BlazBlue Entropy Effect is an action roguelite spin-off of the homonymous fighting game series. 91Act convinces us with an excellent product in many aspects.
BlazBlue is a fighting game series developed and published in Japan by Arc System Works, and later localized in North America by Aksys Games and in Europe by Zen United. The plot of these Japanese productions usually develops in various mediums. It has expanded in a sprawling manner, landing on various platforms such as manga and anime series.
BlazBlue Entropy Effect as a spin-off has its own plot which deviates from the original series.
In a future where the world has fallen into chaos, people enter a cyberspace called ACE, seeking one last chance to resolve the crisis.
Plot
Skyseyes created a cyberspace called ACE, into which humanity has taken refuge. Our protagonist is an ACER and must successfully complete the Mind Training Sessions.
Our adventure begins in the darkness where a voice speaks to us. We’re not sure who it is, but it sounds like a familiar voice and reminds us of something. After this we find ourselves inside the laboratories where we meet robotic creatures and our superior. They will have the task of guiding us on the adventure through quests. Additionally, some can empower us or sell valuable resources. The laboratory is our Hub and has two explorable floors. Using elevators we can also go to the surface. Here we arrive in a cyberpunk-tinged city where we will meet other characters and points of interest for the plot development.
Finding Lore
After the first Mind Training Session in BlazBlue Entropy Effect the situation begins to take a strange turn. In an area of the Hub, in a black and white space that seems out of time and space, we find a mysterious creature. Made of particles, spherical in shape and with rings, it seems to know us in some way. She is able to show the Phenomena. By collecting fragments of Phenomena during the games the creature will show them to us. Each Phenomena is a piece of lore, past or perhaps future, that tells the story of the Skyseyes. We will get to know its founders, the history of the world and of humanity condemned to a macabre fate. They all seem to know more than us, the creature, our friend and other robots we will meet during the adventure. Only by recovering the fragments of Phenomena can we put the pieces of an intricate puzzle back together and know the truth. We are the only people in the world who knows the truth, what choice will we make?
Incredible gameplay
Despite the good work done on the story and lore, BlazBlue Entropy Effect shows its best in the gameplay. Frantic, fast, satisfying and extremely varied. Even basic enemies can be a pain in the ass, especially in higher stages. The boss fights are intense and well built, with original movesets and artistic style. Furthermore, they must be studied well because they are punitive and some have complex and detailed movesets. I started straight away on the hard difficulty and frankly I don’t regret it. I recommend doing the same to those who are veterans of this genre, otherwise you can choose the normal difficulty. Usually games like BlazBlue Entropy Effect should be tackled already at their highest level, as is also usual for The Binding of Isaac. In fact, the real challenge will only begin as the matches progress. Let’s start talking about the various key aspects of the game, starting from the protagonists we can choose: the Prototypes.
BlazBlue Entropy Effect: The Prototypes
As soon as we enter the session, we select our character, unlocking him from a list of 10. Initially we will only be able to unlock one, then by earning or buying a Prototype Analyzer we can obtain the others. The characters have a unique and original style, each has different combos and abilities. They all have a light attack, a charged attack, a special that costs MP, a dodge, and a double jump. What distinguishes them are their speed, attack stats, hit points and their combos. Each of them also have a unique passive ability. These prototypes also have very different weapons: some long range, some short and even firearms. In short, there is something for all tastes and gaming styles. However, they all give the player an excellent feeling and responsiveness during the action. The experience of knowing a prototype thoroughly and then mastering it is rewarding. Unlocking others increases both replayability and the need to adapt to a new fighting style.
Stages and Enhancements
In this chapter we talk about stages and what makes up the action roguelite element. In BlazBlue Entropy Effect we have to complete 5 stages and each stage is made up of areas to overcome. Only the fifth will be a metroidvania-style map with areas to discover, two optional bosses plus the final boss.
Once we pass an area, we choose between three possible upgrades.
Before accessing the next area we can choose the next upgrade to acquire. Now we list them.
Tactics are skills, each associated with an element. They range from gray to golden in color, depending on their power.
The Tactical Ascensions that evolve the Tactics in our possession to the next level of power.
Potentials are literally a series of combos, cancels and upgrades associated with one of the character’s standard abilities. They influence jumping, dodging or attacks, creating lethal and spectacular combos.
The Double Tactics that we can obtain when we manage to combine Tactics of different elements obtaining a new enhancement.
A Rest Room to regain lost hit points.
An Event Room where you can bet on buffs and debuffs and various upgrades.
An Exchange Room where we can purchase potions or one of the previous upgrades.
Max HP and MP where we increase one of the two statistics respectively.
Last is the room called Sortitio. Literally a spin of the wheel in which we take we can earn bonuses or additional materials.
The rooms are non-linear, have elements of platforming, verticality and environmental hazards such as traps. Some areas can have challenges such as “survive for 50” seconds or “kill 50 enemies”. The latter are obviously the most linear. Access to the next stage is guaranteed after defeating the area boss. Each Stage has two bosses that alternate randomly, so we will never know which battle will happen to us.
BlazBlue Entropy Effect: Legacy Link
This is the core mechanic of BlazBlue Entropy Effect, the Legacy Link. Remember that we are with our Prototype inside a simulation. Once finished, you will have a ranking based on the progress achieved and the system will save the Evotype used, together with the upgrades acquired. By starting a new Mind Training we can link two Legacies to the selected character. In essence we will inherit the characters’ passive skills together with the previously acquired upgrades. We can also summon our Legacies in battle. Some are less effective than others and all have a usage cooldown. The mechanics itself is very interesting and allows you to create very different synergies between them. Even if the Legacy of some characters is essential to complete the game at high difficulty levels, it is still fun to explore the options.
What to do in the Hub
Outside the Mind Training Session, BlazBlue Entropy Effect offers several options for our protagonist. Our little robot has several alternatives. He can explore the lore and venture into the main story, or use AP, the currency of this world to upgrade himself. We can increase our level which will lead us to increase the base percentage of our HP. From the fifth level and after every 10th we unlock spaces where we can set Mind Crystals. Purchasable with Fragmented Minds and upgradeable up to 3 times via AP. These crystals are very heterogeneous and depending on the ones chosen, our way of playing can change radically. So even more depth and possibility to shape the experience depending on the type of player you are. We can be cautious and conservative or committed to attack at the expense of defense. We can see how many Tactics and Potentials we have encountered and recorded. Going up to the surface we can also try our hand at the PVP/PVE multiplayer session called Battlefield of Entropy. There is also the possibility of replaying boss battles thanks to the Mind Challenges, facing increasingly complicated battles.
Those who want even more challenges, can increase the entropy levels of Mind Training. Increasing variables such as trap damage, limited time to complete stages, increased opponent HP, up to more prohibitive conditions. Interestingly, you can also choose boss fights with more complex and new movesets. The risk is great but so are the rewards gained.
My Two Cents
BlazBlue Entropy Effect presents itself to the player with style and a strong personality despite being a spin-off. The Characters are extremely refined and charismatic. Despite being stereotypes of the cyberpunk aesthetic, they will not disappoint cyberpunk lovers. The art direction of the environments and the soundtrack are also of a high standard. BlazBlue Entropy Effect shows its best in gameplay. Frantic, fast, satisfying and extremely varied. Even basic enemies can be a pain in the ass, especially in higher stages. The boss fights are intense and well done, with original movesets and artistic style. Furthermore, they must be studied well because they are punitive and some have complex and detailed movesets. The Legacy Links and the vast choice of upgrades increase replayability, considering the 10 characters to choose from. To all this must be added further activities outside of Mind Training Sessions. Despite this, a certain brevity of the main narrative arc and the few stages could discourage more “casual” players from replaying. On the contrary, lovers of the genre can try their hand at demanding and satisfying challenges. An excellent title that gives hope for the future of this year.
BlazBlue Entropy Effect
PRO
- Great sound and art design
- Great and solid combat system
- Great combo and power ups variety
- High replayability
CON
- Brevity of the main narrative arc
- 5 stage routine could discourage more “casual” players from replaying
8.7/10
