BlazBlue: Continuum Shift

BlazBlue: Continuum Shift
Promo Poster of BlazBlue: Continuum Shift Featuring Tsubaki, Hazama, Noel, Ragna and Jin.
Developer(s)	Arc System Works
Designer(s)	Toshimichi Mori Yuuki Katou
Composer(s)	Daisuke Ishiwatari
Platform(s)	Arcade PlayStation 3 Xbox 360
Release	Arcade PlayStation 3, Xbox 360
Genre(s)	Fighting game
Mode(s)	Single-player, multiplayer

Template:Nihongo title is a fighting game developed by Arc System Works. The game is an official Sequel to BlazBlue: Calamity Trigger. As with the previous game, BlazBlue: Continuum Shift will first come to arcades before both the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 versions as the game is currently released for the Taito Type X2 arcade system board, with a 16:9 ratio and 768p resolution. It was released in November 20, 2009 in Japan, though the North American version is not released in arcades. A console version was released on July 1, 2010 in Japan and will be released on July 27 in North America.

Changes from the original version

The game has undergone some changes from its predecessor and features four new characters, Makoto Nanaya(a DLC character), Tsubaki Yayoi, Hazama, and μ-12(a console exclusive character) as well as a replacement for ν-13- (Nu-Thirteen) named Λ-11- (Lambda-Eleven). The game will also include balancing of previous characters, as well as adding, or removing, moves while balancing the gameplay. The game will also feature all-new character select art.

There is also some evidence that the additional DLC characters will be Platinum the Trinity, another of the six heroes, and Valkenhayn.

Gameplay

BlazBlue: Continuum Shift still retains its traditional 2D fighter feel where two characters participate in a duel on a two dimensional plane. A round is called a level (pronounced "rebel" in Japanese, due to language constraints), and one match can consist of one to five levels. To win a round, one player must either incapacitate the other by inflicting damage through various attacks to reduce health or by having more remaining health after the clock runs out if the rules of the match has one.

However, some mechanics from the previous installment have been changed or completely replaced in the transition.

Barrier Burst has been replaced with Break Burst, a similar ability but with different penalties. Break Burst can only be performed twice in a single match, and its second use can only become available if you lose a round. It no longer permanently drains your Barrier Gauge or gives you the "DANGER" penalty. A free unused burst is required for Astral Heats. Bursts have different properties depending on when they are used, as the offensive "Gold Burst" has high bounce and combo-ability and the combos initiated by it can kill while the defensive "Green Burst" will provide invincibility for the entire burst motion at the cost of permanently halving your maximum primer points. All lost primer points will never recover.

Guard Libra has been replaced with Guard Primer. Instead of a gauge, Guard Primer relies on a point system where each character has a certain amount of points (e.g. Tager has a maximum of 10 primer points while characters like Carl or Rachel have 4) which are depleted whenever moves with the "Guard Break" property (e.g. Lambda's "Act Parser Zwei : Cavalier" or the D version of Ragna's "Inferno Divider") are blocked. Primer points regenerate over time. Upon depletion of all points, the character is "Guard Crushed." Barrier can be used to avoid being guard crushed.

Astral Heat conditions have been changed. Instead of requiring it to be the final round and the opponent being within 20% health, it now only requires it to be your match point round and your opponent being below 35% health. It still requires 100% heat and now has the additional requirement of a freely available unused Burst.

Plot

The game is set after the Events of Blazblue: Calamity Trigger. A few days have passed since the reported raid by Ragna the Bloodedge, The 13th Hierarchical City "Kagutsuchi" forgets to celebrate New Years, as his alleged involvement in the "Mysterious Bombing" and "Huge Pentacle Sightings" becomes the talk of the town. With the Novus Orbis Librarium offering no official explanation, the citizens voice their own theories, exaggerating and spreading rumors like wildfire. The name "Ragna the Bloodedge" is engraved in the minds of the people. Completely indifferent to the state of the city, the silver-haired Grim Reaper grips his massive sword and quietly bides his time—waiting for the chance to achieve his true objective. And then, the enormous "power" that has ensnared the "Grim Reaper" begins to activate...

Characters

Main article: List of BlazBlue characters

The game introduces 7 new characters in the game, prior to the Console Version. 4 of them were in the game by default while 3 were DLC exclusives. The original characters from the previous game makes their return to the sequel except for ν -No. 13- (Nu), who is replaced by Λ -No. 11- (Lambda) in Continuum Shift as her pallete swap. Nu is however still playable in the game, instead being Lambda's Unlimited form which can be unlocked in-game or purchased through DLC.

• Tsubaki Yayoi

Character voice: Asami Imai (JP), Julie Ann Taylor (ENG)

Jin's childhood friend/relative and Noel's former roommate from the Military Academy and a member of the NOL's 0 Division. She's described as a straight A student, and has a rather no-nonsense personality. She's very serious and reserved, and is a member of the dignified Yayoi family.

• Makoto Nanaya

Character voice: Tomomi Isomura (JP), Janice Kawaye (ENG)

Another Military Academy classmate and one of Noel's best friends. She possesses some squirrel-like features, and is said to be quite hyperactive with a short attention span.

• Hazama / Yuuki Terumi

Character voice: Yuichi Nakamura (seiyū) (JP), Doug Erholtz (ENG)

The main villain of BlazBlue and one of the Six Heroes. Terumi is actually a ghost who taken alias as Hazama, a captain of the NOL's Intelligence Division. At first, he appears to be supervising Noel's actions to keep her in line, but he has a sinister hidden agenda.

• Λ -No. 11- (Lambda)

Character voice: Kanako Kondou (JP), Cristina Valenzuela (ENG)

An imitation Murakumo Unit created by Kokonoe by combining the body of the 11th experimental replica of Saya with the soul of ν-13, recovered after falling into the Gates of Sheol. Kokonoe completely erased her memory and as a result, Λ-11 is only interested in carrying out Kokonoe's orders. Despite Kokonoe's efforts, Λ-11 still possesses feelings for Ragna.

• μ -No. 12- (Mu) (console versions only)

Character voice: Kanako Kondou (JP), Cristina Valenzuela (ENG)

Noel, upon having her true powers awoken. She's a perfect Murakumo Unit who possesses Kusanagi and has a goal Terumi wished for: Destruction of the Sankishin Unit: Amaterasu and the world.

Console port

On February 8, 2010, it was revealed through Famitsu that Continuum Shift will be getting a port to Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. This port includes a brand-new, console-exclusive character: μ-12 (Mu-Twelve), the true form of Noel Vermillion, possibly as a new secret boss character similar to Unlimited Ragna in the first game.

In their June 24, 2010 issue, Famitsu revealed that newcomer Makoto will be featured in Continuum Shift as downloadable content.

The port is arcade perfect and will also include new stages, the Legion Mode from the PSP version of Calamity Trigger, and revamped versions of the original stages. There is also a new Tutorial mode similar to Street Fighter IV that shows the players the basics of the game's system.

The Japanese version will be released on July 1st with Japanese voice acting only. The standard edition will be released in the US on July 27, 2010 for $39.99 and will include English and Japanese Voice acting. A Limited Edition is to be released in Japan which includes a petit Nendoroid of Noel, a mini-script replica of the story, a visual book and a super picture label. European publishers Zen United have confirmed in an interview with Neo Empire that Europe will be getting a Limited Edition version of Continuum Shift, however in the US, American publisher Aksys decided to not release a Limited Edition of the game due to time constraints and production lead times. The game's theme song is "Hekira no Sora e Izanaedo" (碧羅の天へ誘えど) which is sung by KOTOKO.

External links

• Official Website
• Official European Website