BlazBlue: Chrono Phantasma

While I may have a few grievances as to how Arcsys is handling the balancing of the characters, it’s apparent that this is the best entry in the series yet, and it remains my personal go-to choice for a 2D fighting gaming.

This is a meaty game, and for people that enjoy good anime plotlines and fun characters, it's essential.

With a kickass, overcharged aesthetic and silky-smooth mechanics, BlazBlue: Chrono Phantasma is one of the finest fighting games available today.

Arc Systems Works, masters of bidimensional fighting, are preparing to close the first cycle of his great BlazBlue franchise. 7 new fighters and endless ways to play both online and offline offer a essential game.

Seven new characters, tons of new stages, plenty of new music, a 40 hour long story, a huge balance patch and reworking and more make this title well worth the $40 price of entry, ESPECIALLY if you haven’t purchased it in the past. So grit your teeth, bite your tongue and shell out the cash because this is one great fighting game… even though we will likely forget all about it when Guilty Gear –XRD- comes out.

A must have for brawler fans, Chrono Phantasma is a masterful 2D One-vs-One beat´em up with tons of game modes to enjoy with, great characters to master and an almost flawless control system.

While BlazBlue: Chrono Phantasma is, ultimately, a new version of the same game that we’ve had the last four years, there’s quite a bit here to sink your teeth into whether you’re a grizzled veteran, or a curious outsider checking out BlazBlue for the first time.

The joy of Blazblue is figuring out what each character's gimmick is, and how it can be used to augment their moveset. [Issue#148, p.110]

With BlazBlue: Chrono Phantasma Arc System Works has worked hard in order to evolve the series with brand new mechanics, new characters and a lot of interesting tools. The lack of a good balance between the characters is the main issue with this fighting game.

While the massive amount of DLC is disappointing, and the story may be a little difficult to understand for anyone not familiar with series lore, fighting fans will find a lot to like here.

While this isn’t technically a new game, it offers a wealth of content not often seen in titles that can be purchased for $39.99, and it’s certainly the most improved iteration of all of the recent BlazBlue releases. Between that and the fact that it’s so inviting to both newcomers and series veterans alike, this is one fighter that you should not overlook.

Chrono Phantasma lives up to its predecessors and in some instances surpasses previous titles. Players picking up this title are in for a solid experience which will likely bring several hours of gameplay and keep you coming back for more.

It may not be for everyone, but for those that enjoy that kind of thing, and enjoyed past games, you’ll get your money’s worth out of Chrono Phantasma.

Arc System Works have improved on their formula at its core, but failed to make the package more appealing.