BlazBlue Entropy Effect
- February 14, 2024
- 91Act
- 18h median play time
The underrated fighting series returns with a twist to the usual series’ direction with the BlazBlue Entropy Effect.
In the roguelite game "BlazBlue Entropy Effect," players can enjoy a flamboyant combat experience with charismatic characters, unique combat styles, and smooth controls. With hundreds of moves and elemental effects, players can build their ultimate fighter and uncover the truth in a chaotic world in ACE, a virtual cyberspace. Experience realistic combat feedback and infinite possibilities for combos in this action-packed game.
Reviews
- The combat system is incredibly satisfying and fluid, allowing for a wide variety of combos and playstyles.
- The game features a diverse roster of characters, each with unique abilities and movesets, enhancing replayability.
- The visuals and art style are stunning, with great animations and a captivating soundtrack.
- The story is confusing and has little connection to the BlazBlue lore, which may disappoint fans of the franchise.
- The game can become repetitive quickly due to limited enemy and level variety.
- Some mechanics and upgrades are poorly explained, making it difficult for new players to fully grasp the gameplay.
- gameplay615 mentions
- 44 % positive mentions
- 53 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The gameplay of this title has been widely praised for its fast-paced, fluid combat mechanics that effectively blend fighting game elements with roguelike structures, offering a satisfying and addictive experience. Players appreciate the unique abilities of each character, the depth of the combat system, and the engaging gameplay loop, although some have noted a lack of variety in enemy encounters and potential repetitiveness in later runs. Overall, the game is recommended for fans of action combat and roguelikes, despite some criticisms regarding its narrative and character integration with the BlazBlue franchise.
“The gameplay is addictive, rewarding, really fun, and offers a huge variety.”
“The combat mechanics are totally unique to the rogue genre, and each character plays completely differently.”
“The gameplay loop is very addicting, and it just feels really good to play.”
“The complete lack of build variety makes the gameplay incredibly dull and repetitive, and its only redeeming feature is the graphics, which in my opinion is not enough to salvage a game like this.”
“I hope that in the future there will be more focus on enemy variety and increasing the difficulty throughout levels, as the gameplay feels very repetitive and unsatisfying in its current form.”
“Many gameplay elements are not explained very well either, leaving you to figure out how they function through guesswork.”
- story566 mentions
- 18 % positive mentions
- 75 % neutral mentions
- 7 % negative mentions
The story in this game is largely disconnected from the established BlazBlue lore, featuring original characters and a plot centered around a robot navigating a simulation. While some players find the narrative intriguing and appreciate its unique elements, many express disappointment over its lack of depth and coherence, often describing it as vague or confusing. Overall, the gameplay is praised, but the story is seen as a secondary aspect that may not satisfy fans looking for a deeper connection to the BlazBlue franchise.
“The story and quests, which were meant to tide you over in between runs, also had some merit to them, being genuinely intriguing at times, especially given that Ace seemed to be hiding things from you, or was at least not as pleasant and innocent as they presented themselves.”
“As a new fan of the BlazBlue series, I was at first disappointed by the fact that the BlazBlue characters are simply your 'simulation avatars', but over the course of playing this game, I not only fell in love with the amazing mechanics and the entropy system, but the story, while simple, felt well thought out and carried quite the emotional weight.”
“The story is kind of jank and all over the place, but it does seem like it's going to tie into itself at the end and I've been enjoying it for what it is.”
“The story barely touches on them, why they're here, etc. From what I can dig up, BlazBlue was essentially strong-armed into the identity of the game early on in development.”
“The only true weakness is its story, and how it seems to have nothing to do with BlazBlue or its characters.”
“If you're a fan of mainline BlazBlue for the lore, you might be a bit disappointed about how disconnected from BlazBlue that the story of this game is.”
- graphics258 mentions
- 61 % positive mentions
- 38 % neutral mentions
- 1 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game have received widespread acclaim for their stunning visuals, vibrant art style, and smooth animations, often described as a blend of anime aesthetics and cyberpunk elements. Players appreciate the dynamic lighting effects and the overall polish, which enhance the combat experience, although some note that the flashy visuals can occasionally obscure gameplay clarity. While the character designs and special effects are praised, there are mixed feelings about the consistency of art styles between characters and environments.
“The lighting effects in this game are already off the charts, but when you enter into any sort of darkness, your characters literally explode with color in some of the best sci-fi neon aesthetics I have ever seen, among the likes of Tron.”
“The graphics are beautiful and smooth.”
“The visuals are utterly gorgeous, blending 3D models and beautiful pixel art into a seamless display of science-fantasy beauty.”
“This game feels as if they just took a big pot and threw in whatever 3 random art styles they could.”
“Considering basic graphics and small locations, it is very disappointing and spoils the impression dramatically.”
“There's a notable discord in art styles; the sprites for the BlazBlue characters appear to reuse assets from mainline BlazBlue, and they do not match the style of the enemy sprites.”
- music124 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 48 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received a mixed reception, with many praising its catchy synthwave and electronic tracks that complement the fast-paced action and vibrant visuals. While some players find the soundtrack to be excellent and fitting for the game's atmosphere, others express disappointment over the absence of iconic BlazBlue music, noting that the new compositions can feel forgettable or less impactful. Overall, the soundtrack is generally regarded as enjoyable, enhancing the gameplay experience, but it lacks the distinctiveness that fans of the franchise might expect.
“The music is also really stand out, not at all as heavy as BlazBlue games tend to be, but it's fitting for the setting and I found myself vibing along with the game on more than one occasion.”
“The action goes hard and the OST and scenic backgrounds follow in tandem, complementing how the game goes over the top.”
“The music in this game is fire and the devs even added it so that if you are entropy level 50+, the more intense remixes of the songs play which just enhance the experience.”
“It feels like the characters are trapped in some kind of elevator music cyberjunk purgatory.”
“The soundtrack does get repetitive and I zoned that out after a while.”
“The main minus point is the music which is just... okay.”
- replayability44 mentions
- 36 % positive mentions
- 57 % neutral mentions
- 7 % negative mentions
The game boasts high replayability due to its extensive character options, diverse builds, and engaging mechanics that encourage experimentation with different playstyles. Players appreciate the variety in gameplay, with many noting that each run can feel unique, although some express concerns about diminishing novelty over time. Overall, the combination of character diversity, unlockable talents, and randomized elements contributes to a compelling replay experience, making it a strong choice for fans of the genre.
“The number of character options and builds is wild and really allows for a lot of replayability.”
“It's addictively replayable thanks to the variety of characters and a game design that makes it hard to put down — I found myself playing way past midnight without even realizing it.”
“The evotype system that allows you to use your previous runs as a way to mix and match things to your liking gives a lot of variety and replay value, on top of being a wholly unique mechanic that I can't say I've really seen anywhere else.”
“And because of this, it has lost all replayability for me because a run doesn't feel special anymore; before I could say no two runs feel alike while now I say all runs feel the same.”
“As it stands, the key factor this is supposed to have (replayability) is a bit limited by the options in the game itself.”
“Other than trying all the prototypes and different builds, I don't really see much replayability now.”
- character development27 mentions
- 44 % positive mentions
- 44 % neutral mentions
- 11 % negative mentions
The reviews highlight that while "Blazblue" excels in stunning character designs, animations, and voice acting, it falls short in character development and narrative depth. Many players appreciate the visual appeal and polished art style, but express disappointment in the lack of lore and meaningful connections to the broader "Blazblue" universe, suggesting that the game is more focused on aesthetics than on character growth or storytelling. Overall, the character designs are celebrated, but fans seeking deeper character development may find the experience lacking.
“The visual spectacle and character design are enough to keep players mesmerized and motivated to progress through the game.”
“First and foremost, the character design and particle effects are absolutely stellar.”
“In conclusion, I wholeheartedly recommend this game to anyone who appreciates stunning character design and jaw-dropping particle effects.”
“It's weird to go from an IP that has so much color and vibrance in its character designs and backgrounds to this glass of lukewarm tap water.”
“If you're a fan of mainline BlazBlue for the lore, you might be a bit disappointed about how disconnected from BlazBlue the story of this game is. The only connection to BlazBlue is honestly just the playable characters; they don't add any particular value to the story at all.”
“I do not recommend this game for BlazBlue fans looking for more BlazBlue content, or anything consisting of story, lore, or character development for the BlazBlue world.”
- grinding26 mentions
- 8 % positive mentions
- 19 % neutral mentions
- 73 % negative mentions
Reviews indicate that the grinding aspect of the game is a mixed bag; while some players find it manageable and rewarding, others describe it as tedious and excessively time-consuming. Many note that while progression can be achieved through story quests and character unlocks, certain achievements require extensive grinding, leading to frustration. Overall, the game offers a blend of excitement and repetitiveness, with some players appreciating the customization options that come from grinding, while others feel it detracts from the overall experience.
“The metagame isn't too grindy as long as you do story quests to get free character unlocks.”
“Progression isn't too grindy but still offers a challenge in many cases.”
“Getting all achievements was tedious due to one single achievement that requires the player to get all different combinations of skills, which makes it necessary to have more than 50+ runs. Just for this, it deserves to lose some points; it made me literally play for at least 50+ hours after getting all other achievements.”
“One thing to note is that the game is very grindy with little meta progress for the time invested, and even a boss challenge mode that uses up a 45-minute run for one attempt.”
“The game is meh; the story is very slow and not interesting. The whole concept of some digital spirit going through training is also very slow and super grindy; sometimes it feels like there is no progress at all.”
- optimization26 mentions
- 27 % positive mentions
- 54 % neutral mentions
- 19 % negative mentions
The game's optimization has received mixed reviews, with some players praising its overall performance and improvements made through patches, while others report persistent stuttering issues, particularly in the hub area. Although many enjoy experimenting with character upgrades, the lack of visual clarity and occasional performance hiccups detract from the experience. Overall, while there are notable advancements in optimization, some users still encounter significant performance problems that impact gameplay.
“A large bulk of my enjoyment of the game was experimenting with all the options each character had, and improving my optimization run after run.”
“This game is very well optimized.”
“Performance has been well optimized with not much stutters or apparent glitches or bugs.”
“Unfortunately, the game has very poor optimization.”
“Several patches have been released, which claim to improve optimization, but I am unable to see any notable positive effect from them.”
“Relaunching a week later and now seeing really bad stuttering issues even at lowered game settings.”
- monetization18 mentions
- 17 % positive mentions
- 17 % neutral mentions
- 67 % negative mentions
The monetization aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players appreciating the absence of microtransactions and predatory practices, while others criticize the misleading advertising and perceive it as a cash grab leveraging the BlazBlue IP. Despite the lack of in-game purchases, many feel that the game's marketing does not accurately represent its content, leading to disappointment among fans expecting a more authentic experience. Overall, while some players find the game enjoyable, the monetization strategy and advertising tactics have left a negative impression on others.
“Also, Arc System Works, thank you for not making this a mobile game with microtransactions.”
“Pretty solid early access without any predatory microtransactions.”
“And this time there are no microtransactions.”
“Feels like a cash grab for the IP to enter the action roguelite space.”
“It seems to play well enough and animations are smooth but I'm leaving a negative review and refuse to engage with it further due to intentionally misleading advertisement.”
“Honestly, Entropy Effect feels like a huge slap in the face for BlazBlue fans, and with everything so out of place in this game, I could bet my 20 bucks BB characters were only included by the devs to save up on time and resources to make this cash grab.”
- stability11 mentions
- 27 % positive mentions
- 9 % neutral mentions
- 64 % negative mentions
Overall, the stability of the game has received mixed reviews. While some players report a smooth experience with minimal bugs and good optimization, others have encountered significant issues such as freezes, lags, and unplayable online modes. Early access users generally find the performance impressive, especially on lower-end systems, but there are notable complaints about stability that detract from the overall experience.
“Runs great on Steam Deck OLED, a consistent 90fps handheld.”
“The game runs smoothly, no glitches apparent.”
“Despite that, it's a damn great looking game and runs great, along with fluid gameplay and multiple characters with their own gimmicks.”
“There are constant freezes and lags practically out of nowhere.”
“Game has nothing to do with the BlazBlue series; it feels incredibly cheap and repetitive, out of balance and buggy. I've had instances where my Evo type after killing Susanoo didn't show up in the list for Mind Challenge. The online mode is unplayable due to massive lags, even though my connection has no issues, and this just makes the game 10x more boring.”
“Only issue I had was it would suffer from little freezes while playing, but I fiddled with the settings to reduce this.”
- humor10 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is characterized by its silly and whimsical elements, featuring amusing characters like a cat lady and a cat scientist who engage in over-the-top antics, such as launching missiles. Players find the comedic aspects, including funny dialogue and absurd scenarios, to be unexpectedly entertaining, adding a lighthearted charm to the gameplay experience. Overall, while the humor is appreciated, some feel it could benefit from a bit more depth to enhance its impact.
“Silly cat lady shooting missiles is incredibly funny.”
“Funny cat scientist girl zooming around while launching missiles and orbital strikes?!”
“But damn it's funnier than I thought it would be.”
- atmosphere8 mentions
- 38 % positive mentions
- 38 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is highly praised for its immersive and captivating environment, enhanced by impressive voice acting, particularly in Japanese. While some reviews note a lack of distinct level design, the overall vibe—especially with its cyberpunk elements—creates a rich and engaging experience that resonates well with players. The combination of a breathtaking world and a fitting soundtrack contributes to a memorable atmosphere that elevates the gameplay.
“It's also got an impeccable atmosphere and vibe, way above average voice acting for an indie game, and overall is worth every bit of the full price; discounted, it's practically criminal theft.”
“And I don't know about you, but when you have a cyberpunk atmosphere plus Japanese voicelines, it's kind of a load of dopamine, and then that combat hits you.”
“The world they've created is a breathtaking canvas of colors and atmospheres that never cease to amaze.”
“Level design is utterly forgettable, there's zero distinct vibe or atmosphere.”
“Gameplay, atmosphere, character and everything else in the game is perfect.”
- emotional4 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players find the emotional aspect of the game to be deeply engaging, with a well-crafted story that, despite its simplicity, carries significant emotional weight. The mechanics, particularly the entropy system, enhance the experience by allowing players to feel a sense of impact and investment in their choices, encouraging replayability to explore different endings. Overall, the game successfully combines rewarding gameplay with a heartfelt narrative.
“As a new fan of the BlazBlue series and story, I was at first disappointed by the fact that the BB characters are simply your 'simulation avatars', but over the course of playing this game, I not only fell in love with the amazing mechanics and the entropy system, which allows you to pick your difficulty as you choose while giving you rewards in return for higher difficulties, but the story, while simple, felt well thought out and carried quite the emotional weight. I enjoyed it thoroughly and was invested enough to replay to find the different endings based on my choices.”
“The way that you can save 2 upgrades from a run and then bring 2 sets of previous run upgrades felt very rewarding and made me feel like every run was impactful.”
“Extremely wholesome.”
Critic Reviews
BlazBlue Entropy Effect Review | PC
The underrated fighting series returns with a twist to the usual series’ direction with the BlazBlue Entropy Effect.
85%BlazBlue: Entropy Effect review
Even if you're not a fan of the mainline franchise, BlazBlue: Entropy Effect will appeal if you like a good side-scrolling action game.
85%BlazBlue Entropy Effect Review (PC)
You don’t need to be a BlazBlue diehard to appreciate BlazBlue Entropy Effect. Its roguelike gameplay features some of the most fun yet complex combinations of button mashing and attack chains. It is far more approachable than most roguelikes I’ve played recently thanks to how it presents complex information to players and gives them opportunities to test out mechanics without relying on trial and error.
90%