Blazing Strike Review – GameSpew

A 2D fighting game inspired by the classics and set in a post-apocalyptic world sounds like a good idea on paper, doesn’t it? But thanks to poor execution, RareBreed Makes Games’ Burning Strike fumbles the ball – and hard. Aside from its varied cast of characters, there’s little else here that makes it worth spending your money or wasting your time.

Starting Blazing Strike for the first time, you may first be suspicious of what you’re getting into when you notice that the theme song is similar to that of Street Fighter 2. You’ll likely go into training mode to familiarize yourself with the game’s mechanics. , only to find that your options for learning the basics here are very limited indeed. Forget any detailed tutorials; you can enter training mode and set the basic CPU behavior and that’s it.

Either way, there isn’t much to learn here, especially for those familiar with Street Fighter and the like. Blazing Strike has a simplified control system, with only light or heavy punches and kicks for you to worry about. You can, however, perform special moves by combining your punches and kicks with quarter circles, double taps and the like, and even perform a Super Combo if your ‘Super’ meter is full.

The only really unique mechanic here is the Rush function, which allows you to quickly move around the stage and modify your attacks, making it easier to execute a combo. You need to be careful though: deplete the Rush meter that allows for quick movements and attacks and you will be exhausted for a short period of time, presenting an opportunity for your opponent to give you a good kick.

Overall, the combat system here is simply decent. It’s fast-paced and somewhat fun, but it lacks the depth and subtlety of many of the popular 2D fighting games on the market. The visuals and animation also leave a lot to be desired. After playing and reviewing Marvel vs Capcom Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics, it’s safe to say that Blazing Strike pales in comparison to games made 20 years ago.

When it comes to manners, there are also disappointments. Enter Story mode and you’ll find it horribly laid out, with large amounts of text displayed in a basic blue box. Sometimes there are comic book-style story cells, but even they still manage to be as dull as dishwashers. In between all this you will take control of several characters, but don’t you dare think about taking a break before the story ends, as you will find that you will have to start over from scratch.

The only modes you’re likely to have fun with here are Arcade Mode and Online, but finding a match in the latter can be difficult. And when it comes to Arcade mode, don’t expect fun endings for each character. Ultimately, everything feels basic and somewhat unfinished.

As fighting games go, Blazing Strike is impossible to recommend. It’s subpar in almost every aspect imaginable, and when for the same price you can buy a collection of Capcom classics or any of several newer 2D fighters that impress or innovate in multiple ways, the choice should be obvious.