Blade Strangers Reviews
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 finally delivers a conventional fighting game where you can beat up other fighters with Shovel Knight (looking at you Super Smash Bros. Ultimate). 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.
Blade Strangers is a fun, friendly, accessible fighter. It allows newcomers and experienced players alike the opportunity to throw down with some great characters, without necessarily concerning themselves with one-frame-links or meaty reversals. Whilst that lack of tech-depth may prevent Blade Strangers from holding the attention of the pros, or blowing up on the competitive circuit, it's sure to be a hit at any good-natured rumble with friends, battling for pride within your own four walls.
Blade Strangers is fun for what it is, a smaller-scale fighting game with a bizarre set of crossover characters you would never expect to see in a Japanese-developed fighting game. Even the Japanese stuff that is involved is weird together, frankly. While it struggles with how simple it does or doesn't want to be, Blade Strangers has a cute vibe, an earnest sense of humor, and flashy enough gameplay that running through it with all the characters is definitely worth a few weekends in-between Evo training.
Blade Strangers is a fine fighting game.
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.
Blade Strangers may not look like the most obvious crossover when it features characters from series that few would ever imagine starring in the same game but life is full of surprises and this fighting experience not only brings a varied cast, it also has some very simple gameplay and control mechanics that make the game accessible to nearly everyone, while also thinking that its 3D rendering could use some improvement.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
If Super Smash Bros. and Marvel Vs. Capcom made sweet love, Blade Strangers would be their beautiful baby. Fighting game veterans might find the gameplay a little too user-friendly and ultimately shallow. Still, it's hard not to get addicted to the elegant combo system, and playing as all your favorite indie legends.
While Blade Strangers is a perfectly competent fighting game it will struggle to find an audience. Too simple for fighting fans, too niche for kids and not enough story for fans of the source material, it simply fails to meet the mark.
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 accessible to players of any skill thanks to simplified combat, but still leaves room for the more competitive players to shine.
Blade Strangers is a fun and charming 2D fighter that is readily open for any kind of player to enjoy. Whether you're a newcomer to the fighting genre or a hardened veteran that instinctually whiff punishes anything. Everyone can play this game and appreciate the obscurely, iconic roster of characters and stages that Nicalis and Studio Saizensen have given us.
Blade Strangers isn't an outright terrible game; it just doesn't feel like the concept ever got off the ground. While characters retain their charm, story suffers from a lack of originality. There is also a distinct lack of depth, as combos are fairly straightforward, with some moves using repeated inputs adding unneeded mistakes. Add in lackluster and in some cases awful sprites and it's an experience that really comes down to if you like the characters enough to see them in a new setting. If this is enough, then you might like this, otherwise it's a paint by numbers fighting game that doesn't do anything well enough to stand out beyond the fact notable characters are present.
Eschewing the Byzantine systems of many modern anime fighters, Blade Strangers invites fans weaned on early 90s arcade fighters back into the fold.
It's not going to keep you entertained for as long as a Street Fighter or BlazBlue game, but those familiar with its characters will have fun pitting the likes of Shovel Knight against Issac. Those unfamiliar with its characters will just enjoy it for the fact that there are no barriers to enjoying its gameplay. Blade Strangers is simple, and all the better for it.
Blade Strangers is a great fighting game that seeks simplicity in its commands and, perhaps for the first time, has accomplished this. The graphics are attractive and the characters are cool, especially the guests. Online mode is also functional, including with people from different regions. The story mode, however, is somewhat bad (though each character has its own novel visual style plot) and maybe not everyone will approve the simplicity in the commands. Unfortunately, there is still hope that the online mode will not become deserted, since it is a niche title.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Decent. That's the only thing that comes to mind when thinking about Blade Strangers. Besides the novelty of being able to choose amongst indie game characters from Studio Sanzensen and Nicalis, there's nothing special about this fighter, other than the fact that it's built in such a way that it makes it a perfect entry for genre greenhorns.
Will you be picking up Blade Strangers, or do you have it already? What do you think of the game? Let us know in the comments or on Twitter, and keep an eye on Rice Digital for more coverage of both fighting games and other Japanese titles.
Blade Strangers' unique approach to fisticuffs won't appeal to everyone, but those looking for something with both depth and accessibility will find it here. It might not be FGC-ready, but it manages to provide a good time for those with an open mind.