BlazBlue: Cross Tag Battle (BBTAG) is a dynamic and multifaceted crossover fighting game developed by Arc System Works. Featuring characters from BlazBlue, Persona 4 Arena, Under Night In-Birth, and RWBY, BBTAG offers a rich and varied gameplay experience. For both newcomers and seasoned players, navigating the complexities of the game can be challenging. This comprehensive review delves into the walkthrough strategies for BBTAG, providing insights and guidance to help players master the game.
Table of Contents
Introduction to BlazBlue: Cross Tag Battle
BlazBlue: Cross Tag Battle combines characters and elements from four distinct franchises, creating a unique blend of fighting styles and mechanics. The game features a 2v2 tag team system, where players select two characters to battle against opponents. The game’s depth is enhanced by its various modes, including Story Mode, Arcade Mode, and Versus Mode, each offering different experiences and challenges.
Game Mechanics Overview
Before diving into the walkthrough strategies, it’s essential to understand the fundamental mechanics of BBTAG:
- Tag Team System: Players control two characters, switching between them during battles. This system allows for dynamic combos and strategic plays.
- Cross Burst: A mechanic that lets players call in their partner to assist or execute a powerful move. It’s a key component for extending combos and turning the tide of battle.
- Health and Heat: Each team has a shared health pool and a Heat gauge. Managing these resources is crucial for both offense and defense.
- Assists and Specials: Each character has a set of unique moves, including assists and special attacks, which can be used strategically in battles.
Walkthrough Strategies for Key Game Modes
1. Story Mode Walkthrough
The Story Mode in BBTAG is designed to provide a narrative-driven experience, combining characters and storylines from different franchises.
Beginning the Story
- Character Selection: Choose your preferred characters for the story. While the choice doesn’t impact the main storyline, selecting characters you are comfortable with will enhance your experience.
- Understanding the Narrative: The story follows a central plot involving a mysterious convergence of worlds. Pay attention to the dialogues and cutscenes to understand the context of each battle.
Navigating Battles
- Combat Basics: Focus on mastering the basic controls and combos for your characters. Practice simple attacks, special moves, and tagging techniques to build a solid foundation.
- Utilizing Assists: Use your partner’s assists strategically to extend combos and cover your character’s weaknesses. Timing is crucial; ensure you are familiar with each assist’s properties.
- Boss Battles: Story Mode features challenging boss battles. To overcome these, learn the boss’s attack patterns and weaknesses. Utilize Cross Burst and special moves to deal significant damage.
Branching Paths
- Multiple Routes: The Story Mode includes branching paths and choices that affect the outcome. Explore different paths to unlock various endings and character interactions.
- Replay Value: Replaying Story Mode with different characters can offer new perspectives and additional content. Take advantage of this to fully experience the game’s narrative.
2. Arcade Mode Walkthrough
Arcade Mode in BBTAG is a traditional mode where players battle through a series of AI opponents.
Selecting Characters
- Character Familiarity: Choose characters that you are comfortable with or wish to practice. Familiarity with your chosen characters will make progressing through Arcade Mode smoother.
- Team Composition: Consider selecting characters with complementary skills. A balanced team with both offensive and defensive capabilities can be advantageous.
Battle Strategies
- Understanding AI Patterns: AI opponents in Arcade Mode have predictable patterns. Observe their behavior and exploit their weaknesses.
- Combo Execution: Practice and perfect your character’s combos. The AI can be challenging, so having a reliable combo routine will help you win battles more efficiently.
- Health Management: Keep an eye on your team’s health and use healing items if available. Avoid unnecessary risks and play defensively when needed.
Final Boss
- Boss Mechanics: The final boss in Arcade Mode is typically more challenging. Study the boss’s attack patterns and adapt your strategy accordingly. Use Cross Burst and assists wisely to maximize your damage output.
- Winning Strategy: Focus on a balanced approach—combine offense and defense while making the most of your partner’s assists. Persistence and practice are key to overcoming the final boss.
3. Versus Mode Walkthrough
Versus Mode allows players to battle against friends or online opponents. Mastering this mode requires a solid understanding of both your characters and your opponents’ strategies.
Local Multiplayer
- Setting Up Matches: Configure match settings such as round count and stage selection according to your preferences. Experiment with different settings to find what works best for you.
- Competitive Play: Play against friends to test your skills and refine your strategies. Friendly matches provide an opportunity to practice and learn from others.
Online Multiplayer
- Matchmaking: Use the online matchmaking system to find opponents of similar skill levels. Engage in ranked and casual matches to test your abilities.
- Network Considerations: Ensure a stable internet connection to avoid lag and connectivity issues. A good connection is crucial for a smooth online experience.
- Adapting to Opponents: Pay attention to your opponents’ playstyles and adapt your strategies accordingly. Analyze their tactics and look for opportunities to counter their moves.
4. Training Mode Walkthrough
Training Mode is crucial for mastering the game’s mechanics and improving your skills.
Basic Training
- Learning Controls: Familiarize yourself with the basic controls, including attacks, blocks, and movement. Practice these fundamental skills to build a strong foundation.
- Combo Practice: Work on executing basic and advanced combos. Training Mode provides tools to practice and perfect your combo execution.
Advanced Techniques
- Frame Data: Study the frame data for your character’s moves to understand their startup, active, and recovery frames. This knowledge helps in optimizing your gameplay and understanding the nuances of each move.
- Experimentation: Use Training Mode to experiment with different character setups, move combinations, and strategies. The mode’s flexibility allows you to explore various aspects of the game.
Replay and Analysis
- Replay Functionality: Review your replays to analyze your performance. Identify areas for improvement and adjust your strategies based on your observations.
- Lab Work: Conduct “lab work” to experiment with specific scenarios and techniques. This practice helps in refining your skills and developing advanced strategies.
5. Challenge Mode Walkthrough
Challenge Mode presents a series of trials and challenges designed to test your skills and creativity.
Combo Challenges
- Executing Combos: Focus on completing the specified combos in Challenge Mode. Practice each combo until you can execute it consistently and accurately.
- Challenge Variations: Some challenges may involve specific conditions or restrictions. Adapt your strategy to meet these requirements and complete the challenges.
AI Challenges
- Adapting to Conditions: AI challenges often involve unique conditions or constraints. Learn to adapt your strategies to these conditions to overcome the challenges effectively.
- Practice and Improvement: Use these challenges as an opportunity to practice and improve your skills. Completing them can provide valuable insights and enhance your gameplay.
6. Network Mode Walkthrough
Network Mode provides a platform for online interactions and competitive play.
Online Matches
- Ranked and Casual Play: Engage in both ranked and casual online matches. Ranked matches help you improve your standing and compete against players of similar skill levels, while casual matches offer a more relaxed environment.
- Matchmaking System: Understand the matchmaking system and its impact on your online experience. Aim for consistent performance to improve your ranking and competitive standing.
Lobby System
- Creating and Joining Lobbies: Use the lobby system to create or join rooms for private matches. Customize the rules and settings to suit your preferences and playstyle.
- Community Interaction: Engage with other players in lobbies and network with the community. Building connections can enhance your overall gaming experience.
7. Tutorial Mode Walkthrough
Tutorial Mode is essential for learning the basics and advanced mechanics of the game.
Basic Tutorials
- Learning the Fundamentals: Follow the basic tutorials to understand fundamental gameplay concepts. These tutorials cover essential skills such as movement, attacks, and defense.
- Interactive Learning: Participate in interactive lessons to apply what you’ve learned in practice. This hands-on approach reinforces the concepts and helps in building your skills.
Advanced Techniques
- Mastering Advanced Skills: Progress to advanced tutorials to learn more complex techniques and strategies. These lessons provide in-depth knowledge and help in mastering the game’s intricacies.
- Character-Specific Guidance: Explore character-specific tutorials to understand the unique abilities and playstyles of different characters. This guidance is valuable for optimizing your gameplay.
8. Event Modes Walkthrough
Event Modes offer special content and limited-time experiences.
Participating in Events
- Special Challenges: Engage in special challenges and missions featured in Event Modes. These challenges often include unique rules or conditions that add variety to the gameplay.
- Exclusive Content: Take advantage of exclusive content and rewards available through Event Modes. This content can include crossover collaborations or seasonal themes.
Time-Limited Content
- Limited-Time Opportunities: Participate in limited-time events to unlock exclusive rewards and content. These events are typically tied to holidays, special occasions, or promotional campaigns. They provide unique gameplay experiences and incentives to engage with the game.
- Event Rewards: Completing event challenges often grants rewards such as new characters, costumes, or in-game items. These rewards can significantly enhance your gaming experience and offer a sense of accomplishment.
Event-Specific Strategies
- Adapting to Unique Rules: Each event may introduce unique gameplay rules or mechanics. Pay close attention to these rules and adjust your strategies accordingly to maximize your chances of success.
- Community Engagement: Engage with the community to share strategies and tips for event-specific challenges. Online forums and social media can be valuable resources for finding advice and discussing event-related content.
9. Tips for Improving Performance
To excel in BlazBlue: Cross Tag Battle, continuous improvement is key. Here are some tips to help enhance your performance:
Practice Regularly
- Skill Development: Regular practice helps in developing and refining your skills. Dedicate time to practicing combos, strategies, and character-specific techniques.
- Training Sessions: Schedule focused training sessions to work on specific aspects of your gameplay. For example, you might dedicate a session to perfecting a particular combo or mastering a new character.
Analyze and Learn
- Replay Analysis: Review your replays to analyze your performance. Identify mistakes, missed opportunities, and areas for improvement. Use this analysis to adjust your strategies and enhance your gameplay.
- Study Opponents: Observe and learn from other players’ matches. Watching high-level gameplay can provide insights into advanced strategies, techniques, and character usage.
Experiment and Adapt
- Try Different Characters: Experiment with different characters to understand their strengths and weaknesses. This experimentation helps you find characters that suit your playstyle and allows you to adapt to various opponents.
- Adjust Strategies: Be prepared to adjust your strategies based on your opponent’s playstyle and the specific game mode. Flexibility and adaptability are crucial for success in both casual and competitive play.
Stay Informed
- Patch Notes and Updates: Stay informed about game updates, balance changes, and new content. Understanding the latest changes can help you adapt your strategies and stay competitive.
- Community Insights: Engage with the BBTAG community to stay updated on strategies, tips, and trends. Online forums, social media groups, and community events can provide valuable information and support.
10. Conclusion
BlazBlue: Cross Tag Battle offers a rich and diverse fighting experience, combining characters and elements from multiple franchises. Mastering the game requires a thorough understanding of its mechanics, game modes, and strategies. By following this comprehensive walkthrough, players can improve their skills, navigate various game modes, and enhance their overall gameplay experience.
Whether you’re tackling Story Mode, battling in Arcade Mode, or engaging in online matches, the key to success in BBTAG lies in practice, analysis, and adaptation. Utilize the strategies and tips outlined in this review to elevate your gameplay, overcome challenges, and fully enjoy the dynamic world of BlazBlue: Cross Tag Battle.