BlazBlue [360, PS3, Arcade]

[imp]

I tried to play a bit of this earlier. 15 minutes waiting in training mode to be matched up for a ranked match, but no luck. Bah, I want to get a bit more experience. Looked for some player matches, I came across one room with a L40 Carl, who almost perfect me twice (although I almost almost took one round off of him before he turtled behind Nirvana and I kept on trying to get in to finish him off, like an idiot).

So I stopped that after a couple of beatings and found another room. This time a L.32 Carl! He was also really good, but not quite as good as the previous one. I took a round off of him, but he got seeeeriously turtley and confused me with so many pass throughs that I just didn't know how to block and died. Waah.

[Jonster]

Good games last night Imp, your Ragna is hella scary now.

My execution wasn't on top form last night, and despite often using a strategy where I guard crush you I failed to react properly to every single one despite knowing when they were going to happen!

Also I need to work out how to get out of pressure with Lambada, other than bursting and big giant sword of doom (but that is fun to do though).

Think some research may be in order

[imp]

Haha, cheers man, I think I have you and choo to thank for that. I even nicked my corner pressure from you wholesale! Saying that though, I think you're scarier than you were even a month ago too, way more consistently damaging combos and pressure now!

And it really took me a while to get used to your style last night - you were on a rampage for most of the start of it! I definitely need to work on getting out of the pressure that guard crushes me so often though!

Lambda is a funny one isn't she. I don't know what it is about her that makes me try the same thing to get in three times in a row, only to run into the same counter every time! And Jin, what a bastard, gets a free ride against her pretty much. Ice Caaaar!

Also, the text chat stuff is the best. I like that almost as much as I like actually playing the game.

PLEASE CHECK THE ROOM NAME.

[Jonster]

Beginner mode only (by the way I only did that as a joke the other night, then it kind of took off...)

Thanks very much, think it's come from playing more and other people getting better as well forcing me to up my game too. I felt a bit more comfortable in keeping pressure on last night, there's gaps in there (mostly from the dash cancelled 5D), and my general block string is rubbish against crouchers - 6B comes out far too slow to not get reversed by anyone paying attention. I need to put gauntlet hades in there a bit earlier to mix it up more. Also blocked 2/5B->2/5C->5D puts me at the right distance for Hell's Fang and follow on to be blocked and not to get punished (by Ragna at least). Also I don't normally use 2D but was pleased to see it work more often than not last night and if blocked it's still another guard primer gone

In one of the Lambada fights last night you had pressure on me and I finally found an opening for 5B, connected then I did 5C -> 5D didn't see big flaming sword of doom do 2 hits and proceeded to kick myself. I remember trying to do a hell's fang at one point as well, got the gravity well out, tried to do the follow on, noticed you were floating and then you killed me

Also: screw ice car. Think I need to 6D a bit more against Jin. Or learn to block.

I'm still debating between Valk and Lambada as an alt, I've done 8 of Valk's challenges butthe idea of remembering them in a fight feels tricky whereas I'm a little more comfortable with Lambada having used Nu a bit in CT. Also Valk's another rush down character (so you'd think I'd fit in with that) whereas Lambada's something different. I'll probably end up doing both at the same time, badly, though.

[imp]

Beginner mode was actually really fun. One button 720 Distortion Drive for Tager? Yes please!

I tried to inferno divide you after so many canceled 5Ds by the way. I'm still not great at consistently doing that motion under pressure. Stupid SSFIV fingers. 6B is really crap though isn't it, I don't think I hit you once with it in the early matches and then gave up on it. Choo like to get hit by it though.

I seem to only ever 2D by accident after a 2C. God I love 2C. The 2C 5D bounce is the best.

I'm coming around to Jin again as an alt, but his air combos are much harder. I need to try and use Arakune a bit more, get used to his changes too, he's still a really viable character.

[Choo]

Sorry I couldn't join last night. Imp challenged me to try score attack and I'd reached Hazama. What a horrible horrible boss! You can't bait him as he reacts instantly to your moves, usually with an invincible special or DD. I gave up last night though I am determined to beat it at one point. Still, not a total failure as I'm getting far more consistent with Valk's combos.

I'm still debating between Valk and Lambada as an alt, I've done 8 of Valk's challenges butthe idea of remembering them in a fight feels tricky whereas I'm a little more comfortable with Lambada having used Nu a bit in CT. Also Valk's another rush down character (so you'd think I'd fit in with that) whereas Lambada's something different. I'll probably end up doing both at the same time, badly, though.

As there are basically just us three playing this game regularly I vote Lambada for some variety! Not entirely sure but I think her 4B has some invincibility/tricky hit box as I read that you were looking for something like an ID (I'm secretly trying to persuade you from stealing my new main ).

I want to learn quite a few characters ending with Carl (lol). Though Valk has definitely replace Tsubaki for now, she seems rather standard in comparison. When the Werewolf fatigue kicks in I'm thinking Bang next!

[Jonster]

Sorry I couldn't join last night. Imp challenged me to try score attack and I'd reached Hazama. What a horrible horrible boss! You can't bait him as he reacts instantly to your moves, usually with an invincible special or DD. I gave up last night though I am determined to beat it at one point. Still, not a total failure as I'm getting far more consistent with Valk's combos.

As there are basically just us three playing this game regularly I vote Lambada for some variety! Not entirely sure but I think her 4B has some invincibility/tricky hit box as I read that you were looking for something like an ID (I'm secretly trying to persuade you from stealing my new main ).

I want to learn quite a few characters ending with Carl (lol). Though Valk has definitely replace Tsubaki for now, she seems rather standard in comparison. When the Werewolf fatigue kicks in I'm thinking Bang next!

I've not touched score attack after struggling with CT's for so long. May do at some point though.

I was thinking Lambada to keep it varied, have another I'm tempted by but I'm keeping that one up my sleeve for the time being.* Plus it's apparently a bad matchup for Valk if the distance is kept (so just like pretty much every other matchup for her then ).

Her 4B has lower invincibility, but is horribly unsafe if blocked (IIRC), so just like ID then! I kept forgetting she had that move last night and threw it out by accident a few times, and I don't think I missed with it.

Before playing imp I almost beat a level 44 Tsubaki player after getting perfected in the first round, they were an absolute nightmare to play against though and made good use of the fully charged 22D.

*although you'll probably work it out if you ever see me in challenge mode.

[Choo]

Have been playing at bit of random online this weekend. Not really the best experience, there really aren't that many playing this game right now and those who are are the hardcore veterans, well versed since vanilla. Add that to the fact that most rooms have a bad connection (hoping it's not just me) it's really hard to find some good games.

I've had many a long loss streak and a few win streaks and honestly, combos aside, I'm not entirely convinced by the actual gameplay. In a game where you'll die in 3-4 combos initiated by almost any move It doesn't seem to make sense the number of options and abilities each character has. You lose much of the mental conditioning and psychological battles you can get in a game of street fighter and replace it with guess work. Guess incorrectly during a blockstring or on your wake up and you lose a 3rd of your health. Will he try the same technique on you next time? Well he has 30 other ways of applying pressure so why would he? As I said a few days into this game; every character is overpowered.

As much fun as the ritualistic satisfaction you can get from a long combo is, does it really make for good competition? While programmed muscle memory whirs away for one player the other player is idle, waiting for a chance to play. In fact, neither is really engaging with the other in this moment (resets aside, though I think I've seen about 2 in all my games online). It's like an advert break. Of course, this applies to most fighting games, but Blaz Blue takes the crown for becoming more of an exhibition than a sport. Playing a lvl 45 Noel was tiresome as I mashed buttons through a 7000 damage corner combo that must have lasted for 40 seconds. Of course that scenario was no fluke, it must have repeated itself 8 times in 5 matches.

Apologies for playing the 'repeat string until hit confirm' Valkenhayn on friday. He's an excellent example of the overpowered mix-ups in this game. Millions of different frame traps, overheads, delayed-overheads, low hitting moves, grabs etc. It's not so much rock-paper-scissors as it is a stationary warehouse built on a geology site.

Anywho, enough ranting. I could be telling a different story with many more hours experience. Though for now I'm going to give it a break!

[imp]

-snip-

I've had similar thoughts about the game - particularly concerning the length of the combos when on the receiving end. It's really not fun idly mashing on buttons in the hope that you tech out considering each character has moves that vary in stun. I like to know when I'm in a certain state, so having to guess when to tech just means lots of mashing and then accidental attacks (if I do so in the air). What's also very confusing is that usually you can get up instantly when you're on the floor, but some characters, like Tager and Makoto actually leave you unable to tech for a while longer, meaning you have to to lie there until you take the next hit, confusedly wondering why your character just isn't getting up. The long combos definitely do feel very satisfying to hit though, so I'm still quite undecided about the fundamental value of this system.

The other thing the variable timing on tech rolling leads to is the lack of time to regroup and alter your strategies once you start getting caught in a combo. Since you can still be hit after being knocked down, the massive variety of options for combo starters on offer leave the person waking up with a guessing game each time. Guess wrong and eat another 25% damage. Since I'm often unsure when I can/will recover, the proper timing for blocking or countering can be really difficult to gauge. I guess this is another thing that can be put down to inexperience though. I think since the engine always favours the aggressor, the gameplay can sometimes feel a little flat as there aren't many shifts in momentum, once it starts. I guess this is why they made barrier bursting so much less punishing in this game, but it can often feel like the first person to secure damage dominates, and then wins the round.

My beef with Valkenhayn isn't really his mix ups - for the most part, you can just block high and then block down as needed, it's the fact that he can literally blockstring you until you're guard crushed unless you're able to do instant blocking. I can't do this for shit - this sets the bar pretty high. I can tell I'm going to be shit at 3SOE.

I think what it comes down to is that it's a very niche game, even amongst 2D fighters. The amount of character specific knowledge you have to obtain is insane. It feels like if you don't know the other character and their moves, you don't really stand much chance. Most of my complaints come from the position of someone who isn't any where near the level for which the game is balanced though, so I'm probably not qualified to judge it. I think I will still play, it can be pretty fun on occasion, it's just a bit harder to have some casual laughs with, as it's such an aggressive, complex game.

[rafrasilecs]

So I've finally got back from my lengthy Xmas hols all excited for lobby action...is anyone still playing this?

[JLM]

I've barely started, so I'll be as rusty as you I reckon. Main reason I've been putting it off is that my connection is utterly crap at the moment, but hopefully these powerline things I'm getting tomorrow should sort it. If I get a reliable connection again then I'll be about.

I'm too scared to fight imp and Jonster until I at least get a little bit warmed up. Even when I was playing it regularly I took some horrible pastings off Jonster.

[DLNY]

Started playing two weeks ago, I didn't get long with the original before SSFIV so I'm still fairly hopeless but definitely up for a few games. Have been experimenting with the rest of the cast beyond Noel and Jin and I'm amazed at the amount of damage Iron Tager seems to dish out with his Gigantic Tager Driver alone.

[Choo]

I'm too scared to fight imp and Jonster until I at least get a little bit warmed up.

I am offended by this.

So I've finally got back from my lengthy Xmas hols all excited for lobby action...is anyone still playing this?

Yes. I may have had a good moan but I'm addicted. Like a beaten wife who can't quit!

Actually found some nice lobbies last night and stood my own with some level 40s for a bit. Then they started choosing characters I didn't know (like Litchi) and proceeded to trash me! Got some nice messages though so all's good .

[JLM]

Did you have Calamity Trigger? I know from experience that Jonster was better than me at that, so I'm extrapolating. I have no experience fighting you at it. I'm sure you're very good though. And handsome to boot.

[Choo]

Awww shucks!

I had calamity trigger, but it must have got about 4 hours total play! Been quite addicted to this game though. After the initial thrashing from Imp, Jonster and co I reckon I've clawed my way up to their level. Never thought I'd be able to kill a man with 2 combos before this game!

Who are you playing? Look forward to some lobbies!

[Jonster]

Never thought I'd be able to kill a man with 2 combos before this game!

This actually happened

JLM (and everyone), you totally should join us. When I've played recently I've not been using my main as much, and as such have taken some pastings (I take some pastings on my main too though). I'm sure imp and Choo (and me if I ever get my mic sorted) would give you advice too, even if it's not necessarily about your character, but more "You need to block low for that" or something.

Also Choo is a little puppy dog, sometimes literally.

I've started to really take to the idea of learning Carl, playing him well would be incredible, however I can see it being a very big struggle and require more time than I have

[Naryan]

Are there many people playing CS online?

Its just i got calamity trigger the other day and im really liking it so far but the only matches i can get online are people turboing D.

Is the second worth it?

[Pochacco]

After much faffing around with Zavvi over my order I received CS but apart from opening it and flicking through the artbook, the disc has yet to make its way into my 360 and be installed to HD!

The last week I was playing more CT since I hadn't really invested much time into it. My strongest character is probably Noel (yea I know) and the only person I could find on a player match was SuperFamiFreak from here! (whose best character is Tager). We had some fun matches albeit he won most of them

But generally on ranked in CT I'm coming across Level 30's-50's which is no good for a poor lowly Level 22 I get my ass handed to me regularly it's not funny.

[Choo]

Are there many people playing CS online?

Is the second worth it?

1st question: Not really... seems to be the same guys setting up lobbies each night and most of them are a bit too far away. Though we're on every now and then.

2nd question: Depends of course. If you're really into this game it goes without out saying that you'll want the most up-to-date version (that you can get ). It adds 5 new characters and makes loads of balance changes. I found myself getting into this game far more than the original, though I think that has more to do with my improvements at fighting games rather than the difference between the two.

EDIT: Online now if anyone's about. Just beat a lvl45 Bang in some laggy conditions. Got a friend request from him that he then went and canceled....errr?

[ah]

just thought i'd stop by with a note that this weekend i actually played continuum shift for a couple of hours and i rather enjoyed it. i didn't dare venture online though, for fear of what i might find. i really like that new character with the angel power thing and the feathers - a dive kick, an "EX" meter and a seemingly more rushdown style than arakune have left me feeling pretty at home thus far (against the CPU - yeah...), though i only know one combo and can't connect the last hit of that yet!

anyway, the point was if anyone fancies a game then just give me a shout if you see me online (friend/fight requests to gamertag ALI5T4RR). i figure losing a lot will be more fun against a friendly face or two than against randoms.

jonster i do not count your face as friendly after those monstrous displays in calamity trigger but i will still happily play with you if you want easy wins.

[Kayin Amoh]

just thought i'd stop by with a note that this weekend i actually played continuum shift for a couple of hours and i rather enjoyed it. i didn't dare venture online though, for fear of what i might find. i really like that new character with the angel power thing and the feathers - a dive kick, an "EX" meter and a seemingly more rushdown style than arakune have left me feeling pretty at home thus far (against the CPU - yeah...), though i only know one combo and can't connect the last hit of that yet!

anyway, the point was if anyone fancies a game then just give me a shout if you see me online (friend/fight requests to gamertag ALI5T4RR). i figure losing a lot will be more fun against a friendly face or two than against randoms.

jonster i do not count your face as friendly after those monstrous displays in calamity trigger but i will still happily play with you if you want easy wins.

I'd be happy to play you any time, dude. I'm pretty damn average at the game, I know about one decent combo with Ragna.

If you see me on and send me an invite, I'll usually be happy to drop what I'm doing and join you for a bit.

[Jonster]

jonster i do not count your face as friendly after those monstrous displays in calamity trigger but i will still happily play with you if you want easy wins.

I'm probably a bit rusty having not played in a while and concentrating on SSFIV. If I play you I can play as an alt, I still have a lot to learn about almost the entire cast that isn't Ragna (and probably a lot with him too).

[ah]

you're on.

you know, i may have seen better attract sequences, and heard better intro music, but the main menu music in this is pretty much the best main menu music. sometimes i'm reluctant to start playing just because i like it so much. i guess i'm a loser.

decided to just suck it up and try a ranked match and there is literally nobody there. searched for lobbies and found one with a red connection. for a game that's less than three months old it's a bit sad.

[ThePixelbarks]

Don't be too shocked, afterall, we're all talking about the sudden shortage of SSFIV players due to a certain game.

[ah]

fair comment!

[rafrasilecs]

Fuuuuuuuck.

Did anyone know that this was due out on 3DS? How can I have missed it?

I'm very hyped now. How does the D pad hold out for SF IV?

[ah]

yeah i'm pretty excited even though i've barely played CS on xbox. they took ages to confirm it would be coming out in europe on 3DS, typically.

the pads are both okay for street fighter though i think everyone's still struggling a bit. one thing the 3DS has been good for for me has been combo timing practice - i'm still terrible but now feel confident to at least try a fancy combo every now and then. to be honest the game kind of died for me when i went online after diligently practising, learning a combo and playing arcade mode etc, and then got stomped by two successive valk players without knowing what was going on because i'd never even seen him before. but it would be cool to get playing it again.

[rafrasilecs]

Valk's an arse anyhow...

I'll definitely be playing this again. The only reason I made the ego destroying switch back to SFIV was because the only people playing CS were amazing compared to me with my enforced real life hiatus.

As evidenced last night though, it's the same for me on SFIV.

[Jonster]

I played a bit of this last night and online appears to be dead apart from level 50+'s. Still had good fun though, the combat is lovely and fast. Anyone for a lobby on Wednesday night?

[Clipper]

does Continuum Shift 2 for 3DS have a different name in Europe?

I am trying to preorder it for someone and I cant find it on gamestracker or any normal retail site and tothegame lists it as TBA for release.

other google searches say its out May 31st... I assume that is US?