Bleach: Dark Souls (Nintendo DS) Reader Review

Posted by By Echoes221 2 Number of reads 3424 Posted 30.01.2009
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Bleach DS 2nd: Kokui Hirameku Requiem (Japan) or Bleach Dark Souls (America) is Treasures (published by SEGA) second instalment for the DS. Taking on the same four player beat-em-up action of its predecessor, it keeps the formula and adds more to it.

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The main focus of this game like many other beat-em-up is the combat rather than the story line which works exceedingly well. The game takes place on two grounds, The foreground and the background; with fights on both plains. The contestants can jump between the screens at will with the press of the L button. The Combat system is simple, yet a little tricky to get your head round. X, Y, and A are the attack buttons each increasing the attack strength respectively. Combos are possible between the three buttons (e.g. XX, Y, A for a 4 hit combo) with a variety of moves for each button (up and down variations as well as left/right variations). B activates a ‘shun-po’ or a warp which can move you round the screen quickly. Warping can also be used with guard (R) to warp out of the way when an attack strikes you. Each character has their own unique move set that can be accessed via the touch screen, and uses the most powerful form of the attack and using up a power slot; or, by doing a D-pad button combo and pressing the corresponding attack strength button. When the characters take or receive damage, the rieatsu or spirit energy gage grows to up to a maximum of three bars. This allows the character specific special to be performed, with three bars allowing the player to access ‘bankai’ mode for a short time (when your attacks change and you are strongest) and deal some serious damage to the other contestants. This leads to quick, fun and intense fights that span from four players on one screen to two players on each plain.

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Within the game, there are forty four playable characters (17 new characters) that range from Ichigo (the main protagonist) to Hanataro Yamada (comical value character) with the odd hollow such as Grande Fisher and Menos Grande. Each character has their own traits. For instance, Ukitakae will suddenly (and randomly) stop in a fight to start coughing and Yachiru will occasionally trip over. All these little pointers to the Anime/Manga give the game that little bit more charm. The level design is very nice with varying ranges of background, but since the levels take place on a level surface, it doesn’t offer much except a bit of eye-candy.


Within the story mode, there are many levels and paths to choose from, each leading to a different ending. The levels are varied as well, so its not just fighting. The game will also have you chasing characters as they line change, eat x amount of candy in the given time limit, catch all the butterflies in the time period (yes you catch hell butterflies). Each path will unlock various other modes, characters and money to be spent in Urahara Shoten (or Urahara’s shop) to unlock new costumes and art work for your viewing pleasure.
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Along with the story mode, there is also a large versus mode where you can fight it out with up to four friends or map them to CPU controlled characters. Treasure have also packed in a WIFI mode allowing you to take on friends and random people across the globe.


Alas, due to owning the Japanese copy of the game (it is now out in America) It was difficult to make sense of the deck making system that contains ‘reifu’ cards that allow you to ‘buff’ your character up and hinder your opponents during game play by selecting the card on the touch screen. The levels are also a little bland, only taking place on a single level with no obstacles or different variances of height, but it works in its own way.

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Overall, Bleach Dark Souls is well rounded game that’s good in short bursts once you have completed the relatively long story mode. It oozes charm that reflects the style of its counterparts. The game play is fast and furious and has you blocking, slashing and ‘bankai-ing’ your way to victory.


Echoes221's Rating Rated $score out of 10  8/10

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Reader comments - add yours today Comments on this Review

I've been looking at this one for a while. I still don't have a fighter, so I may end up getting this one at some point to fill the whole. Nice review.

One of my fave games on DS, playing 4 players is just awesome. Are the American and Japanese versions compatible?
Nice review btw, I do agree the levels are a little bland but you didn't mention anything about the music which I thought was pretty good. It sounds like classic Sega Megadrive stuff. So I'd say the sound would be a 8 or even a 9.

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Developer

Treasure

Publisher

SEGA

Genre

Fighting

Players

4

C3 Score

Rated $score out of 10  n/a

Reader Score

Rated $score out of 10  8/10 (1 Votes)

European release date Out now   North America release date Out now   Japan release date Out now   Australian release date Out now   
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