Melty Blood: Type Lumina
- September 29, 2021
- FRENCH-BREAD
- 16h median play time
Get on Steam"MELTY BLOOD" is a series of 2D fighting games based on TYPE-MOON's visual romance novel "Tsukihime". Since the game's original release on PC in 2002, it has also had a number of ports for arcade, PlayStation 2, and Steam. Now, at long last, the "MELTY BLOOD" series is making its way to PlayStation4, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, and Steam on September 30, 2021 in the form of "MELTY BLOOD: TYPE LUMIN…
Nintendo Switch
PC
Playstation 4
Steam Deck
Windows
Xbox One
PlayStation
Xbox
Reviews
- gameplay1,162 mentions
- 34 % positive mentions
- 60 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "Melty Blood: Type Lumina" is characterized by its fast-paced, fluid combat and accessible mechanics, making it appealing to both newcomers and seasoned players. While many praise the engaging mechanics like the shield and moon drive systems for adding depth and variety, there are notable criticisms regarding the shield mechanic's overcentralization and the intrusive auto-combo system, which some feel detracts from the overall experience. Despite these mixed opinions, the game is generally regarded as a solid entry in the anime fighting game genre, with ongoing updates improving its balance and mechanics.
“Its fast-paced, fluid combat and accessible mechanics, making it a standout in the anime fighting game genre.”
“The movement, rapid beat, and shield mechanic make it easy to pick up and have fun even if you're a total noob.”
“The gameplay is genuinely solid, the only real complaints that I have are the constant need for option selects at a medium to high level.”
“The gameplay is dominated by frustrating system mechanics that bring the game down for two reasons: 1) they make all the characters feel very similar to play and 2) they force you into guessing interactions that are repetitive and uninteresting.”
“The shield mechanic is too centralizing and the clash mechanic makes playing neutral not fun.”
“The gameplay issues it has are most likely to be fixed but the netcode right now is fucking horrendous.”
- humor538 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is predominantly centered around a "funny cat" character, which has become a viral sensation among players. Many reviews highlight the comedic elements associated with this character, including quirky animations and humorous interactions, contributing to an overall lighthearted and entertaining experience. While some players appreciate the humor, others find it repetitive or overly reliant on the cat's antics, indicating a mixed reception regarding its comedic value.
“This game contains a funny cat, unique mechanics, and my life.”
“You can play as a funny cat that shoots laser beams from its eyes.”
“Very cool fighting game with a lot of funny and interesting characters.”
“Unfunny people.”
“Unfunny people.”
- music388 mentions
- 61 % positive mentions
- 38 % neutral mentions
- 1 % negative mentions
The music in "Melty Blood: Type Lumina" has received widespread acclaim, with many players praising its engaging soundtrack and high-quality compositions by Raito. The game features a mix of new tracks and remastered favorites from previous entries, creating a vibrant audio experience that complements its stunning visuals and fluid gameplay. While some players noted a preference for older soundtracks, the overall consensus is that the music significantly enhances the game's appeal.
“Incredible soundtrack (raito is the goat)”
“The music is fantastic and the game is very pleasing to look at.”
“The soundtrack is out of this world and the stages are pleasing to look at.”
“A couple tracks might sound a little bit 'too short and repetitive' in their cues, but there's nothing outright 'annoying' or 'ear-bleeding'. There's currently not a single track that could've forced me to either turn the music's volume down a lot or outright turn it off altogether.”
“Alot of the music is forgettable and generic.”
“I would say the art style is kinda bland, some of the music doesn't sound like Melty Blood, it sounds a little too generic.”
- story350 mentions
- 14 % positive mentions
- 78 % neutral mentions
- 8 % negative mentions
The story in "Melty Blood: Type Lumina" is generally considered lackluster, primarily serving as a basic framework for the fighting mechanics rather than a compelling narrative. Many players note that the story mode resembles a traditional arcade mode with minimal character interactions and dialogue, leaving fans of the original series disappointed due to the absence of beloved characters and deeper lore. While there are some engaging character arcs and free updates that add content, the overall execution feels incomplete, especially for those familiar with the source material from the Tsukihime visual novel.
“Melty Blood Type Lumina also delivers on storytelling, providing engaging narratives and character interactions.”
“Abundance of single player story-driven content.”
“The story segments feel a bit too short compared to MBAACC, though despite their length I find them to be fun to play through and nice little story arcs to read.”
“The story is inherently doomed based on the fact that it can only use information from the first third of the game so as not to spoil parts of the remake that aren't out yet. The main theme is deception and characters not being what they seem, and it's not executed very well, so there's nothing of value there. They butchered my favorite character because of this. 0/10.”
“There's no story whatsoever; having completed the Shiki route first (which takes all of an hour), there are about six lines of dialogue spread throughout two combat encounters against characters I have no idea why the character is fighting. The rest is a bunch of random fights with Tsukihime characters and no cutscene at all.”
“As a fighting game, that might be acceptable, but the Melty Blood series isn't just a fighting game; it's a spin-off of a popular visual novel (Tsukihime). The original Melty Blood and its later games had satisfying and somewhat deep lore-focused stories.”
- graphics240 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 44 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game have received widespread acclaim for their stunning visuals, smooth animations, and appealing art style, often described as a new gold standard for 2D anime fighters. Players appreciate the high-resolution sprites and diverse backgrounds, although some have noted a lack of graphical options and inconsistencies in character design. Overall, the visuals are considered a major highlight, contributing significantly to the game's enjoyment and aesthetic appeal.
“The game is beautifully done in its visuals.”
“Going into the visuals now, I don't have to tell you this game is beautiful as hell and is pretty much the new gold standard for 2D anime fighters.”
“Overall fun game, gorgeous graphics and incredible voice acting.”
“The game doesn't even look that graphically intensive but it's killing my laptop.”
“Immediate buyer's remorse; this game isn't worth $50 with the state of the player base and so-so visuals.”
“The graphics settings are kind of bugged too; I initially got screen tearing and had to adjust the resolution, but the game wouldn't let me at first.”
- character development48 mentions
- 21 % positive mentions
- 71 % neutral mentions
- 8 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is marked by a mix of opinions on the character designs, which are described as charming yet polarizing, with some finding them basic and unoriginal compared to other anime fighters. While many appreciate the faithful adaptation of the Tsukihime universe and the appealing animations, others criticize the designs for lacking distinctiveness and depth. Overall, the character designs contribute to the game's charm, but opinions vary widely on their effectiveness in conveying character personality and gameplay style.
“Vlov's character design, in particular, is both aesthetically pleasing and thematically intriguing, fitting seamlessly into the Melty Blood universe.”
“The music and character design is incredibly charming, making this game stand out as the best in the genre.”
“Fighting games rely on character design to convey ideas about a character's gameplay as well as their personality.”
“Character designs are bland as hell, which, while not really a deal-breaker, isn't exactly a plus.”
“Its character designs are based mostly on a visual novel, which means that everyone looks like the most generic anime characters possible.”
“Besides the unappealing character designs - most unoriginal stock anime (yeah yeah I know it's an adaptation of existing storied manga), the game is super fun and does not have any glaring issues.”
- optimization28 mentions
- 14 % positive mentions
- 57 % neutral mentions
- 29 % negative mentions
The game's optimization is a mixed bag; while it offers low latency and a responsive input system, many players report significant performance issues, particularly on lower-end PCs. Online play suffers from frequent rollbacks and stuttering, despite some improvements following patches. Overall, while local matches can run smoothly, the online experience remains problematic for many users.
“Well optimized, low latency, and relative to newer fighting games; smaller input buffer window which makes inputs feel cleaner and more responsive.”
“Game runs smoothly and feels good.”
“A lot of the original issues with the game (rollback, performance, balance, etc.) have been addressed and fixed.”
“I just wish the game had more optimizations because this game is the only fighting game that slows down the frames for certain maps.”
“The game is also optimized pretty poorly, so if you were hoping to run this on a low-end PC because it uses sprites, you're not in luck.”
“All the matches I had were stuck in rollback hell; even the announcer was stuttering. Out of 20 matches I had, most of them were running pretty bad to almost unplayable, and I'm pretty sure it's not about my connection since Strive's online works perfectly.”
- stability26 mentions
- 8 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 92 % negative mentions
The game's stability is currently a significant issue, with numerous reports of crashes and freezes, particularly during online play and ranked matches. While some players experience stable performance, many others struggle with connectivity problems and buggy mechanics, making it difficult to enjoy the game fully. Overall, the stability concerns overshadow the positive aspects of the gameplay experience.
“I think it depends on the computer; mine is stable, not buggy, and has no crashes.”
“The game crashes in ranked mode and freezes when trying to join a casual room.”
“Online doesn't work, game freezes and crashes when you attempt to play multiplayer.”
“Crashes/freezes whenever I try to play online matches, haven't been able to connect a single time.”
- grinding20 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 20 % neutral mentions
- 80 % negative mentions
Players generally find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious, particularly due to repetitive auto combos and the shield mechanic, which some describe as obnoxious. However, the game offers a wealth of single-player content and achievements that can keep casual players engaged, along with free DLC that enhances the experience without the burden of additional costs. Overall, while grinding can be a chore, the fun gameplay and extensive content provide a balance for those willing to invest the time.
“Makes other 2D fighters feel bulky and tedious!”
“Farming achievements is a pain but gameplay is fun, online works great.”
“I think the game plays fine overall, but as long as the shield mechanic remains in its current state, I can't see myself enjoying this game in any serious manner as I find it extremely obnoxious and tedious to play around.”
- atmosphere8 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is highly praised for its immersive qualities, enhanced by stunning art and a top-notch soundtrack that captivates players. Reviewers note the sense of freedom and movement, making it particularly enjoyable, especially during the October season. Comparisons to other games highlight its exceptional atmospheric music, setting a high standard in the genre.
“The freedom, movement, and general atmosphere is amazing.”
“I love Type Lumina so much; it has the perfect atmosphere for the month of October.”
“+ The amazing art and top-notch soundtrack create an immersive atmosphere that just sucks you in.”
- replayability6 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative mentions
The game offers significant replayability, particularly in multiplayer settings, where players can enjoy the experience with friends. However, single-player content lacks depth, making it easy to achieve all accomplishments without much incentive to revisit. Improvements to online play have enhanced overall enjoyment, but the reliance on an auto combo system may limit long-term engagement for some players.
“This game has a ton of replayability and is especially fun to play with friends.”
“Since they fixed the online, the game became 40% more playable, and unlike other fighting games, this one will take you time to truly learn outside of the stifling auto combo system the game forces onto you.”
“The game is easy to get all of the achievements, but besides that, there isn't really any single-player replay value.”
“Since they fixed the online, the game became 40% more playable. Unlike other fighting games, this one will take time to truly learn outside of the stifling auto combo system the game forces onto you.”
- emotional6 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players find the game emotionally engaging, particularly appreciating the wholesome interactions reminiscent of visual novels, which evoke joy and nostalgia for fans. However, the online experience can lead to frustration, especially when facing challenging opponents, adding a layer of emotional complexity to the gameplay.
“And as always for a Tsukihime fan such as myself, there's plenty of joy to be had playing matches such as Aoko vs. Shiki and seeing the wholesome interactions.”
- monetization4 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The monetization of the game has been criticized as a cash grab, with players feeling that it prioritizes advertising for another franchise (FGO) over delivering a quality experience. Reviewers express disappointment in the perceived lack of effort and originality, likening it to a mere imitation of a more beloved title.
“I bought a Tsukihime fighting game, not a FGO advertisement.”
“This is a cash grab, minimum effort mimicry wearing the flayed and bound skin of a replica of Melty Blood.”
