Bleach: The Blade of Fate Exclusive Hands-On

By Ricardo Torres, GameSpotPosted Sep 13, 2007 6:50 pm PT

Treasure's upcoming DS game may not whiten anything, but it slices and dices like a champ.

Bleach: The Blade of Fate

Watch this anime-inspired DS fighting game in motion.

Bleach: The Blade of Fate is the latest game to be based on the popular Japanese manga comics to hit the US. Although the series has been around since 2001, it came to the US only in 2004, but nevertheless quickly found a following. As a result, we're starting to see the various games that have been based on Bleach also find their way to the States. One of most interesting is Bleach: The Blade of Fate. The fighting game is being developed by 2D sprite gods Treasure for the Nintendo DS, and it's one of the few 2D fighters for the system. We had the chance to try out a work-in-progress version of the US game, and we have much to report.

The game features a meaty selection of modes that include story, arcade, versus, training, and challenge. The story mode casts you as Ichigo Kurosaki, a high-school student with the ability to see ghosts. Ichigo winds up battling ghosts and other afterlife phenomena after accidentally absorbing the powers of Rukia, a "shinigami" sent to patrol his hometown. You'll play through various scenarios based on his early adventures. Story sequences offer setups for the many fights you'll engage in, and you'll face off against a broad array of quirky fighters. Arcade mode lets you pick whichever character is available and fight through a series of enemies, whereas versus mode lets you take on a friend. Training mode lets you practice against a customizable artificial intelligence opponent. Finally, challenge mode features a series of character-specific battles with specific requirements for success. In addition to these play modes, the game also has a gallery where you can check out artwork, and an in-game shop to buy cards, character colors, 2D art, and audio.

Get ready for an anime-inspired beatdown on your Nintendo DS.

Combat in the game is an engaging blend of traditional 2D fighting that lets you mix standard attacks, special moves, and super moves. The basic action is tricked out with the addition of a second plane to fight on and up to three enemies to face off against. The system also features a card system that lets you use cards during battle. Each card offers unique effects during combat that will enhance your abilities or cause a negative effect for your foes. The whole system works well on the DS and makes effective, low-key use of the touch screen. You'll mainly use the D pad, face buttons, and shoulder buttons to attack, guard, jump, and switch planes. You can use the touch screen to activate one of the cards you're holding and trigger any of the special and super moves. Overall, the system seems to work well, though the touch screen makes the moves dead easy to do. The plane shifting is cool and is one of the many elements in the game that reminds us, favorably, of Treasure's awesome Sega Genesis classic Yu Yu Hakusho from back in the day.

The visuals in the game impressively display both the DS's sprite-pushing power and Treasure's creativity. The battle arenas are clean and spacious, and they offer a good amount of detail that doesn't distract you from the core action. The two-plane system helps give the areas a nice sense of depth. Combat is complemented by a host of special effects for everyone's special attacks as well as the various card effects. The fast action stands out thanks to smooth animation and little touches such as animated clothing. Other than the in-game graphics, the game also has additional 2D art used during the various story sequences, and this artwork is all nicely done.

Audio in the game is quite robust, featuring the standard assortment of collisions for punches, kicks, and weapons clashing, as well as a number of other elements. You'll hear a good number of voice samples as you play, both during combat and in the game's cinematics. You'll also hear a hefty dose of fist-pumping rock that perhaps only anime can get away with.

The game offers plenty of colorful 2D artwork.

Based on what we've seen, Bleach: The Blade of Fate is a tight little fighter on the DS that features impressive visuals and a solid fighting system. The Bleach license fits well with the way the game plays, and it should please fans, who will get to see a bunch of familiar faces. Factor in the local and Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection multiplayer options, and you have a significant amount of content to explore. Anyone looking for a fighter on the DS will want to keep an eye out for Bleach: The Blade of Fate, which is looking like the most promising fighting game on the DS in a long while. The game is scheduled to ship this fall.

51 Comments

  • REgrl4life

    Posted Jul 25, 2008 1:48 pm PT

    I played a japanies Bleach game, and I like the American versian better, So I was surprised when this game was a little better!

  • B1ack_Rayn3

    Posted Sep 30, 2007 1:44 pm PT

    my cousin has the japanese version which i enjoyed playing the controls where quite easy and i enjoyed playing it. I will definitely pick up the US version when it releases.

  • Lonewolf26X

    Posted Sep 16, 2007 8:41 pm PT

    I have the Japanese version of the game Bleach DS: Souten ni Kakeru Unmei. It's a really good fighting game except that it does have it's balance issues. Most of the characters can shunpo their way through most attacks (although this would use up your shunpo bar) but people like Chad can't so that kinda leaves him at a disadvantage. Orihime appears that she takes double the damage compared to most of the other characters. I personally think Zaraki Kenpachi and Ishida Uryu are the broken characters in this game but that's not to say they're unbeatable. The character is only as good as the person controlling him of course.

    Selecting the cards doesn't feel awkward but I personally feel that performing the moves with the touchpad isn't a good idea. It's essential for the regular techniques that you learn how to balance with the quick but long recovery time of the weak attack and the long setup time but quick recovery of the medium attack. The fierce attack cancels both of them out giving you quick startup and quick recovery but you use a bar of the shunpo meter and believe me, shunpo and damage canceling will save your ass from getting heavily damaged most of the time. I haven't played Bleach DS 2nd: Kokui Hirameku Requiem yet so I can't really comment if that one is better but I heard that the balancing is a bit better in that game. Depending on which one you prefer (sub vs dub) you should get the respective copy of this game. I personally don't like dubs but someone else might enjoy it so have at it.

  • MichaeltheCM

    Posted Sep 16, 2007 6:28 pm PT

    wow this is a surprise

  • u_poop

    Posted Sep 16, 2007 5:18 pm PT

    tis is .....awsome!!!

  • teknicz

    Posted Sep 16, 2007 4:26 pm PT

    Like others have said, the Japanese version is great, and I'll be sure to pick this up too.

  • ivan_the_one

    Posted Sep 16, 2007 4:24 pm PT

    I wan't this game bad.....

  • TalesofRaGnArOk

    Posted Sep 16, 2007 3:53 pm PT

    Man, I dont remember the last time I played a sword fighting game, or at that, a game by treasure. Man, I have so many new games, gotta make time for this one.

  • SOL333

    Posted Sep 16, 2007 2:28 pm PT

    the dubbed version isnt too bad, considering other animes. in all honesty, i think sub fans dont understand how much harder it is to act in english than in japanese.

    might get this, i trust treasure.

  • hellpolice

    Posted Sep 16, 2007 12:57 pm PT

    I like this anime and is nice to see a game for DS

  • TruGillies

    Posted Sep 16, 2007 7:20 am PT

    I like the idea but I have a lil major problem. I watched the subbed version of anime since it came to the shores of Canada. Now the voices I think are the only thing that seems annoying to me. I'm not use to the dubbed version. I may get it, if I suck it up. Haha.

  • Dr_Corndog

    Posted Sep 16, 2007 7:02 am PT

    Wouldn't the world be a better place if all games were developed by Treasure?

  • bushnate

    Posted Sep 16, 2007 6:22 am PT

    I love bleach, i love fighters. I guess that's a win-win situation for me! I'm interested in seeing what type of moves you can do per character, i wonder if it gets to the point of you being able to use bankai moves.

    -Nate

  • pitihero

    Posted Sep 16, 2007 6:16 am PT

    verygood

  • LoveLikeaBomb04

    Posted Sep 15, 2007 9:18 am PT

    This is definitely the greatest fighter ever made for the ds.
    Beach DS 2 is great also.

  • callingdarkness

    Posted Sep 15, 2007 9:11 am PT

    im thinking of getting this when it's out in the UK (next year along with the Wii game) it look good and my boyfriend like Bleach a lot so in a way it'll be a bit more for him to play then me, but im still after it i havent seen bleach (just started on UK TV two days ago) much so im not sure if im a fan of it yet.

  • peeweeshift

    Posted Sep 15, 2007 8:41 am PT

    i have the japanese version its great

  • Erowe

    Posted Sep 15, 2007 7:19 am PT

    @ GeigerdolylWodd It's your "typical" 2D fighter with it's added extras of course... The battles are kind of fast paced I guess and no, there is no overhead roaming.

  • EmoChild999555

    Posted Sep 15, 2007 7:18 am PT

    Looks Cool

  • GeigerdolylWodd

    Posted Sep 14, 2007 9:12 pm PT

    How do the Bleach games play? Are the in game battles as fast paced and interesting as the tv series? Does Ichigo's sword leave cracks where it cuts through the environment unintentionally while he's moving. Does he stamp the pluses foreheads with the butt of his blade to send them to soul city? Is there any overhead free roaming?

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