Melty Blood is a name with some weight in the hardcore fighting game community. It's an anime fighter that was hugely popular in the underground for its rise from a rather intense adult visual novel into a proper 2D fighting game. It's a place where some of the known major contenders of today's fighting games got their start (Japanese fighting game luminary and SonicFox rival Goichi "GO1" Kishida is a master of Melty Blood). When Melty Blood: Type Lumina was announced this year, many likely didn't bat an eye, but those who knew freaked because this game is looking intensely good.
That said, I'm of two minds about this one. On one hand, I think it's great that a formative franchise of the anime fighting game community is getting new life in a rather stylish looking way. I also think it's interesting that it doesn't drop its hardcore auspices to try to reach across the isle to newcomers. One look at a match in this game and it feels pretty clear this is a fighting game made specifically for fighting game fans.
I also think that has a good chance of alienating all but the most dedicated from diving deep into Melty Blood. I really welcomed the efforts of games like Smash Bros., BlazBlue Cross Tag Battle, and even my recent crush, Guilty Gear Strive, for creating mechanics and modes that really catered to non-fighting game players and fully invited them to learn and understand what's going on. They have the range to cater to the more dedicated at the same time.
A child who has never played a fighting game can pick up Smash, but also, the scene has players like Tweek and MKLeo that have achieved insane heights. I think more people playing and enjoying fighting games is a fantastic agenda and the games that really care can invite folks in even as it entertains the pros.
Melty Blood doesn't care about that. Arguably, it probably shouldn't because that would piss off a lot of people that know and care about Melty Blood in particular. This franchise started as a project that catered to the niche (adult visual novel fans) and it continues to live as a project that caters to the niche (hardcore anime fighting fans).
On some level, I guess that won't be so bad because hardcore fighting game fans should have something that challenges them to utilize their talents to the fullest. There are a lot of offerings outside Melty Blood that cater to the newcomer these days. Maybe, in that regard, Melty Blood doesn't have to. In fact, when they know they have such a dedicated crowd, it could be argued, "why try to cater to everyone and risk making our fans mad?"
I also just worry about the player base though. I've seen it plenty in my time with fighting games already. When you have a game that's as tough to master as Melty Blood, it doesn't take long for those without the patience to flake off until you're left with only the dedicated. That's... kind of boring to me. I don't like waiting five minutes to get into a match online only to be matched up against the guy I've been matched up against frequently that day, week, or month. I fear that's the inescapable track for Melty Blood: Type Lumina.
I can't deny Melty Blood's style or Type Moon's dedication to its craft. They knew what they wanted to make and a lot of their fans have enjoyed seeing this game come to fruition. I'm going to give it a go and I know a lot of major players in the scene are doing the same (Sonic Fox and Justin Wong are already figuring out who to main on Day 1).
chars im probably playing in Melty Blood pic.twitter.com/dMP4rowkK3
— SonicFox (@SonicFox) September 27, 2021
That said, I'd have to say, if you want to be part of the revival of Melty Blood in 2021, you'd best be ready for some hard knocks. This particular game looks like it's set to be the most unforgiving the fighting game scene has seen in a while.
(Also, Pro-tip: Even if you play, I'd recommend staying out of Melty Blood forums or online discussion unless you're prepared for folks that can get quite weird and toxic above your average online community.)
Melty Blood: Type Lumina comes out September 30, 2021 on Nintendo Switch, PS4, Xbox One, and PC via Steam. What do you think? Does the fighting game world still need games that cater strictly to the hardcore? Would you have played Melty Blood: Type Lumina if it was more inviting? Are you going to check it out anyways? Let me know, and if you jump in, good luck!
