BlazBlue: Chrono Phantasma

 PlayStation 3
User Score
7.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 74 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 55 out of 74
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 74
  3. Negative: 12 out of 74
Buy Now
Buy on

Review this game

  1. Your Score
    0 out of 10
    Rate this:
    • 10
    • 9
    • 8
    • 7
    • 6
    • 5
    • 4
    • 3
    • 2
    • 1
    • 0
    • 0
  1. Submit
  2. Check Spelling
view
per page
  1. jdizzy
    Apr 9, 2014
    9
    In-your-face action with all sorts of interesting characters and play-styles. The art and sprites is superb and has a nice touch of humor. The music isn't too good and the cinematics are stunning. Nice controls that aren't too difficult to handle.
  2. Kanakanako_Exia
    Mar 30, 2014
    9
    The best game in the series. A bang for the buck purchase. 30-40 hours of story and around 5-8 hours on tutorials and extra content that's 100% fully voiced! The story is pretty good as well though told in an "Evangelion-like" way..though they made it more straight forward on this one in comparison to the old games. The EN voices are pretty good as well. The scripts are superb, the ENThe best game in the series. A bang for the buck purchase. 30-40 hours of story and around 5-8 hours on tutorials and extra content that's 100% fully voiced! The story is pretty good as well though told in an "Evangelion-like" way..though they made it more straight forward on this one in comparison to the old games. The EN voices are pretty good as well. The scripts are superb, the EN parts are even funnier than the JPN ones.
    HD sprites are as stunning as usual! Each character is unique. Some characters are revisions of old ones but they do not play the same.
    The online lobby is AWESOME. It's like a virtual arcade center. No other FG has something like this. Also being able to do/access anything while searching for a rank match is a first as well. You are no longer are stuck with just training and arcade. You can go in and go out of a mode and it still continues searching for a game.

    I really wish everyone would set aside their prejudice and give this game a try.
    This and P4U are the only fighting game that has a story to tell, IMO.
    SF was pure rubbish (ugly anime cutscenes)
    SFxT was as well. Most fighting games go with a "tournament" style narrative that doesn't really give you an in depth look on their characters.

    In BB, there is actually a back story. Question like who is the Black beast? Blood edge? or the real face of Hakumen. I cannot even believe IGN's review stating that it "lacks story content".

    Mind blown.

    To summarize: Get the game. (^~^)    … Expand
  3. bloodless08
    Apr 13, 2014
    9
    I love the system mechanic changes to BBCP from BBCSEX. They add a lot of new strategy without changing the dynamic of the game itself. In a way the game is even more balanced than previous generations. Some of the character changes were a little unnecessary in my opinion but i think everyone feels that way with any game's newest generation. Either way this game is a blast and i can't waitI love the system mechanic changes to BBCP from BBCSEX. They add a lot of new strategy without changing the dynamic of the game itself. In a way the game is even more balanced than previous generations. Some of the character changes were a little unnecessary in my opinion but i think everyone feels that way with any game's newest generation. Either way this game is a blast and i can't wait to be playing it on my Vita as well!… Expand
  4. Themhn5
    Apr 29, 2014
    9
    ---Start with the Positives---
    An improved battle system since the last title that is both welcoming too new players interested or curious of the franchise and returning champions that are looking for a similarly rich and deep combat system.
    An improved single player campaign. Much improved multiplayer. Much easier to connect with other fighters, personalize your profile and above    ---Start with the Positives---
    An improved battle system since the last title that is both welcoming too new players interested or curious of the franchise and returning champions that are looking for a similarly rich and deep combat system.

    An improved single player campaign.

    Much improved multiplayer. Much easier to connect with other fighters, personalize your profile and above all, Online player lobbies are stylish, social, and easier too understand.

    A training/challenge mode that is actually useful for a change,teaching you useful and practical combination attacks. instead of those found in other games like Street Fighter and Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3 where it's common to head towards the internet for advice.

    An extremely extensive,deep easy too learn tutorial that will have you up to date with everything you need to know too start off, even offering your preferred character optimal set-ups and hints.

    From my experience, the online community is rather nice. Of the times I've taken to write GG, they have always responded with jokes and or a "Thank you", after matches players would recommend new strategies for my character, or would compliment me on my current skill level. I honestly cannot recall a time where I legit disliked another player, even during time's where matches got intense between the two of us, it was always a friendly rivalry style fight, in which both players had respect for each other. The only time's where you'll see obvious disrespect is when a player of higher rank or skill fights off against someone of lower skill.

    ---End with the Negatives---

    Music is less impressive as the last title. At time's I muted my tv and played tracks from my personal music collection.
    Returning players have a HUGE advantage over newcoming players in the online field. Online will be extremely intimidating at first.
    Campaign still delivered via boring traditional RPG style Text box conversations.    … Expand
  5. guitarguy001
    Aug 24, 2014
    10
    One of the best 2D fighters i have ever played. This game features a great character roster spawning almost every major character from the BlazBlue universe, has a good amount of content, the story is well done (although the ending is a bit of a disappointment) and is about as long as a Zelda game and the soundtrack is probably the best i've ever heard in a fighting game.

    One of the    One of the best 2D fighters i have ever played. This game features a great character roster spawning almost every major character from the BlazBlue universe, has a good amount of content, the story is well done (although the ending is a bit of a disappointment) and is about as long as a Zelda game and the soundtrack is probably the best i've ever heard in a fighting game.

    One of the best parts about this game is that it has an ACTUAL tutorial mode that explains pretty much everything you need to know about not just the game, but fighting games in general. It explains what a mix-up is, it explain what a wake up is, it explains the advanced stuff of a fighting game (like what i mentioned earlier) and the challenges mode teaches you how to do the combos for each character. Most fighting games out there pretty much tell you to "figure it out yourself" when it comes to how to play. Chrono Phantasma breaks that tradition and legitimately tells you how to play the game and i have to give it credit for that.

    The characters in this game, for the most part, are very well balanced. Characters like Hakumen, Hazama, Valkenhayn, Azrael etc are understandably some of the best characters in the game, but there are some characters that are a bit too good (Kokonoe) and a bit too bad to be considered viable reliably (Izayoi).

    As for flaws, it has to do with the story. Very few newcomers actually play a part in the story and the others are just basically there to either just be there (Amane, Bullet) or be there for a plot device (Azrael) and it's very disappointing since in the previous games EVERY character, new or classic, had a part in the story. Also, the ending does leave a rather bitter taste IMO because of how big of a cliffhanger it is.

    However, this game is fantastic through and through. If you love anime and fighting games (and ridiculous gag endings) this game is for you    … Expand
  6. mAceOfHearts
    Dec 4, 2014
    9
    Takes the formula from Continuum Shift and improves it, adding new characters, new game modes and new gameplay mechanics. If you liked any of the previous BlazBlue games, you'll love this one.
  7. Plasmaneedle
    Mar 29, 2014
    8
    Faster gameplay, a 40 hour long story, some balancing issues fixed, this game is great for longtime BlazBlue fans and newcomers alike. Recommened for most fighting game fans.
  8. Andre00x
    May 28, 2014
    6
    Ok, so here's the thing. A fighting game is mean't for the fighting gameplay itself. Not the story...Everyone is talking how the story mode is great but they don't realize this game is actually not balanced.

    Yes it's pretty. Yes it's fast. Is it balanced? No. There's still a lot of work to be done. People compare the other fighting game stories suck. Guess what, the fighting games with    Ok, so here's the thing. A fighting game is mean't for the fighting gameplay itself. Not the story...Everyone is talking how the story mode is great but they don't realize this game is actually not balanced.

    Yes it's pretty. Yes it's fast. Is it balanced? No. There's still a lot of work to be done. People compare the other fighting game stories suck. Guess what, the fighting games with bad stories have better gameplay. It's all about balance.

    Also, games like this have the worst community. Full of trolls and non supportive people.

    This series needs an entire makeover and the community needs to be more mature. There's too much praise for the story and balance issues that are "fixed". Play at your own risk...or wait until the price drop.    … Expand
  9. Maneinarr
    Feb 26, 2015
    10
    I recommend totally disregarding reviews like the one Andre00x did. I consider reviews should be made to give others who haven't play the game an idea of what their getting. A review is not a random emotional outlet.
    So, here is a "better" review, spoiler free of course:
    Story: If you enjoy time travelling paradoxes, anime like characterization and multiple povs on the same plot, you    I recommend totally disregarding reviews like the one Andre00x did. I consider reviews should be made to give others who haven't play the game an idea of what their getting. A review is not a random emotional outlet.
    So, here is a "better" review, spoiler free of course:

    Story: If you enjoy time travelling paradoxes, anime like characterization and multiple povs on the same plot, you will enjoy the story. I did at least.

    Art/world design: Characters are 2d anime looking, in other words, hand drawn. But they have very solid art, very aesthetically pleasing, and also very well made animations and interactions. The art is solid IF you're into that kind of thing. I am, as you may have guessed already. The world art is completely CGI, animated and very vivid, so you will never feel the world around you is static or dead. It gives more realism to everything for they are well developed and have lots of details on them.

    Sound: Solid. There is not much to it. There will be songs you will like more than others, but every theme feels exactly right for the ocassion and emotions they should make you feel. You feel rush when needed, blue when it's supposed to be saddening, etc. Sound effects are well synched and sound awesome. Voice acting is very solid for english and japanese.

    Finally and most importantly: THE GAMEPLAY!!!
    THIS is where all blazblue games annihilate all other fighting games:

    Complexity and variation.

    If you have found yourself loving repetitive games where one combo is used over and over again as you expect eagerly to find an opening in your adversary's defense, only because of bad judgement more than abusing strengths and weakness on both him and you, well you better AVOID THIS GAME.

    This game is about training to become good, and then training more to become very good... and then fighting with other very good players to become really good. Initially YOU WILL SUCK at this game! It is impossible to not suck at blazblue at first.

    I know it will seem like your character is lame at first, but the one being lame is you and that is where the actual fun of the game is. You WILL get better with time and you will start to understand there is no "bread and butter" combo in blazblue, there is no good 1-2-3 for winning, there actually too many combos, openers, finishers, links between, grab combos, special combos, normal canceling, special canceling, guard breaks, etc, etc., and ALL of them are equally useful IF you know WHEN and HOW to use them.

    You actually need to know your character pretty deeply to control him/her/it well. Also, you will need to at least understand the strenghts and weaknesses of ALL other characters to actually exploit/protect yours. When you get a real understanding of the game... oh, man! I promise you, it will be the most diverse and developed fighting system you'll find to date!

    To summarize: Anime looking, good (sometimes kinda childish) story, awesome sound and art, amazing battle system.

    What is not to like? simple: If you don't like "hard" fighting games or you don't like anime art, this is not for you... but as a fighting game, i't remains flawless from Guilty Gear, it's soul father. Unbalanced, is hadouken through all enemies and winning entire games with only zoning (Street fighter reference). Unbalanced is being able to one combo kill almost anyone with X factor (MvC3 reference). One may argument Mortal Kombat/Unjustice/Naruto are very well balanced, but have they really developed battle system with well thought combos as Blazblue or are they more about smashing the living crap of the controller at the "right" time? Think about it.    … Expand

Awards & Rankings

8
#8 Best PS3 Game of 2014
37
#37 Most Discussed PS3 Game of 2014
53
#53 Most Shared PS3 Game of 2014

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
83

Generally favorable reviews - based on 16 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 15 out of 16
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 16
  3. Negative: 0 out of 16
  1. games(TM)
    Jun 3, 2014
    80
    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]
  2. Eurogamer Italy
    May 5, 2014
    80
    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.
    Read full review
  3. Play UK
    May 2, 2014
    91
    Buy it, learn it, love it. [Issue#243, p.70]
See all critic reviews »