When comparing Killer Instinct vs BlazBlue: Chronophantasma Extend, the Slant community recommends BlazBlue: Chronophantasma Extend for most people. In the question“What are the best PC fighting games?” BlazBlue: Chronophantasma Extend is ranked 5th while Killer Instinct is ranked 6th. The most important reason people chose BlazBlue: Chronophantasma Extend is:
With a roster of 24 characters (and 2 that can be purchased through DLC) that sees each having a different look and fighting style, there should be an option available for whatever kind of style one prefers. Whether that is close combat, ranged combat, tanks or really fast characters, there is a good mix to be found.
Specs
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Pros
Pro Well optimized for PC
The game runs well on of spec hardware, meaning there are no dropped frames or other issues if using what the recommended specs for the game are. For being a port there can often be issues with performance, luckily there do not seem to be any here. There are some options available to adjust the games graphics settings, though most are just on off toggles for things like anti-aliasing. The game is also tied to framerate and so is capped at 60fps, though this is often found on fighters so online play is at a level experience for all.
Pro Good mix of gameplay options
There is a full story mode in the game for those that would like the learn the background and story of each character. There is also a mode called shadow lab, which allows the player to unlock points and bonuses through a shadow fighter styled after their own fights in this mode. The better the learned character is the more one can earn. Lastly there is a Dojo area for those that would like to practice with specific characters.
Playing through all three of these modes should offer a good bit of content that can last the player for quite a while, which is great for longevity of the game.
Pro Great graphics
The game looks quite good, with well modeled characters and stages, making for a great looking game that shows a lot of polish in the graphics department.
Pro Supports local multiplayer
For those that would like to play with friends or family on one screen in the same location, the game does support local multiplayer. This is convenient for when you want to play VS but are unable or unwilling to connect to the internet.
Pro Free to play
The game is actually free to download and play, though character choice is limited (they do get rotated though so you can try out different ones with time). This makes for a really convenient way to find out if the game is to the players liking or if it will run well on their system. Of course there is a season pass available for those that would like access to all of the content for a price.
Pro Easy to find opponents in mutliplayer
The online matchmaking in the game works quite well as it will find opponents within a minute, often within a few seconds. This may be due to the game just getting launched on PC, but is a good sign that the netcode works well.
Pro HUD can be easily repositioned
There is a setting in the game that allows users to change the placement of the heads up display. This is convenient for those that may not like the default placement.
Pro Allows for many different styles of fighting
With a roster of 24 characters (and 2 that can be purchased through DLC) that sees each having a different look and fighting style, there should be an option available for whatever kind of style one prefers. Whether that is close combat, ranged combat, tanks or really fast characters, there is a good mix to be found.
Pro Traditional 2D fighting game style
BlazBlue sticks to the tried and true method of using hand drawn sprites for their characters as well as their backgrounds, which may appeal to those that grew up with fighting games of this sort.
The actual fighting in the game is also traditional in the sense that there is a weak, medium and strong attack for each character as well as different combinations for eachs special moves. A tried and true method developed in the early nineties that still works great to this day.
While not just for nostalgia's sake there is also some benefit to 2D fighting such as being able to fight in the air as well as an overall sense of better space control.
Pro Accessible multiplayer
The multiplayer (PvP) section of the game can be played locally as well as online, meaning players can play at home with friends on one screen as well as with friends or random opponents online. This gives the player the choice of how they would like to play multiplayer, which is not something all PC fighting games do.
The online mode also offers a wide selection of options from ranked matches to player matches as well as online lobbies and viewable rankings.
Pro Good tools for practice
The game offers a training mode as well as a challenge mode. The training mode is an arena where the player can practice any move they like, over and over in order to nail down how to perform them on command easily. Training mode also offers a tutorial section that walks the player through how to perform specific maneuvers and actions in the game. The challenge mode on the other hand is like a tutorial with tasks in that it teaches the player how to do specific maneuvers while tasking them with pulling it off in a specific situation. This makes for a great way to learn all the ins and outs of the game's characters as the it walks you through how to do each task it is asking.
Pro Unique blocking element
In the game there is a secondary block with a meter tied to it that limits its use. This is called the barrier guard. The barrier guard allows for better blocking over a regular block, but is limited to the power found in the barrier guard gauge. This adds a strategical element to the gameplay, as the user needs to access whether or not using the barrier guard is worth it at them time they want to use it as when they run out they will be left with less defenses.
Pro Works great for online competitive fighting
Latency is barely an issue with Chronophantasma Extend (something all online fighters have to deal with), which makes this a good game for competitive online fighting as there should be few problems with missed frames (something that is always important for pulling off moves at the precise moments they need to be executed). The series as well as this game in particular also lends itself well to competitive fighting thanks to the precise controls as well as the vast array of characters available, each with their own look and fighting styles.
Cons
Con Low amount of resolution options
While all the major resolutions are supported, those that use a more niche screen size may have issue finding a size to match 1:1.
Con Direct input seems to be broken or unsuported
While there is a blurb at the bottom of the start screen of the game stating that some arcade controllers are supported, players have reported issue with getting any direct input fight stick working with the game. Sadly there has been no comment about this from the devs nor any date for when they are going to support other sticks.
Con No mouse
It can be easy to see that this was a console port as when the game is booted up there is no mouse icon. Users will need to use their keyboard or a controller to control the menus.
Con Poor story
The story found in the game for each character in the story mode is not written that well and is mainly fan service for those familiar with the franchise. So for newcomers or those that are looking for a deep and involved story, they may be disappointed.
Con Theme may not be for everyone
Being that the game is heavily themed as an anime, the look of the game may not appeal to everyone. For those that are not fans of anime or risque clothes on women this may be a game to stay away from. While none of this detracts from the gameplay itself, some may not enjoy spending money on something that is not visually appealing to them.