Introduction to Blade Arcus

The Game

• It is based on Shining RPG series (one of Sega's flagship RPG series, has successful line of merchandise).
• It uses 3D models to create 2D sprites. (By using this method: The sprites are 100% accurate in scale, in any angle, in every single frame.)
• [Official Statement] It is developed to be a footsie-based fighting game (called Sashiai (差し合い) game in Japanese). Same as Street Fighter.
• [Official Statement] The pace of the game is intentionally made so that players have time to think and react. 
• [Official Statement] The damage output is intentionally made high, just like 3D fighting games or oldschool 2D fighting games. This puts the pressure on the players.
• Jump-in is generally punishable.
• It has "Roman Cancel" (cancel recovery frames into neutral).
• It has "Burst" (escape a combo during hitstun).
• It has (Marvel's) "Team Hyper Combo."
• It has moves that provide RPG-like buffs and debuffs.
• All characters can be played or used as an assist. You can switch between two characters you choose, but not during the fight.
• The partner character can provide three kinds of assist. Stronger assists cost more Support Gauges.
• It doesn't matter who you choose as the main character, you can secretly switch right after character select screen.
• Strategically, you can counterpick, or switch between character that is strong with/without meters.
• All characters are viable as they all can do good damage from a simple hitconfirm Super. From the same reason, it is easy to get into this game. 
• It has "quick rise" after knockdown. 
• You can attack opponent's partner and prevent him/her to use the assist.
• No killing by chip damage. 
• No comeback mechanics.
• No air-blocking.
• No air-dashing. 
• No Aerial Combo.
• No dizzy. 
• No autocombo (one-button combo in P4U or DBFC).
• Default format of a game is first to three rounds. 
• Unlockables allow you to make your character say different things for each special move or when winning a round.
• Its release date is November 5 (2014).
• "Fighting game of generation" - Beast Note

Characters (12 confirmed)

• Ryuga - Original character. An all-rounder with projectile, antiair, divekick.
• Pairon - Original character. An all-rounder with projectile, antiair, Hundred Kicks, Speed Down debuff.
• Rage - Protagonist of Shining Blade. A power/rushdown hybrid fighter with long reach.
• Sakuya - Popular character from Shining/Hearts/Blade/Ark. A highspeed defense breaker and a frame trapper.
• Xiaomei - From Shining Hearts. Fast melee fighter with Demon Flip, Raging Demon, Speed Up buff.
• Altina - From Shining Blade. Projectile specialist. A charge character.
• Roselinde - From Shining Blade. A hardhitting charge character with armored move and Attack Up buff.
• Melty - From Shining Hearts. Grappler with traps and projectile reflector.
• Fenrir - From Shining Blade. Melee fighter with meterless comboable rush attack with projectile invincibility.
• Isaac - From Shining Hearts. A playmaker with multihit poking tools.
• Rick - Protagonist of Shining Hearts. Coming Spring 2015. (video)
• To be announced - Coming Spring 2015.

How to Play

Lever movement = Same as average fighting games
Tap forward twice = Forward Step
Tap backward twice = Back Step

A = Light Attack
B = Medium Attack
C = Strong Attack
D = Support Link (calling assist)

Throw = A+B (or A+B plus left or right)
Throw Escape = A+B while being thrown
High Jump = quickly Down and Up
Flash Standing (quick rise) = A or B or C after knockdown

Gauge/Meter
Support Link Gauge (max 4) = blue bar
- Both players start a game with 2 blue bars.
- Fills only when blocking or taking damage.

Force Gauge (max 3) = red bar
- The typical Super gauge.

Force Action
This's what they call typical special move (Hadoken or Shoryuken). It doesn't cost Force Gauge.

EX Force Action
Cost 1 red bar.
This's what they call typical EX version of special move. Press B+C instead of standard button (like 236+BC).

Super Force Action
Cost 1 red bar.
This's what they call typical "Super."

Offensive Force (Roman Cancel)
Cost 1 red bar.
By pressing A+C while attacking, it returns you to neutral, allowing you to continue with another attack.

Defensive Force 
Cost 1 red bar.
By pressing Back and A+C while attacking, it returns you to neutral and back step, allowing you to make an unsafe move safe.

Support Link Attack
Press D and the timing will determine the type of assists. However, you can manually choose which one.

Type	Timing	Cost (blue bar)	Manual Input
Weak Support	while not attacking	1	D
Medium Support	while attacking with normals	2	D+B
Strong Support	while attacking with super	3	D+C

(You need to try yourself who does what as a partner character.)

Support Interupt (Burst)
Cost 3 blue bars.
Press D while getting hit. The partner will jump out to help you.

Link Force Attack (Team Hyper Combo)
Cost 4 blue bars
Press D while the opponent is getting hit with your Super Force Action. The partner will jump out and follow with another Super Force Action. (You need to find a right combination so they can combo.)

First Attack & First Combination
Both first hit and first combo in a round will build extra meter to the player.


Video
Blade Arcus tournaments
Blade Arcus Tuesday

Trivia

• Characters are designed by Tony, one of the most famous illustrators.
• Melty and Rick appeared in Shining Hearts anime.
• It features Nana Mizuki (Sakuya's voice), Japan's highest-earning singer voice actress. 
• Song "Brave Heart: Kagayaki no Kanata e" is played in the last round if both players are on match point. 
• It has 8 stages of CPU. The last boss is the evil mode of your character.
• The game producer was into SF2.
• The game director was into SF2 and is a decent player in SSF4.
• Shining Hearts (PSP) is currently priced at 980 yen on PS Store (JP).
• Shining Blade (PSP) is currently priced at 1,500 yen on PS Store (JP).
• Shining Ark (PSP) is currently priced at 1,500 yen on PS Store (JP).

Beast Note has been following this game since it was announced. For more, please bookmark beastnote.blogspot.com/search/label/Blade%20Arcus.