As we inch ever-closer to the inevitable collision of four universes in BlazBlue: Cross Tag Battle, Gematsu has recently detailed a variety of the title’s game modes in a recent report. The game will include the previously-announced Episode Mode, which will feature four individual arcs from the varying perspectives of the BlazBlue, Persona 4 Arena, Under Night In-Birth and RWBY cast members, as a “mysterious voice” coerces our heroes and villains to battle each other for the four “Keystones” on the new battleground of the “Phantom Field,” a singular point where the worlds of the four works represented in the game come together.
“On the stage of stories, mixing the four worlds together into a special alternate “Phantom Field.” The fighters have been abruptly summoned to that world, with an unknown “voice”: “If you wish to return to your world, protect the “Keystone.” –In the end, is that voice telling the truth? The entrusted keys number four. Enemies, or friends? The fighters bet [take a risk] in order to return to their own world, and throw themselves into the battle to steal each other’s “Keystone”. For the fighters who have been called from all sorts of worlds, just whose voice is that!? That conclusion, for fans, cannot be missed!”
Additional announced features include Tactics Mode, which appears to be the standard in-depth Tutorial found in all Arc System Works titles, Survival Mode, which will allow you to pit your duo of choice against a wave of CPU-controlled squads “who appear one after the next,” as well as the standard fighting game fare of Training, Gallery and Replay Theater.
The crossover title’s “key visual” has also been released. Illustrated by Higuchi Konomi, who has served as a 2D Designer for BlazBlue Chronophantasma Extend, as well as a Character Graphics and Motion Continuity Artist for BlazBlue Calamity Trigger, Persona 4 Arena and Ultimax. The artwork depicts the top duos of the four franchises, BlazBlue’s Ragna The Bloodedge and Jin Kisaragi, Persona 4 Arena’s Yu Narukami and Yosuke Hanamura, Under Night In-Birth’s Hyde Kido and Linne and Team RWBY’s Ruby Rose and Weiss Schnee, and I personally expect it to serve as the game’s cover art when it hits stores.
The translated Famitsu article also revealed details of the recently-announced Cross Character Pack 1 DLC characters: BlazBlue’s Platinum The Trinity, Under Night In-Birth’s Orie Ballardiae and Persona 4 Arena’s Kanji Tatsumi, as well as the final member of Team RWBY, Yang Xiao Long, who we get to see in-game for the very first time:-
“The new visitors who have gathered, surpassing time and space! Kanji, fighting with the power of one’s heart, “Persona.” From “P4U,” (P4A for the West) this high firearpower throw remains robust in the main work! Right here, right now, The Bloodcurdling Beefcake Emperor, Moronji!!” “She fights with the Nox Nyctores “Arma Rebaore: Muchorin” as her weapon. Appearing as fancy illusions, but with the attack power of an adult’s embarrassment.” “For the sake of one’s own justice, wield Ruler!! With speed and her weapon’s reach, she excels. Use freely the designated weapon “Ruler” and dance beautifully!!” “In the original work, wielding gloves with firearms within them, she is a fighter specializing in close combat. How will it be in this title!?”
You can see a full gallery of screenshots, courtesy of Gematsu and DualShockers, below. Notably, Rachel Alucard has regained her Sylpheed Gauge, while Platinum appears to have a new meter potentially governing her items. A form of in-game currency, likely used for Gallery unlockables, also appears to be present.
BlazBlue: Cross Tag Battle will be released on PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch and PC in Japan and Asia on Thursday, May 31st, with a North American release date for the same platforms following on Tuesday, June 5th. European release details have not yet been announced.
Sources: Gematsu; Dual Shockers; Famitsu article translations courtesy of Chao
