Fighting games have changed so much over the years. Nowadays, you have 3D brawlfests with guest characters and plenty of modes. But sometimes it doesn’t hurt to keep things simple – like we did with fighting games in the 90s. Aksys Games’ Blazing Strike channels these days, and beautifully, might I add.
The game is the work of one core development member – Mark Chung. Granted, he did have a little help in some places, but this is his baby. He almost did everything himself – animations, story development, all of it. And it’s a remarkable feat, considering just how well the game turns out.
It’s a fun game to play, with its own unique combo system, special moves and impressive fighting roster. Not to mention it looks and sounds like something from the old-school days. But it has other features to spare, including perfectly intact rollback netcode for online play.
It does lag in some places – like with a wandering storyline – but Blazing Strike still hits hard. And in an arena filled with all kinds of fighting competition, it definitely finds a way to stand out.
Blazing Strike Feels Like Something From the Neo-Geo Era
For those unfamiliar with the Neo-Geo, it was practically home to some of the best brawlers in the 90s. Samurai Shodown, Fatal Fury: Mark of the Wolves, you name it. Well, Blazing Strike channels that energy with its superb design
The animations are razor sharp, giving each of the characters a visual edge. It’s fun watching everyone connect with their special moves, as well as with punches and kicks. The backgrounds also look like something from the old-school era. From people standing around in parking lots to smacking around in a mountain village, there’s an incredible array here. It’s all quite colorful and comes together without dropping a frame.
For that matter, the music also channels back to the “good ol’ days,” as it were. The soundtrack comes across like something from the Neo-Geo era. Rock tunes aplenty, with the occasional song that changes things up. Along with that, the character voices also nail the part, and the sound effects are meaty.
Some stages fare better than others (especially with interaction), but the game as a whole looks really good. Plus the CRT filter style effects go even further to assure it looks like something from another time. Those of you deeply invested in Tekken 8 might think it’s old hat. But for anyone that grew up in the 90s fighting era, Blazing Strike is for you.
So What Else Does Blazing Strike Offer?
Let’s talk about the gameplay next. It’s actually really cool, with an old-school system – two punches, two kicks. You can mix together techniques and execute special attacks, as broken down in the command list. (Hit pause and you’ll see it.) Some of the moves are remarkable to pull off, like the ground pound and, of course, projectiles. There are super moves as well, and the Rush Gauge.
Now, the Rush Gauge is pretty nice. You can do a “run” style thing (like Mortal Kombat 3, but not as cheesy). By activating this “turbo”, you speed up and actually gain access to other techniques. It makes you a slight bit vulnerable, but it pays off when you connect. You can also activate it quickly to dodge certain attacks headed your way.
Each character also feels about right. Obviously some cater to certain fighting tastes better than others. But they all offer something wonderful, and keep you engaged through each fight. I don’t think there’s a dull one in the bunch here, honestly. And for a game just getting started in its life expectancy, that’s very cool.
Blazing Strike has a few great options. Obviously versus play is a big one, and the game features impressive rollback online code. We didn’t have any problems connecting to matches, though some players are a little toogood. Yes, even this early in launch. Ah, well, just keep practicing, rookie!
There’s also an Arcade Mode where you get into local fights, as well as a Story Mode. Now, it’s not the most established tale out there, as some characters just need focus. But it’s an ambitious idea, crafted around comic book panels. I would love to see Chung go deeper into the lore for the next go-around. (And yes, this game deserves a sequel.)
One quick note – there are certain elements that come up during fights that you can’t control. I’m not quite sure why they’re there – maybe Chung just wanted to experiment – but they may frustrate some of you. Honestly, I didn’t mind, as they add a bit of unpredictability to each match. But there could definitely be less of them.
Fight On!
You may be thinking to yourself, “Why would I get Blazing Strike when I already have some great fighting games?” Well, number one, there’s always room for one more. Number two, you’d be lending your support to a talented developer that has a bright future in this genre. And number three, it’s just a lot of fun, especially if you grew up with retro brawlers.
It just feels about right and has plenty to offer. Not to mention the characters are appealing (if slightly underdeveloped in narrative) and the super moves are a blast. And did we mention it’s fun to play against friends and foes alike? Because it is.
Kudos to Chung (or Rarebreed, his developer name) for his impeccable effort. Blazing Strike channels back to a simpler (yet enjoyable) time in fighting. And despite some slight hiccups, it’s still a must for anyone that cherishes this type of game. Now dig in and blaze!
GAMERHUB RATING: 4 (out of 5) JOYSTICKS
Thanks to Aksys Games for the review code! The game is available now for PlayStation, Nintendo Switch and PC!
Want more beat-em-up fun? Check out our review of Marvel vs. Capcom: Fighting Collection!
