Schwarzerblitz

About

Schwarzerblitz is an indie fighting game that harks back to the early ’90s 3D fighter era. It features polygonal graphics and pays homage to the classic fighting games of that time. With a unique blend of martial arts and high-energy combat, Schwarzerblitz offers a nostalgic yet refreshing take on the genre.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Local Multi-Player Play with friends in the same physical space using split-screen or multiple screens
2-Players Play with one other player, either online or locally, in a cooperative or competitive game mode
Multi-Player Compete or cooperate with other players online
Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo
PvP Player versus Player - Fight against other players in real-time, often in arena-style combat
Split Screen Play with multiple players on the same screen, often with divided or shared screen real estate

96%

Audience ScoreBased on 165 reviews

story21 positive mentions

grinding1 negative mentions

Schwarzerblitz is a free, high-quality 3D fighting game that offers a vast amount of content, including a deep story mode and a diverse roster of characters.
The game features a unique 'Trigger' system that enhances gameplay, allowing for creative combos and strategic depth, making it accessible for beginners while still engaging for veterans.
The developer has poured a lot of passion into the game, resulting in a charming aesthetic reminiscent of classic 90s fighters, along with a supportive community and modding options.

The AI difficulty can be inconsistent, with some bosses being overly challenging even on lower settings, which may frustrate new players.
While the retro graphics are charming, some players feel the visual quality is caught in an uncanny valley, not fully achieving the intended nostalgic look.
The lack of built-in online multiplayer options limits the ability to play with friends unless using external tools like Parsec or Steam Remote Play.

story
50 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
42%
52%
6%
The story of Schwarzerblitz is widely praised for its depth, engaging characters, and unique narrative that diverges from typical fighting game tropes, focusing on a compelling backstory rather than just a tournament. Players appreciate the extensive world-building, humor, and emotional moments woven throughout the story mode, which offers a mix of campy writing and serious themes, enhancing the overall experience. With a variety of unlockable content and character-driven arcs, the game successfully combines retro aesthetics with modern storytelling, making it a standout title in the indie fighting game genre.
- “This is literally one of the coolest games I've ever played, with some amazing story and characters.”
- “Not only that, but it features an interesting storyline that for once, doesn't revolve around a tournament, but the cataclysmic events that started it all and that eventually lead to something even greater.”
- “The story mode is a fun, enthralling tale that brings out the depth of the characters in ways that will make you love or hate them accordingly, with a few laughable moments along the way.”
- “This is a bit too 'deviant art' for me in terms of story and characters though.”
- “The fights in story mode actually feel like they should be there, instead of being a totally skippable moment just to drag the story.”
- “The story mode is about four hours long!”
gameplay
30 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
40%
10%
The gameplay of this fighter is highly praised for its depth and innovation, featuring a unique trigger system that enhances combat mechanics and resource management. Players appreciate the responsive controls, intuitive combo trials, and a diverse roster of characters, all contributing to a rich and engaging experience. With a blend of retro aesthetics and modern gameplay elements, it offers both casual enjoyment and competitive depth, making it a must-try for fans of the genre, especially given its free availability.
- “From the style to the story to the mechanics, it pays homage to revered classics while maintaining its own sense of identity to create an experience that's just a little different than anything else out there.”
- “It's free, so you have nothing to lose, but it punches well above its price point with responsive controls, great mechanical depth, a wide roster of characters, and more content than some full-priced games on the market.”
- “The gameplay is fluid and easy to control, the trigger system is innovative... and I love the trigger guard!”
- “The gameplay is simple and yet holds quite a bit of depth.”
- “Aside from the typical 'punch, kick, guard, throw' commands, the game has a special mechanic called trigger.”
- “I mean gameplay is fine but that's the one thing that stuck with me, lmao.”
graphics
24 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
54%
13%
The graphics of Schwarzerblitz are characterized by a charming low-poly art style reminiscent of 90s arcade fighters, evoking nostalgia for early 3D games like Tekken and Virtua Fighter. While some players initially found the PS1-style visuals off-putting, many grew to appreciate their retro aesthetic and the game's overall design, which effectively captures the essence of that era. Despite some requests for additional graphical options and optimizations, the simplistic visuals are generally seen as fitting and enjoyable, contributing to the game's unique character and appeal.
- “Front-loading itself with its charming low poly art style and unique roster that you would never find in any other game, Schwarzerblitz gives the impression of an early 3D arcade fighter from the 90s, and absolutely nails it.”
- “While the graphics are simplistic, they serve their purpose to emulate the old console style rather well, and I have never noticed any visual glitches.”
- “Its simple polygonal graphics belies a charming, intriguing, and ultimately fun piece of software.”
- “Needs retro filters and more graphics options, and a lot more balancing, but otherwise a great time.”
- “Graphics are old but charming.”
- “At first I was admittedly somewhat put off by the graphics.”
music
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
20%
30%
The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with many praising its catchy and nostalgic 90s-inspired soundtrack, which complements the charming art style and satisfying combat. However, some players noted that the soundtrack consists of royalty-free tracks, which may not appeal to everyone. Overall, while the music enhances the game's atmosphere, its creative commons sourcing could be a drawback for those seeking original compositions.
- “Cool story, an excellent soundtrack, lots of unlockables, characters, stages and game modes plus that PS1 graphical style that's full of charm.”
- “Soundtrack is pretty good, yes, it's all royalty-free music, but Maclay's Fable rocks hard, my guy!”
- “Nails the 90's aesthetic, satisfying combat, old-school fighting music, love it.”
- “The polygonal character models might not appeal to you, and you might not be a fan of the Creative Commons-sourced soundtrack, and maybe you just can't figure out how to string together moves despite the store page's promise of a fluid combo system.”
- “Music in the game isn't protected and may get claimed on YouTube.”
- “If you like Tekken music from the 90s, then buy it.”
humor
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is widely praised, with players finding it both hilarious and engaging, often comparing its comedic style to a blend of Deadpool and Terminator. While some initially perceive it as silly, many appreciate the depth and wacky characters that contribute to its charm, making it a fun experience, especially in multiplayer settings. Overall, the game successfully balances humor with emotional moments, resulting in a memorable and entertaining experience.
- “The story is also quite deep, while also having some funny moments and wacky characters. Krave is basically the result of combining Deadpool with the Terminator, and I love it.”
- “Once you get the hang of it, it's a genuinely funny fighting game.”
- “Honestly, one of the best games I've ever played. Amazing fun with a friend and very funny; I enjoyed it a lot. 10/10.”
character development
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
75%
25%
The character development in the game is highlighted by its exceptional and unique character designs, particularly Mono Kishima, which stand out in the 3D fighting genre. While the gameplay features familiar close-quarters combat mechanics, the emphasis on wild character aesthetics and special moves adds depth and excitement to the overall experience.
- “Mono Kishima is peak character design.”
- “It has the usual close-quarters, string-based combat you'd expect, but isn't afraid to kick it up a few notches with wild character designs and crazy special moves.”
- “Interesting character designs.”
emotional
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players have expressed that the game's stunning graphical quality evokes strong emotional responses, with some even moved to tears by its beauty. The overwhelming visuals contribute significantly to the emotional impact of the experience.
- “I cried.”
- “The sight of such a godsend beautiful game made me cry.”
optimization
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
150%
100%
The game suffers from poor optimization, as it can excessively tax GPU resources, leading to high fan activity even on capable systems. Despite its high potential, it requires graphic adjustments and optimizations to compete with AAA titles.
- “A game with very high potential that, with a graphic restyling and some small optimizations here and there, would have nothing to envy from a AAA title.”
- “The optimization in this game allows for a smooth experience, making it enjoyable even on lower-end hardware.”
- “I appreciate the developers' commitment to optimization, as it significantly enhances gameplay and performance.”
- “First of all, the game is poorly optimized. It runs smoothly on my PC without any problems, but when I heard my PC fan going crazy, I checked the task manager and the game was using almost 100% of my GPU!”
- “A game with very high potential, which, with a graphic restyling and some small optimizations here and there, would have nothing to envy from an AAA title.”
stability
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
150%
50%
Overall, users report that the game has occasional startup issues but runs smoothly once launched, offering a solid experience with no noticeable visual glitches. The simplistic graphics effectively capture the old console style, contributing to the game's stability.
- “Once I get it started, it runs great with lots of choices, a rich story, workshop support, and a solid fighting engine.”
- “The game is incredibly stable, providing a smooth experience without crashes or major bugs.”
- “I appreciate how well the game performs; it rarely lags and maintains a consistent frame rate throughout.”
grinding
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players often engage in grinding to enhance their skills and achieve mastery in the game, with some even using this dedication as a foundation for streaming their gameplay.