• Review: BlayzBloo: Super Melee Brawlers Battle Royale (DSi Ware)

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    ecchiSKETCH
    Published on 08-02-2011 07:02 PM
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    BlayzBloo: Super Melee Brawlers Battle Royale

    Developer: Arc System Works
    Publisher: Arc System Works
    Platform: Nintendo DSi
    Genre: Fighting
    Rating: Everyone
    Release Date: August 2nd, 2010

    Fans of BlazBlue, truly fun multiplayer gaming, and dangerous chibi characters rejoice! BlayzBloo: Super Melee Brawlers Battle Royale allows for the enjoyment of the BlazBlue series with large-headed versions of several characters and fast paced matches that beg to be played.

    Presentation
    The most noticeable thing about this game is the minimalist styling that is both simple and true to the series. While this provides a nice experience, just don't expect a full bodied BlazBlue game scaled down for the DS for 500 Nintendo Points. This is not a port of any of the previous games in the series. It's not a bad thing, though. If anything it feels more like a fan-made dojin game.

    Graphics
    Going along with the chibi aesthetics, the graphics are fairly decent and lend themselves to the disproportionately fun atmosphere of BlayzBloo. There are only four backgrounds, but each one undoubtedly belongs in this game. Watching small versions of your favorite characters thrown into an all out fight is any BlazBlue fan's dream, but add chibi artwork and that takes it to another level. The artwork doesn't come out often, only when selecting your character and once you beat the game, but it is beautifully drawn and a nice addition to the overall feel of the game.

    Sound
    All sound in this game is re-used material from BlazBlue: Continuum Shift, so if you've played that game you pretty much know what this game sounds like. Of course BlayzBloo won't sound as good as it's home console counterparts, but it does its job very well.

    Gameplay
    There is no story outside of the short bios provided for each character. BlazyBloo is mindless melee and nothing else. All you have is a basic attack with three button presses to make a combo and one simple Drive attack. You move using the directional pad, Y is a normal attack, A is your Drive attack, B is jump, and X lets you use an item if you have one. Leave the stylus in the DS for this one, it's buttons only. This isn't a problem, but as a BlazBlue game released for the DS one would expect some use of the touch screen. Instead, all the bottom screen is used for is viewing your character's condition (player number and items/ arms held). This makes it feel as if this game isn't a uniquely DS title when it is. There are five characters to choose from; Ragna, Noel, Jin, Taokaka, and Rachel, and three game modes; life (a death match between all characters), point (hitting enemies to steal their points), and flag (basic flag match with a panda flag). Each game mode involves four characters fighting each other, but several matches have special conditions such as fighting three Rachel's with a boosted drive ability or finding an invisible flag. You fight five one minute matches with the fifth and final battle a one-on-one match against Ragna, and then you beat the game. While BlazyBloo is enjoyable playing alone, it is best to play with others due to the Brawl-esque quirks and humorous gameplay.

    Lasting Appeal
    In all honesty there isn't much as far as lasting appeal. When you beat the game, the credits roll but there is no "ending" in the sense of what we are used to when one usually beats a game. All there is is a chibi rendition of the character you were fighting as and a message saying "Thanks For Playing". Unfortunately there is no place to view these ending images and the game doesn't recognize who you've beaten the game with. Unless you are a big fan of the series or plan to play this game with others, then BlazyBloo's simple and repetitive gameplay has little lasting appeal past the first few run throughs.

    Conclusion
    BlayzBloo: Super Melee Brawlers Battle Royale is a fun addition to the BlazBlue series that every fan should try at least once. It is a nice blend of Continuum Shift feelings and straightforward humor that can only be provided via chibi. It would have been nice to have a fuller roster of playable characters, though. Whether you're playing alone or with friends, BlazyBloo is a great game to pick up and kill some time.

    Score:
    8.0

  • Review Scale

    Score 10- Flawless Victory: A score not handed out to every game. Games earning this rare score sit at the very pinnacle of excellence. These games act as the examples for which all others should be measured with. They are instant classics from the beginning. These games not only deliver what was expected of it, but also exceed the player’s expectations. The game’s features are innovative and original. No game is without its absolute flaws, but the finished product you bring home surpasses the anticipation the game has formed. A day one buy is a must. The game you hold in your hands with this score is a video game jackpot.

    Score 9 - 9.5- Outstanding: Games earning scores such as these absolutely must be played. Games that achieve this high ranking do so because they define the genres that they are in. Flaws are few and barely noticeable. Features seen in the game have been renovated to provide something new and fresh. The story, gameplay, graphics, and lasting appeal are all fantastic and is reason enough to bring the game home and to enjoy with family and friends. Every penny you spend on the game is so worth it.

    Score 8 - 8.5- Great: Any flaw the game may possess is overshadowed by its fun factor. These games would be great for gamers to play. These great games appeal to gamers more and more outside its normal player base because of what it brings to the table.

    Score 7 - 7.5- Good: Flaws do exist in these games, but the positive features of the game can counterbalance the flaws. Additionally, players who are predisposed to liking a game of a particular series or genre with this score should enjoy the game. These are in no way bad games, and much fun can be had with them. An overall good game is worth taking a look at, whether you are willing to buy the game or rent it first. That or you can also wait for the game to reach a good price.

    Score 6 - 6.5- Decent: Games falling into this category may suffer from numerous flaws (for example, graphics or gameplay), but are still worth playing. Granted, the player should be aware that a game with these scores may not guarantee them full satisfaction.

    Score 5 - 5.5- Average: An average game is one in which a game’s features are neither good nor completely terrible. Instead, the finished product is manageable. Little has been done to hold the player’s interest. If anything, rent this game before you consider buying it so that you can at least get a feel for the game’s overall experience.

    Score 4 - 4.5- Poor: Games falling into this category may only keep gamers entertained for a short while. While the game may seem enjoyable for moments at a time, it can quickly grow old and may never be revisited again. The game’s overall function is lacking in quality and may not hold the player’s attention for long. The game leaves little or nothing else to return back to.

    Score 3 - 3.5- Bad: If any positive qualities about a game in this category exist, it is not enough to redeem the game for its shortcomings. Sure you may find yourself playing it, but for how long? You will wind up not giving the game a second glance.

    Score 2 - 2.5- Horrible: Games such as these may not be totally unplayable, they nearly are. Additionally, they may lack, or greatly suffer in, the fundamental functionality of the software as a whole. The game simply does not come close to meeting industry standards at the time of its release.

    Score 1 - 1.5- Appalling: Gamers should avoid this game at all costs. The game was clearly not ready to make its way to store shelves in its status. Save your money and find something else. See it in the bargain bin? No! Stay away! Keep moving and look for something else.

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