Melty Blood: Type Lumina – Round Announcements – 13 Character Set

Melty Blood: Type Lumina – Round Announcements – 13 Character Set is a downloadable content (DLC) pack that allows players to customize in-game round announcement voices. This compilation includes the voices of十三个 iconic characters: Shiki Tohno, Arcueid Brunestud, Ciel, Akiha Tohno, Hisui, Kohaku, Noel Aizome, Vlov Arkhangel, Michael Roa Valdamjong, Red Arcueid, Kouma Kishima, Miyako Arima, and Artoria ‘Saber’ Pendragon. Each character’s unique voice adds depth and immersion to the fighting experience.

Melty Blood: Type Lumina – Round Announcements – 13 Character Set: A Sonic Tapestry Woven from Tsukihime’s Fabric

Introduction

In the pantheon of fighting game DLC, few concepts are as deceptively simple yet unexpectedly potent as the “Round Announcements” package for Melty Blood: Type Lumina. This compilation, released on September 29, 2021, transcends the typical cosmetic or gameplay-altering add-on. It offers a fundamental re-contextualization of the player’s auditory experience, replacing the sterile, default system prompts with the distinct, beloved voices of thirteen characters drawn from the rich tapestry of the Tsukihime universe and its celebrated crossover, Fate series. Far from a mere novelty, this DLC represents a deeply personal and immersive enhancement, transforming the game’s atmospheric scaffolding into a character-driven narrative symphony. While not altering core mechanics, it fundamentally alters the feel of engagement, cementing the game’s identity as a celebration of its lore and characters. This review delves exhaustively into the genesis, execution, and cultural significance of this unique audio-centric offering.

Development History & Context

The “Round Announcements – 13 Character Set” DLC emerges directly from the ambitious post-launch support strategy for Melty Blood: Type Lumina, itself a significant reboot of a legendary doujin-turned-mainstream franchise. Developed by the revered French-Bread (creators of the Under Night In-Birth series) in collaboration with TYPE-MOON and Lasengle Inc. (Delightworks), the base game marked the franchise’s return after a decade-long hiatus, leveraging the visual novel Tsukihime: A Piece of Blue Glass Moon as its narrative and aesthetic foundation.

The DLC’s development context is rooted in several key factors:
1. Community Engagement & Monetization: Following a successful launch (surpassing 270,000 units by January 2022 and reaching 500,000 by 2024), the developers prioritized sustained player engagement. Round announcements, introduced in late October 2021 as individual character packs ($2.99 each), represented an innovative, low-resource yet high-reward monetization avenue. The “13 Character Set” compilation ($29.99, equivalent to purchasing all packs individually) offered convenience and value.
2. Character-Centric Focus: Type Lumina meticulously rebuilt its battle system while emphasizing HD visuals and faithful character representations. The round announcements DLC was a natural extension of this focus, allowing players to further personalize their experience with their favorite characters.
3. Cross-Promotional Synergy: The inclusion of Artoria “Saber” Pendragon (Fate/stay night) was a deliberate move to leverage the immense popularity of the Fate franchise, attracting a wider audience and showcasing the interconnected nature of the TYPE-MOON multiverse.
4. Technological Implementation: The DLC’s technical footprint is remarkably minimal (3MB on Nintendo Switch, according to the official store), indicating a straightforward implementation involving pre-recorded voice files triggered within the existing game’s sound settings menu. No complex new systems or assets were required beyond the audio recordings themselves.
5. Gaming Landscape: Released into a fighting game scene still navigating the post-Street Fighter V era and the burgeoning esports ecosystem, this DLC highlighted a growing trend towards deeper, more personal customization options beyond superficial aesthetics, resonating particularly strongly with the franchise’s dedicated fanbase.

Narrative & Thematic Deep Dive

While the DLC itself contains no new narrative text or cutscenes, it functions as a profound narrative device through the pure power of its character voices. The “round announcements” – phrases like “Round Start!”, “Round Win!”, “KO!”, “Tutorial”, “Mission”, and title calls – are imbued with the inherent personality, history, and relationships of the speaker.

• Character Voice as Narrative: Hearing Shiki Tohno’s calm, perceptive, and slightly weary voice announce “Round Start” immediately places the player within his perspective – a wielder of the Mystic Eyes of Death Perception navigating supernatural conflicts. Arcueid Brunestud’s ethereal, regal, yet often childlike delivery contrasts sharply with her devastating power, while Red Arcueid’s feral, bloodthirsty tones evoke her Crimson Moon persona. Ciel’s professional yet exasperated tones reflect her role as a Burial Agent and Shiki’s senior. Akiha Tohno’s cold, commanding voice underscores her dual nature as heiress and potential danger. Hisui and Kohaku’s voices, one distant and dutiful, the other cheerful and mischievous, reveal their roles as maids and complex figures. Vlov Arkhangel’s aristocratic menace and Roa’s ancient, cunning inflection add layers of villainous presence. Noel Aizome’s energetic cheerfulness and Miyako Arima’s tomboyish enthusiasm ground the experience in the more mundane, yet still supernatural, aspects of the Tsukihime world. Most significantly, Saber’s noble, resolute, and iconic British accent announces rounds in Type Lumina, creating a fascinating collision of universes and highlighting the shared TYPE-MOON DNA.
• Thematic Resonance: The core theme is Immersion through Characterization. The DLC transforms abstract game-state feedback (“Round Win!”) into moments of character interaction. It reinforces the game’s central conflict – the clash of supernatural beings and ideologies – by framing every match progression through the lens of the participants. Hearing a villain like Vlov or Roa declare victory adds a layer of menacing triumph, while a heroic character like Arcueid announcing a KO feels affirming. The inclusion of Saber explicitly ties into themes of Crossover and Shared Lore, demonstrating how different TYPE-MOON narratives coexist and intersect. It subtly reinforces the idea that within the Melty Blood arena, all are combatants, regardless of their original origin story.
• Dialogue Nuance: The brilliance lies in the context these voices provide to the standard, non-descript announcements. A simple “KO!” gains immense dramatic weight when delivered by the tragic Roa, the stoic Shiki, or the bloodthirsty Red Arcueid. It’s not new dialogue, but the reinterpretation of functional game text through established character voices creates a continuous, subtle narrative layer throughout the entire gameplay session.

Gameplay Mechanics & Systems

The gameplay impact of the “Round Announcements” DLC is entirely systemic, altering the game’s audio feedback loop without touching combat mechanics, character balance, UI layout, or progression systems.

• Core Mechanic: System Voice Replacement: The function is elegantly simple and deeply integrated. Accessible through the game’s “Sound Settings” menu (as explicitly stated on the official website and in user discussions), players can select any of the 13 included characters (Shiki, Arcueid, Ciel, Akiha, Hisui, Kohaku, Noel, Vlov, Roa, Red Arcueid, Kouma, Miyako, Saber) as the “System Voice.” This instantly replaces the default, generic announcer with the selected character’s voice for all system prompts.
• Scope of Application: The DLC’s reach is comprehensive within its defined scope. It affects:
  • Round Announcements: “Round Start,” “Round End,” “Round Win/Loss/Draw.”
  • KO/Death Cliffs: “KO!”, “Perfect!”, “Great!”, “Nice!”, “Whiff!”, “Death Cliff!”
  • Game Mode Calls: “TUTORIAL,” “MISSION,” “ARC MODE,” “VERSUS,” “TRAINING,” etc.
  • Title Screen & Character Select: Announcements heard on the main menu and when navigating the character roster.
• UI & Integration: There is no dedicated UI for the DLC itself. Its presence is felt solely through the changed audio output. The selection menu within “Sound Settings” clearly lists the available character voices once the DLC is installed. This seamless integration is a testament to the base game’s robust design.
• Innovation and Flaws: The innovation lies in this specific, focused application of character voice work to replace a game’s most frequently heard ambient audio. It’s a masterclass in low-impact, high-personalization DLC. The primary “flaw,” debated on platforms like Reddit and Steam, is its value proposition. At $29.99 for the bundle (or $2.99 per character), it was perceived by some as expensive for what is essentially audio replacement packs. However, for dedicated fans, the deep immersion and personal connection justify the cost. The lack of any truly “new” gameplay content is a valid criticism for those seeking mechanical additions, but that was never the DLC’s intent.
• Character Progression: The DLC has no impact on character progression, unlockables, or stats. It is purely a cosmetic/auditory enhancement.
• Multiplayer Experience: While not directly altering online play rules, the chosen system voice becomes part of the shared soundscape during matches, adding a unique flavor to online sessions. Hearing your opponent’s chosen character voice announce a KO against you is a distinctly Melty Blood experience.

World-Building, Art & Sound

This DLC is almost entirely an auditory experience, making its sound design the paramount artistic element, deeply intertwined with the established world-building of the Melty Blood universe.

• Sound Design as World-Building: The core achievement of the DLC is its sonic world-building. The voices are not just sounds; they are portals into the characters’ souls and the game’s lore. The quality and fidelity of the voice acting are exceptionally high, consistent with the base game’s standards. Each actor delivers their lines with a precision and authenticity that reflects years of character development across visual novels, anime, and previous Melty Blood titles. The subtle inflections, tone shifts, and iconic catchphrases (even when applied to generic announcements) instantly transport the player back to the specific character’s story and personality within the Tsukihime or Fate mythos. The deep bass of Kouma Kishima, the cold precision of Akiha, the regal detachment of Arcueid, the playful energy of Kohaku – each voice paints a vivid sonic portrait.
• Atmosphere: The DLC profoundly enhances the game’s atmosphere. Replacing the impersonal announcer with characters who are intimately involved in the supernatural conflicts described in the game’s lore creates a pervasive sense of immersion. The arena isn’t just a fighting stage; it’s a space where these specific entities clash, and their voices narrating the battle reinforce that. The inclusion of Saber adds a distinct, anachronistic yet fitting Fate atmosphere, subtly reminding players of the broader TYPE-MOON multiverse the game inhabits.
• Visual Direction & UI: As an audio-only DLC, it introduces no new visual assets, character models, stages, or UI elements. Its “visual” contribution is indirect: the increased player engagement and positive association with their chosen character can influence their perception of the existing, polished visual design of the base game. The character select screen, in particular, gains more significance when the chosen voice is announced by one of the fighters themselves.
• Sonic Identity: The “Round Announcements – 13 Character Set” establishes a unique sonic identity for Type Lumina. It becomes the fighting game where your favorite Tsukihime or Fate character is the voice of the game itself. This is a powerful branding and community-building tool.

Reception & Legacy

The reception of the Round Announcements DLC was multifaceted, reflecting the passionate and dedicated nature of the Melty Blood fanbase.

• Critical & Player Reception: Critically, the DLC garnered little standalone attention due to its niche nature, but it was generally noted positively as a well-executed fan service addition within broader game reviews. Player reception on platforms like Steam (7 reviews, all positive per available data) and forums was largely positive from the core fanbase, praising the quality of the voice acting, the immersion factor, and the novelty of hearing Saber in the game. However, as highlighted in Reddit discussions and Steam comments, a significant point of contention was the pricing structure. The $29.99 bundle price was frequently criticized as steep, especially considering the minimal technical overhead and the fact that the content was purely cosmetic. The $2.99 per-character price point was seen by some as more reasonable for individual favorites, though still expensive for what it delivered. The free availability of the Arcueid pack for a limited time (October 27, 2021) as an early purchase bonus was appreciated but also highlighted the cost barrier for others. Overall, sentiment leaned towards “excellent for dedicated fans, overpriced for casuals.”
• Commercial Performance: While individual sales figures for the DLC are not publicly broken out, its consistent presence on storefronts and the continued release of similar “Round Announcements” packs for subsequent DLC characters (Dead Apostle Noel, Aoko Aozaki, Powered Ciel, Mario Gallo Bestino, Neko-Arc, Mash Kyrielight, Ushiwakamaru, The Count of Monte Cristo) indicate a viable commercial strategy. The ongoing support and the game’s overall sales success (exceeding 500,000 units by 2024) suggest the DLC met its goal of providing supplementary revenue and maintaining player interest.
• Legacy and Influence:
  • Sustained Player Engagement: The DLC successfully kept the player base engaged and talking long after launch, fostering continued discussion on forums and social media about favorite voices and character choices.
  • Tournament Presence: Type Lumina‘s inclusion as a main title at major tournaments like EVO 2022, EVO Japan 2023, and EVO 2023 meant that the Round Announcements voices were part of the competitive scene’s soundscape. Players choosing specific system voices added a layer of personal flair to high-level broadcasts.
  • Model for Audio-Centric DLC: While not the first, the Round Announcements package stands as a prominent example of successful, low-cost, high-impact audio-focused DLC. It demonstrated how deeply integrated character voice work could transform a core game loop without complex development.
  • Celebration of Franchise Lore: Its lasting legacy is cementing the idea that Melty Blood: Type Lumina is more than just a fighting game; it’s a vibrant celebration of the TYPE-MOON multiverse. The DLC constantly reinforces the connection between the gameplay and the rich narratives that inspire it.
  • Cross-Continuity Impact: The inclusion of Saber remains a notable point, reinforcing the Fate franchise’s dominance and its seamless integration into the broader TYPE-MOON ecosystem within gaming.

Conclusion

Melty Blood: Type Lumina – Round Announcements – 13 Character Set is a DLC that defies easy categorization. It is neither a gameplay expansion nor a traditional cosmetic pack. Instead, it is a masterclass in atmospheric immersion and character-driven fan service, achieved through the pure, unadulterated power of voice acting. By replacing the sterile game-state announcements with the rich, nuanced, and iconic voices of beloved characters from the Tsukihime and Fate universes, it transforms the ambient soundscape of the game into a continuous, subtle narrative experience.

While its pricing ($29.99 for the bundle) sparked debate and limited its appeal beyond the dedicated fanbase, its execution is flawless. The quality of the voice acting is impeccable, seamlessly integrated into the existing game framework through the sound settings menu, and its impact on the player’s subjective experience is profound. Hearing Shiki announce a “KO!” or Saber declare “Round Start” is not just an audio change; it’s a connection to the lore, a reaffirmation of the characters’ identities, and a unique testament to the shared universe TYPE-MOON has built.

Its legacy lies in its successful demonstration that the deepest immersion can sometimes stem from the simplest changes. It enriched the already robust Type Lumina experience, kept the community engaged, and served as a constant reminder of the franchise’s roots. It is, in essence, a love letter to the fans, delivered through the voices of the characters they cherish. For the dedicated Melty Blood adherent, it is an essential, if expensive, piece of the puzzle that solidifies the game’s place not just as a great fighter, but as a vital part of the TYPE-MOON tapestry. It stands as a uniquely compelling example of how focused audio design can elevate a game far beyond its mechanical foundations.