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BlazBlue: Calamity Trigger

EMAIL PRINT ps3

9.0 User Score:

Generally favorable reviews

Based on 32 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?

Based on 59 votes
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Game Info

Publisher: Aksys Games

Developer: Arc System Works

Genre(s): Fighting

Players: 2

ESRB Rating: T (Teen)

Release Date: June 30, 2009

Summary

In the 13th hierarchical city, Kagutsuchi, the Librarium regulates the amazing power of Armagus, a fusion of magic and technology. Currently they are after a wanted criminal named Ragna The Bloodedge, also known as Death, who wants to destroy the Librarium. Due to Ragna possessing a powerful form of Armagus known as the Azure Grimoire, people far and wide are after not only his bounty, but his grimoire as well. This is where our story begins. BlazBlue Key Features: The first hi-res 2D fighter from the creators of the Guilty Gear series! Experience the beauty of high-resoluti on, hand-drawn sprites on 3D backgrounds, all in glorious high-definition. Online Battle Action. Get ready to take the action online and battle the best players from all over the world! Console Exclusive Modes. BlazBlue features the following console-only modes: Arcade, Vs, Practice, and a completely fleshed-out Story Mode that tells the tales of each character. Over 10 unique combatants to choose from! Choose a character that represents your own fighting style, like the lightning-fast Taokaka or the wickedly powerful Tager. Drive your way to victory! Use the unique "Drive Attacks" specific to each character to decimate your opponent. Depending on the character, control the elements like wind and ice, or even absorb the life force from your opponents. A plethora of offensive and defensive options at your disposal! Take advantage of Barriers, Counter Assaults, Rapid Cancels, and Distortion Drives to turn the tide of battle! [Akys Games]

Cheat Codes & Hints: Cheat Code Central

Also On The Web: Official Website

What The Critics Said

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

100

1UP

Their work deserves attention -- and praise -- because it exceeds expectations and delivers a thoroughly well-thought out, pragmatic, and enjoyable online experience. I can say without hesitation that BlazBlue raises the barometer on which all fighters should be judged.

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100

Gaming Age

BlazBlue's online system puts titles like Street Fighter IV to shame, and the overall beauty of high-def 2D sprites put it at the top of the graphics department as well.

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100

Hardcore Gamer Magazine

It will take at least another year for the game's full depth to be discovered. [Issue#35, p.44]

GamerNode

A terrific fighter in every sense of the word, BlazBlue is a game that you should be playing, whether fighting games are your thing or not. Do not miss it.

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MEGamers

An amazing fighting game that ever fan should own.

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Cheat Code Central

The fighting system in BlazBlue is the deepest I have seen this generation, and the level of exploration that is possible within the combat is something that is rare indeed.

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IGN

This has become one of my favorite fighters of all time and the level of polish and detail this 2D wonder has is amazing. The character designs are excellent, the fighting mechanics are top-notch and there are even extra animated scenes that feature chibi (super adorable) versions of the characters talking about the BlazBlue universe.

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ZTGameDomain

BlazBlue: Calamity Trigger is the type of game fans usually get only once a generation. The sheer amount of passion and care that was taken to ensure balance, accessibility, and enjoyment is nearly unmatched.

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GamingTrend

With sharp execution, uncounted hours of gameplay, and gorgeous sound and video, you’ll be hard pressed to beat this game.

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GameShark

BlazBlue is a new franchise that calls back to the cabinet. It’s what you’d expect out of, and it’s what you want in, a new 2D fighting game.

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Teletext GameCentral

The new 2D fighter from the creators of Guilty Gear trails a blaze of innovative and accessible glory.

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Play Magazine

Fire is the new dust, and BlazBlue is the new hotness of the fighting game world. Still a bit hard to fully grasp at first for newbies, but don't let that scare you off.

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PSX Extreme

One of the best 2D fighters to come out in the past decade. Not since Street Fighter III have we been given something this quick, accessible, intense, fluid, deep, and so well done overall.

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GameSpy

It's at once entirely expected and a crying shame that this game won't catch on in the same way that, say, Street Fighter IV did, as BlazBlue packs what may be the best online play ever seen in a 2D fighting game (it is -- at worst -- neck-and-neck with the amazing Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix in this category, though the option to replay ranked matches certainly gives it a tantalizing edge).

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Thunderbolt

The story is lengthy and surprisingly well-written, and the voice acting is stellar. The combat mechanics are a solid combination of combo and tactical options, with a dash of insane supermoves for good measure. While there’s a nice variety of gameplay modes and unlockables, the online multiplayer is what will keep you coming back long after you’ve gotten through everything. The presentation sets a new standard for 2D fighting games; no other fighter can pull it off with the same kind of style.

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GamePro

But if you're looking for a unique fighting experience with tons of charm and wit then look no further than BlazBlue. [Aug 2009, p.80]

Playstation: The Official Magazine (US)

BlazBlue has the moves and goods to back it up. [Aug 2009, p.71]

GameTrailers

A true champion for the masses. Its over the top, vibrant style is a true spectacle in HD, and its strokes of fighting innovation trickle down into every one of its bells and whistles. If you're looking for an extremely smooth fighter with pomp and panache, BlazBlue is a sure bet.

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SpazioGames

Quotation forthcoming.

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games(TM)

BlazBlue is an outstanding fighter that we pray blossoms into the successful series it deserves. [Oct 2009, p.124]

Play UK

The combo system is so rich and ridiculously deep that just learning one character will take you months. [Issue#183, p.79]

Eurogamer

I can think of only a few instances where a new fighting game has broken onto the genre as such a strong contender, but with the Drive system in place BlazBlue is a genuine challenger for any fight fan's time.

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TotalPlayStation

I'm still rather amazed that this year have given us so many great fighting games, but none of them were as surprising and welcome as BlazBlue: Calamity Trigger, which stays true to the old school while bringing something fresh that mixes it up.

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Worth Playing

The actual gameplay; in BlazBlue: Calamity Trigger; is relentlessly crazy, to the point where even two complete novices flailing away at one another will be entertained by the ridiculous crap they're able to pull off.

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GameZone

Who would have thought a 2D side-scrolling fighter could look this amazing on a next-gen system. Well, obviously ARC did and they delivered with the heir apparent to the Guilty Gear franchise.

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PSM3 Magazine UK

Handsome, intricate brawler is worth an import for 2D fight fans. [Sept 2009, p.74]

Game Revolution

While BlazBlue is unabashedly brutal online, there’s more than enough offline content to keep beginners busy until they feel skilled enough to brave online play. BlazBlue doesn’t apologize for its complexity, but it does make everyone feel welcome.

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GameSpot

BlazBlue is a worthy successor to Guilty Gear. It's also a fast-paced, colorful fighting game with a lot to offer.

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Destructoid

The fact that BlazBlue's combat system feels so original is quite an achievement. Add a high level of accessibility, solid online play, and beautifully detailed animation, and you have a must buy for any fans of hand drawn, 2D fighters.

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GameDaily

The word hardcore works for and against the game. On the positive side, BlazBlue features complex stories for each of its 12 fighters, magnificent art, special moves mapped to the right analog stick and lag free online play with detailed stat tracking. If you love anime, this is an essential purchase. On the negative side, however, BlazBlue's narratives make little sense, characters talk over one another before fights, others have long-winded dialogue and a steep learning curve will frustrate a lot of casual fighting fans hoping to button mash their way to victory; you just can't walk into this game expecting to unleash insane combos ala Marvel Vs. Capcom 2.

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Game Informer

In the hands of an expert fighter this game is stunning, but joystick jockeys who are out of shape might want to start an intense training regimen. [July 2009, p.83]

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Giant Bomb

BlazBlue: Calamity Trigger is probably a game best suited for people who have been playing fighting games for a long time, but even then, its style seems to be deliberately divisive. It's certainly worth trying out if you're a fan of the genre, but it's entirely possible that you'll find the whole thing to be a big, loud mess.

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What Our Users Said

The average user rating for this game is 9.0 (out of 10) based on 59 User Votes

Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

Seth B. gave it a10:
BlazBlue: Calamity Trigger is one of the funnest, deepest fighters I have ever played, and they even go as far as to make it HD. Everything in this game is beautiful, the music is superb, the voice acting is excellent (though with repeating moves, it can be cheesy) and the gameplay is solid. I've yet to encounter some glitch in the game, but I have been sitting there playing this game with my friend shouting obscenities at the screen because of technicalities. Another point is that, though there are only 12 characters, they are all so vastly different in how they are handled and how you would fight against them that it hardly makes a difference. If you're a fan of competitive gaming, you should already have this game.

Audrey U gave it a9:
I'm not really into fighters but this one is actually pretty fun to play! It's pretty easy to pick up but hard to master (especially since every character is completely different) so you might end up using only one. The gameplay is solid an the fighters are all balanced to the point where there are only a few characters that you might have trouble with and it has great online battles since there's hardly any lag if you're interested in that. This should be given a chance even if you don't like fighting games. The anime style might turn some people off which is understandable but it wouldn't hurt to rent it if you're still unsure. Oh and if you're worried about people "turtling" (going into defense mode the whole time or going to one side of the screen and staying there the rest of the match) don't worry about it. They'll get a penalty for defending (you can break their guard) too much and running away (they get a penalty) which makes the matches more exciting in my opinion.

James D. gave it a10:
As a long-time fan of Guilty Gear, and a gamer with a lack of PS3 games, I was immediately hooked the first time I got my hands on this game. Although complicated at times, the gameplay is very solid and each of the twelve characters handles differently from the others. Instant Kills have been tuned down into the harder-to-perform Astral Heats, but ending a match with a spectacular finish is just all the more rewarding for it.

reece e gave it a9:
Blazblue calamity trigger is certainly a refreashing game to play. while there are only 12 characters, each character has COMPLETELY different play styles from each other, meaning that you can be a master with one character and a complete noob on another, this is great because we dont see repeated play styles with the characters unlike shotos in street fighter IV (which is still an awesome game). what really makes me love this game however is it severely punishes turtle gamers. i dont know how many times ive gotten frustrated on turtle players on other fighting systems, but with blazblue with the guard break as well as every character being able to string combos quickly together enough to not give time for a "lucky" counter attack (by that i mean your blocking and mashing say light bunch and that light punch comes out when the opponent takes a break to go to the next combo) makes it so both players are on the edge of their seats both PLAYING and not waiting for the win. the only weakness i see with blazblue is that although one of its greatest strengths is the differences between characters, its also one of its biggest weaknessess. i know ive played nu alot and ive got ok with her but if i wanna try someone else its like starting over from scratch, which is a little annoying, but hardley annoying enough to make this game worse than awesome!

Mark C gave it a9:
Great 2D fighter that is the best around. Great graphics and characters that all feel completely different make it the best fighter out there right now.

Nikolaos P. gave it a9:
One of the best games i've played this year, truly a fighting gem. Great roster of original characters, very good story(for this genre, thats a first) and quite possibly the best online in a fighting game yet. I think some people believe that 2d is inferior to games like SC or SF4 but once they give it some time, they'll fall in love with it.

Sean M gave it a9:
Probably my favorite fighter I've played, and yes that includes Street Fighter. All the characters are incredibly unique and very well-balanced. The graphics are nothing short of amazing and a somewhat decent story mode is great to have in a fighter, not that many people will play it for that, it's just nice to have. The online play is great as well.

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BlazBlue: Calamity Trigger

Game Info

Summary

What The Critics Said

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