Cleansing manga battler Bleach comes to DS
Sega Europe primes Treasure to make Bleach: The Blade of Fate
There are plenty of games that gain huge popularity in Japan but never see the light of day outside that all-so-insular market. The light is dawning for topnotch manga property Bleach however, with the news that Sega Europe has tapped up outside-Japan rights-owner VIZ Media Europe to make a game based around the current animated TV series.
In terms of the DS, the result will be 2D, sword-based battler Bleach: The Blade of Fate, which is being made by highly regarded Japanese developer Treasure.
The storyline - as much as such a game requires one - involves the travails of youngster Ichigo Kurosaki, who can see Shinigami (or Soul Reavers), the spirits from the afterlife who protect humans from the less-than-righteous Hollows. Granted powers from Rukia Kuchiki, an injured Soul Reaver, it's up to Kurosaki to go out and kick Hollow ass (with help from Kuchiki, who's now locked into human form).
In total, 28 playable characters will be available, while battles enable you to move between the DS's upper and lower screens to chase after, or escape from opponents. Another important game mechanic is the ability to build up your Spirit Card Deck. This is a system of power-ups and power-downs, so you can launch special attacks and healing spells, while knocking opponents off-balance and stopping them using their own Spirit Cards.
Bleach: The Blade of Fate is due to be released sometime in early 2008. The Bleach anime TV show is scheduled to air across Europe in the autumn.
