BlazBlue: Cross Tag Battle Characters Review

1. Overview of the Character Roster

BlazBlue: Cross Tag Battle features a diverse lineup of characters from four different universes, each contributing their distinct fighting styles and abilities. The roster is designed to cater to both new players and veterans, offering a wide range of options and strategies.

BlazBlue Characters

The BlazBlue series, known for its deep and complex fighting mechanics, brings several of its iconic characters to Cross Tag Battle. These characters are well-integrated into the game’s crossover format, maintaining their unique traits while adapting to the new gameplay environment.

• Ragna the Bloodedge: As the protagonist of the BlazBlue series, Ragna is a powerful character with a strong emphasis on offensive capabilities. His moveset includes a mix of sword strikes and powerful energy attacks, making him a versatile choice for players who enjoy aggressive gameplay.
• Jin Kisaragi: Ragna’s brother and a skilled combatant in his own right, Jin specializes in ice-based attacks. His ability to control the battlefield with ice moves and his strong combo potential make him a formidable opponent.
• Noel Vermillion: Known for her speed and versatility, Noel uses a combination of bullets and melee attacks. Her ability to switch between ranged and close-quarters combat allows for a dynamic playstyle, appealing to players who enjoy a balanced approach.
• Makoto Nanaya: With her animalistic traits and powerful attacks, Makoto excels in close-range combat. Her speed and agility allow her to outmaneuver opponents, making her a strong choice for aggressive players.

Persona 4 Arena Characters

The Persona 4 Arena characters bring a distinct flavor to the roster, incorporating elements from the Persona series into the crossover gameplay.

• Yu Narukami: The protagonist of Persona 4, Yu Narukami utilizes a variety of Persona abilities in combat. His moveset includes powerful Persona-based attacks and versatile combos, making him a well-rounded character.
• Yosuke Hanamura: Known for his speed and agility, Yosuke employs a mix of physical attacks and Persona abilities. His dynamic playstyle allows for quick and effective offensive strategies.
• Chie Satonaka: Chie’s focus on martial arts and physical combat makes her a powerful character in close-range battles. Her strong kicks and fast attacks offer a high-speed offensive approach.
• Akihiko Sanada: As a skilled martial artist, Akihiko excels in powerful strikes and combos. His moveset emphasizes raw strength and precision, appealing to players who favor a direct combat style.

Under Night In-Birth Characters

The Under Night In-Birth characters bring a unique blend of abilities and styles to the game, adding depth to the roster.

• Hilda: Known for her range and control, Hilda uses her abilities to dominate the battlefield with a mix of long-range and close-quarters attacks. Her versatility makes her a strong choice for strategic players.
• Byakuya Shiki: Byakuya’s focus on speed and precision allows him to execute quick and effective combos. His moveset emphasizes agility and control, making him a strong choice for fast-paced gameplay.
• Wagner: With a focus on heavy attacks and defensive capabilities, Wagner excels in controlling the battlefield and dealing significant damage. Her moveset is designed for players who prefer a more defensive and calculated approach.

RWBY Characters

The inclusion of characters from RWBY adds a fresh dynamic to the roster, blending anime-inspired combat with the game’s existing mechanics.

• Ruby Rose: As the main protagonist of RWBY, Ruby brings a mix of speed and powerful attacks to the game. Her scythe and agility make her a versatile character with a range of offensive options.
• Weiss Schnee: Weiss utilizes her ice-based abilities to control the battlefield and deal damage from a distance. Her moveset emphasizes ranged attacks and strategic positioning.
• Blake Belladonna: Known for her agility and versatility, Blake employs a combination of melee and ranged attacks. Her ability to switch between different forms of combat adds depth to her playstyle.
• Yang Xiao Long: Yang’s focus on powerful strikes and defensive capabilities makes her a strong choice for aggressive players. Her ability to absorb damage and retaliate with increased power adds a unique element to her gameplay.

2. Gameplay Mechanics and Strategies

The diverse roster of BlazBlue: Cross Tag Battle offers a range of gameplay mechanics and strategies, allowing players to find a character that suits their preferred playstyle. Each character has a unique set of abilities, strengths, and weaknesses, contributing to the game’s depth and variety.

Combo Systems

The game’s combo system allows for intricate and creative combinations of attacks. Characters have access to a range of moves that can be chained together to create powerful combos. Mastering these combos is essential for maximizing damage output and controlling the flow of battle.

• Ragna the Bloodedge: Ragna’s combos focus on his powerful sword strikes and energy attacks. His ability to chain together devastating moves makes him a strong offensive character.
• Chie Satonaka: Chie’s martial arts style allows for fast and fluid combos. Her kicks and quick attacks can be combined to create effective offensive strategies.

Tag Mechanics

One of the key features of BlazBlue: Cross Tag Battle is its tag team mechanics, which allow players to switch between characters and perform tag-based combos. This adds an additional layer of strategy to the gameplay, as players must manage their characters’ abilities and coordinate their attacks.

• Yu Narukami and Yosuke Hanamura: Combining Yu’s Persona-based attacks with Yosuke’s speed and agility allows for dynamic tag-team strategies. Players can create powerful combos and adapt their tactics based on the opponents they face.
• Ruby Rose and Weiss Schnee: Ruby’s speed and Weiss’s ranged attacks complement each other well, allowing players to create effective tag-team strategies that leverage their combined abilities.

Defensive Strategies

Defensive strategies are crucial in BlazBlue: Cross Tag Battle, as players must be able to counter their opponents’ attacks and create opportunities for offense.

• Hilda: Hilda’s range and control abilities allow her to effectively manage the battlefield and defend against opponents. Her strategic positioning and defensive moves make her a strong choice for players who prefer a more calculated approach.
• Wagner: Wagner’s defensive capabilities and heavy attacks enable her to control the pace of the match and deal significant damage. Her ability to absorb damage and retaliate with powerful strikes adds a unique element to her gameplay.

3. Character Design and Aesthetics

The character design in BlazBlue: Cross Tag Battle reflects the distinct styles and themes of the four franchises represented in the game. Each character is designed with a unique appearance, animations, and abilities that capture their individual traits and personalities.

Visual Design

The visual design of each character is characterized by their distinctive art styles and thematic elements.

• BlazBlue Characters: The BlazBlue characters are designed with a detailed and intricate art style that reflects the game’s original aesthetic. Their movesets and abilities are visually represented with dynamic animations and effects.
• Persona 4 Arena Characters: The Persona 4 Arena characters have a stylish and anime-inspired design, with moves that incorporate Persona abilities and visual effects. Their designs capture the essence of the Persona series while fitting seamlessly into the crossover format.
• Under Night In-Birth Characters: The Under Night In-Birth characters have a darker and more dramatic design, with moves that reflect their unique abilities and themes. Their visual style adds a distinct contrast to the other characters in the game.
• RWBY Characters: The RWBY characters bring a vibrant and dynamic design to the roster, with moves that showcase their unique abilities and combat styles. Their anime-inspired design adds a fresh element to the game’s character lineup.

Animations and Effects

The animations and effects for each character are designed to enhance their abilities and create a visually engaging experience.

• Ragna the Bloodedge: Ragna’s sword strikes and energy attacks are animated with powerful and dramatic effects, emphasizing his offensive capabilities.
• Blake Belladonna: Blake’s agility and versatility are represented through fluid and dynamic animations, showcasing her ability to switch between different forms of combat.

4. Impact on Gameplay and Strategy

The diverse roster of characters in BlazBlue: Cross Tag Battle has a significant impact on gameplay and strategy. The combination of different fighting styles, abilities, and tag mechanics allows players to develop unique strategies and adapt their approach based on their opponents.

Meta and Balance

The game’s character roster contributes to the overall meta and balance of the gameplay. The interplay between different characters’ abilities and strategies creates a dynamic and evolving competitive environment.

• Ragna the Bloodedge and Makoto Nanaya: The synergy between Ragna’s offensive capabilities and Makoto’s close-range power creates a strong combination that can overwhelm opponents. Players who use this tag team can capitalize on Ragna’s heavy damage output while utilizing Makoto’s speed to keep opponents on the defensive.
• Yu Narukami and Chie Satonaka: Combining Yu’s Persona abilities with Chie’s martial arts allows for versatile strategies. Yu’s Persona can provide both offensive pressure and support, while Chie’s quick and powerful physical attacks can exploit openings created by Yu’s moves.

Character Matchups

Understanding character matchups is crucial for optimizing performance in BlazBlue: Cross Tag Battle. Different characters have unique strengths and weaknesses that affect how they perform against various opponents.

• Ruby Rose vs. Weiss Schnee: Ruby’s speed and Weiss’s ranged attacks can complement each other well. However, Weiss’s ice-based attacks can counter Ruby’s rapid moves if timed correctly. Players need to balance Ruby’s aggressive playstyle with Weiss’s strategic positioning to achieve success.
• Akihiko Sanada vs. Byakuya Shiki: Akihiko’s strength and powerful strikes can be effective against Byakuya’s speed and precision. However, Byakuya’s agility allows him to avoid Akihiko’s attacks and capitalize on openings. Players must use Akihiko’s strength to pressure Byakuya while avoiding his fast and precise counters.

Team Composition and Synergy

Team composition and synergy play a crucial role in maximizing effectiveness in BlazBlue: Cross Tag Battle. Combining characters with complementary abilities and playstyles can enhance overall performance.

• Hilda and Wagner: Hilda’s range and control abilities can set up opportunities for Wagner’s heavy attacks. Together, they can create a well-rounded team that excels in both offense and defense. Hilda’s ability to manage the battlefield complements Wagner’s powerful strikes, allowing for effective control and damage.
• Blake Belladonna and Yang Xiao Long: Blake’s agility and versatility combined with Yang’s powerful attacks can create a dynamic and aggressive team. Blake’s ability to quickly adapt to different situations pairs well with Yang’s strength and defensive capabilities, offering a balanced approach to combat.

5. Character Development and Narrative Integration

Each character in BlazBlue: Cross Tag Battle is not only a fighter but also a part of a larger narrative and universe. The game integrates characters from different franchises into a cohesive crossover experience, adding depth to their roles and interactions.

Character Backstories

The backstories of the characters contribute to their motivations and relationships within the game. Each character’s background influences their fighting style and interactions with other characters.

• Ragna the Bloodedge: As a central figure in the BlazBlue universe, Ragna’s quest for vengeance and his struggle against powerful enemies drive his character development. His role in the crossover emphasizes his determination and combat skills.
• Yu Narukami: Yu’s journey in the Persona series involves uncovering the truth behind supernatural occurrences and personal growth. In Cross Tag Battle, his role as a fighter reflects his resolve and versatility.

Interactions and Crossovers

The crossover nature of BlazBlue: Cross Tag Battle allows for unique interactions between characters from different franchises. These interactions provide insight into their personalities and relationships, adding depth to the game’s narrative.

• Yu Narukami and Ragna the Bloodedge: The interactions between Yu and Ragna showcase their different approaches to combat and their shared determination. Their dialogue highlights the contrast between their respective worlds and adds a layer of intrigue to their battles.
• Blake Belladonna and Chie Satonaka: Blake and Chie’s interactions reflect their respective backgrounds and personalities. Their dialogue and interactions provide insight into their characters and create interesting dynamics within the crossover experience.

6. Competitive Scene and Community

The character roster of BlazBlue: Cross Tag Battle has had a significant impact on the competitive scene and the community. The game’s diverse characters and mechanics offer a wide range of strategies and playstyles, contributing to a dynamic competitive environment.

Tournament Play

The competitive scene for BlazBlue: Cross Tag Battle features a range of tournaments and events where players showcase their skills with different characters. The game’s balance and depth allow for diverse strategies and team compositions, making each tournament an exciting and unpredictable experience.

• Character Popularity: The popularity of different characters can vary based on their performance in tournaments and the strategies employed by top players. Characters with strong combos, versatile abilities, and effective team synergies often see more play in competitive settings.
• Meta Evolution: The meta for BlazBlue: Cross Tag Battle evolves as players discover new strategies and character combinations. The game’s balance and character diversity contribute to an ever-changing competitive landscape, with players continuously adapting and refining their approaches.

Community and Online Play

The community surrounding BlazBlue: Cross Tag Battle is active and engaged, with players sharing strategies, discussing character balance, and participating in online matches. The game’s online features and support contribute to a vibrant community experience.

• Online Matchmaking: The game’s online matchmaking system allows players to test their skills against opponents from around the world. The diverse character roster and gameplay mechanics contribute to a dynamic online environment, where players can experiment with different strategies and characters.
• Community Engagement: The BlazBlue: Cross Tag Battle community is active in sharing tips, strategies, and fan content. Online forums, social media, and fan events provide platforms for players to connect, discuss the game, and celebrate their favorite characters.

7. Final Thoughts

BlazBlue: Cross Tag Battle offers a rich and diverse roster of characters, each bringing their unique abilities and styles to the game. The crossover nature of the game allows for exciting interactions and combinations, while the deep gameplay mechanics and character balance contribute to a dynamic and engaging experience.

Strengths

• Diverse Roster: The inclusion of characters from multiple franchises adds depth and variety to the game, catering to a wide range of playstyles and preferences.
• Gameplay Mechanics: The combination of combo systems, tag mechanics, and defensive strategies provides a rich and complex gameplay experience.
• Character Design: The unique visual design and animations of each character enhance their abilities and create a visually appealing experience.

Areas for Improvement

• Balance and Meta: While the game offers a diverse roster, ongoing balance adjustments and meta evolution are necessary to ensure fair and competitive gameplay.
• Narrative Integration: Expanding on the narrative integration of characters from different franchises could enhance the overall experience and add depth to the crossover interactions.

Overall, BlazBlue: Cross Tag Battle stands out for its impressive character roster, dynamic gameplay, and engaging crossover experience. Whether you’re a fan of the individual franchises or new to the game, the diverse characters and strategic depth make it a compelling and enjoyable fighting game.