BlazBlue: Chronophantasma

BlazBlue: Chrono Phantasma is the next installment in this 2D fighting game series, developed by Arc System Works. It was announced on August 5th 2012 and is set to be released this winter in the Arcades. It is confirmed that a port for the PlayStation 3 is in development; however, there is no set date yet, nor has there been any mention on an Xbox 360 port. New stages, music, game mechanics, and three new characters have been confirmed. In addition, all of the returning characters have been re-balanced and given new moves added on to their existing movesets. All of the returning characters' standing sprites and portrait art have been redrawn, while a few characters have new costumes.

The storyline will follow the exploits of Sector Seven, and will conclude the subplot of the Six Heroes' history from the past.

Returning Cast

 * Ragna the Bloodedge
 * Jin Kisaragi
 * Noel Vermillion
 * Rachel Alucard
 * Taokaka
 * Carl Clover
 * Litchi Faye-Ling
 * Arakune
 * Iron Tager
 * Bang Shishigami
 * Hakumen
 * Hazama
 * Tsubaki Yayoi
 * Makoto Nanaya
 * Valkenhayn R. Hellsing
 * Platinum the Trinity
 * Relius Clover

New Playable Characters
Lambda-11, Nu-13 and Mu-12 are removed from the game because all three were destroyed in the storylines of the previous games (However, Mu-12 has been reverted back to Noel in the end of Continuum Shift). However, it is indicated at the end of Continuum Shift that another, though unidentified Murakumo Unit, will take their place, its also possible that Nu will come back in some way because of Continuum Shift's last scene. It is also rumored that Saya will be a console exclusive playable character, additionally Jubei and Kokonoe will possibly be playable characters via DLC content.
 * Bullet
 * Amane Nishiki
 * Azrael

New Game Mechanics
The following have been removed from BlazBlue as of Chrono Phantasma:
 * Gold Break Bursts
 * Guard Primers
 * Individual Storylines

The following mechanics have been added to Chrono Phantasma:
 * Over-Drive: Each character has a new mechanic called Over-Drive. When activated, it gives enhanced strength and access to new moves unique to the character. Normally, Over-Drive lasts 5 seconds; however, at lower health, it lasts around 15 seconds and freezes the timer. The bar to use Over-Drive fills up over time, and can be used only when the bar is full.
 * Crush Trigger: Crush Trigger acts as the replacement for the Gold Break Burst. By sacrificing 25% heat (or in Hakumen's case, two Magatama) then pressing A+B, it will allow players to crush the opponent's guard during some moves. This doesn't work on the Barrier Guard, however.
 * Because of this, the Heat Gauge is now split up into four sections rather than two. Prior to "Chrono Phantasma", Jin had a Heat Gauge with four sections, due to using 25% Heat to perform the D versions of his attacks.
 * The game will feature three main storylines to follow, with boss battles included, which will all come together for the true end.

Trivia



 * "Chrono Phantasma" has many changes in terms of some of the menu screens and themes. The character select has been greatly altered, going from all the characters aligned in a circle formation to now being arranged like a conventional character select. (i.e. rows and columns) This is similar to the transition of character selects that Guilty Gear X2 went through. In fact, the screen for "Chrono Phantasma" resembles the one for Accent Core Plus.
 * Characters also seem to be positioned in a way that those symmetrical to them counterpart them some way (Taokaka and Bang Shishigami, for example), but that could just be a coincidence.
 * "Chrono Phantasma" also apparently features arrangements of the original musical themes of its predecessors.