Purchase the game here: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1431780/The_Black_Heart/ The Black Heart is a horror-themed fighting game created by Argentina-based indie developer Andres Borghi. Originally developed in the M.U.G.E.N game engine and released for free around October 2009, this game would later receive a (paid) re-release on Steam in October 2021, with notable changes including adding visual and audio improvements, in addition to changing the game engine to I.K.E.M.E.N GO (as M.U.G.E.N's permissive software license prohibits commercial/paid redistribution). The Black Heart uses a chain-based combo system, with air combos and juggles possible. To me, however, most of the notable gameplay mechanics in The Black Heart are mostly found in super attacks, which otherwise use up a bar of meter. "Killer Mode" (236PK) requires two bars to activate but also gives temporary character-specific buffs/attacks (limited by how much meter you have, as this state drains your meter). Ananzi's Killer Mode ("Legion"), for example, has her shoot out spiders (acting as projectiles) every time you do a normal attack, allowing for extra hits in combos (although you cannot do special moves in this state). Fatal Moves basically act as Mortal Kombat's Fatalities - on hit, your character basically kills the opponent in a gruesome manner. Still, this attack requires your opponent to have a third (or less) of their health left and uses up three bars of meter. Of course, if you don't meet these prerequisites, there are also "Alternative Fatal" attacks, which are normal super attacks that gruesomely kill your opponent if you deplete their life bar with said attack(s). 0:00 Intro The game's intro explains the premise of the game. The Black Heart takes place in an alternate, blood-stained world, where its creator (presumably a powerful being that had his power fading away before the events of the game) has been killed by Final (an entity that emerged from the "infinite chaos" that exists in between the alternate world and our world), who then took his heart (presumably the titular "Black Heart", which is noted to possess extraordinary strength). 02:03 Story Mode The game's story mode is split into six different chapters, each specific to the playable roster (for example, Hashi's story route is designated as Chapter 1, while Ananzi's is designated as Chapter 5). Gameplay-wise, you fight all six playable characters (including against your character in a ditto match) and then against Final (as the game's final boss). Story-wise, each chapter explains the motivations of why your chosen character seeks the Black Heart. Ananzi, for example, goes out to kill Final (thus finding the Black Heart herself) because his dad, Janos, promised to replace the Shar-makai (creatures that his dad used to find the Black Heart) with soldiers from this world if she succeeds. Ananzi, who is also the granddaughter of this world's creator, later finds out from Final (in her ending, right after defeating Final) that Janos himself killed the creator (with Final merely stealing the Black Heart afterward). Unfortunately for Ananzi, she was then killed by Janos, who brought the Shar-makai to finish off Final. 20:11 End screen Generally, when I do like the gameplay of any fighting game, I often avoid talking about it as much because of my limited English vocabulary being unable to give these games any justice (despite that effectively being my primary language). But yeah, this game is great. There may not be as many characters and no online mode, but this is a very fun passion project that I felt has been truly fleshed out, with overall gameplay feeling smooth to play in addition to the game's presentation being great. The game's narrative in story mode is very interesting, but the spritework is pretty impressive and I like how some of Ananzi's win poses has her dress up as other popular characters - in addition to it being quite charming to look at, I could also use one of her win poses where she sticks out her butt for thumbnail fodder nyehehehehehe ... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e6YmHUvzkm4