Funnily enough, around the time Fate/Unlimited Codes’ PS2 port came out, the newest installment of Type-Moon’s flagship (i.e. ONLY prior to F/UC), Melty Blood: Actress Again had been out in arcades for a few months. Sporting new characters, new larger and upgraded stages, along with new music plus updated renditions of the previous tracks as old as the first game, it’s clear that Type-Moon is certainly living up to it’s commercial company status. The question is, with this year already full of other 2D console fighters like Street Fighter IV and Blazblue: Calamity Trigger (which I am so very fond of), does Actress Again give us any real reason to go back other than Tsukihime nostalgia?

Note: Again, I don’t have a video capture card, so these pictures aren’t from my plays of the game.

Controls have been retained from Act Cadenza, but the fighting system itself has gotten a few interesting upgrades, most notable to me being the inclusion of a guard meter; part of the MB meta game was shield bunkering, as it is in a lot of fighting games. Since MB “Reverse Beat” mechanic made shield bunkering necessary in order escape combos, it feels a bit unfair that they’ve included a guard meter, but it also makes sense, since it provides quicker resolutions to “shield bunker til screw up” clashes. More sensible, the inclusion of EX Guarding, guarding at the exact moment of a hit, to restore the guard meter adds a bit more skill to be used.

The biggest addition is the inclusion the “Style” system, akin to Marvel vs. Capcom 2’s “Type” system in that characters have access to different moves according to what style you select for them; remember when Tohno Shiki had 236+button “slasshums” or when White Len’s overwhelming moveset in Act Cadenza A? Those moves are back, given that you choose the correct style that has them. “Crescent Moon” style is essentially Act Cadenza’s combo system, while “Full Moon” style disables the usual launchers to air combos and somewhat focusing on ground combos much more, with the exception of a few characters (White Len, and I’ve heard Sacchin), plus the ability to use “Heat” mode any time as well as manually charging the Magic Circuit bar. “Half Moon” style at times give different moves, but as far as I can tell, is a lot like Crescent Moon with the exception of 200% Auto-Heat and apparently no Last Arcs. Arc Drives remain the same no matter what style is used (in Half Moon’s case, the stronger “Blood Heat” version of Arc Drives are used), but using “C” attacks that consume 100% of the bar can change depends on moveset to moveset.

As with any follow up to a fighting game, new characters are expected. When Actress Again came out in arcades, only Riesbyfe Stridberg (Sion’s ally who died saving her from Wallachia…and apparently uses a giant violin/cello as a weapon) and Roa in his Near Side incarnation were added. That’s fine and dandy, especially since the main antagonist of Tsukihime was now actually playable, but I’m sure most fans wouldn’t have minded more. Well, they got it.

By some twist of fate (see: cashing-in and fucking with the already fucked up canon for the sake cashing-in), Ryougi Shiki makes her debut appearance in Melty Blood hot off the Rakkyo movies, even bringing the main movie theme and her bamboo-covered estate with her as a stage. Now everyone can stop using that MUGEN, Nanaya-clone version of her and use an original…somewhat Tohno-clone version of her. ^^;

To screw up shit even more, Seifuku Akiha, a once-thought alternate costume turned new character, is added, as well as a True Ancestor Arcueid dubbed “Archetype-Earth”, supposedly pre-Roa, fucking ORT-banned in tourneys version of good ol’ Arc. I’ve yet to unlock her, but…

So as an example…

LAST ARC FINISH.

I guess you could consider her the Shin Akuma of MB.

As for the story……….wait….?

MB has no story, therefore I present you the final battle of Rakkyo 7, with actual Roa/SHIKI instead of archetype.

tl;CAN’Tr moonrunes, final boss is announcer, the one who goes “ROUNDO WAN. FAITO.” Yup.

So, that makes 4 ver. of Akiha…

Extras-wise, the scenario played in Arcade mode are viewable as they were in Act Cadenza, and also included is the Boss Rush mode which brings back the “boss” Melty Blood characters like G-Akiha and presumably Neko Chaos Black G666 (I haven’t unlocked it yet ^^;). Training mode is in, with a dummy record system this time.

Overall, the game is a treat: most may desire more, especially with next gen 2D fighters out now (Blazblue, KoFXII, SFIV and II HD Remix), but it’s still impressive and incredibly fun to play if you’re a 2D fighter fan. Don’t expect your friends to adapt to it right away, but it’s easier to pick up than F/UC, and undoubtedly the most refined in the series despite the mechanics way overdue. Let’s hope the PC release will include Capslock-kun (”Tohno SHIKI” Roa)

Oh before I go, Lumi recommended I try taking pictures of the TV. The result?

THIS…

CHAIR!

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THISCHAIR.

-Jay