BLAZBLUE : Calamity Trigger

Lets Rock ! ! !

If your a fan of animes and arcade fighting games, then you've probably found a lot of games that features both, but if you're like me and also like the fast phase, adrenaline pumping effects of, heavy drumbeats and fast guitar rifts, then you'd probably have played or heard of Guilty Gear, (no? then check it out, it... well... its rocks), and if you love it then you'll definitely love BlazBlue.

Released on November 19 2008 in Japan, and November 20 in the United States, and a Play Station 3 and Xbox 360 version on June 30 2008, Bazblue is considered as the soul successor of Guilty Gear. Developed by Arc System Works, and designed by Toshimichi Mori and Yuuki Katou, the game features similarities to the Guilty Gear series like well designed anime characters, beautifully rendered backgrounds, and hard rocking soundtracks.

Evolution

Rendeered beautifully in 2D anime, the characters bear similarities with some of the Guilty Gears characters like Ragna (BlazBlue's protagonist) carry on some of Sol's (also Guilty Gears protagonist) traits like weilding a broadsword and fights using quick and powerful attacks, Iron Tager (TR - 0009) also having a massive body like Potempkin uses brute force in fighting and Arakune like Zato - 1 (Eddie) having a body not restricted to a definite form can shrink, stretch, form or deform to attack.

The story line also bear similarities, having the protagonist labeled as a rebel, fighting a ruling faction in order to find truth and justice.

The game also features (metal and rock music composer and Creator of Guilty Gear series) Daisuke Ishiwatari's music for the game soundtracks, giving you a blend of Gothic, Rock and Opera music that will keep you on your toes or - I don't know if it's just me, but it somehow give me the feeling of being powerful (inside the game of course).

CD 1
1. Calamity Trigger (Opening Theme)
2. Rebellion (Ragna the Bloodedge's Theme)
3. Lust Sin (Jin Kisaragi's Theme)
4. Bullet Dance (Noel Vermilion's Theme)
5. Motor Head (Iron Tager's Theme)
6. Catus Carnival (Taokaka's Theme)
7. Queen of Rose (Rachel Alucard's Theme)
8. Thin Red Line (Arakune's Theme)
9. Gale (Bang Shishigami's Theme)
10. Oriental Flower (Litchi Faye-Ling's Theme)
11. Marionette Purple (Carl Clover's Theme)
12. The Road to Hope (Staff Roll A)

CD 2
1. Under Heaven Destruction (Ragna vs. Jin's Theme)
2. Imperial Code (Jin vs. Noel's Theme / Library's Theme)
3. White Requiem (Rachel vs. Ragna's Theme)
4. Weak Executioner (Arakune vs. Litchi's Theme)
5. Susanooh (Hakumen's Theme)
6. Open the Gate (Boss Demo)
7. Awakening the Chaos (v-13's Theme)
8. Black Onslaught (Boss Ragna's Theme)
9. Blood Pain (Same Character's Theme)
10. Limited Again (Staff Roll B)
11. Nocturne (Title)
12. Blue Beating (Character Select)
13. VS.
14. Challenger
15. Winner
16. Continue
17. Game Over

DISTORTION

Even though I keep comparing this game to Guilty Gear, this is NOT Guilty Gear, which mean you could expect a whole new gaming experience with BlazBlue (pronounced BlazeBlue by the way). One thing I noticed is that BlazBlue game phase is slower giving you time to see the great animation of the game (though not that good to look at if its the opponent whose doing the cool moves) it also let you see what is happening in the game and so giving the chance to set up a good combo, also offering a whole new gaming element is the ability to control a third party force like Carl Clover's puppet or Rachel Alucards ability to control wind direction and her ability to set a wand looking creature that acts as a barrier separating you from the opponent, giving you some breathing space - or time to check if you have important message on your phone. The game blocking system or barrier also offer variety of effects, using your barrier at perfect timing will reduce the damage of your opponents attack to zero, some characters even have special abilities to retaliate immediately after blocking, you could also use a barrier burst, an ability that you can use if you got caught into your opponent's combo, it will push back and stun your enemy for a short time allowing you to set your own combo. But be wary, using the barrier burst will break your barrier meter putting you on a danger state - taking 50 percent more damage - for the duration of the round, so use it wisely, using your barrier ability to block your opponents attack continuously will also cause your barrier meter to go empty, also putting you on a danger state until your barrier meter goes back to normal.

The game interface feature four attack buttons, a light, middle and heavy attack, and a special drive button or what other people prefer to call as the "Do-something-cool button" which activate your characters special attack/ability that is unique for each character. Also like any arcade fighting game pressing two or more of this buttons unleash different attacks, and pressing the right combination unleashes more special attacks.

A game that is both artistic and unique, becoming one of my favorite game to come out this year. Blazblue is a game is worth checking.

DISTORTION FINISH . . . Enjoy ! ! !