![Battle Blaze [Model SHVC-BZ] screenshot](images/game/61063_2.png "Battle Blaze [Model SHVC-BZ]")
Battle Blaze © 1992 Sammy Corp.
Battle Blaze is a unique fighting game that attempted to bring a more cinematic, role-playing-adjacent experience to the 16-bit fighting genre. Set in a dark fantasy world, the game follows a warrior’s quest to defeat the evil demon lord who has usurped his kingdom. Unlike the twitch-based, combo-heavy fighters that would dominate the era, Battle Blaze focuses on a zoomed-in, over-the-shoulder perspective during duels, emphasizing individual duels, timing, and heavy, impactful strikes.
GAME ID: SHVC-BZ
Distinct Perspective: The most striking feature of Battle Blaze is its "behind-the-back" view during combat. This created a sense of intimacy and scale that was very different from the side-on view of Street Fighter II. It made every match feel like a high-stakes, one-on-one confrontation rather than a standard arena brawl.
A Hybrid Genre Approach: The game includes a "Tournament Mode" that functions almost like a mini-RPG, where players travel across a map, participate in battles, and can even visit training dojos to improve their stats. This attempt to add narrative depth and progression to a fighting game was quite experimental for the time.
Weighty Combat: Because of the camera angle, the animation had to be distinct. The characters feel heavy and the impact of the hits is visceral. It doesn't rely on the fireball spamming common in other fighters, instead focusing on managing your guard and finding the opening for a decisive blow.
The "Sammy" Pedigree: Developed by Sammy, the game showcases the company's early interest in high-quality sprite art and atmospheric world-building. Even if the mechanics didn't perfectly match the industry-standard "fluidity" of Capcom titles, the visual presentation remains impressive for 1992.
Underappreciated Aesthetic: The game leans into a gritty, medieval fantasy aesthetic that differentiates it from the urban or sci-fi settings of most other fighters. The character designs, including the hulking demon-possessed warriors, have a dark, heavy metal influence that remains visually compelling today.
Collector's Curio: Battle Blaze is often categorized as a "love it or hate it" game. Its unconventional control scheme and slow pace have made it a polarizing title, but this rarity and mechanical uniqueness make it a fascinating piece of history for collectors interested in the experimental period of early 90s fighting games.
Reviews:
[FR] March 1992 - Consoles + N.8 (Page 66-67): 76/100 (1-Player)
[FR] March 1992 - Consoles + N.8 (Page 66-67): 88/100 (2-Player)
[FR] July 1992 - Joypad N.10: 76/100
Average note: 76/100
