As with all beat 'em ups before it, BlazBlue assigns different strength attacks to the various buttons on the controller, and special moves can be executed with a different combination of stick movement and button taps. Although the default system is slightly confusing at first (mainly due to the naming and colour system being inconsistent with the corresponding buttons on the 360 controller), you can fully customise the configuration to suit. With a training mode that allows you to practice pulling those combos on a training dummy, you should become quite familiar the each of the twelve character's move-sets in no time.
Performing combos and attacks builds up "Heat", which can be used to perform more powerful special moves, and even finish off your opponent with an unstoppable "Astral" move. Battles take place over a number of rounds, or "Rebels", and the person who knocks their opponent out, or has the most energy at the end of the round is the victor. This may all sound like standard beat 'em up fair, but what Gamestyle like about BlazBlue is its accessibility. Each character has a number of special moves, and these can be assigned to the right analogue stick. Pushing the stick in a particular direction unleashes the attack, without having to press the right buttons. It means that even novices can compete with more experienced fighters, and although it does take out the skill out of playing to some degree, Gamestyle welcome this approach.
It seems somewhat contrary then, that the game's story mode and characters themselves are far from accessible. Fans of manga and anime will think nothing of having a crazy cat creature of school-girl vampire fighting it out, but it will act as a barrier to those more casual gamers, for whom the simplified controls are perhaps aimed at. The range of characters is excellent, however, and each has their own style and attributes. The token (and as described by the game) "booby-lady" makes an appearance in the form of a staff-wielding doctor, and other notable characters include a Hell-boy-esque ogre, a shape-shifting ghoul, and a couple of futuristic androids. There really is a fighter for everyone, and with each having a decent arsenal of moves to master, completing the arcade mode with each is suitably challenging.
There are a number of modes to play, but the focus will be on the arcade, network, and story modes. The arcade mode simply pits you against the other characters until you have beaten them all, but the story mode is more complex. The main story in BlazBlue is centered around Ragna the Bloodedge, a rebel who attempts to destroy an oppressive governing body. Each of the other characters have their own tale to tell, set against this backdrop, and progression though this involves challenging the other fighters they encounter. With multiple branches available, discovering all of the characters' back stories is a great addition to the game, if a little confusing. Again, the random and unpolished nature of the narrative will put many people off playing through, but it's a great distraction to the arcade mode.
The network mode allows you to pit your skills against opponents online, and although the matchmaking needs work, there's little to fault. The matches are lag-free, and fully customisable. Although ranked matches are strict, with rules against using the "easy" special moves and unlockable "Unlimited" versions of the characters, you can create and search for matches to suit your needs, be it shorter rounds, the types of moves allowed, or characters. The ability to create rooms for up to six competitors is excellent, and those not taking part in the battles can spectate and perhaps scout their opponents.
BlazBlue: Calamity Trigger is an excellent fighter that deserves attention. Its slick presentation is matched by an excellent selection of fighters and moves. It's accessible and instantly playable, and although the anime-style may prevent some from enjoying everything the game has to offer, the solid mechanics will ensure that entertainment is had by all.
