Akatsuki Blitzkampf

The game's playstyle is regarded as relatively "old school" in comparison to many other dōjin fighter releases such as Melty Blood, Eternal Fighter Zero, or Big Bang Beat, as many of the systems and conventions in the game are rather similar to several late 1990s fighting games made by companies such as Capcom. The game is slower-paced and focuses more on careful footwork and space control than the aforementioned games. The extra modes the game provides and the ways in which they are unlocked also resemble console releases of old fighting games, further reinforcing the retro feel. A signature feature of the series is the Reflector (攻性防禦, Hōsebōgyo; Assault Protection), a reversal-parry move that allows players to guard against incoming attacks without taking chip damages or cost guard gauge, and can only counterattack into Interceptor (要撃攻性防禦, Yōgeki Hōsebōgyo; Interception Assault Protection) at close range, whether on the ground (both standing or crouching) or in the air.

In EN-Eins, the Reflector button (B+C) can also be assigned to the D button for beginner-friendly use. When activating a burst-like move known as Perfektewelt by pressing A+B+D, the game will grant the player increased boosts, such as health regeneration, at the cost of no longer being able to use EX or regular Super moves once this state has been entered. Once the gauge limit of Perfektewelt depletes, players cannot use EX or regular Supers until the regular gauge returns to being usable in the following round(s). While in the Perfektewelt state before reaching the gauge limit, players can press A+B+D again to perform an Instant Kill-like attack while in close proximity, the "Perfekte Finish". EN-Eins also introduces a double jump-like air dashes, auto combos, and dash attacks.

D. (200X AD in a Gregorian year) up to 20XX AD, involving several characters that resemble the Nazis and soldiers of the World War II era and a bit from both Mediterranean and Scandinavian myths, among others. In-game visuals supplement this sort of specific militaristic theme and environment, portrayed by the flat and somewhat cubist character portraits and story sequence images. Akatsuki Blitzkampf (Ausf.

Achse) is also the finalized version of its 2003 beta title Akatsuki Shisei Ichigō, involving many characters from the game. The series’ plot heavily focuses on unearthing ancient surroundings (mainly sourced from a hollowed Earth located at Agartha beneath Tibet and a fictional Neuland beneath Antarctica), reincarnations, cloning and godhood.

The founder of the dōjin circle Subtle Style, known as 'Subtle', had previously worked for a video game company helping develop numerous fighting games. After leaving the company in April 2000, Subtle founded Subtle Style and began development of Akatsuki Shisei Ichigō as a prototype first entry to the series. Shisei Ichigo released in November 2003 for Microsoft Windows, and would later receive a finalized version under the title Akatsuki Blitzkampf on April 30, 2007. Following the success of Blitzkampf, Subtle Style shifted to a focus on Arcades, and released the arcade-only update title Akatsuki Blitzkampf Ausf. Achse, powered by Sega NAOMI and published by PIC on February 28, 2008.

Subtle later produced a sequel to Akatsuki Blitzkampf Ausf. Achse, known as EN-Eins Perfektewelt, featuring a new protagonist and updated gameplay. The initial release was published by Rutubo Games Work exclusively in the Japanese arcade, first on the SYSTEM BOARD Y 2 on June 25, 2010, before being released digitally via NESiCAxLive on February 22, 2012. The series was put on hiatus as Subtle became a recurring freelance sprite artist for French Bread.

The first game in the series, Akatsuki Shisei Ichigō, received mixed reviews from reviewers, who praised the gameplay and art of the game but criticized the small amount characters (3 characters at launch, 5 after being patched) and various gameplay issues. Its finalized version titled Akatsuki Blitzkampf added new characters, backgrounds, and game modes, as well as added online play and further deepened the combat system. Akatsuki Blitzkampf has a strong community in Japan with tournaments and ranking battles in arcade centers like Ko-Hatsu. Outside of Japan communities have formed on websites such as Shoryuken.com (the official host of the Evolution Championship Series fighting game tournaments in the US).