Blazblue series help?

[Opa Opa]

I don't play many fighters. The only fighter series I really like is Virtua Fighter and I've never been a fan of the Street Fighter style of gameplay... but how is Blazblue?

Do the Blazblue games have similar gameplay to the Street Fighter series or do the Blazblue games have an entirely different gameplay style?

Also, what game should I check out first? Any personal recommendations?

Thanks guys.

[noiseredux]

oh man BlazBlue is nothing like Street Fighter. If you go into it trying to play it like SF, you will be lost. It's a four button game, and it feels way different. It's really combo-centric. The only games I could compare it to are Guilty Gear and Arcana Heart -- not sure if you've played either. Luckily there's a really good tutorial system.

If you're interested in checking the series out there's two ways to go about it. If you get the first game, Calamity Trigger, it's really cheap and it even has Remote Play for PSP.

If you want the newer game, Continuum Shift, I'd suggest going with the Extend version (think of it as the SUPER version). Extend has all of the added characters and even a new one. You'll get the most content, and several of us here have upgraded CS to Extend as well so you can play along with us that way.

(Incidentally, I have both of those I just mentioned, so I could play with you either way).

[ZenErik]

Continuum Shift Extend is definitely the one to go for for the most updated gameplay and balancing as well as a story mode that covers Calamity Trigger AND Continuum Shift. The amount of content you get for $40 or less with this game is ridiculous. It's hard to beat Continuum Shift Extend for value in a fighting game.

And yea, not much like Street Fighter, but the typical semi-circle special moves as in other 2D fighters do apply.

[MrPopo]

And yea, not much like Street Fighter, but the typical semi-circle special moves as in other 2D fighters do apply.

I'm so glad that all the major fighting game series were from Japan and copied SF's movements, rather than Mortal Kombat's movements.

[d123456]

I don´t think Blazblue can be compared to anything. I like fighters, but this game was just too difficult to get into. It´s probably a blast if you´re a young enthousiastic Fighting game player, but by no means mainstream. I really wish it were though. The graphics look great and it is 2D!

[brunoafh]

If you're not really into fighters it might be hard to get into. Like noise said it's only comparable to Guilty Gear really. It's very much it's own thing. The tutorial system is excellent though so you won't be left in the dark.

There's really no reason not to get Extend whatsoever unless price is an issue, if it is definitely get Continuum Shift and not Calamity Trigger. If you're curious, the release order goes like this:

Calamity Trigger (PS3/360) > BlazBlue Portable (PSP) > Continuum Shift (PS3/360) > Continuum Shift II (PSP/3DS) > Continuum Shift Extend (PS3/360/Vita/upcoming for PSP)

Extend features just about everything BlazBlue has to offer and is more than worth the price.

[isiolia]

Do the Blazblue games have similar gameplay to the Street Fighter series or do the Blazblue games have an entirely different gameplay style?

Also, what game should I check out first? Any personal recommendations?

It'd depend on how general you're speaking. It's quite distinct from Street Fighter, but it is still a 2D fighter. As mentioned, the closest comparison would be the Guilty Gear series. It's a faster, more mobile game (dashes, double jumps, air dashes, etc) without quite hitting Marvel vs Capcom levels of over-the-top flashiness. I'd also say characters are a bit more unique (relative to one another) - the game has three regular attack buttons and a "Drive" button, which is unique per character and varies quite a bit in terms of use/purpose. IMO, that'd be where the game compares most with Arcana Heart, though of course the Drives aren't swappable.

If you wanted to pick one up, as mentioned, unless the price is a big factor just get Continuum Shift Extend. It includes previously-DLC characters (plus an all new one), and integrates them into the story modes, along with including the Calamity Trigger story (if you actually care about that part of the game, it is very..anime, which isn't to everyone's taste).
That said, every release of the game has endeavored to make it an accessible title (via tutorials/etc) with plenty to do.

[Opa Opa]

Thanks for the info everyone!

You guys play the PlayStation versions right? I know noise doesn't have a 360 (at least I don't think he does).

[noiseredux]

yes a whole bunch of us here have the PS3 versions. That seems to be true of most of the current gen fighting games actually.

[ZenErik]

I play Continuum Shift Extend on both the Vita and PS3. While the Vita's d-pad is no replacement for a stick, it is actually quite good.