BlazBlue: Central Fiction - Special Edition

 Switch
Metascore
86

Generally favorable reviews - based on 14 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 14
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 14
  3. Negative: 0 out of 14
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  1. The Digital Fix
    Feb 15, 2019
    100
    Good value for money coupled with some of the most gorgeous 2D hand drawn graphics on the market and new player accessibility make this fighter an exceptional buy.
  2. FNintendo
    Apr 15, 2019
    90
    BlazBlue: Central Fiction clearly packs the ambition and quality to be one of the very best fighting games on the Nintendo Switch. Embodying the classic motto "Easy to learn, difficult to master", BlazBlue: Central Fiction makes the best of its variety of game modes, gorgeous art style and involving plot to deliver an unforgettable game that all Switch owners should keep in mind.
  3. PLAY! Zine
    Mar 29, 2019
    90
    A definitive edition for the Central Fiction, lands on the Switch. And with it, most probably grabs the award for the best fighting game on the platform! It is a superb title you should not miss, if you are into the genre or simply want to give genre a chance.
  5. God is a Geek
    Mar 8, 2019
    90
    BlazBlue: Central Fiction – Special Edition is by far the best fighting game on Switch. It was already fantastic on PS4 but having everything included here right from the get go in a port that runs brilliantly even in handheld mode makes this my favourite version of the game. If you enjoy 2D fighters and have been wanting something content packed and polished, this is all you need on the Switch.
  6. Nintendo Insider
    Feb 20, 2019
    90
    It may be a three-year-old game at this point, but BlazBlue CentralFiction Special Edition is a fine example of the quality Arc Systems Works puts into their games. The fact that all the downloadable content is included at such a decent price point makes this complete package a necessity on the Nintendo Switch. With lush backgrounds, an adrenaline-fueled soundtrack, loads of cosmetics to unlock, gorgeous artwork, fluid animations, and a wonderfully deep fighting system, this niche but stunning 2D fighter has easily become one of the top dogs on the system.
  7. Nintendo Life
    Feb 19, 2019
    90
    BlazBlue Centralfiction Special Edition may a few years late to Nintendo Switch, but that time hasn't dulled the sharpness of its 2D fighting package. Not only does it give the Ragna saga a proper send-off with a story mode that's so rich in character development it could be a full anime season in its own right, but it offers a staggering number of modes to keep you playing long after the credits roll. It runs silky-smooth docked or in handheld modes and runs like a dream online. The lack of an English dub still rankles, and new adopters are going to have to do a lot of research to understand what's going on, but it's well worth the effort.
  8. Digitally Downloaded
    Feb 12, 2019
    90
    It's a surprisingly decent narrative, mind you. BlazBlue has all the typical tropes of youth action anime, with its focus on moving up and down power rankings something overly familiar to anyone who's watched even a few anime titles in the past. But, again, BlazBlue does it convincingly enough that you feel like you're getting a full anime season as part of the game's entry price. Throw in the quality competitive seen, umpteen different alternative gameplay modes, and the sheer size of the roster, all available from the outset, and BlazBlue is going to be hard to put down for a long period of time.
  9. Worth Playing
    Jul 29, 2019
    85
    The Switch already has a number of terrific fighting games, and Blazblue: CentralFiction Special Edition is certainly in the upper portion of that list. The more offense-minded system, along with the different control styles, make it great for fighting fans of all skill levels, and the deluge of modes means that it can take a very long time before you come close to exhausting it all. The best part is that relatively little gets sacrificed in the port, so there's nothing to reacclimate yourself should you decide to play this on multiple platforms. In short, CentralFiction is a must-have for fighting fans.
  10. NintendoWorldReport
    Feb 22, 2019
    85
    The small player base online may be a good reason to hesitate on buying Central Fiction on Switch, but it is nevertheless a stellar fighting game to have on the go. This remains one of Arc System Works’ best releases, and with flawless performance in handheld mode it’s never been easier to take the fight with you to a friend’s house. Though you may have already picked up Cross Tag Battle last year, you’d still do well by checking out this fully-featured mainline entry. Central Fiction is the best BlazBlue has ever been, and this may be the right time to join the battle if you haven’t already.
  11. Nintenderos
    Feb 13, 2019
    85
    BlazBlue Central Fiction Special Edition is undoubtedly a great fighting game with excellent gameplay, lots of content and game modes and many options for all types of players. If you are a fan of fighting games, you cannot miss it.
  12. Areajugones
    Feb 17, 2019
    84
    BlazBlue: Central Fiction Special Edition is a very complete fighting game with multiple single-player game modes and an elaborate combat system. This version does not have many new features but the portable mode is a big enough reason to recommend it. A great sample from the best of the fighting genre for your Nintendo Switch.
  13. Pure Nintendo
    Mar 24, 2019
    80
    A fun fighting game with crisp graphics and smooth controls. With various characters and modes, the gameplay seems endless.
  14. Metro GameCentral
    Feb 11, 2019
    80
    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.
  15. Cubed3
    Jan 28, 2019
    70
    Other than porting BlazBlue: Central Fiction to Nintendo's platform, this seems to be minimum effort on Arc System Works' part. There isn't really anything special about this Special Edition, aside from including all past DLC in one package. Online lobbies have been removed, yet player-created rooms ensure this isn't too great of a problem. Despite this, it is still the same action-packed game that released two years ago, with a massive (if sometimes over the top and perplexing) anime story mode that befits the Switch's portable nature perfectly, with both dialogue scenes and battles looking just as gorgeous on the small screen as they do on the big one.

Awards & Rankings

15
#15 Best Switch Game of 2019
80
#80 Most Shared Switch Game of 2019

User Reviews

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User Score
8.0

Generally favorable reviews- based on 32 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 26 out of 32
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 32
  3. Negative: 6 out of 32
  1. Phuz
    Jun 13, 2021
    10
    This is such a weird game for the fact it goes under the radar. It is a 2D fighter with classic controls.

    This oozes pure production at every    This is such a weird game for the fact it goes under the radar. It is a 2D fighter with classic controls.

    This oozes pure production at every level. I'll start with the sounds, they are really rich. All of them. Nothing sounds **** The OST is rock music and I can take or leave rock music but in this game it give you that ready for action vibe and again it is the purest of quality. It all sounds full and saturated and warm, basically like it has been made in a world class recording studio. It is pretty faultless.

    So I am someone that finds music of great importance for the atmosphere of a game and I couldn't really give a **** about graphics but this is bloody good to look at. It has amazing character and level drawings, the cutscenes are amazing and as I was saying that the music is top class, this is also top class for visuals. I have seen lots of anime's not come close to this. Next you have a gallery, you can purchase pictures for in game points (not gatcha **** and they are stunning, digital anime drawings. There are loads for points purchase and loads of unlockable ones too. Quite a bit of fanservice in some of these pictures but others are just nice cartoon drawings. There are also videos. Each character has a pre fight choice of about 35 colour combination for their outfits.

    Gameplay. I love it. It feels like a classic Street Fighter, or King of Fighters but it looks and feels way smoother. It plays exactly how you would expect. Do I like this as much as Street Fighter, Mortal Kombat, KoF etc. Yes, I think so if I take off the nostalgia glasses and matched the hours put in. As good as Garou, probably not for me but Garou is my favourite fighter ever.

    Extra features. This thing is rammed full. The galleries I mentioned earlier, replays, history, tutorial, full on film, in story mode, if you can name it and it's not there, well you're just being a fussy ****

    The game file is 11GB, that is huge for a 2D fighter but gives you a good idea of the lengths they have gone to, to give this their all.

    If you like Guilty Gear, then this is a no brainer. They are similar in many ways.

    Overall it just works. The whole game just works. The only thing I miss is that the sound can be a little too sensible. I hate OTT stuff in games but in fighters I love it. I mean there are Neko fighters in this game, we don't have to ve very mature.
    It is great to win but it is amazing if you win and do a copy of your fighters Japanese victory call, or can shout ugh, hugh, hi ya, whaaaaah and generally sound like a **** copying your fighter.

    This may sound stupid but seeing you you happy and wailing like a samurai on crack keeps the missus happy. She sees me happy, laughs at all the stupid noises and commotion coming from me and is happy to let me play forever.

    Last point, this game is top drawer and it is great on the joy cons in that black controller holder thing but I've got the 8bit do arcade fighting stick to play this and it is a beast. The stick and game go together like chicken and vindaloo sauce. It is just a class gaming experience.

    Blazblue (as with every other fighter I own), I am totally **** at but I love it.    … Full Review »
  2. Steyraus
    Jan 30, 2021
    3
    The are tge stupidest fighting games, characters look like the are having epilectic fits . Atack animations are idiotic, you press punch andThe are tge stupidest fighting games, characters look like the are having epilectic fits . Atack animations are idiotic, you press punch and you character is likly to slap the back of their own gead than make a motion that looks like an attack.… Full Review »
  3. lex_m
    Aug 29, 2020
    10
    It's the fighting game and visual Novel at same time. Story mode is very long and it's seems like classic visual Novel, arcade mode have 3It's the fighting game and visual Novel at same time. Story mode is very long and it's seems like classic visual Novel, arcade mode have 3 acts for each character (except 3). It's a really unique fighting game.… Full Review »
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