BlazBlue: Chrono Phantasma Extend
- June 30, 2015
- Arc System Works
Held back only by a somewhat poorly optimized release, BlazBlue Chrono Phantasma Extend is a fun, deep fighter with lots of fun to be had for any type of player.
BlazBlue: Chrono Phantasma Extend is a definitive 2D fighting game, offering an enhanced and extended experience of the series' signature fast-paced battles and intricate storyline. Dive into the Chrono Phantasma storyline, uncover hidden truths, and enjoy improved gameplay mechanics in both single-player and multiplayer modes. This immersive installment brings the BlazBlue franchise to new heights, engaging fans and newcomers alike with its robust content and captivating lore.
Reviews
- Engaging gameplay with a compelling storyline and memorable characters, making it a great addition for fans of fighting games.
- The game features polished animations, over-the-top special moves, and new mechanics that add depth to the combat system.
- Offers a lot of content, including new characters and story segments, making it a worthwhile purchase for both new and returning players.
- The learning curve is steep, with many tutorials and complex mechanics that may deter casual gamers.
- Online play can be frustrating for newcomers due to matching with highly skilled players, making it difficult to enjoy the experience.
- Some players feel that the updates and new content do not justify the price, especially for those who already own the original version.
- story7 mentions
- 43 % positive mentions
- 43 % neutral mentions
- 14 % negative mentions
The game's story is praised for its depth and progression, with a narrative that appears to be building towards a conclusion in the next installment. While some find the story engaging and filled with humor, others note its complexity and length, suggesting it can be overwhelming. Overall, the storytelling is seen as a significant improvement over previous titles, contributing to a richer gaming experience.
“Compared to KOF, there's actually a story here that looks like it will come to an end in the next installment.”
“An amazing experience utilizing both compelling gameplay and an amazing storyline that can include over-the-top slapstick humor, along with memorable characters of an ever-increasing roster.”
“Story mode is super long and detailed; you will literally spend hours in it.”
“The story was really confusing, and when I tried online play, it would match me with people that were way above my skill level.”
“Blazblue always makes a brand new version often charging $39.99 to $49.99 just to add two new characters, maybe a few lines of story and some balance changes.”
“Compared to KOF, there's actually a story here that looks like it will come to an end in the next installment.”
- gameplay3 mentions
- 67 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The gameplay is highly praised for its engaging mechanics and the inclusion of enjoyable bonuses, complemented by a captivating storyline filled with humor and a diverse cast of characters. Players appreciate the blend of classic gameplay with a nostalgic retro feel, making for a satisfying overall experience.
“Not only is the gameplay good, but there's a lot of nice bonuses and goodies packed into this game.”
“An amazing experience utilizing both compelling gameplay and an incredible storyline that includes over-the-top slapstick humor and memorable characters from an ever-increasing roster.”
“Classic gameplay with a pinch of retro fever; this game satisfies me all the way.”
- humor2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is characterized by a mix of slapstick comedy and witty character interactions, including amusing jokes about quirky elements like a smelly ninja. Players appreciate the blend of compelling gameplay and a captivating storyline that enhances the overall comedic experience.
“The other characters make hilarious jokes about a rather ripe-smelling ninja.”
“An amazing experience that combines compelling gameplay with an incredible storyline, featuring over-the-top slapstick humor and memorable characters from an ever-increasing roster.”
- graphics1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 100 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game's graphics are noted for their sharpness and quality, although some players found the gameplay less engaging.
“The art and graphics of the game look pretty sharp.”
Critic Reviews
BlazBlue: Chrono Phantasma Extend Review
Anyone who loves the fighting genre should try out BlazBlue: Chrono Phantasma Extend, and especially those very much into over-the-top anime aesthetics and storylines. Make no mistake, though, despite providing newbies the necessary tools to enjoy almost everything that's offered here without any major problems (and there's definitely a lot to enjoy), similar to the previous titles, this is mainly directed at the pros. As for the quality of this particular port, it has some issues, like the lack of cross-platform compatibility, along with its PS3, instead of PS4, visuals, yet, as a whole, it's a product of high quality.
70%BlazBlue: Chronophantasma Extend
If there’s one area where BlazBlue dwarfs the fighting game competition, it’s the sheer amount of content; for fans of the overarching story, there’s the utterly dense story mode, which by itself is filled with branching paths, prequel chapters, multiple endings and even gag endings to unlock. There is also a sidestory that revolves around an original character from a spinoff manga, which goes down the anime-trope hole even further (included the age-old classic of a boy being trapped in a girl’s body), as well as the admittedly-cute “Teach Me, Miss Litchi!” comedy segments. For those who prefer less talking and more fighting, fret not; in addition to the Arcade mode, there are several other time-consuming modes such as battling against super-tough AI opponents, pulling off challenging combos, and leveling up individual characters through a dungeon-like gauntlet consisting of rare rewards and super-tough opponents. The online mode is basic, yet functional, consisting of a lobby where players can move around customizable avatars. Unfortunately, the inability to cross-play against console owners makes the PC version a potential wasteland for online multiplayer.
70%BlazBlue: Chrono Phantasma Extend Review
While there's little to recommend upgrading from the PlayStation 3 version of the game, BlazBlue: Chrono Phantasma Extend is a confident execution of a title that knows its strengths. It may not match the subtle finesse or wider fame of heavy-hitting giants such as Tekken and Street Fighter, but instead delivers an ambitious take on storytelling in fighting games. Though this approach and delivery will not appeal to everybody, what remains is nonetheless a superb fighter with variety and much to enjoy, boasting qualities more than worthwhile in their own right.
80%
