Bleach, Bleach, Bleach… I’ve got so many mixed feelings on this series but it’s still found its way into my heart. When I first found out about Bleach, I became a hardcore fanatic overnight. However I also noticed a couple of things that I didn’t like. Bleach is awesome… but it’s so unoriginal, and the author can sometimes pull out some of the most ridiculous and convenient plot twists. Despite this, it still has its epic moments and I still consider myself a big fan. 

When Bleach: Blade Battlers 2nd came out for the PS2 in 2007, it was like a dream come true. I became extremely addicted and spent many hours playing the game (hours which should have been spent studying for Algebra tests). Despite my love-hate relationship with Bleach, last month I received some sad news: Bleach volume 73 was released in Japan, and Tite Kubo (the author) announced that volume 74 is going to be the last one.

So I decided to take advantage of this opportunity and historic moment to write a review on my favourite Bleach video game… Bleach: Blade Battlers… 2nd (then the cool title music starts). 

Gameplay 

Bleach: Blade Battlers 2nd is a 3D fighting game that’s basically a mix between Super Smash Bros. and Street Fighter. However the main difference is that you can move in a 3D environment. Up to 4 players can join the fun (sounds like something you would read at the back of a video game box). You’ve got your items, combos, super bars (reiatsu), revenge gauge (blade gauge), parries, spammers who pull off 80 hit combos, and joke characters among other things. This game was only released in Japan, but luckily there are a couple of translated guides out there. There are a total of 36 characters, 16 stages and 3 main modes. There are many fan favourites including most of the Captains (and their bankai’s) and a couple of Espada. Sounds awesome… and it is awesome!

One thing that I think is interesting is that most characters really fight like their anime counterparts. Aizen, for example, can create images with Kyouka Suigetsu and fool you, and Ukitake coughs after pulling off some combos. Another nice feature is that the game is interactive. A couple of stages have things happening within them that can affect the fight. Some characters also have power-ups which change the landscape completely. One lame thing is that you can’t choose the same character more than once. 

Since Bleach: Blade Battlers 2nd is a Japanese game, there is a difference in the controller buttons for westerners: The circle is used to accept options while the X is used to go back or cancel (in western games it is usually the opposite). The menu options are both in English and Japanese, but the rest is mostly in Japanese. The game’s modes are the following:

Story Mode: Play through the second half of the Arrancar arc and some game-exclusive side stories. 1 player only. One little thing that I find annoying sometimes are the scenes. You can’t skip them and if you saw the anime or read the comic, you already know what’s going to happen at some points. So the real charm of Story Mode are the side stories, and they are actually entertaining.

Battler’s Mode: A map board in which you partake in many missions (challenges) to unlock many of the game’s secrets. The missions are fights that you have to win under certain conditions. Up to two players can play in this mode.

Free Play (The real fun if you have friends who are willing to play): Fight against the computer or with up to 3 other people. The fights are customisable.

There is also tutorial mode and training to practice, and Shop Urahara to buy unlocked items.

Plenty of familiar characters to choose from.

Sound

The BGM is mostly fast-paced instrumental music which helps make the fights exciting. Some stages with tracks that I find pumping are Shrine of Penitence Main Street and Soul Society Forest. There are also some jolly tracks and mysterious tracks which build the mood up in Story Mode. The anime’s voice actors also lend their voices to the characters, and many characters use their catch phrases (Shunsui says “Nanao-chan!”). You can also unlock all of the playable characters as operators who guide you through the menu. The fights also come to live with other sound effects such as sword clashes and beams. 

Graphics

Bleach: Blade Battlers 2nd has 3D cel-shaded models. The characters and stages look clean and resemble their anime counterparts. The graphics look cool and do the job nicely. Each character has only one attire but you can unlock accessories to personalise them more. Most of the accessories are meant for humour, but others are objects that the characters use at some point of the series. For example, you can unlock a bandage that Ichigo had in his face the first time he revealed his Bankai. I think those details make it a more personalised experience. There are also some unlockable illustrations that show pivotal moments of the anime and the game-exclusive side stories. Illustrations and artwork is always a plus.

Another cool thing are the power ups. When a character’s blade gauge is activated, a scene appears showing the power up. It only lasts a few seconds and can be skipped if desired.

Tone

The overall tone of the Bleach: Blade Battlers 2nd is humorous. Despite the game taking place during the Arrancar arc, which isn’t particularly humorous, it presents you with many game-exclusive side stories which pit the characters in funny situations. You’ll also spend most of the time staring at Kon during the loading screen and when you win money. Some of the most dull and serious characters also get their own moments of humour. There are other many funny little details which I’m not going to give examples of so as not to ruin them. But since not all life is pink, this game has also it’s dark and it’s sad/pretty tear inducing moments. 

Difficulty

This game can be challenging and if you want to complete it 100%, you will forcibly have to go through injustices and other epic challenges to complete it (This isn’t a joke :O… ok, yeah it is, but I’m still telling the truth). The principal challenge of the game is Battlers mode. You basically need to master the game and push your limits (or just be a naturally gifted gamer) to finish Battlers mode. You will need to play in hard mode to pass some of the missions. Some missions are also so annoying that even playing them in easy is a challenge. But it’s doable and challenges are always welcome in the gaming world. Every character also uses basically the same button combinations for moves, but each one feels differently. So it shouldn’t take much to become familiar with all of them.

Overall verdict

Bleach: Blade Battlers 2nd delivers. If you’re looking for a challenging fighting game with many hours of gameplay, then this game is for you. If you’re a fan of Bleach, then this game is a must. I’m just bummed as to why they haven’t released another game like this. The closest thing to this is the Heat the Soul Series for the PSP.