BlazBlue Cross Tag Battle Special Edition (NSP, XCI) ROM + v2.0.1 Update + DLC

BlazBlue Cross Tag Battle Special Edition is a 2D crossover fighting game developed and published by Arc System Works, first released for PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, and Windows in 2018. Cross Tag Battle features characters from different series, including BlazBlue, Persona 4 Arena (Ultimax), Under Night In-Birth, and RWBY.  After the game was released, characters from Arcana Heart, Senran Kagura, and Subtle Style fighting game series, were added as downloadable content.

An arcade port was released in 2019 in Japan, a version for Amazon Luna was made available in 2021, and the Special Edition with all post-launch content was released for Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S in 2023. The game received mostly positive reviews, with praise for the visuals, music, online functionality, and mechanics. However, it was criticized for lack of overall content at launch and DLC practices.

The bundle features additional character packs, including characters from various series like Senran Kagura Estival Versus, Akatsuki Blitzkampf, BlazBlue, Under Night In-Birth, and RWBY. Version 2.0 brings new characters, a new scenario, character interactions, and new colors to the game. Get ready to dive into the expanded Cross Tag universe. Prepare for an epic collision! BlazBlue: Cross Tag Battle brings together beloved characters from BlazBlue, Persona, Under Night In-Birth, and RWBY in an explosive 2v2 tag team fighting game.

Experience the tight mechanics, stunning 2D graphics, and fast-paced gameplay from Arc System Works. Choose your team from four universes, engage in thrilling battles online or with friends, and enjoy the captivating visuals. Developed by Arc System Works, known for their acclaimed fighting series, BlazBlue and Guilty Gear, this game is a must-play for both fighting game pros and newcomers alike. Get ready to unleash your fighting spirit.

GAMEPLAY

BlazBlue Cross Tag Battle is a 2D fighting game that puts the focus on tag team mechanics. In its main modes, players battle in 2-vs-2 matches: they control one of the two selected characters at a time and can switch between them on command. In addition to the standard fighting game meter that is expended to perform special and EX moves, the game features another resource: the assist meter. If they have enough, players can also have the second character use assist attacks to extend combos, keep the opponent away, or use all meters on “Cross Burst” to escape from dangerous situations. Similar to Marvel vs. Capcom, even if one character on the team loses all of their health, the match continues until both are down.

To accommodate for the tag mechanics and make characters easier to learn, the controls were simplified compared to mainline BlazBlue games and other participating series. In addition, each character was given some universal options, such as an overhead with the heavy button, invincible reversal attack, and auto combos. Some series-specific mechanics were retained but heavily reworked to fit the game. Examples include the Persona system for the Persona cast, Reverse Beat from games made by French-Bread for the Under Night In-Birth cast, or Reflector for the Subtle Style fighting game series cast.

PLOT

A singularity called the “Phantom Field” mixes reality with other universes. When the “Keystone” divides into four fragments, the female voice system known as “System XX” instructs one of the main characters to keep it away from others and reach the goal, gathering all characters to join the battle, who hope to separately return home to each universe. After all fragments merge into one, they prevent the system from changing the universe.

However, the next episode of the storyline ends with Hazama coming into possession of the primary keystone containing the system itself, and he attempts to use it to hijack the Takemagahara System. Takemagahara detects the remnants of Yūki Terumi within him, and copies his genes to create the clone of Susano’o as a countermeasure, but indirectly leads to the destruction of the multiverse.

While System XX holds off the clone from being unleashed, a regretful Hazama takes over the role of the multiversal tournament’s conductor at the former’s behest. As System XX cannot hold off the Susano’o clone much longer, Hazama changes the contest that was solely Tag Battle-themed keystone hunting into multiple-themed stamp collecting.

In addition, to brings characters in from three more universes, hoping for the winners to assist him and System to defeat the clone. Even though the Susano’o clone was defeated by Ragna the Bloodedge and Naoto Kurogane, System XX cannot return the characters to their respective universes, due to being critically weakened from holding off the clone. The storyline concludes with the characters participating in the endless Tag Team-based Battle Royale while waiting for System XX’s full recovery.

CHARACTERS

The game started with twenty characters in the base game. A further twenty became available as “Season 1” DLC. On June 7, 2018, Minoru Kidooka confirmed that “Season 2” DLC will be added for the arcade edition in April 2019 and for the console version in May 2019. Blake Belladonna and Yang Xiao Long were added as free downloadable content, while other characters are available at a cost. In the PC version’s release, Blake was available at launch as the 21st base character, while Yang was added via an update patch, leaving only eighteen characters of Season 1 DLC.

Naoto Kurogane, Teddie, Seth, and the titular Arcana Heart protagonist Heart Aino, were added to Season 2 DLC for free at the launch of the arcade version and as paid content during the release of the console version’s 1.5 patch. The full version of Season 2, the Special Edition, would be announced to include battle changes, new story content, and the inclusion of the characters, Celica A. Mercury, Susano’o, Elizabeth, Tohru Adachi, Hilda, and Neo Politan. Also in Season 2, the Senran Kagura and Subtle Style fighting game series were added as the sixth and seventh franchises, adding Yumi, Akatsuki, and Blitztank respectively. There are 53 characters in total after the conclusion of Season 2.