Bleach – VGBlogger.com

Bleach: Soul Resurrección Comes With Three Anime Episodes, Dual Voiceover Tracks

Matt Litten — Fri, 22 Jul 2011 21:03:38 +0000

Earlier today, I wrote about the PS3 version of Phineas and Ferb: Across the 2nd Dimension coming packed with four episodes from the TV series on the same Blu-ray disc as the game. Well, NIS America is offering PS3 gamers a similar bonus with its upcoming anime action/adventure game, Bleach: Soul Resurrección.

All Bleach: Soul Resurrección copies in the initial North American shipment will land on retailer shelves with promo cards containing voucher codes to download three full episodes (190-192) from the anime series via the PSN Store. Once you have a copy of the game, you’ll have an entire year to redeem the vouchers, too. The game ships this August 2nd, and the offer is set to expire on the same day next year.

In other Soul Resurrección news, NIS has also announced that the game will feature both English and Japanese voiceover tracks, which players can toggle to their desired setting from the options menu. That is an all-important feature for any anime-based video game.

Anime fans, this one is shaping up to be a must-have all the way. If you haven’t been keeping up with Bleach: Soul Resurrección, here’s more information about the game:

GAME INFORMATION
Based on the popular BLEACH animated series from VIZ Media, Bleach: Soul Resurrección depicts the battle between the Soul Reapers and the army of evil Arrancars that threaten the peace of the world.

Bleach: Soul Resurrección gives players the sensation of single-handedly destroying Hollows and Arrancars and evil spirits with lightning‐fast sword fighting action. Gamers can relive the experiences of various characters from the anime by closely following the original story. The environments are faithfully reproduced with beautiful cel‐shaded 3D models that will satisfy even the most devoted fans. Bleach: Soul Resurrección will give gamers an unparalleled anime action game experience.

GAME FEATURES
• 21 playable characters from the hit anime BLEACH
• Massive free‐roaming action/adventure game with beautiful anime‐inspired cel‐shaded graphics
• Various game modes, including: Story Mode, Mission Mode, and Soul Attack (Ranking system on PlayStation®Network)!
• Customizable character leveling system: unlock status enhancements and add special abilities through a customized “character map” for each playable character

Review: Bleach: Shattered Blade

Matt Litten — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 01:28:12 +0000

Platform: Wii
Publisher: Sega
Developer: Polygon Magic
Release Date: 10/9/07
Genre: Fighting
Players: 1-2

Even though I’m not much into anime, Sega’s Wii and DS duo of Bleach games piqued my interest given both platforms’ lack of a truly stellar fighting game. While The Blade of Fate came through and delivered a genre-defining experience on the DS (I’ll squeeze in a review for it soon if I can), Shattered Blade is a tremendous disappointment, no matter your allegiance to the anime. What’s so disappointing about it, you ask? Sadly, just about everything.

At first play, Shattered Blade appears to have it all. There are plenty of modes (Episode, Arcade, Versus and Training), characters (32, all voiced by the real anime voice actors), arenas and bonus content to take in, the gameplay is super quick, and the cel-shaded graphics are quite colorful and attractive, especially the characters, animations and special effects (the fighting venues are rather bland comparatively though). But after playing only a match or two the realization instantly sets in that all this flash is wasted on a fighting engine that is devoid of any depth, strategy or finesse, whether playing against the easy AI or a buddy.

Combat in Shattered Blade all revolves around three basic gestures with the Wii Remote. While using the Nunchuk analog stick to move around the 3D environments, you thrust forward, swing left or right, or chop up and down with the remote to perform similar attacks against the opponent, adding simultaneous holds of the A or B buttons with attack gestures to unleash unblockable critical strikes and special abilities respectively. You can also shake the Nunchuk to build up power to enter Bankai mode in which your fighter becomes more powerful for a short time and gains access to screen-filling special attacks. But with so few attack motions, fights boil down to you standing in front of the screen waggling the controller to and fro until victory is achieved – it’s the equivalent of extreme button mashing, only even MORE shallow and repetitive since every single character controls exactly the same. A counter system and this kinda cool sword clashing rock-paper-scissors mini-game attempt to add some depth, but ultimately neither succeed.

Another letdown is the Episode story mode, in that there really isn’t much story to see, unless you consider lame dialog and a few still-image “cut scenes” slapped in between a series of short 1-round fights compelling storytelling design. That said, playing through Episode mode as thoroughly as possible does unveil characters that haven’t made appearances in the show yet, including one all-new character that was created exclusively for the game, so watchers of the anime may get a kick out of this enough to rent, but that’s about it.

Shattered Blade is a mess, plain and simple. Bleach fans may be able to overlook some of the issues to enjoy the bonus content, authentic production values and light story content for a brief, fleeting moment, but I have a feeling even the most diehard of Bleach supporters will be more disappointed with this effort than the average gamer simply looking for a solid Wii fighting game (which this most certainly is not). Either way you slice it, Shattered Blade is a weak, painfully shallow fighter that I’d suggest steering clear of. Don’t get too bummed though Bleach fans, as the DS’ The Blade of Fate is fantastic, so do yourself a favor and go pick that up and forget all about the Wii version.

Bleach Wii & DS Media Update #2: More Game Footage and Screens

Matt Litten — Tue, 09 Oct 2007 01:53:00 +0000

With Bleach: Shattered Blade for the Wii and Bleach: The Blade of Fate for the DS scheduled to slice up store shelves this week, Sega has unleashed yet another batch of gameplay footage and screenshots from the pair of fast-action anime fighting games. Have a look.

Bleach: Shattered Blade:

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Bleach: The Blade of Fate:

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Bleach Wii & DS Media Update: New Gameplay Footage and Screens

Matt Litten — Sun, 30 Sep 2007 23:45:09 +0000

Just over a week away from the October 9th North American dual debut of Bleach: Shattered Blade for the Wii and Bleach: The Blade of Fate for the DS and Sega continues to roll out tons of cool new media in anticipation of the dynamic anime fighter duo, such as these new gameplay videos and screenshots. Both versions are looking hot — especially digging the Wii version myself.

Bleach: Shattered Blade:
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Bleach: The Blade of Fate:
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More New Bleach DS and Wii Screens Surface

Matt Litten — Fri, 14 Sep 2007 19:42:55 +0000

Another batch of new Bleach: The Blade of Fate (DS) and Bleach: Shattered Blade (Wii) screenshots has arrived. Full gallery below.

New Bleach DS and Wii Screens

Matt Litten — Mon, 10 Sep 2007 09:52:33 +0000

Here’s a small sampling of new screenshots from Bleach: The Blade of Fate for the DS and Bleach: Shattered Blade for the Wii, both set for a simultaneous launch on October 9th. Swing by Sega’s recently launched official Bleach website for more on both titles.

Bleach: The Blade of Fate Gameplay Footage

Matt Litten — Tue, 21 Aug 2007 23:44:07 +0000

The frantic, multi-plane fighting action of Bleach: The Blade of Fate for the DS is on full display in this new gameplay trailer from Sega and Treasure.

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Bleach Wii and DS Media Update: New Trailers, Art and Screenshots

Matt Litten — Mon, 30 Jul 2007 21:33:58 +0000

Sega has released all sorts of new media goodies for its upcoming Bleach titles today, including the first official gameplay trailers for both Bleach: Shattered Blade for the Wii and Bleach: The Blade of Fate for the DS. On top of that, we also have new screenshots from Shattered Blade, along with character artwork and the final box art images from both games. Browse through all the new media below and enjoy!

Bleach: Shattered Blade Trailer:
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Bleach: The Blade of Fate Trailer:
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First Screenshots From Sega’s New Bleach Titles

Matt Litten — Fri, 06 Jul 2007 16:09:44 +0000

Have a look at the first screenshots from Bleach: Shattered Blade for the Wii and Bleach: The Blade of Fate for the DS, the new anime-based titles announced by Sega earlier today.

Bleach: Shattered Blade:

Bleach: The Blade of Fate:

Bleach Slashes Onto Wii and DS

Matt Litten — Fri, 06 Jul 2007 12:05:05 +0000

Anime fans rejoice, the hit Bleach series is about to make its North American video game debut as Sega has announced plans to release two titles based on the anime: Bleach: Shattered Blade for the Wii and Bleach: The Blade of Fate for the DS, both featuring anime-stylized graphics, high-speed swordplay, over two dozen characters from the show voiced by the real actors, and authentic storylines.

“Bleach offers both fans and newcomers alike an action-packed arcade experience that delivers fast-paced swordplay in the tradition of the animated series’ intense action sequences,” said Scott A. Steinberg, Vice President of Marketing, SEGA of America, Inc. “Bleach is an exciting and highly anticipated property that translates extremely well to the versatility of the Wii Remote and the DS’ portable gameplay, and SEGA is proud to be the first to bring the video game series to the North American audience.”

“We are thrilled to be partnering with SEGA for the Bleach Wii and DS games,” states Linda Espinosa, Vice President, Content Management, VIZ Media. “The SEGA games have enjoyed immense success in Japan, the manga is a top seller in both the Japan and US, and we are expecting great fan response when these games release.”

In Bleach: Shattered Blade, players will take up their Wii Remote and Nunchu and hack and slash through an exclusive storyline featuring 32 characters to choose from, each complete with weapons and special attacks pulled straight from the TV series.

In the hands of legendary game studio Treasure, Bleach: The Blade of Fate for the DS is a 2D fighting game featuring an innovative battle system that will let players jump between split-plane arenas. The Blade of Fate will also feature 28 characters from the anime, a strategic Spirit Card power-up and special attack system and Wi-Fi multiplayer action for up to four players.

Bleach: Shattered Blade and Bleach: The Blade of Fate will be making their debuts this fall.