Arc System Works might think it’s cool to release BlazBlue: Continuum Shift — the sequel to last year’s Calamity Trigger — in Japanese arcades, but we gaijin don’t have that luxury anymore. In case Arc didn’t notice, those went extinct about ten years ago.
Weekly Famitsu broke a story about a Continuum Shift console port months ago, but today’s press release confirms a North American version. The game hits Japanese shelves in July, but mum’s the word on the gaijin version.
Continuum Shift introduces three new characters — Hazama, a street performer; Tsubaki, a knight; and Mu-12, who I don’t know anything about — and a handful of new levels as well as four new modes: Tutorial, Beginner, Challenge, and Legion.
Most of the modes seem pretty straightforward, but I have to admit that Legion mode, first introduced in the PlayStion Portable version of Calamity Trigger, comes right out of left field: “Defeat the enemy armies positioned at various locations on the map. The ultimate goal is to color the entire map with your color by defeating all the enemy hubs. Recruit enemy soldiers by defeating them!”
As if that explains anything.
I might be showing my ignorance here, but three new characters for a brand new sequel doesn’t sound that compelling, especially since Super Street Fighter IV adds ten at a $40 price tag. But, hell, I’m just excited that Aksys, who’s publishing the game, has even found a market for non-Capcom fighters in the West. I hope Continuum Shift doesn’t cause brain rot, though.
Hit the gallery for character art and screenshots, and tell me what you think.
