Blazblue Chrono Phantasma

BlazBlue: Chrono Phantasma is the third game in the BlazBlue series and it is one of my favorites. Fans of 2d fighting games love this series as it is one of the few at the time it was released that put a real focus on 2D fighting action rather than 3D. While the videos you see of this online may make you think that this is a game that is only for the hardcore. The series is known for not just being a very in-depth and deep fighting game, but one that is accessible to pretty much everyone.

The Continuum Shift

This is a fighting game that has a story mode in it. The story in BlazBlue: Chrono Phantasma does continue on from Continuum Shift. I do not really know where to start with what the story is all about. The game is very character-driven and the story takes place from numerous character's points of view. It is a very complex story that is very well done.

However, I have to say that if this is your first BlazBlue game, you will probably feel very lost as to what is happening. So, while for fans the story is great, this is one area where they could have been a bit more accommodating to newer fans.

Fun For All

The fighting action on offer in BlazBlue: Chrono Phantasma is some of the fastest and most over the top action you will ever come across. It is a game that has a ton of stuff going on and the combo system is one of the best around. This is a fighting game where you can pick up the controller and just start mashing buttons and have a fun time doing so. However, there is a real level of complexity to this game where it is easy to learn, but hard to master and that is part of the fun.

The people who make this game have some great accessibility options for new players that make doing combos and special moves very easy. This means if you are a master at the game, you can play with a novice and they can still have a fun time. As well as the story mode, you have your arcade mode and a tutorial mode that is fantastic for teaching you how to excel at the game.

So Fresh And So Clean

The visuals are what probably draw most people to BlazBlue: Chrono Phantasma and the BlazBlue series in general. This is like an anime movie that has come to life. The sprites and backgrounds are all hand-drawn and they look fantastic. They added in some cool looking new characters as well as some fun new designs to established characters. Noel is one character in particular that I think has benefited greatly from his new design.

The soundtrack could not be any more fitting. I do not think these tunes are as memorable as what we got in classics like Street Fighter. However, they more than fit the fighting that is taking place.

Pros:

• It has amazing 2D animation
• The hand-drawn backgrounds are fantastic
• The fighting system here is very in-depth
• Newcomers can tweak the settings so that they can compete at an even level
• It is just a ton of fun to play

Cons:

• The story will make no sense at all if this is your first game
• While good, later games in the series are better