ChronoBlade
ChronoBlade is a mobile action RPG for iOS and Android that blends brawler pacing with combo-heavy inputs. Before it arrived on phones, it existed in a browser and Facebook format, and that heritage shows in its stage-based dungeon structure and quick, repeatable runs. The standout idea is its fighting game flavor, where chaining taps and timed presses produces satisfying strings in a way that feels closer to Street Fighter than to a typical auto-heavy mobile RPG.
| Publisher: NetMarble Type: Mobile Action RPG Release Date: January 03, 2018 Shut Down Date: December 06, 2021 Pros: +Real-time PvP with responsive duels. +Combo-centric combat inspired by fighters. +Several heroes that play noticeably differently. Cons: -Energy limits how long you can grind in one sitting. -Support slowed, leaving the game feeling stagnant. -Currency flow (especially gold) can be tight. |
ChronoBlade Shut Down on December 06, 2021
ChronoBlade Overview
ChronoBlade is a free-to-play, side-scrolling action RPG built around four playable heroes and a straightforward beat-em-up loop. It launched on Android and iOS and was also accessible through Facebook and browsers during its earlier life. You play as part of The Pact, a group tasked with pushing back a cross-dimensional threat that hops between worlds, which gives the game an excuse to move you through different dungeon environments and enemy sets.
Moment to moment, the game is all about timing and sequencing attacks. Basic and alternate strikes can be chained into longer strings that trigger stronger moves, borrowing the feel of classic 2D fighters such as Street Fighter and Tekken. Progression comes from clearing dungeons across the game’s alternate worlds, gearing up, and refining your loadout. For group-minded players, there are cooperative dungeon activities, and for competitive players, real-time PvP provides a more skill-forward test of your execution and matchup knowledge.
Character building leans into flexibility. Instead of locking you into a single rigid template, each hero has access to two class types and a skill tree that encourages experimenting with different actives and passives. That mix-and-match approach helps the four characters feel broader than their small roster size suggests, especially as you learn which skills complement your preferred combo routes.
ChronoBlade Key Features:
- Four Playable Characters – choose from four heroes with distinct identities and combat rhythms, including Aurok, a heavy-hitting brawler, and Lophi, who fights alongside her shapeshifting companion, Knot.
- Fighter-Inspired Combat – string together inputs for rewarding combo routes, with a cadence and payoff reminiscent of traditional fighting games.
- Sidescrolling Beat-em-up – push through 2D stages packed with enemies, focusing on close-range action and crowd control rather than long-range tactics.
- Variety of Character Skills – combine skills from two class paths per character, drawing from a pool of 30+ abilities to tune your kit.
- PvP and PvE Modes – battle other players in one-on-one PvP or team up for cooperative dungeon content.
ChronoBlade Screenshots
ChronoBlade Featured Video
ChronoBlade Review
ChronoBlade’s best quality is that it commits to being an action game first. Many mobile RPGs gesture at real-time combat but lean on automation, generous tracking, or effects that drown out decision-making. Here, the combat is more deliberate, with combos that reward clean execution and an understanding of when to extend a string versus when to reset and reposition. It is not a full fighting game, but the influence is obvious in the way attacks link and in how much better the game feels when you play actively rather than mash.
The side-scrolling structure keeps the experience readable. Enemies come from predictable angles, and the 2D plane makes spacing and crowd management easy to understand at a glance. Dungeons are designed for repeated clears, so the flow is built around short bursts of action, loot, and incremental upgrades. That format works well on mobile, especially for players who prefer bite-sized sessions.
The small roster is offset by how distinct the characters feel. Each hero has their own tempo, reach, and combo priorities, so swapping characters is more than a cosmetic change. The skill system also helps, because you are encouraged to experiment with different actives and passives drawn from two class types. Rather than chasing a single “correct” build, it is more about assembling a toolkit that fits your approach, whether you want safer control options, burst damage, or mobility.
PvP is where the combat design shines brightest. Real-time duels emphasize reaction and familiarity with matchups, and the action-driven nature of the game makes wins feel earned when you outplay someone with better timing or smarter ability usage. At the same time, this is still a free-to-play mobile title, so long-term competition can be affected by progression and resource availability, especially for players who are not investing heavily.
The biggest friction point is stamina management. An energy bar can cut sessions short right when you are in a groove, and that limitation becomes more noticeable if you enjoy grinding for upgrades. Progression also hinges on currencies such as gold, and the economy can feel restrictive, making it harder to freely test new skill combinations or gear changes without planning.
Finally, the game’s lifecycle matters to any retrospective recommendation. ChronoBlade did not maintain a long runway of substantial updates, and the shutdown announcement in late 2021 confirmed that the experience would not continue evolving. As a piece of mobile action RPG design, it remains a solid example of how to translate combo-driven combat to touch controls, but it is also a reminder that live service support is crucial for games built around repeatable progression.
ChronoBlade System Requirements
Minimum Requirements:
Operating System: Android 4.0.3 or later / iOS 8.0 or later
ChronoBlade Music & Soundtrack
Coming Soon…
ChronoBlade Additional Information
Developer: nWay
Publisher: NetMarble
Game Engine: Unity
Closed Beta Date (Browser): April 4, 2013 to February 1, 2015
Mobile Announcement Date (Global): August 3, 2016
Release Date (Korea): June 16, 2015
Release Date (Global): January 03, 2018
Shut Down Date: December 06, 2021
Development History / Background:
ChronoBlade was created by nWay and published by NetMarble. nWay is a studio staffed by veteran developers with experience on major franchises including Grand Theft Auto and Diablo, while NetMarble is known for titles such as Marvel Future Fight and Uncharted Waters Online. The project first appeared as a browser and Facebook closed beta that ran from April 4, 2013 to February 1, 2015. After that period, the team publicly shifted its focus toward mobile, and the web version was taken down.
A Korea release followed on June 16, 2015, functioning as a soft launch to gauge interest and build mobile-market experience. NetMarble later announced on August 3, 2016 that a global release was planned, supported by a new pre-registration site and a launch trailer, although the full global launch ultimately did not land until January 03, 2018. Only small-scale updates arrived through 2018 before the developer moved on to Power Rangers: Legacy Wars. On November 01, 2021, the game’s Facebook page posted that ChronoBlade would shut down on December 06, 2021.
