Blade Strangers

Overall, Blade Strangers is a must-buy for fighting game fans. Switch owners will love having a fighter on the go that actually works well in that format – as the controls are such that you can comfortably play them in portable mode unlike the Street Fighter games. It’s a great-looking and playing game that has enough depth for die-hard brawlers, but is also easy to learn and fun to play at all skill levels. The robust roster may not be huge in number – but there is more variety in play types here, and it’s easy to find at least a handful of characters you’ll want to play as regularly.

I’m not sure I can confidently say the game will do waves in the fighting game community, but I think it’ll be enjoyable for all players of all different skill types.

It doesn't have the lineage of other fighting games, but Blade Strangers is well worth checking out.

Blade Strangers does a decent enough job at building the bridge between the simplicity of Pocket Rumble and the anime flair of BlazBlue Cross Tag Battle. The lean towards concentrating on core fundamentals makes this all-star brawler an approachable but enjoyable throwdown for those that are keen to make their mark in the genre. While the game’s easy execution may not entertain hardened enthusiasts for long, those that don’t have the time to surgically pick apart the demanding layers of the genre should certainly get a good fix out of this one.

Blade Strangers is an odd mix of zany characters and entertaining gameplay. Its unique four-button fighting gameplay is a refreshingly accessible experience for anyone that wants to duke it out with Shovel Knight, Isaac, Quote, or any of the fourteen different fighters within the title.

Blade Strangers is a very competent fighting game that stands out as a good entry point for newcomers. However, its lack of varied modes and its dependence on a players base in its online mode damage the overall quality of the game.

Although I enjoyed Blade Strangers quite a lot, it still doesn't reach any particularly high notes for a fighter. That being said, what other game allows you to fight as Quote, Gunvolt, and Shovel Knight?

Blade Strangers brings together a series of characters that might not seem like they fit well in the same game but the result is a surprisingly fun fighting game, with good control mechanics and a welcome variety when it comes to the fighters. Its visuals need more work when it comes to their 3D rendering and the soundtrack does not stand out but the experience is overall amusing and easy to get into.

I'm glad it exists, despite my hesitation to give it a strong recommendation. [Issue #36 – November/December 2018, p. 89]

There’s not enough to Blade Strangers to recommend it unreservedly, especially with a sparse playable roster and a lack of game modes, but the fighting is undoubtedly solid and enjoyable in bursts. It doesn’t have legs, but it does what it sets out to do, and does it surprisingly well.

It’s not perfect, but Blade Strangers is a solid fighting game that is wonderfully accessible.

As a first effort out it's genuinely impressive, offering a clean and enjoyable combat system that can also be used to introduce new players to the joy of modern 2D fighters. I firmly believe there's a role for fighters like that in the market, and Blade Strangers is a very fine first effort indeed.

There’s no denying it - this is the most accessible 2D fighter we’ve played in years. If you’re new to the often impenetrable world of twitch-style brawlers, this serves as an ideal way to learn the craft and feel powerful without too much work. Not every one of its crossover fighters gels as well as the others, but it’s still an empowering experience for beginners and intermediate fight fans. However, if you’re looking for a purposefully nuanced combat system with a bit more bite, you’re probably best sticking with BlazBlue’s mechanical purity.

Blade Strangers is a competent 2D fighter comprised of characters from hit games like Code of Princess and Shovel Knight. While the game does absolutely nothing, beyond the diverse cast, to stand out from other fighters - it's still a game that might be worth your time if you're a huge fan of fighters. My biggest gripe with Blade Strangers was the visuals when presented on TV - they just lack the smooth look that many modern 2D fighters have. For the most part, I was happy with this fighter and I really hope we see some additional post-release content added, such as more characters from Nicalis published titles.