Instead releasing Extend as a DLC like happened with Continuum Shift II, ArcSys decided that it needs a full retail release.
Extended has unlocked by default all DLC characters (Makoto, Valkenhayn, Platinum), Mu (originally unlocked by completing the story mode) and a new character, Relius.
There are two new single player modes, Abyss (introduced in the portable versions of BBCS2) and Unlimitedmars.
In Abyss mode you chose a character and start a journey to the deepest part of Kagutsuchi City, gaining money and experience points.
Money and experience points are a game-wide "currency": money is either used in Abyss to upgrade you character with special skills or in Gallery mode to open up extra artwork, optional announcers, additional colour sets and so on; experience points are simply gathered and they automatically unlock things in the Gallery.
Both do not have any connection to online games, being them ranked or friend matches.
In portable BBCS2 I wasn't particularly keen on this approach as you had to buy skills in Abyss mode to stand a chance (and even with a powered up character it was hard to keep track of an upgraded AI opponent) and the same currency was used in the Gallery to unlock extras, something I was much more interested in. I really hope that online modes give EXP and money too, because I don't plan to spend too much time playing solo.
Unfortunately I wasn't able to test online because I wasn't able to find any opponent in ranked and they kicked me out in player mode the moment I entered a room. I'm using my Japanese PSN account and I was level 8 there and to my surprise I had to start back to level 1, though I must point out that I've never installed BBCS2 for my Japanese copy.
Hopefully an US BBCSE will recognize an US BBCS2 profile without resetting level and PSR.
Also BBCSE does not recognize previous savegames and if there isn't some hidden import option this is bad. I cannot hide I want to see the extra story scenarios included in BBCSE (when the US version is out) and in portable BBCS2 they were locked until the player completed certain characters' story mode. Please, ArcSys and AkSys, do not make me read through endless walls of texts. Please. I don't care about trophies (yes, there's a new set with new icons as well), but having to go through most characters storylines once again is just torture.
Other than that, it's a rebalanced BBCS with a sightly different user interface and a new announcer. Standard announcer is Carl's VA and how can a Japanese VA pronounce Japanese names as if they were English names? Really, "Raguna da Bloodeyes" is understandable, "Ma-ko-to(4sec pause) Na-na-ya" is simply not. I don't say it's bad but some Japanese names are just pronounced awkwardly.
There's the option for US voiceovers but that won't change the announcer...in the portable BBCS2 you could unlock the additional announcers through experience and money, I hope it's the same here.
Relius Clover, the new character, uses a "doll" name Ignis, like Carl; but unlike Carl's Nirvana, Ignis is not always present on the battlefield and when present she always follows Relius around and there no "active" status where she consumes meter: doll meter is only consumed when attacking.
Relius is on the slow, can dash and comboing necessitates use of his own attacks and Ignis. Ignis is also Relius' zoning tool, and all of his Drives aren't particularly powerful but set up opponents for combos.
He has a pretty rad Astral that changes from character to character:
I fully approve Litchi's version.
When Unlimited, all characters have a new Drive that reuses existing sprites...tested Haku-men's new super Hotaru on Mu when playing arcade mode.
More to follow after the first online matches (I hope!).
Extended has unlocked by default all DLC characters (Makoto, Valkenhayn, Platinum), Mu (originally unlocked by completing the story mode) and a new character, Relius.
There are two new single player modes, Abyss (introduced in the portable versions of BBCS2) and Unlimitedmars.
In Abyss mode you chose a character and start a journey to the deepest part of Kagutsuchi City, gaining money and experience points.
Money and experience points are a game-wide "currency": money is either used in Abyss to upgrade you character with special skills or in Gallery mode to open up extra artwork, optional announcers, additional colour sets and so on; experience points are simply gathered and they automatically unlock things in the Gallery.
Both do not have any connection to online games, being them ranked or friend matches.
In portable BBCS2 I wasn't particularly keen on this approach as you had to buy skills in Abyss mode to stand a chance (and even with a powered up character it was hard to keep track of an upgraded AI opponent) and the same currency was used in the Gallery to unlock extras, something I was much more interested in. I really hope that online modes give EXP and money too, because I don't plan to spend too much time playing solo.
Unfortunately I wasn't able to test online because I wasn't able to find any opponent in ranked and they kicked me out in player mode the moment I entered a room. I'm using my Japanese PSN account and I was level 8 there and to my surprise I had to start back to level 1, though I must point out that I've never installed BBCS2 for my Japanese copy.
Hopefully an US BBCSE will recognize an US BBCS2 profile without resetting level and PSR.
Also BBCSE does not recognize previous savegames and if there isn't some hidden import option this is bad. I cannot hide I want to see the extra story scenarios included in BBCSE (when the US version is out) and in portable BBCS2 they were locked until the player completed certain characters' story mode. Please, ArcSys and AkSys, do not make me read through endless walls of texts. Please. I don't care about trophies (yes, there's a new set with new icons as well), but having to go through most characters storylines once again is just torture.
Other than that, it's a rebalanced BBCS with a sightly different user interface and a new announcer. Standard announcer is Carl's VA and how can a Japanese VA pronounce Japanese names as if they were English names? Really, "Raguna da Bloodeyes" is understandable, "Ma-ko-to(4sec pause) Na-na-ya" is simply not. I don't say it's bad but some Japanese names are just pronounced awkwardly.
There's the option for US voiceovers but that won't change the announcer...in the portable BBCS2 you could unlock the additional announcers through experience and money, I hope it's the same here.
Relius Clover, the new character, uses a "doll" name Ignis, like Carl; but unlike Carl's Nirvana, Ignis is not always present on the battlefield and when present she always follows Relius around and there no "active" status where she consumes meter: doll meter is only consumed when attacking.
Relius is on the slow, can dash and comboing necessitates use of his own attacks and Ignis. Ignis is also Relius' zoning tool, and all of his Drives aren't particularly powerful but set up opponents for combos.
He has a pretty rad Astral that changes from character to character:
I fully approve Litchi's version.
When Unlimited, all characters have a new Drive that reuses existing sprites...tested Haku-men's new super Hotaru on Mu when playing arcade mode.
More to follow after the first online matches (I hope!).
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