BlazBlue Centralfiction

BlazBlue Centralfiction is a two-dimensional anime fighting game by Arc System Works and the conclusion of the multi-part Azure Saga. Fast one-on-one duels meet an extensive science-fantasy story told through dialogue and visual novel sequences. Key characters include Ragna the Bloodedge, Jin Kisaragi and Noel Vermillion.

The game distinguishes its fighters not only by reach and pace. Each character has a specific Drive ability that noticeably changes basic combat rules. As a result, character choice and learning your own combo routes are a major part of the appeal.

Arc System Works first released Centralfiction in Japanese arcades and then for PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 4. The Japanese console versions came out in October 2016; the Steam PC version followed on Apr 26, 2017, and the Nintendo Switch version in Japan on Feb 7, 2019.

On Oct 10, 2026, Arc System Works also announced a standalone PlayStation 5 version at EVO France. A release date and a specific time window are still missing. The planned PS5 version must not be confused with the PS4 game already available via backward compatibility.

The base game has native releases on PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, PC and Nintendo Switch. On PlayStation 5, the earlier PS4 version can be played via backward compatibility. In addition, a version developed specifically for PS5 has been announced, which should be treated as a separate platform launch.

The PS5 version is set to get rollback netcode, online duels with players of the PC version (crossplay), four additional text languages and improvements to training mode. Which languages are included and what purchase or upgrade rules apply is not yet fully known. An Xbox or Switch 2 version was not confirmed with this announcement.

Duels take place on a two-dimensional plane. Light and heavy attacks link into longer combo chains, while blocks, special moves and counters decide between attack and defence. The universal Overdrive system can briefly boost a character's abilities.

Character-specific Drive systems create different tactical roles. Some fighters control space and distance, while others rely on precise close-range combos or build their plan around a particular resource. Extensive training is therefore more than a preliminary step to online play.

Steam lists an Intel Core i5/i7 processor for the PC version, 4 GB RAM, a graphics card roughly on the level of a GeForce 8800 GT and 18 GB of free storage. The original details name Windows 7 and 8, but today's Steam client no longer officially supports these outdated operating systems.

The hardware list refers to the PC version, which is already available. System requirements and performance details for the announced native PS5 version cannot be derived from it.

If you don't want to play competitively right away, there is an extensive story mode with staged dialogue, branching character backstories and a central story that concludes earlier plotlines. In addition, Arcade, Versus and Training modes offer different ways to get to know the fighters.

While single players focus here on the story and moveset, online matches revolve around time-critical decisions. The base game offers a different structure for this than purely online titles, which tie all their progress to a seasonal service.

In fighting games, network latency directly affects the timing of blocks and inputs. The Steam version later received rollback netcode, which predicts inputs and corrects deviations when needed. Developer announcements list it as part of the PC online infrastructure.

The planned PS5 version is meant to bring this technical standard to Sony's new native version too. More important than the additional platform alone is the promised connection between PS5 and PC: in future, players of both versions could compete against each other. This should be distinguished from the older PS3/PS4 crossplay. Exact rules on rankings, account links and platform boundaries are still pending.

The fighters come with their own special attacks and Drive abilities. The additional playable characters from past releases include Jubei, which was sold separately as DLC. When buying, you should therefore distinguish between the base game and optional character content.

For the existing PC and PS4 versions, Arc System Works also announced Trinity Glassfille as a future fighter. According to the announcement so far, this character's release is not expected to be tied to the same date as the native PS5 release and its language additions. A fixed date has not yet been confirmed.

The PC version, already available, offers English and Japanese text as well as Japanese voice acting, among other things. A German translation is not listed in the current PC store information. Precise directional inputs are important for fighting game gameplay, whether with a compatible controller or a suitable PC control setup.

The announcement for the PS5 version names four additional text languages but has not yet confirmed their specific selection in a complete list. A German PS5 version therefore cannot currently be guaranteed.