The game combines the excitement and subtle dynamics of a classic one-on-one fighting game with the polish and features expected from a current-gen contender.

Blade Strangers embraces a traditional and streamlined four-button control scheme that offers accessible controls that are designed to bring fresh blood to the ranks of fighting game players worldwide. For advanced players, the intricate combos, counters and special moves provide tournament-caliber competitors with endless opportunities to hone their skills.

The action in the game is highlighted by the stunning character animations, which are created using a proprietary process. 3D character models are used to render individual animation frames, which are then rasterized into sprites and manually hand-touched up by talented 2D artists to create cel-like characters and movement.

The diverse roster in Blade Strangers includes unique characters from different backgrounds, headlined by Quote and Curly Brace (from Cave Story+), Isaac (from The Binding of Isaac: Afterbirth+), Solange, Ali, Liongate and Master T (from Code of Princess EX) and Kawase, Noko and Emiko (from the Umihara Kawase series). The 14-character launch roster also features indie superstars Shovel Knight and Gunvolt as special guests, plus new characters Lina and Helen who are appearing in a video game for the first time ever.

While this one-on-one crossover fighting extravaganza features fan-favorite characters, how will you decide which warriors to master first? Every fighter has what it takes to be a champion, and each one has his or her own strengths and specialties. Here’s a brief look at the game’s 14 formidable fighters to see what they bring to the table.

Solange

Solange, the heroine of Code of Princess EX, is armed with the mighty (and rather massive) DeLuxcalibur sword that gives her a long reach in battle. “She’s a character that is fairly easy to control and get the hang of, so she’s a great starting point for new players,” says director Toshinobu Kondo of developer Studio Saizensen.

Ali

Ali, the thief from Code of Princess EX, is fast and unpredictable. “Ali is very tricky,” explains Kondo. “She can wield continuous supers and can disrupt her opponents by using bombs. Her combos feel great, too.”

Master T

Practitioner of a style known as UMA (Ultimate Manimal Arts), Master T brings his strength and toughness from Code of Princess EX. “He is a strong character when used by players who are good at reading their opponent’s moves,” asserts Kondo. “He fits perfectly with players who have confidence in psychological warfare. When using him, don’t think! Feel!”

Joe the Liongate

Also from Code of Princess EX, Joe the Liongate hides his face behind a mask, but his prowess with a sword can’t be denied. “Players must use his magic bullets skillfully and execute his moves with style,” Kondo comments. “We believe he is a good fit for players who have some fighting-game experience and consider themselves to be more intermediate than beginner.”

Kawase

The title character of the Umihara Kawase series, Kawase is a teenage girl who uses a fishing line to startling effect. “She is a very unique character who can freely move from one side of the screen to the other by using her fishing lure,” Kondo explains. “Although she requires some technique to be successful, she’s a very fun character to use after players gain more experience with her.”

Emiko

Kawase’s childhood friend Emiko fights alongside her gigantic cat, Shakemaru. “She’s a character that’s good at throws,” notes Kondo, “so for those players who like to play ‘keep away,’ she’s a purrrrrfect choice!”

Noko

A time-traveling police officer, Noko is a descendent of Kawase who specializes in combo attacks. “Aggressive players can use her to corner their opponents against the wall and give them the final knockdown!” says Kondo.

Curly

Curly, the female robotic soldier from Cave Story+, is armed with several types of weapons. In particular, her machine gun makes her an excellent choice for fans of long-range attacks. “Being able to shoot up and down and to the front is a huge threat,” Kondo states, “but players will need to be aware of rapid firing too much, as their opponent can read it and jump in to deal some damage of their own.”

Quote

Like Curly (his Cave Story+ ally), Quote is good at keeping opponents at a distance by using weapons such as the Polar Star and the Fireball. However, his Blade attacks are also fairly effective at close range, making him a rather balanced character.

Shovel Knight

Shovel Knight, the titular hero from the popular action-platformer, is a strong fighter who’s especially dangerous at short range. He can charge up his shovel if you hold down the Skill button for a second or two, and he has some effective grapples. He’s also remarkably adept in the air, where he can use an air dash and his downward-thrusting Shovel Drop.

Isaac

Utilizing many items and attacks from The Binding of Isaac, this weeping warrior has surprising and unusual maneuvers to catch foes off guard, including bombs, a pickaxe and a headbutt. His small stature means he’s a little tougher to hit, too.

Gunvolt

The star of Azure Striker Gunvolt is quite literally a run-and-gun fighter. He has projectiles to, ahem, strike from afar, as well as a dash maneuver for rapidly closing the gap between himself and his opponents. Additionally, he can manually charge up his special meter to more effectively unleash his powerful electricity-based Ultra Skills.

Helen

An original Nicalis character making her first video game appearance, Helen is great at countering opponents’ attacks. “Helen is a threatening character in that her opponent is always forced to make difficult decisions,” says Kondo. “For opponents who are given the option and make an incorrect move, Helen will make them pay for it severely.” Though equipped with a shield, Helen blocks by holding Back, just like everybody else.

Lina

The evil entity known as Lina is the final boss in the game, as well as a playable character. “Lina is a very fitting boss, a character full of unique attacks,” Kondo reveals. “She’s the most technical character in the game, but once players are able to master her, she’s very strong and fun to play. She’s probably a better fit for players who consider themselves to be more advanced.”

With such a varied lineup of fighters, you’re sure to find someone that’s a good match for your personal style of combat, regardless of what type of player you are. 

The game will arrive feature-rich at launch, complete with a wide variety of online and offline gameplay modes and additional offerings including:

• Story Mode - experience each character’s unique story
• Arcade Mode - pick a character and win matches to advance
• Challenge Mode - complete various skill challenges for each of the characters
• Survival Mode - battle against a barrage of CPU-controlled opponents
• Versus Mode - fight against friends or the CPU (with “standby” option)
• Online Modes - create or search for rooms and engage in Stealth, Casual or League matches
• Tutorial - for new players to learn the basics
• Training - practice moves and combos to hone skills (with “standby” option)
• Other Features - online leaderboards, screen view and control customization, player profiles, stat tracking, unlockable items (character colors, portraits, special titles)

Blade Strangers, rated T for Teen, will be available digitally and physically for Nintendo Switch and PS4 and digitally on the Steam platform on August 28, 2018 for $39.99 MSRP. For a limited time, launch copies of the physical versions will also include surprise bonus goodies inside the package.