Senran Kagura: Peach Beach Splash (PS4)

If you like bouncy busty anime gals having fun with squirt guns then this latest Senran Kagura adventure might be for you. If however you are easily offended by censorship, or are a feminist you might not enjoy it so much. Personally I found it to be fun though quite perverted. That having been said I am a grown adult male who has seen worse in the way of sexuality, and who can handle adult content without getting butthurt over it. What XSEED, and Marvelous! provides here is mild in comparison to a lot of adult games, and is actually quite fun. The game, as it were features both single player, and multiplayer content with a new RPG card system that adds immense replay value. Returning are all the Shinobi gals from the previous series' entries as well as the mob battles, and character versus character scenarios. They are still with their resident clans, and leaders, but are switching things up with a demon appeasing ceremony of the splashy kind. One that is televised by "NewTube", and hosted by Senran Kagura's equivalent of Team Rocket in the form of Ms.S and Mr. K. The P1-Grand Prix which the girls are forcefully summoned to is in fact a ceremony in the guise of a televised squirt gun based sports event. The victor of the event will get any wish their heart desires, and in the process they'll stop a looming threat. There's wacky hijinks aplenty, and combative gameplay that's fun enough to whet your arena shooter whistle.

Gameplay in, "Senran Kagura: PBS" is broken up into two main mode listings, and further into several different sub-modes. There's "Single Splash" in which you can play through 10 story missions via "Story Mode" while battling mobs, characters or bosses to further the plot. There's also, "Paradise Episodes" which consist of 5 missions that feature behind-the-scenes character scenarios not included in the main story. In this particular mode the battles are more character oriented, but with the mob creatures being used as a distraction from the main target/s. Lastly in Single Splash's listing is, "V-Road Challenge". A tournament with three preliminary rounds, a semi-final round, and a final round ending in the tournament victor receiving the usual rewards. Those rewards being cards, and in-game currency. There are four tournament Cups to be played through in the V-Road Challenge including the, "School Cup", "Honey Cup", "Queen Cup", and "Venus Cup". Battles in these bracket based tournaments focus on your personally selected, and crafted team of card inclusive characters, and their fight against computer selected opponents. Each Cup in the league is progressively more difficult as one might imagine.

It should be noted that in the "Story Mode", and "Paradise Episodes" you have the option to turn up the difficulty to three stars. Each getting progressively more difficult when it comes to the AI opponents. Winning any of the missions will ultimately result in an alphabetical ranking with 'D?' being the lowest, and 'S' being the highest possible score. The rewards for completion are card booster packs that contain skill cards, weapon cards, and pet cards. Each of which can be equipped to your chosen character, and upgraded with duplicate cards. Characters in the roster have one weapon card each as well as three pet cards, and six skill cards. The cards come in distinct color coded rarities including, 'N', 'R', 'SR', 'SSR', and 'UR' accompanied by a respective star rating. Duplicate cards which are automatically turned into upgrade points are placed in the associated rarity listing, and will upgrade the cards they are applied to accordingly. Normal cards will only give 5XP per card while UR card duplicates will upgrade 100XP per card.

Speaking of the cards there are three base varieties as previously mentioned. The weapon cards are the weapons you'll be using in battle, and range from dual pistols to rocket launchers, and everything between. You'll even find sniper rifles, and shotguns in the mix among other things. The pet cards which are also made available from winnings, and at the start of your playthrough are mini assist creatures that do various things such as support your character, or add defense, and offense options. The skill cards which are also a vital part of the card setup add special abilities in the form of special attacks, buffs, nerfs, and defenses. All cards containartisitic images reflective of the game's characters, and lore (Some Lewd). Using any of the cards outside of the weapon of choice is done by pressing one of the four DPad options. Cards are rotated between the four slots as you play the match, and use them. Of course like most usable in-game items these perks are governed by a numerical gauge, and that gauge must be filled to a point (the card highlighted) before said card's effect can be used.

As far as base combat functions go everything your character can do in battle is governed by a water bottle meter. Four water bottles to be exact. A meter which can be refilled by holding down (SQUARE) when the displayed bottles are emptied. By firing your weapon (R2), jet dashing (CIRCLE), or Jet Boosting/Jumping (X) the water bottle contents will empty. Depending on the weapon type this might happen faster. Other functions to note include the ability to lock-on (L2), and switch between to gun functions (L1). Along with these basics comes the more naughty mechanics in form of "Squirmy Finishes", and a sort of sexy humiliation that you can apply via a button mashing (Activate with SQUARE & L.Thumbstick Rotation + R2) mini-game when an opponent is downed with a heart icon floating above them. The 'Squirmy Finishes' come into play when the opponent is in a vulnerable position during a cinematic ending. In these cases focusing on the characters' face, chest, or butt will get a different response from said character.

Another main mode menu comes in the form of, "Multi Splash". This is the competitive multiplayer aspect of PBS in which you play as one card wielding character in a team of 3 to 5 players. In it's listing you'll find a 'Ranked Match' option with the usual parameters in place for matchmaking. There's also a 3v3, and 5v5 versus battles options as well as a separate Co-op Survival mode in which you will face mobs and characters from the game with an online partner. You'll also find a rank free, "Free Match" mode where the PP (Player Points) aren't added or deducted. For those of you worried about your leaderboard standings there is a "Ranked Leaderboard" listed for that very purpose. Perks that come with playing online include the previously mentioned ranking system, stickers which can be flashed on your player profile while waiting on a game to initiate, and the option to apply a player icon of your choice to your color chosen player profile loadout. I will say this ... During my playthrough I was unable to find a single person playing this game online in any of the modes. As the PR said this is due to the servers not being active before launch.

Matches in both the Single, and Multi Splash modes start off with a countdown, and eventually an arena battle in which there's plenty of environmental advantages in the form of hiding places, and layered locales. The arenas vary in design ranging from a pirate theme to a pinball theme, and even a Japanese building theme among other things. The layouts are different for each, and each layout has a starting side for either team of players/characters. The characters themselves are shown in a 3rd person perspective that's more akin to what you'd find in an arena shooter. The combat itself is both timed, and not timed depending on which mode type you are playing. It is fast, and frantic, but not so chaotic as to be arcadey like Call of Duty. There's enough combat mechanics to mind that it is a very calculated battle every time you engage you human, or AI opponents.

Beyond the gameplay options you'll also find a shop filled with booster card packs, cosmetic items, and Library unlockables such as music that can be enjoyed outside of the game. Buying stuff from the store requires the in-game currency Zeni, and special Medals that are earned from completing Single Splash modes. The more you play through Single Splash the more that will be offered within the "Normal" store. As with previous Sengan Kagura games you can also once again choose who your shopkeeper is. This can be set to random, or any character at no extra cost. Along with those options you can also switch their skins making them different from their base skin. In any mode this is done by pressing "OPTIONS" when selecting the character.

The Library, which I mentioned earlier, holds various collections of unlockables earned, or bought in the game. This includes the three types of cards, movies, music, illustrations, and even a voice collection. All noteworthy reasons to continue playing the game to completion. For those of you who forgot the details of the intro tutorial that is something else that can be found at the starting screen menu. Selecting "Training" will allow you to go back, and play through the 5 mission tutorial which broke down every mechanic in a hands-on sort of way.

Last, but definitely not least is the "Dressing Room/Shower" mode. This main mode listing of moral dilemma is divided into three sub-modes including, "Dress Up", "Intimacy", and "Diorama". In it you can doll up your favorite characters using cosmetics that range from various clothing articles (panties included) to accessories. Each of which holds a rarity ranking in the form of diamonds. The more diamonds on the item image the rarer that item is. Extending upon this base dressing feature is the "Diorama" mode in which players can use dressed up characters, and place them in themed 3D/2D environments as well as use other special effects for sexy photo snapping opportunities. The secondary, "Intimacy" mode is the one where the perversion really sets in. In it your dolled up character can be groped with grabby hands (L3 + R3) to the point of blushing, and squirted on using different colored streams to the same effect. The groping mechanics allows the player to abuse the boobs in various unnatural ways squeezing them, slapping them, and pulling them around. Again, I don't mind this as I know what to expect from the rating, and the series, but it is honestly the most perverted point in the entire game. The only censorship beyond that comes in the form of sparkly nipple hiding, but there's enough skin still shown that, that shouldn't matter to the most pervy adults out there.

The Verdict ...

I was able to look beyond the perverted points in this game, and find something greatly enjoyable. The combat, and applied mechanics were done in such a complimentary, and refined way it made each battle fun. The game looks gorgeous, and dare I say it, "Sexy". The 3D environments are visually impressive as are the waifu worthy Shinobi gals. I loved this game, and I enjoyed it. The only thing I didn't like is not being able to find anyone playing online, but that will pick up upon release as the PR said. In closing 'Senran Kagura Peach Beach Splash' gets the Inferno's "Hell Yeah!!!" seal of approval!. Bugger off all you extreme censorship crybabies, and feminist feelers.

The standard edition of, "Senran Kagura Peach Beach Splash" will set you back $49.99 while the limited "Sexy Soaker" edition will cost $59.99 with two PS4 themes included as well as the digital soundtrack. Either way it's a good deal for fans of sexiness, and fun!