BlazBlue: Continuum Shift is an expansion pack disguised as a sequel. Sure, the story picks up where BlazBlue: Calamity Trigger ends, but that aside, it is essentially the exact same game with a few new knobs. Continuum Shift features new characters, artwork, stages, music tracks and moves. It also has improved balancing and adds new moves for all the characters. That aside, everything else is unchanged as the graphics, core gameplay system and sound of Continuum Shift are identical to what we experienced in Calamity Trigger. The main highlights are, of course, the new playable characters, and we had the chance to take new comers Hazama, Tsubaki and Lambda 11 for a spin.
Yay! We finally got Calamity Trigger! Now we wait for Continuum Shift.
Lambda 11 is essentially a balanced version of the Calamity Trigger final boss, v-13. So, apart from some minor cosmetic differences (well, just the colour scheme really) they are both identical. However, there will be another version of this cyborg called 'v-12', who is based on Noel. v-12 will be exclusive to the console version of Continuum Shift.
Tsubaki, she was seen in the story mode of Calamity Trigger as one of the comrades of Jin and Noel. Tsubaki uses a whip like blade (much like the blade Ivy uses in Soul Calibur) and an enchanted shield as her weapons, and she is also able to sprout angel wings for attacks. She is really easy to use and is as combo friendly as Ragna and Noel. She is one of the better dual-weapon characters we have used in a 2D fighting game, as she uses both her shield and sword for a large variety of attacks. Her Astral Finish has her summoning a massive angel statue, which then proceeds to pierce the opponent with a blade.
Hazama was one of the main characters in the story mode of Calamity Trigger, but in Continuum Shift, he serves as a playable character and the new final boss. Hazama uses two grappling hook-like chains, which allows him to literally hook onto an opponent in order to pull himself towards him/her. He posses a lot of speed and is proficient in both short and long range attacks. He will remind Guilty Gear fans of a Axl Low, who uses a similar fighting style and weapon. Hazama is relatively more challenging to use than other new comers, since his style is quite unique and requires a much different approach than the combo intensive style of Tsubaki. His Astral Finish has him summoning snakes... lots of snakes.
Hazama and Tsubaki join the colourful cast of BlazBlue.
The console version of Continuum Shift will star a new character, v-12, and it will have some new modes, such as a much needed tutorial mode and a strategy mode called 'Legion' (also found in the PSP version of Calamity Trigger). It will also have improved online play, new stage designs and other additional easter eggs (such as artwork).
BlazBlue: Continuum Shift is shaping up to to be a decent expansion pack but to be honest, it pales in comparison to what Super Street Fighter IV is going offer in terms of new features and characters. Super Street Fighter IV is shaping to be a much better expansion with ten new characters, bonus stages, new ultras and a new online modes. That said, we would like to see BlazBlue: Contiuum Shift arrive here on time and be a budget release like Super Street Fighter IV.
Loading...
