netcode for Central Fiction has been working well except for the occasional lag and input delay which is a common place issue when it comes to rough connections for the players.
In terms of art, sound, and game design Central Fiction still retains much of what the series used since the start. This is 2D sprite work for the characters and a special blend of 2D and 3D assets used to give each stage a unique appearance. In line of sound design there’s no real difference apart from Central Fiction being the first in the series to not feature an English dub, aside from this characters still retain the same sound effects and voices used in the previous titles. Aside from sound effects and grunts the music is still something to be applauded, helmed by Guilty Gear art designer Mr. Ishiwatari the music continues to be some of the most varied composing for the series. Gallery mode makes a return once again to be a place where all that was mentioned, music, art, characters and their color palettes can be purchased with in-game currency earned as you play matches and so on.
Gameplay wise Central Fiction kept the same fast paced movement options, and over the top combo and damage potential while readjusting different values and animations for characters to balance out the cast for a more leveled playing field. For newer players into the series there is also a Technical and Stylish option for your gameplay. Technical being that none of your button inputs are affected and the gameplay is left as is; Stylish on the other hand makes each rapid press of a button a gateway into different and satisfying combos to help beginners and casual players of the game.
Overall, Blazblue Central: Fiction is a great fighting game and surpasses its predecessor with new content ranging from characters, music, new moves for characters, and game modes. While it is a well-made game there are some negatives such as the constant re-used audio samples and sprites, which is a common occurrence for most fighting games. As a competitor to other fighting games such as Street Fighter V, KoF XIV, Guilty Gear Xrd Revelator, and more, Blazblue can easily compete in this market to be one of the powerhouses to dominate the scene.
The verdict for Blazblue: Central Fiction is:
8/10
Cons:
-Constant re-used assets from sprites, sound effects, and more
Pros:
+Good tools to introduce newcomers to this type of fighting games
+Retains the high technical gameplay and speed for returning players
+Plenty of new additions like game modes, characters, and gallery content
+Netcode is concise and consistent with stable connections
The Gaming Gamma 