Senran Kagura Burst Re:Newal (PS4)

Going back to it's 3DS roots "Senran Kagura Burst Re:Newal" renews the old 2.5D presentation of the original Nintendo handheld release allowing those dedicated PlayStation console gamers who missed out the first go around the opportunity to bare witness to the series' origin story. Not only did this entry point receive a visual overhaul with newer graphics, but it is also functionally fit for the PS4 controller. You'll get to experience the story mode mission by mission throughout two different Shinobi alliances' perspectives within 41 chapters each. Both "Ultimate Shadow", and "Burst" with their good versus evil alignments offer replay value in the form of three difficulty settings per mission, varying grades for completion quality, and the usual assortment of obtainable unlockables with which you can doll up your favorite femme fatales to your heart's desire, and equip them with the tools of their trade. That as well as videos, and music for after game enjoyment. Even the diorama mode returns with the posing, and dressing opportunities for those looking forward to that fan service feature. Speaking of fan service there are plenty of revealing, and provocative poses as well as damaged Shinobi attire to apply. While censorship is applied it is not aggressively so, as you might assume. You'll still see the bewbie sparkles in mid-transformation as one would expect returning to the series. That, and the infamous bounce.

Returning to the origin of the series is not something one would usually expect, but in this particular case I think it warrants a return visit since it looks as if the PS4 will be home to any future Senran Kagura release. Admittedly though the game does feel a little lighter on content than more recent releases, but I suppose that is to be expected from a former 3DS game. It still keeps intact the humor, and underlying seriousness that ties-in with our favorite Shinobi gal's ongoing plight despite it's slight shortcomings. In this instance we are given the political, and non-political side of the shinobi focused story being told, and are shown the academy at which the modern day lineage of assassins continues to train to be the best of the best while fighting their rivals. In the "Ultimate Shadow" story arch Asuka, and her group of do gooders work on the side of the government against the lawless Evil Shinobi who have their own alternative agenda. They train at a certain academy facade under the guidance of a male shinobi master. Through their collective 41 mission escapades Asuka and the gang mind their mission objectives which range from helping each other out of awkward predicaments to facing off against female foes in furious fast flying combat.

On the opposite end within the "Burst" story arch you get to play as Homura, and her cohorts as they do their evil deeds, and face off against the Asuka and her academy assailants. While their antics are a little more serious due to their evil nature the girls of the Evil Shinobi alliance do have their quirky side missions which will take them into small open world areas in which they'll fight off waves of lesser, and greater threats in a manner not too dissimilar to Asuka and her fellow academy attendees. Good or evil both sides of the shinobi equation will have you laughing, crying, and cheering them on as they all do their thing.

Whichever side you choose to play as you will gain access to a similar menu of activities, and options that are not too indifferent from the other side's. Settings in the game will allow for the usual clothes destruction if you fancy it. There's also the returning shop filled with Shinobi attire, soundtrack tracks, and videos for the viewing among other things. All of which can be accessed in the game's Library or Dressing Room menus. The Library contains mostly unlockables that can be viewed or listened to while the Dressing Room menu allows you to create character dress-up sets that can be saved to a slot. Dressing room options include the usual hair, clothes, lingerie, and accessory settings. All of which have optional color choices, and patterns. You will have some items initially available, but the rest of the dressing room items will have to be bought via the shop using currency you earn in-game. It should also be noted that there is a PSN store shop listing that will no doubt have the usual premium paid for cosmetics that can only be bought with real world money. Needless to say there are plenty of options to earn, purchase, and equip to make your favorite Shinobi gals look as you wish.

Also returning to the core formula is the Diorama mode. In this mode you can include or exclude as many of your dolled up Shinobi as you want while having them pose, give off various facial expressions, eye cues, and comic book style flair. You can also change the background illustration along with the set piece for a wallpaper worthy photo opportunity. Ultimately capturing the shinobi in the usual anime inspired poses with attitude to boot.

Combat within either mode of play is the usual hack 'n slash affair with each shinobi having access to two standard melee attacks, enemy tracking (now with color health indicator), special attacks, and transformation arts that boost performance and power output. You have two different melee attacks with "SQUARE" pertaining to light attacks that can be combo'd into, and "TRIANGLE" pertaining to hard hitting heavy attacks. The R2 shoulder button allows you to track enemies, and switch between targets using Right and Left on the DPad. This in conjunction with the "CIRCLE" follow dash will allow you to stay on top of spawning/moving enemies, and deal enough damage to dispatch them to the afterlife with applied melee and specials. The L1 + SQUARE/TRIANGLE also serves an important purpose in that it allows for some beefed up special attacks. Along with that L2 also acts as a special skill activation which can be applied when you build up enough meter through melee attacks and a single multiple hit burst attack. For blocking pressing R1 will afford you that defensive maneuver, and for the ultimate transformation pressing L1 + R1will do a frantic transformation in which the shinobi's clothes are shed, and reapplied in a specific per character style. Ultimately boosting damage, and adding temporary invincibility in the heat of combat.

Missions within the game vary according to story context, but will mostly have you dealing with waves of spawning enemies or rival enemy shinobi. In the small open world arenas you'll also find crates that can be broken to find hidden collectibles as well as health items among other things. Some missions will be timed, and all have objectives that must be met in order for the mission to be considered "Completed". Upon finishing your shinobi will usually level up with XP points earned, and in some cases level up a"Yang Mastery" meter in which special abilities will become available. Things like air blocking, and attack add-ons will be applied when you level up your Yang Mastery. In the end perfection comes with a perfect end mission grade of the alphabetical sort. Time, health, and other significant stats are tallied up upon completion, and will not only give you an alphabetical grade, but will also grade each alphabetic grade with metallic tiers. Gold, silver, and the likes. Completing all 41 missions perfectly will not be an easy task, but with perfection comes PSN trophies worth flaunting. It also ups the replay value making the academic affair less than straightforward, in a grindy sort of way.

The verdict ...

I know some of you are going to scoff at the censorship, and fuss about the fact that it's a thing in this remake, but considering what they included in the way of lewdness that was more than likely not in the 3DS version I think they did alright. This game is not like PBS. It does not warrant that level of stripping or nudity. However there is an option in the settings menu that allows you to turn on clothes destruction. The destruction itself will, at best, show underboob, cleavage, and panty shots. It will strip the girls down to their lingerie when fully damaged. The nude transformation aspects are as I remember in past releases with the usual sparkles covering sensitive areas.

Aside from the censorship problem that most will argue about I think the game does good to deliver, in a new light, the origin story of the female shinobi that this series is known for. It looks like previous PS4 Senran Kagura games, and functions about the same. The returning dressing room, diorama mode, and shop are honestly more of the same. I wouldn't have expected anything else in regards to that due to the game being a series rehash. That having been said the two main modes of play did feel a little lacking. The mission areas were mostly small, and the missions themselves usually short lived with reused/recycled enemy assets on occasion. For the most part the fight was more about perfecting the fight to completion making the fights themselves (in some cases) seem less than pivotal to the plot. I think in that respect the story kind of stole the show this time around with it's cutscenes, and dialogue driven moments. Overall the game isn't bad. It isn't the best the series has seen either, but considering this is a revamp of the origin game I think it can be given a pass as acceptable, especially if you want to know more about the Senran Kagura lore.

Limited Editions & DLC ...

The limited editions of this game, depending upon edition, comes with a CD soundtrack and bonus DLC involving a character named Yumi. DLC is planned for the game with new episodes involving Yumi, and another key shinobi of interest. Fans of the series will probably want to get these limited editions while the getting is good.