Fun Bleach game, but still needs to be overhauled to be made much better.

User Rating: 5.5 | Bleach Wii: Hakujin Kirameku Rondo WII
Here is my rant on the bleach wii game. If you have not bought it yet and wanted a review on it, here is what I thought about the game, some good and some bad.

Well upon first impressions, it's a definite follow-up to the gamecube. The graphics are slightly better than the GC version but I prefer the art-work and 3d modeling on the GC better. The controls are innovative for Wii standards, but there are alot of drawbacks which I will explain later. Now dont get me started on the voice work and the soundtrack (this only applies to the ENGLISH VERSION), it sucks!!!!! But overall play and the abundance of characters will satisfy most fighting fans and especically us Bleach fans despite the horrible sound and much needed control update.

Graphics: 6/10
For an anime fighing game its pretty good. I would have given it a full 10 if it weren't for some minor things that bugged me. I actually prefered the some of the graphics on GC better. The backgrounds are your typical bleach surroundings. The model work was ok but I just could not stand how the put the dorkiest looking smile on Kenpachi when he does his intros in the game (hint sega if you are reading this... check out Bleach Heat the Soul 4 and see how they render good 3d modeling). One other thing that bugged me was the area goes different when a character hits bankai or super mode, I just want a normal in-game transformation. Gameplay and story: 5.5/10
Because the controls still need an overhaul, I rate this bleach Wii game an 8.5/10. Mind you there are some innovative hack and slash moves with cancelling other opponents moves to in-game transformations will make this game quite appealing. The story can be used as a filler for the anime if Viz ever decides to make into anime or an OVA. There are over 30+ characters to play and keep you happy for awhile (but no kon or kaien or nanao). Most of the story modes for each character have tie-ins to the other characters stories. The main bad guy, Arturo Plateado, is a decent main boss if you set the difficulty for normal or hard. But if you play this game in easy mode you will get bored quickly! I repeat quickly!

One little gripe that I wish Sega can make is the ability to turn off bankai intros and just make it a in-game transformation just like how the folks at atari did with DBZ. Some are OK (for certain captains) but the for rest, the bankai background is just useless!

Controls: 4/10 (needs to be updated and overhauled)
Now since its on a Wii, you think you would get some true hacking and slashing controls, you do but its somewhat buggy. If you just shake or jerk the controller by accident you go into an frenzy attack mode. The rock-paper-scissor cancelling mode is actually fun if it werent for the controller to be un-responsive at times. Plus the use of the nunchuck is somewhat useless. Besides movement and just shaking it for the bankai mode. Please use more innovatve ways for the nunchuck besides just shaking it for bankai. ALSO WE NEED A JUMP BUTTON!!!!

Another gripe that i found was that Sega in their infinte wisdom put the pause button on 1. Please Sega, use either the + or - next time you make Bleach Wii 2 because people will accidentally hit pause the game because they are hitting 1 by accident.

Voice/Soundtrack/Dubbing (2/10)
Thats right, the worst dubbing i have seen in a game. First there is no option to hear the original japanese voices. I would have given this 9/10 if they did. (Sega if you read this and follow Atari's example in their DBZ games) Personally I just can't stand the english voices. (another reason i gave a low scrore) And the lip-synching is awful. (main reason I gave a 2) I wish this game came with a cool intro like the original bleach heat the soul did, but the folks at sega didnt put any good soundtrack in this game. Its just your typical fighting soundtrack. I hope they fix their mistake and add cool anime intros or soundtracks from the tv show and the ability to hear JAPANESE VOICES.

Funfactor: 7
Despite the horrible soundtrack and voices and somewhat buggy controlls, I found this game to be fun and a good fighting game on the Wii. In my opinion Bleach Heat the Soul is still the GOLD STANDARD for bleach fighting games.

OVERALL SCORE: 5 -5.5 (if the voices were fixed and controls tweaked my score would have been higher)

Its a decent bleach game that needs to be overhauled inorder for a sequel to come out. (Bleach Heat the Soul is still the GOLD STANDARD and the folks at sega need to see bandai's and atari's work on dbz to make this series a staple for the Wii) But all in all, this game is still fun.