What BlazBlue Centralfiction is
BlazBlue Centralfiction is a high-speed 2D fighting game paired with a visual novel. It closes out the Azure Saga and reveals the hidden truth of the world, so the story mode carries real weight alongside the fights. The roster holds 35 unique anime-inspired characters, each built around their own moveset and system mechanics that have been refined for this entry. Arc System Works' visuals and the soundtrack are a big part of the package, and the tag list flags the game as difficult, so expect a learning curve rather than a casual button-masher.
Playing it with friends
Online PvP is the main way a group competes, with improved netplay for matches across distance. Remote Play Together lets someone stream the game to a friend so they can join in from their own controller, which is handy when only one person owns it. Local Multiplayer is also listed, so two people on the same machine can sit down and fight directly. Either way, the format is straightforward: pick your character, take rounds, and run it back. Tournament-style play is part of the culture around the game too, with eSports and Competitive among the tags.
Before you start
Go through the Tutorial first. The mechanics are deep and the game is tagged as difficult, so a few minutes there saves a lot of guessing later. Story mode is where the visual novel side lives, and it is the payoff for the Azure Saga, so play it if you care about the plot. Note that the game carries Sexual Content and Nudity tags, which is worth knowing before playing around others or streaming. A controller is listed among the tags, so a pad is a reasonable default for a fighting game like this. The Original Soundtrack and Memorial Book bonus content, when included, sits in the game's Steam folder under Digital Extras rather than in the game itself.