BlazBlue: Calamity Trigger
Aksys Games
Xbox 360, PS3
Anime can be really fucking weird: Stories can get too metaphysical, bad translations can lead to even more nonsensical dialogue, and there's tentacle rape (which is what it sounds like). It's obvious that Japan looks at the world a whole lot different than we do over here in UhMuraKuh.
One thing anime gets right is how the animated folks can kick some serious ass. It's this high level of asskickery that forms the basis of Aksys Games newest entry to the fighting game genre.
More, BlazBlue has a pretty deep storyline that deals in magic and technology. It's the perfect backdrop to see myriad weapons — from giant swords to ridiculously long-barreled dual pistols — in the hands of characters, who are as varied as the armaments. You've got Ragna the Bloodedge, the impossibly pretty leading male, and Lichi, the doctor ninja chick with giant boobs, and a cat girl, among others. The cast is quite balanced, meaning any one fighter can win on the field of battle.
But BlazBlue boasts a steep learning curve, which may turn off casual gamers, and simple button mashing is the quickest way to get your ass whupped. You must play in a technical manner to succeed. Sure, spamming special attacks can earn victories, but with the wealth of gaming mechanics included, learning how to actually play using proper combos — and the timing needed to properly input them — leads to a much deeper and more fulfilling experience. In all, BlazBlue: Calamity Trigger is a welcome addition to the flailing fighting game genre.
