While it’s been many years since the last BlazBlue fighting game was released, the series hasn’t faded from public consciousness thanks to a bevvy of different spin-off games. The latest is BlazBlue Entropy Effect X, which is an updated console port of the 2024 roguelite action game. Featuring over a dozen characters from the fighting game franchise, it winds up being a tremendously fun sidescrolling action game.
Entropy Effect X’s story revolves around a group of researchers trying to save the world from collapsing. Using avatars of different BlazBlue characters, they dive into the … sea of possibility (no, really, that’s what it is named) and attempt to find shards that will potentially give them more knowledge about what’s happening. Is it convoluted? Definitely, but it’s also full of likeable characters and pretty easily ignored if you just want to get into the action, as it gives you a reason to constantly go on runs.
While I can’t say I fully followed all of Entropy Effect X’s story (I also got lost plenty during mainline BlazBlue games as well, but the charming character interactions more than made up for it), I was instantly hooked by its gameplay. What is really impressive about the game is how it successfully translates its characters’ fighting game movesets to a 2D action game. I started playing as Ragna and instantly saw the character using abilities and combos from his move set. As I unlocked more characters, I was equally as impressed with how the game manages to keep these fighters’ fight styles and personalities intact despite the change in genre.
Runs are broken into a series of smaller battles, as you’re tested with clearing short sections full of enemies before making choices during your run. These don’t start off particularly challenging, but they do require players to think about how to build their character. Players get power-up choices after most stages and have to decide where to invest, what to upgrade, and how they want their character to deal extra damage. Do they take a health hit to get a powerful effect, or do they go with a less risky option? These kinds of decisions make every run feel unique and satisfying, as I had the most fun when my build decisions started to pay off in a way that saw my skills complement each other.
There’s a staggering amount of different move options during runs, and you get legacy skills that are passed between characters as the game continues. This allows you to really find the best possible fighter for your play style. Things really get challenging once you unlock the Extreme Zone, which allows you to take on elite foes and some epic boss fights, such as Takemikazuchi and Izanami. It all leads to a really satisfying combat loop.
What really makes the game, though, is the overall strategy that runs take. Deciding whether to take the opportunity to heal up or risk taking damage to get one more skill before a boss fight can make or break a run. It’s these boss fights, which include some familiar faces, such as Arakune and Susano’o from BlazBlue, that are the most fun sections of the game, as you’ll have to learn attack patterns and really test your overall skills. While the regular rooms of enemies can get a little repetitive over time, the bosses are always thrilling.
BlazBlue Entropy Effect X Review: Final Verdict
There’s no doubt that BlazBlue Entropy Effect X was worth the wait for console players. Featuring fun and fast gameplay and varied characters that play like their fighting game counterparts, this is a content-rich game that will keep you coming back. While hopefully we’ll get a proper BlazBlue fighting game sooner rather than later, this will at least keep fans satisfied in the interim as it’s a blast.
SCORE: 8.5/10
As ComingSoon’s review policy explains, a score of 8.5 equates to “Great.” While there are a few minor issues, this score means that the art succeeds at its goal and leaves a memorable impact.
Disclosure: The publisher provided a PlayStation 5 copy for our BlazBlue Entropy Effect X review. Reviewed on version 2.000.008.
