BlazBlue: Chrono Phantasma out in Japan arcades this winter

Arc System Works announced a new sequel to the BlazBlue series during last week's Super Battle Opera Tougeki 2012 tournament held in Japan.

Titled BlazBlue: Chrono Phantasma, the latest addition to the 2D fighting game series will feature three new characters: the muscular pugilist Azrael, the effeminate male Amane Nishiki who attacks with his plumage, and the female mercenary Bullet whose fighting style is similar to BlazBlue's Makoto. Existing fighters in the series will have new animation sprites and new moves to their repertoire.

In addition, the game will feature a new overdrive system. Any character who activates overdrive mode in the middle of battle will gain specific battle properties that last for a set amount of time. Examples include Noel's overdrive which increases the speed of her drive attacks and Arakune's overdrive which lengthens the duration of his curses. Players can also perform a guard crush attack by expending a quarter of their drive gauge; the move will instantly break through an opponent's block.

The sequel will be out in Japan arcades this winter, with location tests happening right now until August 12 across the country. No console versions have been announced at this point in time. For more information on the previous BlazBlue installment, check out GameSpot's coverage of BlazBlue: Continuum Shift.