Nitroplus Blasterz: Heroines Infinite Duel

[BlueXIII]

A localization would be more likely to entice people to buy the game, though. If importing or buying a JPN version is the only option, it will definitely hurt the potential playerbase, I feel. 

[Bonner]

http://www.famitsu.com/news/201504/09076258.html

Looks like two new characters have been announced (Ouka and Amy). Amy is an assist

[Chipp12]

I knew it! Ouka-chan FTW!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kACAGtNxo-4

[SoWL]

Curse you, poster illustration, for spoiling this surprise. At least Amy is new, though I expected her back in my first speculation post.

 

But anyways, do we really need yet another zoner (and Ouka does look like one from her design)? We still don't have an actual grappler, you know. But I guess it's all because of Nitroplus's infatuation with firearms, so it can't be helped.

[Sojoro]

Curse you, poster illustration, for spoiling this surprise. At least Amy is new, though I expected her back in my first speculation post.

 

But anyways, do we really need yet another zoner (and Ouka does look like one from her design)? We still don't have an actual grappler, you know. But I guess it's all because of Nitroplus's infatuation with firearms, so it can't be helped.

 

I felt like Dragon would've been a cool grappler or hybrid-grappler. I just tried Royale a few days ago and while it's really dumb and shitty, it was kind of fun for laughs. 

[TAI-X]

I'd say Nitro+ has an equally strong infatuation with swords and blades. It felt like 75% of Hanachirasu's script was sperging out about katanas, blacksmithing, fencing techniques, the history of Japanese swordfighting, etc. At least it didn't actively try to push any common myths perpetuated by movies/anime, such as katanas being "the ultimate sword," Bushido being anything other than a latter-day quixotic ideal that was irrelevant in its own time; or folded steel supposedly creating the strongest blades.

[SoWL]

Yeah, I won't deny that, either, though that's just one of their (best) script writers being a professional kendo-ka. Still doesn't make any good grappler candidates, though.

[Sojoro]

Another assist announced. Yuki Takeya from School-Live! 

http://dengekionline.com/elem/000/001/038/1038217/

 

I wiki'd and it's a manga series with a zombie outbreak setting. Her char info says she creates an "illusion" for herself to mask the surroundings from zombies, so maybe a field effect assist? 

[Chipp12]

Kinda wasn't expecting this even though they've already added a character from another manga. On the other hand it kind of makes sense since its anime adaptation is coming out soon. Also I think that the other character (Kurumi) would be more useful as an assist but I guess they've picked her up because she's a protagonist.

 

Her char info says she creates an "illusion" for herself to mask the surroundings from zombies

Not really sure what are you talking about here though.

[Sojoro]

Oh nvm, I read too much into that on Wikipedia and spoiled myself. The illusion is thing is more of her delusion, but I haven't read it so I don't want to spoil myself any further. As for what type of assist she is as well, forget the field effect thing I said. 

 

Fun note: I love how Nitro is going in a zombie direction with the anime adaptation of this and what with Tokyo Necro vn coming out in Japan as well. 

[SoWL]

This doesn't feel like it's worth an entire announcement: they should've kept her under the rug until they decide on the next character or two. Or maybe it's just me being indifferent about her or the source material (the script writer seems to have little to no experience with VNs, too). But yeah, I can see why they'd include her, and being an Assist is exactly what I'd expect from a character of that scale.

[Chipp12]

the script writer seems to have little to no experience with VNs, too

Hmmm so writing Jingai Makyou equals having no experience with VNs? OK then...

And he has also worked on most of Guilty Gear games which have VN-styled story mode (X+ and XX at least).

[Sojoro]

Now this is more of an announcement: http://www.famitsu.com/news/201504/15076727.html

 

So looks like 8 main characters and 13 partners for arcade release and more will be added later. Plus there's an opening now. Can anyone clarify/tell what else is in the article.

[SolxBaiken]

Well, they're already teasing a 10 character roster (one of which is Saber, who was announced awhile ago, wasn't she?) Also that OP felt very copy pasta from AP's but I guess you can't do too much if you aren't willing to splurge on an animated sequence, and the little exhance at the end was cool, not sure about the song though but eh, GAR it up!

[Qu_Ane]

I think I've played a Nitroplus game before. Can't remember exactly what it was though. I know Saber from the VN, and Tsunemori from Psycho Pass...Sonico. .__. Compared to this I know a shitload of DFC chars. (I guess bcz they all got an anime. Shame on me. OTL)

 

The characters look more like what I'd want in a fighting game though, so I'll keep a lookout for this. And the wait continues for J-Stars.

[SoWL]

Hmmm so writing Jingai Makyou equals having no experience with VNs? OK then...

I swear, I thought Jingai Makyo is written by Haganeya It doesn't help that he used a pen name while writing it. My original point still stands, though, as I've never been that excited about JM's story, and GG is irrelevant if it's not written by Ishiwatari. [/backpedaling]

 

Anyways, not surprised at all about the initial roster, since that's what they've been saying in the last couple of streams. But come on, do we really have to deal with only four backgrounds at launch? It's not like they take that much time to draw, not with the amount of detail they got right now. Having no new Assists is disappointing, too, but I can at least understand that: playable characters should take priority.

 

And man, that OP looks pretty damn hype, though most of it is because of the magical combination of VERTUEUX and RAILGUN FUCKING MAGATSU. Seriously, that small teaser alone makes me feel like I should main Muramasa despite her playstyle not being my cup of tea. 

 

Other new stuff that you can see in the OP includes:

 - Some of Ignis's normals - or are those parts of her special charging attack? Not enough info on her to tell for sure, she doesn't seem to be that similar to her Nitro Royale version;

 - Anna's LB; no idea what it's supposed to be, looks like a generic super-version of the Sectio overhead sword swing; it obviously uses this CG as the inspiration;

 - Ruili's LB... What the hell is up with all the colors? I assume it's a throwback to her dance at the beach, but does that really deserve the LB status? Oh well, most of her moveset is original, anyways;

 - Al's LB; LEMURIAAAAA... IMPACT!!!

 - Anna's Lucere, the sword-spam super; she also has a counter-attack with similar animation, Remedium, but this doesn't have its start-up animation;

 - Ignis's new super; looks like a ramming attack that wall-splats the opponent. Could be a normal or a special?

 - Anna's new super; similar to Lucere, but the swords are shot around her rather than forward.

 

Honestly, that's much more than I expected to learn from an OP, of all things.

[TAI-X]

God damn it, could those character portraits look any more bland and lifeless? The only character for whom a vacuous doll-like expression is fitting is Ruili, but it's still not creepy enough for her. They're really not doing enough to sell this as anything other than Generic Waifu Fighter Flavor of the Month #41827, when Nitro+ built its reputation on aggressively bucking the stereotype of visual novels as vapid waifu dating/screwing sims. There should have been instant kills/fatalities with Saya devouring the opponent, Taoluo shocking them to death (I know it's EMP, but he does it in Nitro Royale), Nano thrusting his arm through their chest Heidern-style, and so on. If they would have to censor them for the arcade version, so be it.

 

I liked Aquapazza and I'm sure this will play at least as well, but what a tremendous missed opportunity on the aesthetic front. Aquapazza's atmosphere and tone were completely fitting for Aquaplus; Blasterz's isn't for Nitro+. The decision to go with only female characters was especially ill-advised, as was the use of several characters with only a tenuous link to the company.

[Chipp12]

 

I swear, I thought Jingai Makyo is written by Haganeya It doesn't help that he used a pen name while writing it.

 

Well let's just say that the development of this game has more to its history than you could have thought...

If you're interested you can read more about that here. About him using handle - it's either because he wanted to keep it as a former member of this circle or he just didn't want to be assosiated with the adult rated work.

Also speaking of Haganeya - I've totally forgot that Kaihou has also helped him with writing Guilty Crown: Lost Christmas game (and he has also written the plot of the OVA that was included with the game).

[SoWL]

The only character for whom a vacuous doll-like expression is fitting is Ruili

And Ein. But really, if you're talking about the expressions and not the artstyle, the only characters who look wrong to me are Mora, Saya and Al, as the rest show pretty much the same disposition as in the games. And while I do agree that the game is a bit lacking on the aesthetic front (the backgrounds, man, the backgrounds!), I believe that the gameplay and the characters themselves will make it stand out on its own just fine. Or maybe I think so because I'm a fanboy, who knows.

[Sojoro]

Singer or anyone, do any of you guys know what this says by Kyamei? I see talk about the game on Twitter now by jp players. 

 

https://twitter.com/hir0yuk1/status/588731118901276672

[SoWL]

Huh, well that's interesting.

 

 

 

NitoBura Kyamei Rank, based on the feeling I got from the FGC and the early footage

 

S: Al, Ein

A: Ignis, Mora, Chinese girl

B: The rest

 

I can recommend this game to anyone who enjoys the existing combo games.

Even though the overall system is in the upper tier, other people can still enjoy it in the "My girl is the strongest!" kind of way.

I wonder if the system is too complicated for beginners, though, haha.

As always, feel free to correct me.

 

There seem to be some local network tests planned for a few arcades, but since there is no official announcement yet, people are taking it with a grain of salt. It's supposed to be freeplay, but it might be single-player only? In any case, I'll be on the lookout for more footage and other info.

 

EDIT: Yeah, some cabinets already got it running. No new info on Ignis or Anna, though. I'm going to sleep, expect the info to flood in on the weekend.

https://twitter.com/FZ_250/status/588552165364355072/photo/1

https://twitter.com/Molice/status/588695505812606976

Edited April 16, 2015 by SoWL

[Dreiko]

Folks, we have the intro!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=91A-uJKRHI8

 

 

Surprisingly manly song choice. Loving it.

[SoWL]

Yeah, you're a bit late with that. Can't blame you though, no one posted a direct link to it.

 

While no one was looking, the website updated with everyone's movelists and some new portraits.

http://www.examu.co.jp/nitroplus_blasterz/character/chara00.html

First, everyone's LBs:

 

Ein: GEPARD-M1

Al: Lemuria Impact

Mora: Ashes to Ashes, Dust to Dust

Ruili: Ranryouou (Lan Ling Wang)

Saya: Song of Saya

Muramasa: Railgun "Magatsu"

 

Okay, that wasn't too hard at all. Now for Anna and Ignis.

 

Anna:

Fodere (Pierce): [4]6A/B/C

Sectio (Cut): 623A/B/C

Remedium (Aid): (j)63214A/B/C

Lucere (Shine): (j)236A+B

Danza Macabra (Dance of Death): 236236B+C (Best track ever)

 

Ignis:

Hisatsu: Getsuga (Fly Kill: Moon Fang): (j)236A/B/C

Ansatsu: Kokushi (Assassination: Black Arrow): (j)421A/B

Bokusatsu: Funkotsu (Beatdown: Bone Flour): [4]6A/B/C

Zansatsu: Glamdring (Murder: Foe-Hammer): 646A+B

Most Noble Blade "Anor": 236236B+C

 

EDIT: Some nice info from @The_Roadroller:

https://twitter.com/The_Roadroller/status/589015914810478593/photo/1

 - Al's LB hits right before her and can be blocked (similar to Mora's?).

 - Ruili's LB is a power-up that turns her Power gauge into a timer. Need more time to understand it, she just does its animation and that's it.

 - Totally forgot about it, but Muramasa's web pull is called "Steel Flytrap Net", and it's performed with 214A/B/C. Also, Enchant Minus disappeared from the move list, but it's been missing some supers from the very beginning.

 - Anna is a shooting character with a Sonic Boom motion instead of the regular Hadoken. Her DP makes her jump and fall down with a sword swing (like in Nitro Royale). Ground dash is similar to I-No's. Her C normals (both ground and aerial) are projectiles that change with directional inputs. Remedium is a slow-ish counter-attack (again, like in Nitro Royale), Lucere is Nu-like horizontal sword spam (though you stay in place while performing it), and Danza Macabra is another counter-attack, though its triggering conditions are uncertain (it probably catches everything, being an LB and all?).

 - Ignis still has her boomerang (not sure if it still pulls the opponent in). She also has a trap that attacks and poisons the opponent if they pass through it, though it can be destroyed by enemy attacks. Glamdring is an auto-combo super, and LB seems to fill the whole screen and might combo off some Assist attacks.

 

And some more random titbits:

 - Al's DP is an overhead on second hit. Not sure if this is new or not, but yeah, gotta keep it in mind.

 - Saya's LB seems to track the opponent and combo off of meat explosions? Though you can still dodge it with a high jump or a dash.

 - The Ein LB setup that someone came up with is Ein-Franco-Carol, though Carol's charging time is hella slow, so she might get switched for someone else.

 

EDIT EDIT: Voice actors!

Mugen, announcer: Izawa Shiori

Althea: Yamamoto Nozomi

Yoishi: Orikasa Fumiko

Ethica: Aji Sanma

Edited April 17, 2015 by SoWL

[Dreiko]

Haha I noticed it late but I figured since I did actually skim the page and I didn't notice it at the time, it was worth posting anyways.

 

 

I hope Saya is good. I never expected her to be in a fighter. So happy. :P

[SoWL]

The main visual is here!

http://www.examu.co.jp/nitroplus_blasterz/

ｷﾀ━━━━(ﾟ∀ﾟ)━━━━!!!!

Twitter didn't give much new info since my last post, but something happened on day 2, and Ignis is now rated above Al and Ein (or at least on the same level) by most people. The general consensus seems to be that the key to being a good character is having good projectiles, but then again, it might be because most people are not used to the anti-projectile system mechanics yet.