Blade Strangers
  

  
STORY
A malevolent force known only as Lina is devouring data from a vast, interdimensional network of servers overseen by sentient computers called ”motes.” In desperation, the motes summon heroes from a variety of parallel game worlds to face off against each other in one-on-one combat. The tournament victor has the potential to be awakened as the Blade Stranger—the savior who can vanquish Lina and protect the motes from further harm!
 
 

Blade Strangers character selection screen.

 
ABOUTThe developers at Studio Saizensen developed and designed Blade Strangers to be a "old-school" 2D fighting game for veteran fans of the genre. The 4-button control scheme is streamlined to make it easy for beginners to get into the game, however... intricate combos, counters and specials are designed to appeal to tournament-caliber players, offering "plenty of opportunities for frame counting, chain construction and hit-box science". 


Similar to Arc System Works' Guilty Gear Xrd series, Blade Strangers uses 3D character models and stages which are shaded and colored to resemble 2D sprites.
The "proprietary development system" gives the game its anime-esk visual charm, transforming the 3D character models and animation into 2D sprite-work.
  

Code of Princess characters join the fight!

  
The roster includes characters from previous Studio Saizensen games, such as: Code of Princess and Umihara Kawase, joining characters from Nicalis games like Cave Story and other indie IPs. Each character has a variety of alternate color settings, along with their own familiar "home" stage. The game also features Online Mode with a focus on "minimal" input lag. Studio Saizensen also stated that they plan to support the game post-launch. On August 28th, 2019, one year after the game's launch, Nicalis updated the game with 3 new fighters, improved graphics, and balance changes.
  
 

    
Blade Strangers
modes:

  • Story Mode – experience each character's unique story
  • Arcade Mode – pick a character and win matches to advance
  • Challenge Mode – complete various skill challenges for each of the characters
  • Survival Mode – battle against a barrage of CPU-controlled opponents
  • Versus Mode – fight against friends or the CPU (with "standby" option)
  • Online Modes – create or search for rooms and engage in Stealth, Casual or League matches
  • Tutorial – for new players to learn the basics
  • Training – practice moves and combos to hone skills (with “standby” option)
  • Other Features – online leaderboards, screen view and control customization, player profiles, stat tracking, unlockable items (character colors, portraits, titles)

     

A girl riding a giant cat is a playable character. Yes.

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Page Updated: June 26th, 2024
Developer(s): Studio Saizensen
Publisher(s): Nicalis
Platform(s): PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, Steam
Release Date(s): Aug. 28th, 2018      ()
Aug. 30th, 2018
      ()
Aug. 28th, 2019      (Major Update)
Characters Solange, Master T. Drakkhen, Curly, Kawase Umehara, Emiko, Ali, Liongate, Helen, Noko Yokoyama, Lina, Quote, Gunvolt, Isaac, Shovel Knight, Aban, Pia, Summer Kawase

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Featured Video:
Related Games: Guilty Gear Xrd REV2, Under Night In-Birth: EXE Late[st], Yatagarasu, Chaos Code, Street Fighter 5, Marvel VS Capcom: Infinite, BlazBlue: Central Fiction, BlazBlue Cross Tag Battle, Dragon Ball FighterZ, Fighting EX Layer, SNK Heroines: Tag Team Frenzy, Soul Calibur 6, Granblue Fantasy Versus, Asura Blade: Sword of Dynasty, DNF Duel, Blazing Strike
 

Gameplay Engine   
Story / Theme   
Overall Graphics   
Animation   
Music / Sound Effects   
Innovation   
Art Direction   
Customization    
Options / Extras    
Intro / Presentation    
Replayability / Fun    
"Ouch" Factor    
Characters    

BOTTOM LINE

   

   

 

First Impression:

Although I never got around to playing Code of Princess on 3DS (yet), the game's artwork immediately caught my eye - as it was drawn by legendary Capcom artist, Kinu Nishimura. It's cool seeing some of those character designs now making it to their own fighting game. I have played Cave Story so I recognize those guys, at least. After the reveals of Shovel Knight and Isaac, I'm officially dubbing this game "Blade Strangers: Indie Showdown". if you've enjoyed some of the indie hits these characters are from, and you're into fighting games, Blade Strangers was made for you.

Blade Strangers has a charismatic, catchy art style and some pretty interesting original character designs. The gameplay currently seems a bit "slow" for a fighting game in this era... but the game's traditional 2D mechanics and charming characters might win some fans over. I definitely look forward to trying it out in the future. Expect a full TFG review in the future.
 
~TFG Webmaster | @Fighters_Gen
 

  
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Click Here for all Character Artwork!

 
 
 
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