BlazBlue: Continuum Shift Extend

BlazBlue for PSVITA is as good as in the rest of consoles. It has a great fighter roster, plenty of game modes, a good story and a captivating visual design. But especially, its gameplay is deep and engaging. If you can buy the PS3 or 360 version we still recommend them as you can use an arcade stick with them, but if you want to fight wherever you are this should be your choice.

BlazBlue: Continuum Shift Extend is a brilliant fighting game that will take an absolute age to master.

Fans of the genre without prior contact to BlazBlue should definitely take a look at this Vita port. If you own the PS3 or 360 Version though, you only need this, if you just can´t live without the colorful BlazBlue-Heroes, while being on the road.

It's only a very minor extension to the previous games, but if this is your first BlazBlue it's the ideal way to become acquainted with the best new 2D fighter of the generation.

It's not only the best-looking 2D fighter ever created, but in my opinion, it's also one of the best and most feature-laden fighting games period - a statement I do not make lightly.

An extremely deep and refined 2D fighter from Japan that challenges and impresses.

One of the best 2D fighters of modern times, squeezed in a little window. Lovely. [March 2012, p.72]

A challenging fighter with smooth controls and stylish visuals. You won't find a story worth telling here, but we have yet to find a Blazblue fan who gives a damn. Buy this if you have a Vita and like fighting games.

Lots of content, awesome fighters and an amazingly presented story.

It not only looks great, but gives you high quality content: Loads of modes, a well balanced roster, a complex fighting system, accurate controls.

There's no great leaps for the series and it doesn't take huge advantage of the hardware's unique features, but it's still very bloody good.

Wading through BlazBlue: Continuum Shift Extend's massive vocabulary and doubly complex battle systems will demand time and patience from any gamer. But the cast powering this engrossing fighter makes all the effort worthwhile, and the huge variety of modes dresses up play in different ways.

The D-pad on the Vita is ideal to play this kind of game. And that's a good thing too, because we're not too fond of the touch controls. You can program certain button combinations on the rear touchpad, but it's so sensitive that you'll constantly be executing the wrong moves during a match. [April 2012, p.95]

A complex-yet-accessible 2D fighter which will satisfy hardcore SF fans much more than Marvel vs. Capcom 3. [March 2012, p.92]

Arc System Works squeezed a staggering amount of fighting action into this portable rendition of BlazBlue: Continuum Shift. Not only are you getting one of the deepest fighting games you're ever likely to encounter, you're also getting more playing modes than you'll know what to do with. But be warned - if you're one of those fighting game fans that likes to be able to pick up a fighter and become skilled quite quickly, this is probably not the game for you. Button mashers need not even apply.

BlazBlue Continuum Shift Extend is the most definitive version of this hardcore fighting title, in terms of fine-tuning, content, and pure visual beauty (thanks to the OLED screen); but, because of the tiny buttons and global ergonomics of the Vita, it's even harder to master. Online, there's also lag on some matches, but it's still very enjoyable for those that don't suffer from it.

A game of precision and timing that demands a perfect port. Here, it gets one. Fighting fans will be pleased. [Apr 2012, p.61]

If you love technical fighting, high quality graphics, strong gameplay and a really large roster, Blazblue Continuum Shift Extend is the game that you are looking for.

BlazBlue: Continuum Shift Extend is jam packed with content in both single and multiplayer. It's a great fighting game backed with stunning 2D sprites that, once again, the Vita screen does proud. I can safely say it's the first handheld port of the series that feels 1:1 with the console version; plus, if you've never played the game, this is the best place to jump in and be taken away by the world of BlazBlue.

If you've never played BlazBlue, then Continuum Shift Extend is the place to start, and there's no better platform to do it on than the PS Vita. If you have previously enjoyed the BlazBlue series, that's a bit of a tougher call and will largely depend on the value of the added characters and increased control allowed by this new system.

Extend hasn't changed much from Continuum Shift II, which means it can be considered a strong 2D fighter. What's new here, though, will delight veterans of the franchise.

While the "Extend" in the title refers to its additional character and lengthened story, it's also an accurate description of the way play sessions can last much longer than expected - joyfully so.

It's easy to fall in love with Blazblue: Continuum Shift Extend thanks to the super stylistic graphics, very deep gameplay and amazing set of characters. And this is truly a great fighting game, even though the loading times and sound should have gotten more love.

This does so much right, in fact, that if the controls didn't make our thumbs sad that score would be higher – as it is, this fighter comes oh-so close to a flawless victory.

But, overall, this is a pretty great port of BlazBlue: Continuum Shift. Extend delivers all the content of the home experience in a nice, handheld package, and doesn't skimp on any of the features. The addition of Unlimited Mars mode is cool, but is only for the hardcore BlazBlue crowd, it's tough as hell to even make a dent as the difficulty is severely amped up there.

Heavily recycled from the PS3 version, but still one of the most rewarding 2D fighters around. [April 2012, p80]