Melty Blood: Type Lumina

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"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…

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Reviews

91%

Audience ScoreBased on 4,834 reviews

gameplay196 positive mentions

optimization4 negative mentions

gameplay
581 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 a mix of accessible and complex mechanics, making it appealing to both newcomers and seasoned players. While many praise the unique features like the shield mechanic and moon drive, which add depth and strategic options, there are notable criticisms regarding the auto-combo system and the centrality of the shield mechanic, which some players find overly simplistic or frustrating. Overall, the game offers a vibrant experience with a strong emphasis on movement and character variety, though opinions on specific mechanics vary widely among players.
- “Its fast-paced, fluid combat and accessible mechanics make 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.”
- “Gameplay is very free-flowing with few restrictions in place, allowing you to do basically anything you want.”
- “The gameplay issues it has are most likely to be fixed but the netcode right now is horrendous.”
- “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 extremely vital to gameplay and is a must-learn for any newer player.”
humor
269 mentions
100 % positive mentions
-1 % neutral mentions
1 % 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 note that it can become repetitive over time.
- “This game contains a funny cat, unique mechanics, and my life.”
- “Very cool fighting game with a lot of funny and interesting characters.”
- “Funny cat is in the game now and let me tell you, she sure is funny.”
- “The humor falls flat and feels forced.”
- “I found the jokes to be stale and unoriginal.”
- “The attempts at humor just missed the mark completely.”
music
194 mentions
61 % positive mentions
38 % neutral mentions
2 % negative mentions
The music in "Melty Blood: Type Lumina" has received widespread acclaim, with many players praising its engaging and diverse soundtrack, which features both new tracks and remixes from previous games in the series. The soundtrack is described as "banging," "fantastic," and "out of this world," contributing significantly to the game's overall appeal alongside its stunning visuals and character designs. While some players noted a preference for older tracks or found certain new pieces less memorable, the general consensus highlights the music as a standout feature that enhances the gaming experience.
- “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.”
- “The music is extremely beautiful.”
- “A lot 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.”
- “3.) Music is okay, but there weren't any that stuck into my brain as catchy... lukewarm, there's no real sense of 'mystery' or 'pumped up kicks' in the tracks.”
story
175 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 feels more like an arcade mode with minimal character interactions and dialogue, leaving fans of the original series disappointed due to the absence of beloved characters and a deeper storyline. While there are some engaging character arcs and free updates that add content, the overall execution is seen as insufficient, especially for those familiar with the rich lore of the Tsukihime universe.
- “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, while adapting a game whose main theme is deception and characters not being what they seem. It's not executed very well, so there's nothing of value there, and 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, and the rest is a bunch of random fights with Tsukihime characters with 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), and the original Melty Blood and its later games had satisfying and somewhat deep and lore-focused stories.”
graphics
120 mentions
50 % positive mentions
44 % neutral mentions
6 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game have received widespread acclaim for their stunning visuals, beautiful character designs, and smooth animations, making it a standout title in the 2D anime fighting genre. Players appreciate the game's art style, which combines traditional pixel art with modern aesthetics, and the high-resolution sprites that enhance the overall experience. However, some users have noted limitations in graphical settings and performance issues on lower-end PCs, which can detract from the otherwise impressive visual presentation.
- “The art style is fantastic, just like the last entry.”
- “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.”
- “The graphics are nice enough with a range of cool-looking backgrounds and nice high-res sprites.”
- “The game doesn't even look that graphically intensive, but it's killing my laptop.”
- “The dialogue is very repetitive, and the aesthetic looks very bland.”
- “It's not something that draws you in, compared to the art style of Guilty Gear Strive, which is incredibly stylish.”
character development
24 mentions
21 % positive mentions
67 % neutral mentions
13 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is marked by a mix of opinions on character designs, which are described as charming yet polarizing. While some players appreciate the faithful adaptation of the Tsukihime universe and find the designs aesthetically pleasing, others criticize them as generic and lacking originality compared to other anime fighters. Overall, the character designs contribute to the game's appeal, though they may not stand out as much in terms of visual flair.
- “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.”
- “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.”
- “Fighting games rely on character design to convey ideas about a character's gameplay as well as their personality.”
optimization
14 mentions
21 % positive mentions
50 % neutral mentions
29 % negative mentions
The game's optimization is a mixed bag; while it offers low latency and responsive inputs for local play, online performance suffers significantly, with frequent lag and rollback issues reported by users. Many players with lower-end PCs experience poor performance, and despite some improvements following updates, stuttering and frame drops remain problematic. Overall, while the game runs smoothly for some, its optimization leaves much to be desired, particularly in online modes.
- “Well optimized, low latency, and relative to newer fighting games; smaller input buffer window which makes inputs feel cleaner and more responsive.”
- “A lot of the original issues with the game (rollback, performance, balance, etc.) have been addressed and fixed.”
- “Game runs smoothly and feels good.”
- “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.”
- “Honestly disappointed because of two things: color customization and optimization.”
stability
13 mentions
23 % positive mentions
-15 % 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 bugs that hinder gameplay, making it difficult to connect with matches or enjoy the game fully. Overall, the stability concerns detract from the experience, leading to frustration among users.
- “I think it depends on the computer; mine is stable, not buggy, and has no crashes.”
- “The game runs smoothly without any major issues, providing a stable experience.”
- “I've had no stability problems at all; the performance is consistently reliable.”
- “I really like some of the concepts and system mechanics in the game, but my biggest issue comes from a buggy PC release and what feels like a horrible input controller.”
- “The game crashes in ranked mode and freezes when trying to join a casual room.”
- “Crashes/freezes whenever I try to play online matches, haven't been able to connect a single time.”
grinding
10 mentions
0 % positive mentions
20 % neutral mentions
80 % negative mentions
Reviews indicate that while the game offers plenty of story and single-player content, the grinding aspect can be tedious, particularly due to repetitive auto combos and the need for extensive achievement farming. Some players appreciate the abundance of free DLC and modes, but find the grinding necessary for completion to be a chore, detracting from overall enjoyment. Overall, the balance between fun gameplay and grinding challenges remains a point of contention among players.
- “Makes other 2D fighters feel bulky and tedious!”
- “While the combos are simple, they can get rather tedious.”
- “Farming achievements is a pain but gameplay is fun.”
atmosphere
4 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. Many users appreciate the sense of freedom and movement, particularly noting its suitability for the October season. Overall, it sets a high standard for atmospheric experiences in gaming.
- “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.”
replayability
3 mentions
67 % positive mentions
-33 % neutral mentions
67 % negative mentions
The game offers significant replayability, particularly in multiplayer settings, where playing with friends enhances the experience. However, single-player replay value is limited, and while achievements are easy to obtain, mastering the game requires time and effort beyond the basic auto combo system.
- “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 complete for all achievements, but beyond that, there isn't really any single-player replay value.”
- “Since they fixed the online, the game became 40% more playable, but unlike other fighting games, this one will take you time to truly learn outside of the stifling auto-combo system it forces onto you.”
emotional
3 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its wholesome interactions and nostalgic joy for fans, particularly in character matchups that evoke strong feelings. However, the experience can be marred by frustrating online play, which may lead to moments of disappointment. Overall, the game balances joy and frustration, creating a complex emotional experience for players.
- “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.”
monetization
2 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
The monetization strategy of the game has been criticized as a cash grab, with players feeling that it prioritizes profit over quality, likening it to an advertisement for another franchise rather than a standalone title.
- “I bought a Tsukihime fighting game, not a Fate/Grand Order advertisement.”
- “This is a cash grab, minimum effort mimicry wearing the flayed and bound skin of a replica of Melty Blood.”