Written by Anthony L. Cuaycong
Title: Senran Kagura Burst Re:Newal
Developer: Honey Parade Games
Publisher: Marvelous USA (XSEED)
Genre: Action
Price: $39.99
Also Available On: Steam
Censorship is, on principle, a no-no, so the decision of Sony to limit the content carried by Senran Kagura Burst Re:Newal (which made its way to store shelves early this year) vis-a-vis the original release cannot but be viewed with disappointment. The strict guidelines imposed by the console manufacturer on games licensed for the PlayStation 4 have, in this particular case, compelled publisher Marvelous to leave out an offering (present in the 2011 version of Senran Kagura Burst as well as in its iteration for the personal computer) that enabled gamers to better acquaint themselves with characters in the dressing room.
The good news is that the absence of the feature in no way discounts the true value of Senran Kagura Burst Re:Newal. At heart, it’s a labor of love that updates the title responsible for getting the Senran Kagura series off the ground. Everything about it is improved, and drastically so that it might as well be treated as a new release. From the visuals to the audio tracks to the gameplay itself, it trumps its source material. And no wonder; the latter came out on the Nintendo 3DS, a previous-generation handheld device far behind the powerhouse PS4 Pro in hardware specifications.
Armed with the processing capabilities of the platform on which the update is to run, Marvelous has cut no corners. And the result is remarkable; at the very least, Senran Kagura Burst Re:Newal manages to provide the same come-ons the current batch of gamers are used to. Which is to say those unfamiliar with the Senran Kagura series can do a lot worse than use it as a starting point. Parenthetically, the transition to the sequels and the spinoffs become less jarring. The interface has been made to approximate that of Senran Kagura Estival Versus; instead of the outright hacking and slashing that defined combat in Senran Kagura Burst on the 3DS, no small measure of strategy is required to progress in the remake given the increased variety of enemies and their presentation in a three-dimensional milieu.
Senran Kagura Burst Re:Newal keeps the raunchy tone of the original in presenting its principal characters: would-be shinobi enrolled at ninjitsu training schools with the intent of being the best at their craft. In the process, they engage in battles against each other, during which time they find themselves slowly being unclothed, their ample assets naughtily, albeit not explicitly, on display. The presentation may take fanservice to extreme, but it ultimately takes a back seat to the engrossing nature of the combat system. Each of the protagonists has unique weapons and move lists, and opportunities for upgrades via the game’s distinct Style System provide ample replay value.
In sum, Senran Kagura Burst Re:Newal earns its $39.99 price tag. Even those who already finished the original on the 3DS will appreciate the additional bells and whistles. Polished and packing a punch, it can lay claim to being the best from the Senran Kagura series to date.Sporting look and feel familiar to followers of the anime series, it’s heavy in content and technically superior, with nary any frame drops or stutters even in the face of frenetic action. It should keep gamers busy for a long while in appreciation if the eye candy, the compelling gameplay, and the bevy of unlockables on offer. Highly recommended.
THE GOOD
- Technically superior remake of the 3DS version
- Excellent audio-visual presentation
- Offers all the bells and whistles of current-generation titles
- Compelling combat
THE BAD
- Grinding required
- Uneven difficulty stepladder
- An acquired taste
RATING: 9/10
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