BlazBlue: Central Fiction

BlazBlue: Central Fiction is not just the end of the BlazBlue series; it’s a worthy climax to a quadrilogy that has been consistently excellent. It allies top notch fighting with a mass of content both online and offline. Superb netcode makes it easy to score some internet points, or just get some matches in with your pals and, if you’re lucky enough to have someone to sit on the couch next to you, expect there to be plenty of laughter and crowing while you battle for bragging rights.

Central Fiction adds enough characters, mechanics and fine tunes its already nearly flawless gameplay into something that feels as amazing to play as it looks. It’s currently my favorite fighting game on the market, and I have no doubt that I will be throwing dozens of more hours into it in the months to come.

BlazBlue Central Fiction is the perfect epilogue of an amazing series. 35 characters, amazing animations, a deep and refined combat system and a smooth online experience are BlazBlue’s best features. The game is fun, but it’s really hard to master. Remember that, when you’ll face the online monsters who are fighting each other on the EU servers, on a daily basis.

BlazBlue really is gorgeous. Every character is animated in such a way that every movement they make reinforces their personalities. Every environment is a living, breathing thing that sets a meaningful scene and helps build the world around the characters. Because everything is 2D and quite flat, it’s easy to wish that all that storytelling and character building was funnelled into a more natural fit, but then again, with BlazBlue being such a successful franchise for so long now, it’s hard to argue that the developers and producers are making a mistake.

BlazBlue: Central Fiction is a game that knows exactly what it is and doesn’t attempt to be anything more or less. It just so happens that what it is, is an experience no one should miss out on. I’m certainly glad I didn’t.

The most complete game of a fantastic license, and the best fighting game this year with Guilty Gear Xrd Revelator.

All in all, BlazBlue Central Fiction feels like a fitting end to the long-running franchise. With sameness seeping in, it was a good time to end things while you could still be left wanting more – and smart to end things before it got too formulaic. Central Fiction keeps everything that made prior games in the series work and adds a lot more layers to the storyline and overall plot for those that care for it. For players that don’t, you still get an outstanding fighting game worthy of your time and an experience that you’ll go back to for years to come.

BlazBlue saga continues with Central Fiction: new characters, new moves, great story mode and the same ultra-complex gameplay mechanics. Plenty of modes and possibilities but you'll end up having fun only if you're a fighting games master. We missed the new Guilty Gear Xrd: Revelator 3D engine on this new BlazBlue, that shows 2D characters.

Where the story falls short, the gameplay rises up. The fighting is fun to pick up and play, but hard to master. There’s no shortage of combos and character specific special moves, making finding your character of choice and fun and personal experience. For those that are fans of the series, Central Fiction is an absolute must have. For fighting game fans that want a fighting game to keep them busy until Tekken 7 comes out, Central Fiction is definitely worth a try, just be prepared to do a lot of reading if you want to understand the lore.

Subtle improvements and a batch of new features keep Blazblue on track, though its graphics are in dire need of an upgrade.

It packs in pretty much everything past games have offered, and then brings in several great new characters and one of the biggest stories in fighting game history.

In theory, this is the climax of the 2D fighting that Arc System Works executed so flawlessly over the years: More fighters than ever in the series, refined mechanics and beautiful visuals. But be aware that beginners will hardly understand anything within the visual novel style story, while even veterans mourn the decision not to include English voiceover for the seemingly final chapter.

BluzBlue closes its storyline with one of the best episodes of the franchise. Another great game for 2D fighting fans.

Another iterative improvement. [Issue#182, p.81]

BlazBlue goes out in a blaze of glory, and although it lacks new ideas it certainly isn’t short of characters, game modes, or thrilling action.

A solid installment within the BlazBlue series that will appeal to fans and casual players alike, so long as you already enjoy playing fighting games.

BlazBlue: Central Fiction is a fantastic game, the most complete of the license.

The BlazBlue saga returns to the spotlight with Central Fiction. This game offers us the resolution to the story arc that began in the first game of the series. In playable terms is the most polished, although its graphic section shows obvious signs of wear.

Blazblue: Central Fiction features masterfully complex battle systems, and although it requires a fair amount of patience, once you’ve grasped the basics you’ll be landing punches, specials in combos that feel all the more satisfying not only to achieve, but look at too! Even with an overblown story mode that sees the action take a back seat, Blazblue: Central Fiction is a solid entry in the eccentric franchise and a remarkably decent fighting game.

BlazBlue: Central Fiction is a strong note for the series to go out on, if it really does end here.