A decent anime hack and slash for fans; otherwise, you're better off ignoring this import title.
This review is going to start off with me saying several things. First off, if you're not a fan of the series, do not bother with this game. I'm reviewing this as a gamer and a fan of the series. Second off, you must be able to play imports; don't ask me how you can do so, because that's your job. If you look hard enough, you can find multiple ways to do so.
This game is going to get a "Good" rating from be because I will admit that I am somewhat biased because I am a huge fan of this series. However, if you check the other games release, with the exception to the GBA game, I've reviewed them rather high. After playing the first PSP game, I was rather impressed and hyped up to hope that future releases would at least attempt to match the quality. However, that wasn't the case.
The graphics look cel-shaded which isn't bad at all; however, the animations for attacks get rather boring quickly. The opening intro is great; the animation is topnotch on par with the anime, the song is actually from the anime. However, after that initial movie, everything goes downhill. They do keep the original voice actors to do the voices which forced me to rate it higher, however, the BGM's are too generic. Where's the BGMs for the show? I'd rather listen to an overplayed battle theme from the anime then a generic wanna-be heavy adrenaline rock, anyday of the week.
The gameplay is weak. Let me rephrase that... The gameplay is surprisingly weak. While each character retains what made them unique in the anime with their attacks, it feels the same with every single button press. Ichigo is a major damage dealer, Ishida is a ranged specialist, 'nd some of the later characters follow, somewhat, the style of attacks that the anime/manga gave them in the first place.
The attack button is Square, 'nd the heavy attack button is Triangle. That means, you'll mash them back and forth and do up to a total of 5 different combos which is the same for each character. The problem is that each attack looks the same each and everytime it occurs. The X button starts you with a combo attack that is called Tension which allows you to switch characters and attack several times before switching again. With certain characters, you can actually do a pretty cool finish attack that comes with a great-looking animation. The O button is a special attack that normally helps clear everything up if you're surrounded by hollows.
After that, though, there is nothing else. The tension meter shows how much you can attack during the tension combos, and how many special attacks you can do, but that's it. You can control 1 character and the computer will control the other. You can switch between the two, as well.
Now, so far, that sounds decent, right? The entire game would have scored at least an 8 and higher -IF- there was multiplayer. The game set it up for two characters on at the same time, split screen would have worked perfectly, and setting hollows up to do a tension combo with a friend would have added a -WHOLE- new dimension... However, there is no multiplayer. None at all. That totally destroyed what could have been one of the better anime hack and slash titles.
The storyline is non-existant. It doesn't follow the anime, really, 'nd there is nothing to it that makes it a unique experience. All 'nd all, it's a decent hack and slash that had potential... Unfortunately, it was a total letdown for all Bleach-heads who were hoping for a great game.
Stick to the newest PSP fighter, or the Bleach RPG that's soon to be released, if you want a fix of Bleach. Or get the GC's new Bleach fighter which, hopefully, will see a PS2 port.