Blazing Strike, from RareBreed Makes Games, brings an infusion of nostalgia to modern fighting games with Aksys Games as its publisher. This 2D fighter embraces a retro visual style and incorporates a somewhat unique “rush” mechanic, setting it apart in a genre filled with high-energy, visually intense brawlers. With its pixel art and emphasis on tight combat, Blazing Strike is a love letter to classic fighting games, merging old-school sensibilities with contemporary polish on the PlayStation 5 – though with some rough edges as well.
Set against a dystopian backdrop, Blazing Strike follows a group of resistance fighters standing up to an oppressive government, unfolding a narrative that’s simple yet effective in setting up intense face-offs. While the story mode explores this post-apocalyptic world, offering snippets of character backstories, it’s fairly minimalistic compared to the deep lore found in bigger franchises in the genre.
The game’s rush system introduces an innovative spin on classic fighting, allowing players to execute bursts of speed and link up combos that feel highly satisfying when they land. The system strikes a nice balance between accessibility and depth; while it doesn’t overwhelm newcomers, it offers enough nuance for seasoned players to explore the possibilities of each character’s unique moves. The gameplay boasts a solid lineup of 14 fighters, each with distinct fighting styles, allowing players to find characters that align with their preferred approach – be it strategic spacing, heavy-hitting strikes, or quick, agile assaults. This diverse roster strengthens the replay value, particularly in modes that allow for local multiplayer, and the online play benefits from rollback netcode, ensuring a near-seamless experience with minimal lag.
Controls in Blazing Strike are largely intuitive, with moves and inputs that fans of classic fighters will recognize and appreciate. The game offers a comfortable learning curve but avoids excessive handholding, keeping the challenge level balanced. While some of the inputs may feel a bit stiff at times, the inclusion of a Training Mode, complete with hitbox visualization and input tracking, lets players fine-tune their skills. This is especially beneficial for players who want to master the rush system, making practice both accessible and rewarding.
Visually, Blazing Strike excels in its homage to pixel art, with detailed character sprites and dynamic backgrounds that evoke the golden age of arcade fighters. The animations bring a sense of impact and weight to each strike, and the design plays well into the retro aesthetic, although a few backgrounds feel less intricate than others, which can make certain stages feel slightly underwhelming. However, the strong character designs and smooth animations largely make up for this, creating a visually cohesive experience that feels both fresh and familiar.
The audio complements the retro vibe with a fitting soundtrack that keeps the energy high during battles, though it lacks standout tracks that might make it memorable in the long run. Sound effects, however, pack a punch, accentuating each hit and elevating the immersion of combat, even if they occasionally sound repetitive. The voicework is limited but effective, adding personality to the fighters without overwhelming the experience with excessive dialogue.
Despite its dedication to retro design, Blazing Strike doesn’t come without minor flaws. The story mode’s simplicity may leave narrative-focused players wanting more, and the game could benefit from additional variety in backgrounds and musical tracks to break up the repetition. However, for fans of classic fighters who crave responsive combat and a thoughtful nod to old-school mechanics, Blazing Strike delivers a decent experience that feels like a respectful revival of the genre’s roots. Its robust roster, solid combat mechanics, and visually appealing style make it a worth checking out, even if it doesn’t quite live up to the best in the genre.
Score: 6.5/10
Press Play Media 