BlazBlue: Cross Tag Battle

The story mode of BlazBlue: Cross Tag Battle receives mixed praise, with several reviewers acknowledging its entertainment value and fan service elements. Critics like Digitally Downloaded highlight that the narrative offers a "fun experience" through character interactions across different universes, while GameSpot notes the inclusion of visual novel-style passages and voiced dialogue that add charm. PlayStation LifeStyle praises it as a "well-written, high-quality fanfic" with engaging character moments, and Push Square appreciates the humorous scenarios and enjoyable voice acting. The episodic structure, split into chapters for each franchise, is seen as a nostalgic touch for fans, with Nintendo WorldReport noting its role in explaining the crossover of characters. These positives suggest that while not deeply complex, the story mode succeeds in delivering lighthearted, character-driven content. However, the narrative is widely criticized for lacking depth, originality, and coherence. Multiple reviewers, including GamesBeat and IGN, describe the plot as "clichéd," "ridiculous," and "trite," with repetitive structures and minimal emotional stakes. DarkStation and GameCrate point out that the story feels like a superficial setup for combat, with branching paths in some campaigns but unremarkable endings elsewhere. Multiplayer.it and Jeuxvideo.com criticize the narrative as disjointed and overly reliant on fan service, while Wccftech calls it "minimal" compared to other game aspects. The visual novel-style presentation, though praised by some, is deemed "lengthy and talkative" by Gameblog.fr, and Everyeye.it laments its verbose, slow pacing. Overall, the story mode is seen as a missed opportunity to create a compelling or innovative narrative. The overall consensus among critics is that BlazBlue: Cross Tag Battle’s story mode is a serviceable but underwhelming addition to the game. While it provides nostalgic fun for fans of the franchises involved—particularly through character interactions and visual novel elements—it fails to deliver a cohesive, meaningful plot. GameSpot and IGN emphasize its lack of depth and repetitive structure, while Worth Playing and CGMagazine note that it feels more like an excuse for crossovers than a standalone narrative. Despite some praise for its humor and fan service, the majority view the story as a secondary feature, overshadowed by the game’s combat mechanics. The mixed reception reflects a general agreement that while the story mode has moments of charm, it falls short of expectations for a deeper, more engaging experience.

The gameplay of BlazBlue: Cross Tag Battle is widely praised for its accessibility, dynamic team-based mechanics, and engaging combat systems. Critics consistently highlight the game’s streamlined controls and tag-team format as major strengths, making it approachable for newcomers while retaining depth for experienced players. For instance, Gameblog.fr and IGN Spain commend the simplified two-button system and auto-combos, which ease entry into the fast-paced 2v2 battles. The emphasis on teamwork through partner attacks, assist moves, and resonance mechanics is frequently lauded, with Cubed3 noting that “linked super moves and tag-ins” add complexity despite the reduced move variety. Additionally, the game’s focus on combo creation and strategic depth—such as Nintendo Life’s mention of Cross Bursts and customizable inputs—shows how it balances simplicity with tactical richness. Many reviewers, including GameSpot and IGN, praise its ability to blend accessibility with a high skill ceiling, ensuring that both casual and hardcore players find satisfaction in the mechanics. However, several critics point out significant drawbacks, particularly regarding simplification and balance issues. Gamers Heroes and Gaming Age note that the game’s mechanics feel “overpowered” or “simplified compared to core BlazBlue titles,” with reduced move variety and missing features from source games like Persona 4 Arena. The limited roster of 20 characters, as highlighted by Gameblog.fr, and concerns over microtransactions for expansion also draw criticism. Balance issues are another recurring theme: Worth Playing and Gameblog.fr mention uneven character matchups, while DarkZero points to “frustrating” changes in mechanics for longtime fans. Additionally, some critics, like Gaming Age and God is a Geek, note control quirks on the Nintendo Switch and online play limitations, such as restrictive team setup requirements. These issues, while not derailing the overall experience, suggest that the game’s simplifications may not fully satisfy veterans seeking the depth of previous entries in the series. Despite these criticisms, the majority of reviewers agree that BlazBlue: Cross Tag Battle delivers a strong and enjoyable gameplay experience. The consensus leans heavily toward positivity, with critics like IGN and GameSpot emphasizing its balance between accessibility and strategic complexity. While some feel the game’s simplifications fall short of veteran expectations, others, such as Nintendo Life and DarkStation, argue that it successfully retains core BlazBlue elements while innovating with tag-team mechanics and combo systems. The game’s ability to attract newcomers through its user-friendly design—highlighted by GameCrate and Push Square—and its depth for mastery, as noted by Vandal and TheSixthAxis, underscores its broad appeal. Though not without flaws, the gameplay is widely regarded as a standout feature, making it a compelling entry in the 2D fighting genre.

The graphics and visual design of BlazBlue: Cross Tag Battle received praise for their aesthetic cohesion, dynamic animations, and vibrant presentation. Critics like Digitally Downloaded highlighted the "gorgeous" sprite work, particularly for RWBY characters, with crisp animations that match the game’s fast-paced nature. GameSpew noted the visually vibrant environments and colorful character designs, while Vandal commended the spectacular sprites, animations, and special effects, emphasizing the "flawless performance." The fusion of different franchises’ aesthetics was also lauded, with GameSpot noting that the blend of styles "works well," and Gaming Age praising the "visually stunning" character designs adapted to fit Arc System Works’ anime-inspired look. Additionally, Nintendo Life highlighted the hybrid 2D/polygonal backgrounds and stable frame rates across platforms, contributing to a polished visual experience. However, several critics pointed out significant drawbacks, particularly the heavy reliance on reused assets and outdated visuals. DarkStation criticized the "recycled" aesthetics, noting that Under Night In-Birth backgrounds were minimally tweaked and RWBY’s visuals, while new, felt lower quality. Multiplayer.it and Worth Playing lamented the "outdated 2D sprites" and "jagged edges," with the latter calling the overall presentation "rushed." GameCrate and Gamers Heroes criticized the bland character select screen and lack of originality in level design, while CGMagazine and Everyeye.it pointed to inconsistent styles between franchises, such as RWBY’s aesthetic clashing with others. Technical issues on the Switch version, like lower resolution and anti-aliasing problems (God is a Geek, IGN Spain), further highlighted the visual shortcomings compared to the PS4 port. Overall, critics acknowledged the game’s effort to blend diverse franchise aesthetics into a cohesive package, but many felt it leaned too heavily on recycled assets. While GameSpot and Gaming Age praised the fusion of styles and polished animations, others like Wccftech and Cubed3 criticized the lack of originality and rushed visuals. The consensus leaned toward mixed reactions: a visually appealing game with strong anime-inspired design elements but hampered by outdated graphics, inconsistent art styles, and overreliance on pre-existing assets. Despite these flaws, many recognized the effort to maintain Arc System Works’ signature flair, as noted by Hardcore Gamer who called it a "feast for the eyes," even if its execution felt derivative at times.

The sound design and music of BlazBlue: Cross Tag Battle received generally positive reception, with many critics praising its eclectic mix of tracks from various franchises and its energetic, genre-defying style. GameCrate highlighted the "exquisite" combination of previous BlazBlue, Under Night, and RWBY music, noting how diverse styles like hard rock, techno, and ballads kept players engaged. Jeuxvideo.com called the soundtrack "chouette" (nice), while TheSixthAxis appreciated RWBY’s music for fitting the fighting game context. Nintendo Life described the soundtrack as "sublime," aligning with Arc System Works’ standards, and Vandal emphasized the inclusion of iconic themes, original tracks, and remixes that enhanced combat. Additionally, the availability of English and Japanese voice acting, along with dynamic team-specific lines, added depth to the audio experience, as noted by Worth Playing and Nintenderos. However, several critics pointed out significant drawbacks, particularly the reliance on recycled music from prior games. DarkStation criticized the "largely recycled" sound design, while Wccftech acknowledged the soundtrack’s enjoyment but noted its lack of originality due to borrowing from other titles. Merlin’in Kazanı called the music "functional but lacking originality," and Cubed3 highlighted the reuse of assets, which some felt diminished the game’s uniqueness. DarkZero mentioned RWBY’s tracks as "cheesy," and God is a Geek observed a "lack of new original tracks," despite praising the repurposing of theme songs. Additionally, while sound effects were generally well-executed (as noted by Vandal), few critics provided detailed analysis on their quality or innovation, with GameSpot and others focusing more on dialogue and character-specific audio cues. Overall, the consensus among reviewers was cautiously positive, balancing appreciation for the vibrant, genre-blending soundtrack against concerns about originality. While many praised the energetic mix of music from franchises like RWBY, Under Night, and BlazBlue, as well as the immersive voice acting options, the repeated emphasis on recycled material created a sense of missed potential. Critics like GameCrate and Nintendo Life celebrated the soundtrack’s quality and variety, but others, such as DarkStation and Wccftech, felt it leaned too heavily on past works. Despite these critiques, the game’s audio design was widely seen as a strong component that enhanced its combat and narrative, even if it didn’t fully break new ground in terms of originality.

The voice acting in BlazBlue: Cross Tag Battle receives generally positive reception, with many reviewers highlighting its accessibility and quality across both English and Japanese options. Critics like Gameblog.fr and Digitally Downloaded praise the convincing performances in both languages, noting that the English dubbing adds depth to character interactions and enhances immersion, particularly for fans of the source material. TheSixthAxis emphasizes the English dub as a major improvement, praising the engaging dialogue and voice work for characters from RWBY, Under Night, and Persona. Additionally, Wccftech and Worth Playing commend the full English voicing as a strong point, improving accessibility and making the game more approachable for non-Japanese speakers. The inclusion of dual audio options allows players to experience characters in their original language or localized versions, which is seen as a thoughtful design choice by several reviewers. However, some critics point out specific issues with the voice acting, particularly regarding consistency and character portrayal. DarkStation criticizes the optional English voices for altering characters' personalities, creating a disconnect between the vocal performances and the original material. Similarly, God is a Geek notes that while Linne’s voice is praised, Carmine’s performance falls short, suggesting uneven quality among cast members. Other reviews, such as those from Vandal and IGN Spain, mention the availability of English and Japanese audio but lack detailed critiques on their execution, leaving room for ambiguity about overall consistency. These criticisms highlight that while the voice acting is broadly appreciated, certain characters or performances may not fully align with expectations set by their source material. Overall, the consensus among critics leans positive, with most acknowledging the voice acting as a significant strength of BlazBlue: Cross Tag Battle. The inclusion of full English dubbing is seen as a major boon for accessibility and immersion, particularly for international audiences. While some reviewers like DarkStation and God is a Geek point out specific flaws or inconsistencies, these are relatively minor compared to the widespread praise for the dual-language options and engaging character interactions. The majority view the voice work as a thoughtful addition that enhances the game’s storytelling and appeal, even if it doesn’t fully match the depth of individual series entries in some cases.

The technical performance of BlazBlue: Cross Tag Battle varies across platforms, with notable strengths on both PlayStation 4 (PS4) and Nintendo Switch. On the PS4, several critics highlighted stable online play, praising solid netcode and seamless matchmaking. For instance, GameSpot noted no latency issues in online matches, while Vandal described the game as running "flawlessly" with minimal lag. The Switch version also received praise for its smooth performance, particularly from Gameblog.fr, which emphasized stable netcode and functional gameplay despite lower resolution on handheld mode. Nintendo Life and Nintendo World Report commended the Switch’s ability to maintain a consistent frame rate in both docked and portable modes, with the latter calling the online experience "reliable" except for minor intro-related hiccups. Both platforms benefited from ArcSys’ expertise in fighting game netcode, which was frequently cited as a standout technical achievement. However, technical issues plagued both platforms, albeit differently. On PS4, DarkStation and DarkZero reported occasional lag spikes and spotty online connections, while Multiplayer.it noted the game’s "aged" engine despite using Unreal Engine 4. The Switch version faced its own challenges: God is a Geek pointed out visual inconsistencies with sprites, and Pocket Gamer UK criticized connectivity problems that caused players to be kicked from matches. Everyeye.it highlighted latency issues with geographically distant opponents, while Cubed3 mentioned initial sync problems during character intros. Additionally, Gaming Age and Nintendo Insider noted control challenges on Switch, particularly with Joy-Cons, though external controllers mitigated some of these issues. Both platforms also faced criticism for limited offline content, as seen in Worth Playing’s mention of non-functional arcade areas and IGN Spain’s critique of sluggish offline features. Overall, critics generally agreed that BlazBlue: Cross Tag Battle delivers a technically sound experience, with strong netcode and stable performance on both PS4 and Switch. While the PS4 version faced occasional lag and server instability (as noted by DarkStation and PlayStation Country), its online infrastructure was praised for reliability. The Switch version, though smoother in some aspects, struggled with connectivity quirks and control limitations, as highlighted by God is a Geek and Pocket Gamer UK. Despite these issues, the game’s technical foundation—particularly ArcSys’ netcode—was consistently lauded, with GameSpot, Vandal, and Nintendo Life all emphasizing its role in ensuring competitive play. While platform-specific flaws persisted, the consensus was that Cross Tag Battle remains a technically competent entry in the fighting game genre, albeit with room for improvement in online stability and offline features.

The reviewers generally acknowledge several positive aspects of BlazBlue: Cross Tag Battle’s replayability. Destructoid highlights the game’s variety of modes—such as Episode, Training, Tactics, Survival, and Gallery—which cater to both casual and competitive players. GameSpot praises the strategic depth of gameplay mechanics, including Cross Bursts and character-specific strategies, while GameSpew and Wccftech note that DLC characters and combo experimentation add longevity. The online multiplayer is frequently cited as a strong draw, with God is a Geek mentioning 50+ hours of engagement and Hardcore Gamer emphasizing endless matches against others. Additionally, the game’s mix of franchises and unique fighters, as noted by PlayStation LifeStyle, offers appeal for fans of the included universes, while the Episode Mode’s multiple endings (per Nintendo Life) provide incentive for repeated playthroughs. However, several critics point to significant limitations in replayability. DarkStation and Gameblog.fr criticize the sparse single-player content, lack of traditional modes like Arcade Mode, and reliance on DLC for a full roster, which they argue undermines long-term appeal. The initial character selection (20 at launch) is seen as insufficient by Switch Player and others, with many reviewers noting that DLC lockouts create an uneven experience. Additionally, the repetitive nature of story campaigns and survival modes is highlighted by DarkZero and TheSixthAxis, while GameCrate acknowledges that branching paths in the story mode feel overshadowed by repetition elsewhere. Online play’s appeal is also tempered by issues like low player engagement on Switch (Gameblog.fr) and the need for guides to master mechanics (GameCrate), which may deter casual players. Overall, critics are divided but largely agree that BlazBlue: Cross Tag Battle’s replayability hinges on its core gameplay and multiplayer elements. While Destructoid, GameSpot, and Wccftech praise its strategic depth and variety of modes, others like DarkStation, Gameblog.fr, and Switch Player emphasize the shortcomings in single-player content and DLC dependency. The game’s appeal seems to depend on player preferences: fans of competitive online play and tag-team mechanics (as highlighted by God is a Geek and Hardcore Gamer) may find it rewarding, while those seeking substantial solo experiences or traditional modes (criticized by DarkZero and Nintendo Life) might feel underwhelmed. Ultimately, the game’s replayability is seen as strong for its target audience but limited by its reliance on post-launch content and lack of diverse offline options.