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The Nintendo DS lends itself to many genres and obviously some games feel more at home on handhelds than others. RPGs like Pokémon suit the system perfectly because you can pick up and play for as long as you like while still feeling like you’re getting somewhere. It’s rewarding and has enough depth for the hardcore audience but still has the accessibility for the casual cohort. Before this turns into a review of Pokémon, let’s move swiftly to the point. Bleach: The Blade of Fate is a funny package and we’re talking unusual rather than comical. First off is the fact that it’s a fighting game, a genre that isn’t exactly common on the DS. Secondly is the fact that it’s got enough playability as a title found on consoles. It’s got a story mode, arcade mode, versus mode, training mode, challenge mode, survival mode and time attack mode. On top of that is the option to buy new sounds, artwork, cards (we’ll get to that) from the Urahara shop. So, it’s got the depth, but does Bleach: The Blade of Fate have the punch?

Bleach’s feature list definitely has substantial weight to it and on paper Bleach looks like it will keep you entertained for hours, if not days. Like every other fighting game, Bleach has the typical roster of characters; the wise old man, the oriental petite girl and the beast that could crush a car. Whichever mode you chose or whatever character you fight with is pretty generic. You’ll work your way through a series of fights until a credit sequence or high score board greets you at the end. Where Bleach: The Blade of Fate tries to shake things up is in the inclusion of a collectable card system. Alongside your standard attacks; kick, punch, swipe, or combinations of the three, are cards. Using them in a fight will grant you powerups, boost your abilities or bestow general uberness on your character. In every battle, you’ll be able to choose from a stock of 10 cards, which are taken from your user-created deck. Everytime you beat a boss in the story mode or complete the arcade mode you’ll be gifted new cards which we lead to the restructuring of your deck. It’s a unique take on an often repetitive genre, and luckily it works surprisingly well, adding strategy, depth and critical thinking to battles.

Once you’ve constructed your deck from a card pool, all of which are categorised into helpful verbs like attack or recovery, it’s time to choose a game mode. The most logical place to start (and where you will spend most of your time) is the story mode. It’s multi-chaptered and it means that you’ll play through all the characters in turn. Fights are broken up by dialogue and 2D drawn character art. Quite frankly, despite it being a story mode, the story itself is very forgettable and it is a relief that the developers have included a skip button to get straight to the action. Whichever character you’re fighting with, the battles will feel fresh and energetic. You’ve got light, normal and heavy attacks and on top of that, bone-crunching special attacks. The controls are responsive and the touch facilities are used to hotkey the special moves, saving the need to remember combo-buttons for each character. As well as that, you’ll be able to select your cards via the touch pad.

The combat takes place on a horizontally-two-levelled plane. Battles take place either one on one, or two on one / two on two. The inclusion of a second platform means that you’ll need to be aware of what’s going on at all times. Like the card system it adds a new level of thought to the game. On top of that is the way the combat works. It’s not about button bashing and more about countering your opponent, timing your attacks. Frantically tap the buttons at the beginning you’ll manage to get by, but in later battles you’ll be falling flat on your face. The mapping of special moves to the touch screen does make it a little easy, but you won’t get by if you spam them.

Despite the hardware restrictions of the DS, the developers have done a fantastic job of cramming the game full of bright, anime artwork and impressive special effects. The backgrounds are varied and are crisply rendered. Each character has their own appearance and animation set which means repetition is removed. Special attacks light up the screen with lighting effects, blasts and all-round prettiness. It pushes the DS to its limits but keeps a steady framerate throughout.

If you’re going to take the time to customize your deck and play through the story unlocking the hidden extras, then there is no reason not to buy Bleach. If you’re looking for a portable fighting title then again, buy away. The only reason not to buy Bleach: The Blade of Fate is if you’re not the genre’s fan. It’s got enough depth, replayability and overall shine to warrant a purchase from anyone with a DS. The dialogue may be a bit tedious and shoddy, but it’s got everything that a title of its nature should have. Plenty of varied characters and fast paced, flesh on flesh action. A solid effort and worthy of your hard earned cash.

Score: 8/10

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