At the outset of the game, the only playable characters are Ichigo, Rukia, Ishida, Sado, and Orihime but 18 additional fighters may be unlocked as conditions are met. In the Story Mode of the game, players choose one of the five characters and then engage in objective-based battles as well as collaborations with a COM-controlled fighter against another duo of warriors. The Story Mode features new interactive storylines for the characters to follow and starts off with a battle where Ichigo fights by his lonesome. In subsequent clashes, Ichigo teams up with fighters to battle opposing duos. A Mission Mode starts off with 5 available scenarios to enjoy but includes a total of 50 missions to play and dominate. The graphics are cel-shaded and the fluid animation lends itself nicely to an all-around competent fighting game.

Jan Code: 4948872193290

View the back cover and screenshots on the main NCSX website.

NCS Game Notes
» On the character select screen, there are 23 character place holders in the shape of diamonds but only Ichigo, Rukia, Ishida, Sado, and Orihime are playable. The other characters are unlocked gradually as conditions are fulfilled during the normal course of play.

» A total of 9 stages are available to fight on but only 3 are available at the outset. A randomizer chooses the stage for you also if you wish.

» In the Now Loading screen, Kon rides a skateboard holding Ichigo's sword while Ichigo races after him.

» Training Mode allows players to fight against a dummy opponent who doesn't do anything but take blows and slashes unless his/her actions are toggled otherwise.

Game Controls
L-Analog..........Movement
R-Analog..........Dash around
TRIANGLE.........Fierce attack
SQUARE............Attack
CROSS..............Jump. Press again for double jump.
R2-TRIGGER......Block

Pressing L1+R1 together ignites a special attack which uses up soul gauge power.

» Objects in the game are destructible including wastebaskets and dilapidated jalopies lying in parking lots.

» It's possible to play 1P against 3 COM controlled opponents. When fighters ramble far away from each other, the camera pans back to take in the action but when this happens, the action can't be seen as clearly as in a 2P game. The action and pace are also chaotic and fast.

» First Game Option on title screen: Story Mode is broken up into episodes where a short interaction with Ichigo Kurosaki appears complete with voice acting. A Kon-head jumps on the lower-right corner of the screen. After a few short words, Ichigo enters the battlefield and is charged with destroying 15 hollows. Next, more interaction where Ichigo appears on screen and speaks to the viewer. He's later joined by Uruhara Kisuke [guy in goofy green-striped hat and dark classes wielding a hand fan]. Ichigo later appears on a mountainside with a hot spring when Orihime Inoue [orange haired girl in blue blouse and red skirt] appears and addresses him. She's followed by Ishida Uryuu [glasses-wearing guy in a white priest robe of sorts] and then followed by Sado Yasutora [brown haired Kenshiro look-alike]. Soon afterwards, a battle begins where Uruhara and Orihime face off against Ishida and Sado. The player controls Uruhara and Orihime.

» Uruhara's TRIANGLE attack is a red shield that he throws up which reflects an attack back at an attacker. In the battle mentioned above, when Ishida fires his quiver of energy arrows, throw up the shield and Ishi's arrows will be reflected right back at him. Orihime has a special attack which is depicted with a cinematic cut scene which she throws out in a nuclear blast which splits rock and inflicts about 1/3 HP damage.

» Second Game Option on Title Screen: Mission Mode - The first mission features a battle between 1P and a supporting COM-controlled fighter against two other fighters. We chose Ichigo and Rukia and were matched up against Sado Yasutora and Ururu Tsumugiya. Despite her small stature and light-weight appearance, Ururu carries a shoulder cannon and punches up a storm.

» After each mission, your point score is tallied and a letter grade awarded. By beating opponents, coins are collected which may be used to unlock features in the Gallery portion of the game.

» In the second mission, 1P teams up with a COM again for a rooftop battle against two new opponents - Mayuri Kurotsuchi and Ishida Uryuu. Its possible to knock opponents over the side of the roof to make it a quick and cheap match since they'll lose about 1/4 of their HP with every drop. If you decide to play it normally, the second mission is a tougher battle because Mayuri can draw everyone into a netherworld where a demonic caterpillar creature spews purple poison and attacks your team.

» Five missions are available at the outset but the others are unlocked afterwards.

» Data is automatically saved to memory card after each successful battle and winnings scored and saved.

» When hollows are destroyed, they burst into a puff of purple eldritch fire.

» When juggling combos, a counter keeps track of your stringed hits and chains.

» Bleach Blade Battles is a challenging action game. The opponents are aggressive and if you're teamed up with a unevenly balanced fighter against two powerful opponents, you might be toast if you're unable to fend off the attacks of two brawlers who perform a concerted round robin on you. Due to the relative difficulty of the game, it requires practice and thus lengthens its staying power.

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