Melty Blood

[Skyler]

So I'm trying to sort out what's what with Melty Blood. What is the most complete version of MB for the PC. I'm mostly interested in getting through the story, but if the gameplay is awesome then I'd be likely to stick around.

[aldeayeah]

The last version of Melty Blood that included the original Story mode was ReAct Final Tuned, so start with that one. The gameplay is pretty good too.

In addition to the Story mode, all versions of MB since ReAct include an Arcade mode with character-specific mini-stories and some common plot elements/bosses.

The Arcade mode stories change with each major release, so there are three of them:

- ReAct (end boss White Len/Beamu Aoko)
- Act Cadenza
- Actress Again (end boss Dust of Osiris)

[Kat]

Are all those translated already? Since last time I checked ReAct was, but it was ages ago.

[aldeayeah]

MB, MBR and MBAC have been translated for ages by Mirror Moon.

(never ever play the original MB, though; the only thing it has that MBR lacks is horrid gameplay)

MBAA has a partial patch, been stalled for a long time, but the project thread has just been updated today so there may still be hope.

[Kat]

I will try Act Cadenza then, what are the significant differences other than different story arc?

[EnigmaticFellow]

To be fair for the MBAACC translation, it at least has the menu translated which is all that matters for people using it simply as a fighting game. Still, I haven't really seen much updates from the OP until you brought it up, aldeayeah.

[Sarn]

I will try Act Cadenza then, what are the significant differences other than different story arc?

From what I remember: sound effects I am completely allergic to. On the other hand, the oh-so-epic 2v2 mode (which ends up in a super messy screen most of the time. But it's still epic)

Not sure about the full differences, as the weirdness of the story mode and the way things are set up (plus the sound effects) made me consider this game quite uninteresting compared to other MBs, so I played it like 1 hour only or so.

[aldeayeah]

I will try Act Cadenza then, what are the significant differences other than different story arc?

Over MBR:
+ Playable Aoko/Kouma/White Len/Neko Arc/Neko Arc Chaos (Aoko/WLen/Nekoarc were just bosses in MBR, Kouma/Nekochaos are 100% new)
+ More gameplay modes (boss rush, 2v2, etc)
= Many minor gameplay tweaks
- Kinda simplified graphic/sound effects, less gore (probably because of the arcade port)
- No story mode

Over MBAA:
= Major gameplay tweaks (characters in MBAA have several different movesets/styles to choose from)
- New MBAA characters: Ryougi Shiki, Archetype Earth, Seifuku Akiha, Roa, Riesbyfe, Powered Ciel (last one was a midboss in MBR).

I'd start with MBR and work my way up, personally.

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Still, I haven't really seen much updates from the OP until you brought it up, aldeayeah.

I was surprised when I found out, too. Hadn't checked in a long time; had assumed the project was defunct.

[Sarn]

To be fair the pace of this project has been pretty similar to F/A translation: fast start, then they took a big break that lasted several months, then got back on updating regularly but at a slower pace.
There has been recurring updates during the past weeks. Same situation happened a few months ago (January - March I think) then they took another break of a couple months and are back with regular updates since a few weeks.
Let's just hope the project keeps its current pace and doesn't go for another "big break".

But just like F/A I don't think this project will ever die. Delays and irregular updates, that's all.

[Skyler]

The last version of Melty Blood that included the original Story mode was ReAct Final Tuned, so start with that one. The gameplay is pretty good too.

In addition to the Story mode, all versions of MB since ReAct include an Arcade mode with character-specific mini-stories and some common plot elements/bosses.

The Arcade mode stories change with each major release, so there are three of them:

- ReAct (end boss White Len/Beamu Aoko)
- Act Cadenza
- Actress Again (end boss Dust of Osiris)

So, to make sure.
There are multiple stories, and the first story mode was finished/refined in MBReAct Final Tuned. But then each of the games have an arcade mode in addition to a story mode or they just have new stories for each character in the Arcade mode and the same story mode?

[aldeayeah]

they just have new stories for each character in the Arcade mode

This is correct.

and the same story mode

This is not correct. The Story mode appears only in MB and MBR(+FT), and it's the same exact story in both.

(Many Arcade Mode stories are sequels to the original Story mode, but there's no new Story mode)

[Skyler]

And finally one more question: Final Retuned is the last patch for Melty Blood, and things after that are all new games, correct?

[aldeayeah]

And finally one more question: Final Retuned is the last patch for Melty Blood, and things after that are all new games, correct?

Correct. To be exact, it's the final patch for Melty Blood ReAct, which is itself sort of a expansion of the original Melty Blood.

[UnlimitedBladeWorks]

Just go for ReACT if you want Story Actress Again for gameplay

[aldeayeah]

i loathe actress again because i'm way too lazy to learn to use the new styles

[Crown]

Get with the times, grandpa.

[Cruor]

i loathe actress again because i'm way too lazy to learn to use the new styles

Half Moon Roa is the most fun character in MBAA. You only have like three spells besides your arc drives, all of them are annoying as fuck for the opponent and all of them spam the most annoying insults, enjoy.

[RedisSupreme]

MB, MBR and MBAC have been translated for ages by Mirror Moon.

(never ever play the original MB, though; the only thing it has that MBR lacks is horrid gameplay)

MBAA has a partial patch, been stalled for a long time, but the project thread has just been updated today so there may still be hope.

It's been awhile but doesn't the original MB have story scenes where sion is dreaming that MBR doesn't have?

[aldeayeah]

Don't think so.

It would be pretty weird if that were the case, because ReAct pulls its story mode scripts straight from the MB installation files.

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Half Moon Roa is the most fun character in MBAA. You only have like three spells besides your arc drives, all of them are annoying as fuck for the opponent and all of them spam the most annoying insults, enjoy.

Ohhh, sounds like a nice addition to my mains, Miss "Ayaaayaaa~" Kohaku, Miss "HueHUeheuahEHUHEuhe" Warc and Mister "WRYYYYYYY" Wallachia.

Maybe I'll give him a try.

(I usually win by annoying the opponent to death)

[Skyler]

I have an almost foolproof way of beating sion at the start of story mode.
If you stand there and press fast attack the entire time you win about 90% of the time...