I'll start with what everyone has already said a thousand times before on Dustloop: BB is not as nuanced as GG. BB doesn't have as many characters, has 4 attack buttons instead of 5, not as many special moves, combos, "Supers" and such, and has a few balance issues.
Of course, keep in mind, the Guilty Gear franchise has been out for a lot longer than Blaz Blue; BB is just getting started. This is typical of a fighting series. Remember, the first edition of Street Fighter II had only 8 playable fighters. (Of course, that was a lot back in 1991.)
Still, Blaz Blue is more balanced than some other fighters I've played. This most likely stems from Aksys' previous experience from GG. However, there's a few instances where things feel broken:
-Tager can't dash. Well, then again, neither could Potemkin, but he at least had long reaching attacks. Tager's attacks are mostly short to medium range. Better get used to drawing your opponent in.
-If a combo freak like me is playing Noel, expect the following: D into A into B into C into either down down-forward forward D or down down-backward back D, repeat until target is dead. Also, her super special moves have a lot of range.
-GODDAMN HAKUMEN, WHAT THE FUCK!? Forget Nu, Hakumen is the "SNK Boss" of Calamity Trigger! He's kind of slow, and isn't that good at combos, but he has the strongest regular attacks in the game, he has (I think) the second-highest defense rating in the game, his C attacks have a long reach, and unlike Tager, he can mid-air dash. He can't dash on the ground, (just hop forward) but god DAMN this guy is overpowered. He's the one opponent I dread; he usually beats me on my first try, even on the easiest difficulty level!
With that said, let's get back to gushing!
The music. Well, I can't say the soundtrack is as good as the one in GG: XX, but it's still pretty good. I really like Bang's theme, Carl's theme, Ragna's theme, Tager's theme, the Ragna vs Rachel theme, and Nu's theme. There's more variety in the music than there was in GG. Almost all the music in GG was either 80s rock and/or some kind of metal. In BB, you've got J-rock, metal, jazz, jazz/rock fusion, opera rock, and the background music of the story mode. Also, I'm sure as the series matures, they'll be more good music, as well as arrangements of pre-existing songs, just like in GG.
Oh, and you wanna know how my 4th favorite character is? Noel!
Honestly, when I first saw her in story mode, I thought she was a moe girl. She stumbles over her speech, is extremely naive and insecure, likes cute things, and hates bugs. And yet, when she's actually fighting, she's not timid at all. (I guess that would make her half-moe. Or wait, isn't what I call "half-moe chicks" what tvtropes calls "Badass Adorable"? Maybe so.) I love using her in battle, and, I'm gonna let you in on a little secret: I think she's better-looking than Litchi. Yeah, unlike her, Noel actually has a somewhat normal physique. I know, it almost sounds like sacrilege, coming from me, (Wait! Did xm just say a blonde girl was more attractive than a ravenhaired woman!?) but I think it's true.
But, I'm gonna offer an apology. In my first BB post, I said Litchi looked like a Dead or Alive chick drawn in 2D. I am sorry for printing this. While I still think
Oh, jackasses from high school who think I'm "queer" for not thinking, uh, what were their names? Kasumi, Ayane, and Tina? Oh yeah, for those of you who think I'm gay for not thinking Kasumi, Ayane, and Tina are "hawt", you know why? Are you familiar with the phrase, "Uncanny Valley"? Being someone who adores CGI, close-to-nothing comes across as Uncanny Valley to me. And yet, the DOA chicks do. Yeah, I know, saying a "hawt" CG model is in the Uncanny Valley is about the most insulting thing you can say, so I hope that explains my feelings. Oh, also, while I'm on the subject, I know I'm about to steal Linkara's vocalbulary for the following, but it must be said: Tomonobu Itagaki is an egomaniacal, misogynistic fuckhead, and I feel no shame nor remorse in calling him as such. Team Ninja is better off without him.
But why obsess over that when I have BB now? Blaz Blue
Oh, I might as well say it:
xm0123's BB: CT mains: Noel, Bang, Taokaka.
xm0123's BB: CT subs: Rachel, Ragna.
