Topic: BlazBlue: Calamity Trigger (Guilty Gear team's new fighting game)

[TheOtherBelmont]

I know only me and a few other people are even going to care about this but holy fucking christ, this game looks awesome.  The Ark System Works team has created this game and Daisuke is back to do the music.  Hand drawn, hi-def 2D characters, insane combos, gorgeous backgrounds, and a metal soundtrack?  I'm sold.

Look at some of the pics here.

And a video highlighting all of the character's combos.

So its coming out June 30th for the PS3 and 360, so I won't be getting shafted like I did with Battle Fantasia.  Apparently Gamestop is doing a preorder bonus where you get the soundtrack for the game and a video of tutorials.

[Quemaqua]

Holy sweet crap that looks fan-fucking-tastic.  Completely preordering that if the soundtrack is actually complete.

Seriously, that looks *really* Guilty Gear, which is great, but I can't get over how nice it looks.  I mean, even in the YouTube video it looks pretty nice, but I can only imagine how awesome that'll look once you get it on a nice fat screen.

*glee*

[TheOtherBelmont]

Holy sweet crap that looks fan-fucking-tastic.  Completely preordering that if the soundtrack is actually complete.

Seriously, that looks *really* Guilty Gear, which is great, but I can't get over how nice it looks.  I mean, even in the YouTube video it looks pretty nice, but I can only imagine how awesome that'll look once you get it on a nice fat screen.

*glee*

If you preorder it online you get an artbook on top of the 2 disc, 48 track soundtrack and video tutorial disc.  I already preordered mine, I can't wait and as a bonus since I paid for overnight shipping I should be getting it in the mail on the start of my 3 days off from work.

[W7RE]

I'm really not that into fighters, but we had a fucking blast with Guilty Gear X2 in college. The whole game just dripped with awesome.

[Quemaqua]

Art book?  Fucking preordered.

Damn.  Is it June yet?

[scottws]

I liked Guilty Gear: X2 or whatever it was called, but playing the computer got really old.  People don't play these games anymore.

[TheOtherBelmont]

I liked Guilty Gear: X2 or whatever it was called, but playing the computer got really old.  People don't play these games anymore.

I think I'm going to have to disagree with you there.  2D fighters and the Guilty Gear series still have a huge following, especially in Japan.  Street Fighter IV has added on top of that by reviving interest in fighters in general for people who used to play them and newcomers to the genre.

[scottws]

Ok, nobody I know as a physical presence plays them.  Literally not once did I ever get someone to play the game with me, and it wasn't for lack of trying.

[Xessive]

Ok, nobody I know as a physical presence plays them.  Literally not once did I ever get someone to play the game with me, and it wasn't for lack of trying.

It's a question of the crowd. I can't find anyone out here (again physically present) who will play Dawn of War 2 with me, doesn't mean the game is unpopular just not for the crowd here.

Incidentally, I did find one person who will play DoW2 (finally) but only on weekends, which is ok. Better than nothing!

I've always preferred 2D fighters over 3D, they're just simpler and more focused on reflexes. Soul Calibur IV is the only 3D fighter than gave me a similar feeling.

[TheOtherBelmont]

Yeah, it is hard finding people to play with you sometimes, but at least BlazBlue is going to have online play.  So that means I can play with Que and whoever else on the boards gets this game for the PS3.

[Quemaqua]

Even though I will lose every fucking time, I'll play with you anyway.  Maybe you can teach me how to be good at fighting games.  It's been a long time since I've really tried hard to get good.  Even with GGX2 I didn't put in much effort.

[Quemaqua]

So I don't remember where I first heard about this.  It may well have been TheOtherBelmont, but I forget.  It probably was, but my memory is as terrible as it ever was.  In any case, I don't know why he hasn't made a post on it, but I'll take up the responsibility.

This is a new fighting game from Toshimichi Mori, whose past work as far as I know has been limited to working on a few of the Guilty Gear games.  He's now like... lead everything for this one.  I think lead artist and lead designer.

Anyway, so this is another 2D fighter very much in the vein of GG, though I hear it plays a bit differently.  It's absolutely jaw-droppingly beautiful in HD, and much to my great excitement, features music composed by the always amazing Daisuke Ishiwatari, the driving force behind GG and also the composer of its many fantastic instrumental metal tunes.  Looks like he and the guy who did some stuff on Isuka are working on the soundtrack together, and while I'm not familiar with the other guy, everything I've heard on the soundtrack so far is great!  Even if you aren't a metal fan you should give some of this stuff a listen, because the performances are great and there's a lot of variety in the influences used.  Most of it is really melodic and catchy, too.

The US version of the soundtrack is actually going to feature a number of tracks the Japanese version didn't have, and is at 42 tracks over 2 discs.  You can get it here as part of this big Limited Edition pack they're selling online at Gamestop, which includes soundtrack, game, art book, and some sort of technique demonstration video.  I know that Belmont already ordered himself one with overnight shipping, and I finally got around to following his example.  I'm a sucker for this shit.

I'm hoping this is the fighting game I finally get good at.  I know it won't be, but I'm hoping anyway.  It's just so... pretty.  PRETTY.  And it retains the utter goofiness that made GG so lovable.

Japanese trailer, E3 09 - HD
Gameplay - HD
More pretty gameplay - HD
Nice interview with Mori - HD

Aaand... this trailer makes me tingle.

If you want some music, YouTube is loaded with it.  I love this stuff.
This one gets more energetic about a minute in.
I love this.  A little jazzy touch never hurt anybody!
Some nice orchestral touches.
These beginnings really like to try and fool you.  This song is sexy.

[PyroMenace]

Fuck man, I really shouldn't buy that, really really shouldn't. But dear God I may have to.

[TheOtherBelmont]

Yeah Que, I was the one who told you about it and I even made a thread on it.  As I said in the thread I made, I already preordered it for PS3 and can't wait to get my hands on it.  I'm glad that you got it Que so we can play online.

[Quemaqua]

You did make a thread?  I thought I saw one somewhere but couldn't find it for the life of me.  Weird.  I'm gonna' go find it now and combine 'em!

And yes, I did order on PS3, though it's on 360 as well.

EDIT - Haha, what a stupid fuck I am.  I even posted in the thread a bunch of times.

I blame my day.  Worst day ever.  After standing up at a Testament concert for upwards of 6 hours on Friday night, buying a gigantic dining room table and having to half move it by myself all over the place on Saturday, doing 6 hours of D&D in... slightly uncomfy chairs on Saturday night, then not getting proper sleep on Sunday night, I was basically dead at work and nearly drove off the road like 7 times coming home.  Topping it off, I had to drive all the way back out to El Cerrito again because Julia's car broke down out there, and we picked it up and then drove back home AGAIN.  So today I am completely not with it and hopefully this excuses me.

I guess at least the thread has a few more easy links for people now.

[PyroMenace]

See this is why Im hesitant, I couldnt play with you guys since I dont have a PS3, damn I wish some way it was cross platform with multiplayer.

[TheOtherBelmont]

So yeah, I just got some shitty news concerning my pre-order, apparently most people who preordered after May 5th online are getting shafted out of the artbook.  I just went to my order status summary and it says the art book is Backordered.  Whether that means I just have to wait to get one or I'm not getting one at all I don't know, but apparently as usual Gamestop has found a way to fuck people out of their preorder bonuses.

[Quemaqua]

Fucking hell, mine says the same thing.  What's the point in preordering something if you don't get the stuff you preordered for?  This pisses me off.  I'm writing Aksys tonight, maybe they'll address it on their next podcast.  This is bullshit.

[TheOtherBelmont]

Fucking hell, mine says the same thing.  What's the point in preordering something if you don't get the stuff you preordered for?  This pisses me off.  I'm writing Aksys tonight, maybe they'll address it on their next podcast.  This is bullshit.

Someone from Aksys actually posted on the Dustloop (semi official GG and BlazBlue site) forums saying they are going to try to get everyone an artbook that preordered even if it comes after the game is released, whether that's going to happen or not I don't know.  A lot of this is kind of up in the air and I may have been a bit too pessimistic on my last post.  A few people who preordered before the May 5th date are saying their order says backordered too, so there is probably no way to tell for sure until you get the game.

[Quemaqua]

I'm glad they're aware of it, at least.  I listened to a couple podcasts of theirs, and while they have a rather... interesting collective sense of humor, they seem to be pretty on top of stuff like this.  Like you could send in a proof of purchase from Guilty Gear XX Accent Core Plus for PSP and they'd send you the soundtrack CD that came with the PS2 version, which is pretty cool.  Hopefully they'll take care of this.

I'm still going to email them.

EDIT - Got a response today.  It's as follows, and doesn't leave me filled with hope.

Q,

I wish I could give you a definite answer, but the truth is that because GameStop handles the pre-orders and pre-order bonuses, we just don't know the answer to your question. GameStop might be able to give you a more concrete answer, but if you pre-ordered early on you'll most likely get an art book—they're a "first come, first served" kind of thing. Sorry I can't tell you more, but that's all that we know.

-Ben

[scottws]

Wow, those screens are really nice!  Bummer about the artbook though.  However, Gamestop is like the 7th circle of hell so I'm not surprised.

[Quemaqua]

Dude, check out some gameplay footage instead of screens.  Hard to get a good impression until you see the fluidity with which it moves.  This one blows my mind.

EDIT - Update on the preorder bonus via an email I got from Gamestop:

Dear Valued Customer,

Thank you for contacting GameStop.com.

In regards to your BlazBlue reservation, we have recently received a small supply of the artbooks and will be supplying orders until we are out of stock. Please know that with this new shipment, you may not see the artbook as a line item on your order. Please know that these artbooks are free and only while supplies last and are not guaranteed. However, if for any reason you do not receive your artbook, please write back with your order number.

Also note that this offer is only for orders placed online and will not be available for in-store orders.

If you have any other questions, please feel free to respond to this email.

Best Regards,

Travis Customer Service Agent

[Quemaqua]

IGN sure likes it.

From what I gather reading people's thoughts and such, the game is basically really solid, has a lot of stuff to keep you busy, and has great production values and pretty solid systems all around.  It likely isn't as newcomer-friendly as this reviewer seems to think (GameInformer, in fact, seemed to mark it down because of difficulty, which rightfully got some people annoyed).  Awesome.

There was some buzz on Dustloop about the game being shipped early for online orders, but I think it that was just somebody getting excited about something stupid.

Anyway, can't wait to get my hands on it!

EDIT - They really do make us NA folks look boring, don't they?

EDIT x2 - Very nice review from Hardcore Gamer Magazine.  Toward the end of the issue.  Quite favorable, from someone who knows what they're talking about, and seemingly pretty unbiased.

EDIT x3 - Delete+repost for bump.

DUDES, GET HYPE!  Status = shipped, both game and artbook.  I'm pumped.  It's going to be so awesome not knowing what I'm doing and getting my ass kicked IN HD!

[TheOtherBelmont]

Yeah, my order says its shipped with the artbook as well.  I can't wait, hopefully I get it on the 30th, but I have a feeling it will be the 1st.

[Quemaqua]

Should be today, dudes.  Pyro's copy is out for delivery right now in Cookeville, and mine had a departure scan in Oakland at 6:30.  If it doesn't show up today for me, I'll be surprised.

[TheOtherBelmont]

Awesome, you're right, my package is in town and out for delivery right now.  Looks like I'll be playing when I get home from work.

[PyroMenace]

Got mine in, artbook is with it too, hoorah!

[PyroMenace]

Alright so I spent a little time with it, just did training mode with a bunch of the characters. Needless to say it looks gorgeous, fighting stages look amazing, a nice blend of some 3D architecture mixed with various detailed 2D sprites. Characters obviously animate ridiculously well. Theres some interesting looking fighting techniques going for some of the characters, some are pretty straightforward, bigger characters will be slower but hit harder, and small characters will be more agile and less damaging. However there are some with less basic moves yet require more knowledge of their move list to effectively use them. Theres one in which she has a dummy character with her, and to effectively use her you have to position the dummy correctly, preferably on the other side of the opponent, so you can chain of big combos as by herself she is relatively week. Anyway, Im just scratching the surface, theres undeniable multiples layers of depth to it. Ive just been button mashing and seeing what these guys are capable of.

[Quemaqua]

Awesome sauce, mine came too.  I wasn't sure how cool the book would be, but it's actually nice!  Thick glossy stock, move lists in it, bit of story stuff.  Happy it came.

Can't wait to play.  Have to make and eat dinner and work out, but I'm gonna' dive right in soon as I get the chance.

[TheOtherBelmont]

Well, I've put my first couple of hours into this and so far I'm having a blast.  It's a lot more complex than I thought it was going to be and I thought I was going to be able to use my Guilty Gear gameplay style with this, but I'm finding the timing for the rolls and moves is a little different other fighting games, but I'm getting the hang of it.  I'll have plenty of time the next 3 days I'm off from work to devote into this and getting better.

[Quemaqua]

As expected, I suck at it.  But I have to say, this is far and away the coolest fighting game I've ever played.  I love GG, but this wins simply because it's overall more robust and it makes fucking sense at least occasionally as far as the story/etc. goes.  The story mode stuff is awesome and actually somewhat compelling at times, and there's a surprising amount of dialogue and whatnot (enough that it might even be annoying to people who don't dig on that).

I love Litchi as much as I expected to.  I really hope I can dedicate the time to actually figure out what the fuck I'm doing and learn how to combo properly.  The game seems pretty accessible, though.  I managed to get to Hakumen in Arcade mode on my first try with Litchi, and I almost beat him several times before deciding I needed to get up and take a break (had been at the game a few hours).  This definitely isn't just a reskinned GG, as the movement and timing seems a little different, and the general inputs have changed to something that feels pretty different.  I like it, though.  The movement feels less immediate, yet somehow quite a bit smoother.

And holy hell is this game beautiful.  Seriously.  Watching this game move is like squirting your eyes with hot butter: so creamy it hurts.

[TheOtherBelmont]

I was tearing it up with Noel, Ragna, Bang, and Takokaka.  I haven't played Story mode yet, but I will tomorrow, my arm has been a bit sore since yesterday (probably from all the typing I do at work) so I had to call it quits tonight but I played against Bryan and Corey all night and I'm getting down the flow of the game pretty well now.

So far I don't like using Carl and Arakune that much but I've only used them a couple of times, but I gave everyone a try tonight and I do like using the majority of the roster, especially the four I mentioned above.

[Quemaqua]

Nice batch of character-related interview thingies with Toshimichi, including some character art and junk.  Nice read.

[Dragonlor]

I was practicing with Jin while belmont slept and I'm getting hes moves down pretty solid now.  To say the least me thumb hurts now haha.

[Quemaqua]

We should play, man.  Unless you're as good as Belmont, in which case it would be futile.

But shit, I'm practicing tonight and every damned chance I get going forward.  I should probably start praying and offering animal sacrifices, too.  Maybe meditating in the mountains and fighting wandering samurai with my mind.

EDIT - The reviews, they be positive.

[Dragonlor]

Yeah I'm totally up for it.  I'm not as good as Belmont as you can see, but I'm pretty much the best I can be when it comes to playing Jin.  I'm trying to get out of the habit of using that spam attack but it works so well to get people off you when they play offensively.  Something you might want to do is go into training and practice the rolling so you can use the distortion drives.  Also Belmont and I discovered something that was messing up my rolling.  The way I had my thumb positioned was messing things up.  It was to flat on the d pad so I had to re adjust it so it would press only one button at a time.  But yeah I'll definitely love to play some more with you online.

Edit: I really want to get better with Arakune I like the way he plays a lot.

[wizall]

I wish I still enjoyed fighting games. This looks gorgeous.

[Quemaqua]

Was really fun playing online last night.  Even though I suck, I'm pretty serious about trying to actually improve with this one.  It's just so much fun, and so cool.  Even losing I was having a good time with you guys.

It's a bummer Pyro can't play with us, but I'm at least looking forward to comparing d-code cards with him and stuff, and playing at the meet.  I need to make sure I practice enough that he doesn't get bored as shit like he did when he played GG with me the first time, haha.

[Dragonlor]

I don't know why but I love Jins character.  He's such an ass hole to everyone haha.

[Ghandi]

I kind of want this but I'm terrible at 2-d fighting games. You guys would kick my ass without even trying.