One of the fighting games on the Switch that perhaps deserves some more attention is Blade Strangers by Studio Saizensen and Nicalis. When it arrived in August last year, we said it was the most accessible 2D fighters we had played in years.
If you've been looking for an extra reason to try it out, there is now a free update for the game adding three new characters, additional stages, and music. Joining the roster is adventurer Aban Hawkins (the main protagonist from 1001 Spikes), mystery girl Piaa (the most memorable of the "girlfrfriend" in Doki Doki Poyacchio) and Summer Kawase, an alternate version of Umihara Kawase with a different outfit and move set.
The free update also includes higher-resolution character graphics and numerous gameplay modifications. Seasoned veterans will notice changes in speed, timing, and damage – all of which has been adjusted in the interests of improving gameplay and character balance while preserving the existing combo functionality.
Will you be returning to Blade Strangers or trying it out for the first time to check out this update? Tell us below.
[source twitter.com]
Comments (39)
I could go very well if the princesses...design...is tweaked
This was sort of a forgettable fighting game for me but it wasn't bad for the discounted price I got it at. It should be nice to get some new characters, might get me back into the game.
I like fighting traditional fighters but i hate playing too many and having to learn all the combos all over again.
I'm not a Shantea person (as, i haven't played any of the games yet.) But, it would be cool to see her in this game.
@PBandSmelly what do you mean
Forgot I had this, but what great news! I’ll download it ASAP!
@JayJ Agreed. I only bought this (at the $16 off of the eShop) for Umihara Kawase characters alone, but otherwise I found it pretty..."bland", especially when compared to the likes of BlazBlue: Cross Tag Fighter and (especially) Dragon Ball FighterZ.
Either way, I still think Blade Strangers is better than SNK Heroines.
Nice. I haven't played the game much but been thinking of going back to it so this is another reason to. Summer Kawase new main.
@PBandSmelly Yeah nah.
@JamesJose7
Yknow jusg remove the unnessesary sexualization and give an actual design that isnt DUR BOOBZ
@PBandSmelly I hope they remove it, and then replace it with something even more sexual.
A fun game but I haven't played it in months, way to short of a story mode (all the endings were the same save of course for the unlockable final boss's).
I've started picking up random fighting games recently. I found this one on US Amazon for about 24 bucks plus tax.
I honestly forgot this game existed tbh.
Didn't realize it was over a year old now
W00t I’ve enjoyed this little game. Sometimes it is nice to go back to basics. Looking forward to the new characters.
@PBandSmelly So basically, they should remove something that is liked many because you deem it inappropriate for you?
Whew...Umi looking like a 2-piece order of Salmon Belly nigiri over here...a snack!
@PBandSmelly So basically remove the majority of her characterization from Code of Princess? Why? What would be the point of even including Code of Princess characters then?
I will re-install tomorrow!!
It's great to see this hasn't been forgotten. For me it looked better on paper than in practice. More characters will derfinitely help though.
This is great news! Such a fun game killed by a small player base and lack of cross-play. Hopefully this update let's the game shine and find a bigger audience.
@PBandSmelly I don't know if you can see the thumbs down you got for your comment, but it's a healthy handful. "Unnecessary sexualization" really puts it on the creators and the audience to meet your standards, but maybe it's just not for you and that's okay. Nobody is going ask you to change your perspective - why should it change for you?
Any news on whether this update is going to be included in a physical format along with the main game anytime soon or no?
@PBandSmelly Look out folks, it's the fun police.
@Spiders If people of any fandom could learn simply that somethings aren't made for them and live and let live instead of kink-shaming and calling things bulls***, then the world of fans would be a better place.
Summer Kawase FTW!
Very underrated game. Got this on sale in the eshop a while back for $12. I'll definitely will check out this update.
@Spiders @Dakotastomp @JamesJose7
I literally just said I dont like her design, I never said to permanently change her design. Im not expecting it to change because of what I said either. Dont freak out because I just dont want unessesary sexualization.
@PBandSmelly ok sorry if you felt attacked, I tried to start a conversation in the wrong way.
@PBandSmelly Not to escalate this even further, but define unnecessary.
I'm not trying to imply that you are, but those knee-jerk reactions to character designs like this always reek of misogyny to me.
"Women should be able to present anyway they want...but not like that, that's slutty". You know what i mean?
If you look at Solange and see anything but a kick-ass female fighter with an incredibly cool sword...that's kinda on you.
(Again, "you" not in you in particular)
personally, I like this game... just wish there was a big enough fanbase (or maybe just wish I had friends that liked fighting games) so that way I could play against some people if even just for fun... Annnnnd also .. alas, still no Shantae 🙁🙁🙁🙁
Cool!
Never been able to find an opponent online come to think of it.
@JamesJose7
Its ok, I kinda took it a bit far myself
I found the game just a bit too simple for my tastes, but I love the character designs in it. Additional new characters...hmm, maybe I'll rent it again and hold onto it if it's cheap enough.
I had a lot of fun with Blade Strangers around release, but it does occupy a strange (har) niche.
Simple inputs mixed with serious zoning and some oppressive oki (looking at you Shovel Knight) left little space to play the game and learn as you went.
And it is now half price. Tempting but I just realized I own a dozen fighting games on my vita, and almost as many on my PS4, so it is a genre I am all over. One more wont hurt 😁
@Zochmenos I had to google "oki". You have increased my vocabulary this day. Excelsior!
@PBandSmelly Maybe I'm arguing semantics, but the difference between saying "too sexy for my taste" and "over sexualization" is really where you're laying the burden. With the latter you're making a judgement call on where the line ought to be drawn for others.
If you really just wanted to share where you draw the line for yourself, communicate less categorically.
@Zochmenos "Simple" definitely stops at the inputs. The skill ceiling is super high. I think the lack of community, thus a steady slope of talent killed it for me more than the actual gameplay. I had so much fun in the lab, but waiting minutes to get my ass stomped by an amazing player time and again was no fun.
Hopefully this update grows the base.
@Spiders Agreed. Once the "middle class" is dead in a fighting game it's hard to get in and learn in a natural (fun) way. The inputs gently bring you in...and the crushing fundamental play kicks your butt. This is a title where the inability to make friends with (or even just message) random online opponents hurts the experience quite a bit too. Destined for niche status it seems.
Sweet it's a fun game that needed more characters. Hopefully some more come as well and support isn't dropped. These are actually some pretty major updates.
Now i want to be in this game. (please).
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