China-based developer 91Act revealed that BlazBlue Entropy Effect, a rogue-like action spin-off of the iconic fighting game which was initially announced would be available for iOS and Android in China, will be coming to the West on PC via Steam. The game is set to launch within 2023, though no concrete date has been set.
Officially licensed by Arc System Works, BlazBlue Entropy Effect is a rogue-like action sidescroller featuring the playable characters from the original fighting game BlazBlue. The developers have previously put out mobile game adaptations of the series, with BlazBlue Revolution Reburning, which was released in 2016 and has since ceased services in Japan as of November 2018.
The game’s Steam page description lists English, Japanese, and Simplified Chinese as the supported language, though curiously states that the game will only have English and Chinese voice acting. Furthermore, there is no information in the announcement about whether the mobile version of the game will see any global release as of this writing.
91Act also announced that BlazBlue Entropy Effect will be playable at the “BitSummit Let’s Go!!” indie games’ showcase event, which will be held from July 14 to 16 at Miyako Messe in Kyoto Japan.
▍BlazBlue Entropy Effect Reveal Gameplay Trailer
▍BlazBlue Entropy Effect Gameplay
While the direct connection to the plot of the original BlazBlue has not been revealed, the game describes itself as such: The world is on the brink of destruction. The path you forge with choices will lead humanity to salvation, or despair. Go explore, listen, understand, and make choices. By piecing together the truth from fragments of time and space, you have the power to shape the destiny of the world and humanity.
Segments of the game trailer reveal that outside of the recognizable characters, players will also be taking control of a miniature robot that has not been seen in past games, possibly hinting at the game’s deviation from its original subject material.
Though Entropy Effect is a spin-off that widely deviates from its fighting game roots, many of the playable characters present in the original game can be seen in the revealed trailer, with notable casts such as Ragna the Bloodedge, Noel Vermillion, Lambda-11, and more being shown off as potential playable characters.
As a rogue-like, players are expected to die repeatedly in BlazBlue Entropy Effect, with the progress made by accumulating resources after each run. Every character can inherit powers called “Legacy Skills” that bear resemblance to special moves found in the original fighting game.
Players may pick from a set of three skills upon clearing combat encounters and acquire unique actions and attacks that spice up each run through the dungeon. The game also features seven elements (Electricity, Fire, Ice, Toxin, Blade, Light, and Umbra) with unique attributes. Mixing and matching these skills allow players to customize characters to a particular play style.
