Senran Kagura: Estival Versus PSVITA Review

In the series’ home console debut, SENRAN KAGURA ESTIVAL VERSUS, a mystical phenomenon transports the nubile ninjas of the titular series to a parallel dimension to face off against their rivals in a new kind of battle. In this strange world – which resembles a sunny, sandy island paradise – the girls are thrown for another loop as they encounter departed loved ones and ultimately have to decide if they can bear to part from them a second time. And this is the story in a nutshell, Senran Kagura is a series that has pulled me like a magnet, but its not for his fan service, its for its gameplay, as I am a fan of beat’em ups and Senran Kagura is a really good one.

The game takes place during the Kagura Millenium Festival,which gives characters a chance to reunite with lost loved ones. They face a choice between staying in this mysterious beach paradise to be with those they miss or returning to the real world to finish their shinobi training. However, while the Kagura Millennium Festival is the driving force story wise, I like that it doesn’t take itself to seriously. There are some really funny moments and some sexual jokes here and there. In Estival Versus, you’ll find a familiar combat system based around a two button attack set-up that allows for experimentation with well timed dashes and parries. There are shinobi and frantic transformations, each with their own stylish undressing of the character, as well as wall running attacks and joint aerial attacks with a partner character. Pressing down on the D-Pad activates the break which pushes back the enemies directly surrounding you at the cost of the little bit of health. The move is extremely useful if you’re ever getting it from all angles, however be advised that can be used by enemy shinobi in boss fights. The story mode does a good job of introducing you to all of the 27 available characters in the game. Returning characters feature updated move sets (Better combos and such from Shinobi Versus) and the newcomers are a welcome and diverse addition. Outside of the story mode are individual challenges for characters that you unlock throughout the game and special challenges that really test how well you’ve mastered the combat system. There is also a diorama mode where you can pose your favorite girls in the many, many costumes you’ve unlocked, the different posses and facial expressions gives endless possibilities so outside of combat you can “have fun”.

There is also an Online mode where you can have 4 on 4 battles, it is a really fun mode so far I haven’t had issues while playing online, and I can find matches pretty fast( thanks random Vita Lovers). Graphically the game looks great, each of the different character animations, shinobi transformations look amazing, thanks to the game engine it looks like I am watching an episode of anime. The flashy secret techniques and backgrounds are well detailed, everything looks great on the PS Vita screen, also the Anime cut scenes are cool eye candy to behold.

Bottom Line Senran Kagura: Estival Versus is good mindless fun, there are some profound moments, there is fan service, and a great combat system. With 27 characters with strengths and weaknesses, and different fighting styles there is a character for everyone. The Diorama mode can wake up the creative photographer in you, and there are a lot of costumes to use so for the collector this is heaven. Estival Versus is the best entry in the series and like I said is a series that can pull you like a magnet, because behind all the fan service there is a great game to be discovered, it is a must for every Vita Fan out there.

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