Chaos Code: New Sign of Catastrophe Review

After making waves in Japan, Arc System Works and FK Digital’s Chaos Code: New Sign of Catastrophe is making its way stateside to the PlayStation 4 and Steam. Packing some of the deepest mechanics to ever grace a fighting game, is this one fight worth picking?

Chaos Code: New Sign of Catastrophe Review

Though this title may be the latest revision in the series, newcomers to the Chaos Code series can easily catch up with what is present in New Sign of Catastrophe. Sure, there is a brief story told in stills via arcade mode that goes off the deep end in anime tropes and jargon, but the meat and the potatoes of the title lies in its robust fighting engine.

New Sign of Catastrophe takes cues from some of the best 2D fighters around. A four button system complete with combos, air dashes, EX “Ultimate Chaos” special moves, and flashy “Destruction Chaos” super moves that draw from a meter all make for a solid foundation. The game then builds upon these mechanics with “Chaos Shift” move cancellations (a la Guilty Gear’s Roman Cancels), customizable skill selection (akin to the Super Art system found in Street Fighter III), and even the ability to choose between dash and run mechanics. It takes some getting used to, and while some may crave a more streamlined system, finding your groove pays off in the long run. Just be prepared to do some finger gymnastics or invest in a fight stick – some combos require multiple button presses, while others require a bevvy of stick rotations.

The battles themselves carry a lot of weight too. Juggles are the name of the game here, with the first character to land a blow offered a distinct, multi-combo advantage. Some characters specialize in zoning, while others are rushdown machines. The 16 character roster (before alternative characters) packs some serious variety, with chefs, demon summoners, shape-shifting twins, and even magical girls rounding things out. Put simply, there are no shotos in sight.

Those looking to get their fight on will find a decent set of options in New Sign of Catastrophe. Arcade, versus, survival, score attack, and practice are all available, and work just as they should. Its online mode can sometimes get choppy, but earning “CP points” to rise the ranks can still be fun. Just note that there are not a lot of fighters online as of this writing. Playing certain modes nets players coins, which can then be spent on artwork, colors, or even alternative characters.

New Sign of Catastrophe also contains a solid mission mode. Make up of around 50 missions, players must finish fights with certain conditions. One bout may pit players against a poisoned opponent, while another may require that the player only use “Destruction Chaos” moves. It tests the players skills, and forces players’ to look at things in a new way.

Chaos Code: New Sign of Catastrophe takes the best elements of other fighters, and brings them together to create something great. It might not be the most original fighter around, but those looking to test their might will find a lot to like here.