In-Progress Review of Bleach: Rebirth of Souls

Editor’s Note: For now, I’m reviewing primarily the PlayStation 5 version, as the PC version is facing launch problems.

Bleach has always stood out as the most vibrant of the “big three” shonen anime, right up there with titans like One Piece and Naruto. However, when it comes to arena fighter adaptations, Bleach often finds itself overshadowed, much like the proverbial middle child. This is where Bleach Rebirth of Souls steps in, aiming to redefine the standard for anime fighters by delivering a refreshing and ambitious action game. I’ve only logged about 10 hours since getting the review code just before the Ultimate Edition was released yesterday, so I still have plenty more to experience before my full assessment. Yet, it’s clear already that developer Tamsoft has poured a lot of care into this project. The characters are beautifully detailed, and the combat is both dynamic and intricate, making it feel like a direct extension of the anime itself. Unfortunately, the same can’t be said for the story mode. What should be a key element acts more like a hastily constructed afterthought, clumsily posing as a visual novel.

Kicking things off, Bleach Rebirth of Souls impresses with its tutorial, which showcases the game’s strongest feature: its combat. With a somewhat overwhelming dive into anime-specific terminology regarding health bars, counters, and super moves, here’s the gist: it’s a 3D arena brawler that cleverly merges elements from Super Smash Bros.’ life stock system, Sekiro’s posture-based swordplay, all wrapped up in Bleach’s own distinct style. Unlike other arena fighters, which can sometimes fall into repetitive cycles of simple combos and super move spamming, Bleach offers a refreshing to-and-fro dynamic, demanding strategic victories rather than random button-mashing triumphs.

In gameplay, each swing of the sword is sharp and satisfying as you zip across the screen, catching foes off guard and breaking through defenses. There’s a thrill every time you see text explode onto the screen mid-action, freezing the moment when a counter or super move lands perfectly. Even when using the Standard Mode’s simplified controls, which allow for dazzling auto combos, each character harbors unique and intricate mechanics waiting to be explored. Whether it’s Uryu’s long-ranged archery or Yoruichi’s close-combat prowess, the variety keeps things interesting, challenging me to not only master my main character but also decipher the strengths and weaknesses of others.

Being a huge admirer of the anime and manga’s exquisite art, compelling character arcs, and jaw-dropping story twists, I held high expectations for the story mode in Rebirth of Souls. Regrettably, it hasn’t lived up to them. In any solid anime fighter, cutscenes should act as a thrilling payoff after a fierce battle, maintaining the adrenaline of the fight. Naruto or Dragon Ball Z games, for instance, sometimes boast cutscenes so well-done they could substitute for the anime itself. That’s not the case here. Instead, Bleach stumbles, reducing the energy and thrill to a halt with poorly executed scenes.

While the combat visuals display attention and effort, the story interludes seem more like a crude visual novel. Beyond a handful of pre-rendered scenes, the narrative feels like a chaotic, rushed summary of the anime. Rather than awe-inspiring battles between beloved characters, we’re left with unimpressive Machinima-style animations. Characters awkwardly unleash energy waves, then tumble to the ground, with even the most emotionally charged scenes rendered flat as stiff models flail in basic settings. Crucial encounters, like sword clashes, lose impact as they are cut short by jarring transitions to black, resembling placeholders rather than intentional dramatic pauses.

The quote makes it clear: the dazzling combat is in stark contrast to the dismal, inconsistent cutscenes.

If the story mode aimed to mimic a visual novel, it fell short, feeling incomplete. With review codes arriving so close to the game’s debut, there’s little doubt that relying on fans’ love for the franchise played into strategizing this launch. It’s unfortunate, as both English and Japanese voice casts bring commendable performances and the character models animate beautifully during combat. Like taking cues from Invincible season 2, which satirized animation shortcuts, Rebirth of Souls appears to prioritize combat over story, leaving non-combat scenes reminiscent of amateur fan projects.

Despite the story mode’s failure to impress in my initial 10 hours, there’s more to explore with online and offline versus modes before reaching a final judgment. Currently, Bleach Rebirth of Souls’ engaging and complex combat stands out from other average anime fighters. This dedication to bringing its cast to life through unique battle systems makes the disparity in cutscene quality all the more disheartening. Rather than inspiring me to relive the anime’s expansive saga within the game, it merely encourages a return to the original series for a genuine experience. Yet, I’m hopeful to see if the versus modes can compensate for the narrative shortcomings as I continue towards my final evaluation.