BlazBlue Centralfiction

The final entry in the epic Azure trilogy is finally here with BlazBlue Centralfiction. Players will be able to follow the final steps of Ragna’s journey and unveil the most well-kept secrets of the world of BlazBlue. Of course, there are also tons of the immensely satisfying combat mechanics that Arc System Works has perfected over the years to be enjoyed in this amazing 2D brawler.

Centralfiction features an evolution for BlazBlue, not only in its sublime fighting mechanics but also from a narrative point of view. The merge between a visual novel and a fighting game is a genre that Arc System Works has been working on for a while, and it’s safe to say that it achieves its full potential in this game.

Coming to an End

Though many players focus on the addictive gameplay of the BlazBlue series, diehard fans are no doubt invested in the universe’s deep narrative potential. Games like Xblaze Code: Embryo have expanded the world of BlazBlue beyond your everyday fighting game, and Centralfiction promises to deliver a fitting end for Ragna’s story.

Centralfiction is the last game in the BlazBlue series where Ragna is going to be featured as a protagonist. Though this might come off as shocking for some fans, it’s a similar tactic as what we’ve seen from companies like Bandai Namco and the Tekken series in terms of refreshing the series’ roster.

This entry in the series features 35 characters, each with unique quirks and beautiful animation that makes them stand out from other fighting games. Although the similarities with Guilty Gear are to be expected, it’s nice to see that BlazBlue has evolved enough to distance itself from its sister series.

Play Together

A neat feature introduced in the latest version of BlazBlue Centralfiction is the inclusion of rollback netcode. Early adopters of the game complained of terrible online multiplayer speeds – an issue that should be fixed with this version of Centralfiction.

It’s worth pointing out that BlazBlue is not like other fighting games; the high-speed 2D combat and technical mechanics might be better suited for genre veterans and might prove to be a bit too daunting for newcomers.

If your previous experiences with fighting games come from titles like Street Fighter V or similar Capcom brawlers, don’t expect BlazBlue Centralfiction to hold your hand as you learn every single complex combat mechanic. This is a punishing game, for sure – but it’s also immensely rewarding once you get to learn each character’s unique combo strings and hitboxes.

The gorgeous 2D design also helps with the game’s overall presentation. A clear and stylish UI and an excellent story mode complete the package, in what just might be the ultimate 2D fighting game. However, the insane difficulty might put off some curious players.

If you’re interested in trying what the game feels like, but have never played a BlazBlue game before, your best choice is to pick up BlazBlue Calamity Trigger and get accustomed to the insane world that Arc System Works has created.

Pros

• Gorgeous 2D sprite and impressive animation
• Complex battle mechanics and superb story mode
• Immensely satisfying combo system

Cons

• The controls and mechanics take some time to get used to