Recently, I got a chance to play the trial version of the upcoming Arc System Works fighting game: BlazBlue: Cross Tag Battle. There is already a lot of hype for this game since it will be on the main stage at EVO 2018 and anything with the Arc System Works name attached to it is going to garner a lot of attention.

Here is my live stream archive where I take a look at the offline offering, show off the tutorial and basic game mechanics, as well as a number of offline AI fights, this is from the Nintendo Switch version.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Alo1jVl42AQ

So far, I’m feeling a little “on the fence”.

On the positive side, the game looks fantastic, which shouldn’t be a surprise for an Arc Sys game. Everything feels fluid and responsive which makes for a fun time during the actual fight.

On the other side, it REALLY feels like there are too many overly complicated systems at play. This has always been a staple of BlazBlue games but I can’t help but feel that it didn’t need to be that way for a “mash-up” like this. Though, this may come naturally to me through spending more time with the game. Also, I wish the matches were two rounds as opposed to the “winner-takes-all” one round win. Matches feel like they go by too quickly and just when you feel you have a handle on things, the match ends and you are back to menus.

We will see more of this when the game is released in June and as pro players get a handle on it for the main stage debut at EVO this summer in Las Vegas.

BlazBlue: Cross Tag Battle comes out for Switch, PS4 and PC on June 5th.

Are you excited for BlazBlue: Cross Tag Battle? Let it be known in the comments below.

For more of my live streams: follow me at twitch.tv/jepheroth and keep it locked here at NerdBacon.