Bleach: The Blade of Fate

Much like Haley Joel Osment’s character in The Sixth Sense, Ichigo Kurosaki has always been able to see the souls of the dearly departed walk the world of the living as they wait for their chance to pass into another world. Unfortunately, those that don’t become violent entities known as Hollows that must be vanquished by spiritual warriors known as Soul Reapers. Rukia Kuchiki was one of those Soul Reapers until a routine mission becomes a fight for survival and Ichigo is suddenly given the powers of a Soul Reaper to defend the world of the living. This is the world of Bleach, one of Shonen Jump’s most popular manga turned into a mega hot anime series on the Cartoon Network. Like other popular anime, it also inspired a Nintendo Wii game as well as Bleach: The Blade of Fate for the Nintendo DS.

Instead of starting from the beginning, The Blade of Fate’s Story Mode takes it’s cue from the anime’s second season that has Ichigo surviving a most brutal battle between himself and two experienced Soul Reapers that have crossed into the world of the living to arrest and bring back Rukia for having defied the Soul Society in aiding the living. Having formed a bond with the lovely Rukia, Ichigo swears to go into the Soul Society and rescue her. Along with his friends Chad, Orihime and Uryu, Ichigo sets out to rescue Rukia by infiltrating the Soul Society itself. This isn’t going to be easy because not only is Rukia held in a tower known as the Repentance Cell but Ichigo must battle the Thirteen Court Guard Squad that consists of various powerful squad Captains and Lieutenants.

Fans of the anime or manga will definitely recognize the assortment of foes Ichigo will face off such as Renji Abarai and even Rukia’s half brother Byakuya Kuchiki just to name a few of the enemies you will battle. Story Mode begins with a brief tutorial that is meant to recall a key moment in the series where Ichigo trains before he crosses over to the other side. While the story isn’t incredibly deep and forgivably skips a few details from the show and manga, the game relives some of the best Bleach moments such as Ichigo’s humorous battle with Ganju (and the boar he rides on) as well as the most memorable battles against Captains and Lieutenants. The story even has branching paths that have you facing off different opponents if you don’t successfully complete certain conditions required in each battle. One example might be that in order to reach a Captain who knows how to reach Rukia’s cell you must defeat his Lieutenant by not using a particular super-powered attack.

The best part is that you don’t have to be a Bleach fan to enjoy this game nor do you have to know who each character is to get by in the game. Fighting fans will almost immediately notice that The Blade of Fate tips its hat to 2D fighting games of the classic Street Fighter, King of the Fighters and Guilty Gears variety. The game doesn’t keep things simple, either, meaning each character has a wide array of attacks and abilities that set them apart so no two characters ever fight alike. For example, the game has three brawlers - characters that don’t possess transforming swords known as Zanpaku-to - and each one unleashes punches in different ways. Chad, for instance, has a heavy armored arm that can slam an opponent across the screen while the dainty Orihime uses her triangle-shaped force field to add a little extra to her punch. Even those characters with weapons never fight the same either, giving each of the 28 character in the game their own sense of style.

Control-wise, the game fits the handheld just right so gamers can simply pick this one up and start dealing the light, medium and heavy attacks with ease. The top screen displays the action while the bottom touch screen is reserved for the Spirit Cards and Special Attacks you can pick just by tapping them in the middle of battle. You start with a limited number of Spirit Cards in your deck and earn more in Story Mode with each opponent you defeat. These cards each possess a special effect or power that gives your fighter an extra boost in battle. One card, for example, might add extra damage to the blows you give your enemies while another card might give your Flash Step (which makes you dodge at a lighting speed) an extra speed boost. You can also switch to the Special or Super Attacks menu that has a number of individual special attacks that are true to each character and deals the biggest chain combo damage to your opponents. These special attacks certainly come in handy seeing as some fights require you to take on two opponents at once.

Aside from the game’s main Story mode, there’s Arcade Mode that plays like your average arcade-styled game mode as well as Challenge Mode (where you’ll have to execute a number of combos to get by). There’s a shop where you can purchase gallery and sound goodies and there’s even a Deck Construction option that allows you to customize your Spirit Card deck the way you want it. The best feature just so happens to be Versus Mode, the game’s multiplayer game that allows you to play against a friend or three or go up against others online through the Nintendo DS Wi-Fi connection. Locally, your friends don’t even have to own a copy of the game so you can use a single card.

The game’s graphics are also something of a highlight since they’re actually really gorgeous. Sure Bleach fans will get a kick out of the art that’s straight out of the anime and manga during the cut scenes but they’ll also quickly point out the characters during battle as well. I’m talking nicely detailed characters that produce some equally detailed visual effects. Even the backgrounds will be recognizable to fans so this is, overall, one pretty Nintendo DS game.

There’s also a pretty impressive soundtrack here and those who know the show will love the fact that the game uses the show’s final season opening theme song as well as the anime’s original score. Aside from the fact that the game uses the anime’s music, the show’s English dub cast provides the voices of each of the various characters so you’ll find Ichigo voiced by none other than Johnny Bosch who voices him on the anime. The sound effects are pretty good as well.

Easily one of the best and most entertaining fighting games on the Nintendo DS, Bleach: The Blade of Fate is one of those games that is hard to put down and deserving of a spot in your portable gaming library. As a dedicated fan of the anime, it’s a real treat to find a fighting game worthy of the series and as a fighting game fan this one has all the things that make the genre such a blast to play. If you’re a Bleach fan buying this one is a no-brainer but if you’re a fan of fighting games this is one game you should not be without.

Gameplay: 8.7
The controls are wonderfully responsive and there are plenty of moves to unleash no matter what character you pick so even the weakest character (I’m looking at you, Orihime) can get through a brutal fight. The game’s Story Mode has its own branching path and does a somewhat decent job of retelling one of the most dramatic storylines in the show. There’s even an online multiplayer mode.

Graphics: 8.5
The game’s graphics are actually surprisingly beautiful on the DS and there’s art from the manga and show used to advance the story. Even the backgrounds and flashy effects look spectacular and you’ll easily recognize each character as you battle.

Sound: 8.2
The Cartoon Network’s English dub actors show up to voice all the familiar Bleach characters and that alone will please fans. There are even some tunes from the show, including the final season’s opening theme song. As far as the sound effects are concerned, they do the trick nicely.

Difficulty: Medium
Ichigo’s mission to save Rukia isn’t an easy one but by coming up with your own power-up Spirit Deck strategy and unleashing all the best combo moves, you can get by just fine. Some characters are appropriately difficult to beat just like in the anime and manga and oftentimes you’ll even go up against two enemies at once.

Concept: 8.5
Fans of the much-loved anime and manga will be happy to play through the Soul Society storyline and take part in the series’ memorable battles. Fighting fans will love the number of specialty moves each character possesses and the ability to mix and match their Spirit Deck power-ups. Oh, and there are plenty of characters to use and the game has the best multiplayer mode this side of Mario Kart DS.

Multiplayer: 8.5
Up to three friends can download the multiplayer Versus Mode to battle against you or you can play the game online using the handheld’s Wi-Fi capabilities. You can keep the match as a one-on-one deal but the game allows a two-on-two match with ease.

Overall: 8.7
The Blade of Fate is not only the best Bleach game so far but it’s also the best fighting game to grace the Nintendo DS. Filled to the brim with stylish moves, a fun game modes and attractive graphics, the game is loyal to the anime and pays homage to classic 2D fighting games all in one neat portable package. Even if you’re not a Bleach fan, this is the DS game fighting enthusiasts should not miss at all.