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Lethal League Blaze is loud, bright and bold. The action is chaotic, the cell-shaded visuals are brilliant, and the soundtrack is made up of absolute bangers. There is also a strong Jet Set Radio vibe to it. The game released on PC the best part of a year ago, and seeing what some of the Lethal League Pros can do with that same limited move-set is staggering. You’ll remember which buttons do what within the first five minutes of picking the game up, but putting it all together when a ball is hurtling towards you is another story. The controls may be easy to pick up, but they are hard to master. I’ve raved on about how simple this game is, and this might put some fighting experts off. No matter what you get, a power-up has the potential to significantly raise the tension of each round, and because of that, they are another great element of Lethal League Blaze’s gameplay. Of course, you can turn the tables on your opponent by whacking the ball back at them. You might find yourself having to avoid two balls instead of one, or dodging a ball that is invisible. These could be anything, and range from speeding the ball up significantly, to changing the ball into an American football that will bobble all over the arena. Hitting the moving target that appears part way through most rounds will bestow a power-up onto the ball. Each one is powerful, but not overly so, and they can be countered if you know what you’re doing. Players shouldn’t worry, because these are particularly well balanced. Finally, each fighter has a unique special attack that can be used once they have filled up the energy meter. Parrying allows the player to thwart attempted hits and bunts from enemies by stunning them. You’ll also be able to throw and bunt the ball, which will slow it temporarily so that you can hit it at an increased speed. This will bring the ball under your control and render you immune from damage until someone else hits it. The most basic move in your arsenal is a simple hit. There are none of those lengthy combos to remember. Lethal League Blaze only gives you five moves to battle with, all of which can be completed with just one or two button presses. How you go about doing that is just as simple and anyone can pick it up and play. The aim is simple: hit your enemy enough times with the ball to deplete their health-bar and knock them out of the game. Rather than fighting with fists and feet, battles in Lethal League Blaze are fought by hitting a modified baseball as it flies around the arena.
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