For some time now, we've known the mascot-packed Blade Strangers would arrive this summer. Publisher Nicalis, Inc. has now weighed in with a more official date for the game, which will arrive for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4 and Steam (as well as in arcades over in Japan) on August 28, 2018.
Developed by Studio Saizensen, Blade Strangers gathers together characters from a variety of semi-recent indie darlings, even some that feature characters you might not expect to be able to successfully mix it up in a one-on-one arena. The game features what its developer calls a "traditional and streamlined four-button control scheme," with the goal being to allow entry-level players to have a good time while providing depth for the sort of people who study hitboxes and skipped frames.
Making appearances in the game are Isaac (The Binding of Isaac: Afterbirth+), Quote and Curly Brace (Cave Story+), Kawase, Noko and Emiko (the Umihara Kawase series), and even Shovel Knight (from Shovel Knight, duh) and Gunvolt (from the Gunvolt games). Solange (who is best known for kicking butt whilst garbed in what looks like a skimpy metal bikini in Code of Princess EX) and her friends are also on board.
Nicalis calls the above crew the "launch roster," which additionally includes newcomers Lina and Helen. This suggests that additional mascots and potentially original characters will come to the game down the road, via updates, though the press release didn't mention a schedule or pricing for any additions.
Look for Blade Strangers on the aforementioned platforms on August 28, 2018, with an MSRP of $39.99 USD. Launch copies of the game's physical versions will apparently include "surprise bonus goodies," as has become a Nicalis, Inc. tradition that I wouldn't mind seeing continue indefinitely.
