Senran Kagura: Estival Versus Reviews
For as many flaws as this game has, it should also be reported that I spent my entire time playing this title with a big, stupid grin on my face.
Senran Kagura Estival Versus is an upgrade from Shinovi Versus in almost every way, able to hold its own with its silly but memorable characters, expansive content and solid entertainment value.
Senran Kagura as a series is something of a guilty pleasure for me, faults and confusion and all. At first glance… like the cover... it's a bunch of overly-exaggerated anime girls on a beach in skimpy outfits. A mission or two in, and it's overly-exaggerated anime ninjas on a beach in a contest to strip each other's clothes off. But eventually it reaches a story that's deeper than one expects from this kind of experience… then throws the mind back into the gutter for a bit. Because boobs, amirite?
As a 3D action game, Estival Versus manages to tick most boxes, but it fails to deliver anything which could be labelled as ground-breaking. While in no way poor or unenjoyable, it does little to put this franchise on the map. Still, for fans of previous entries, there's plenty of meat on the bone, bundled together in a respectably polished brawler.
I had fun with Senran Kagura Estival Versus. The beat-em-up combo system is just as enjoyable today as it was in the first game, and there is something quite rewarding about studying the move sets of the new characters and also throwing them into a sexy diorama to "study" something else about them. I wouldn't say its the best entry in the series with the excessive use of the break mechanic and the story does the game no favors, but the combination of flashy action and fan-service kept me satisfied throughout.
Senran Kagura Estival Versus sure has a lot of fanservice…and, unfortunately, not a whole lot else. If you're a longtime addict of the tongue-in-cheek T&A action here, you may just find enough to enjoy. For everyone else, however, the simplistic beat-'em-up action isn't likely to be substantial enough for more than a quick laugh or two — barely distinguishable characters and repetitive stage design actually make the teenage titillation quite tedious. The presentation, both in the visual and audio departments, has a cartoon energy that leaps out of the screen and the speakers — it's just a shame the gameplay comes nowhere close to matching that level of enthusiasm.
While the gameplay in Senran Kagura: Estival Versus can grow repetitive after awhile, the series' signature humor is present while new features like the bombshells and creative finishers help to shake it up just enough to make the game feel like a natural progression and what the series should strive to be moving forward.
I like this game. It plays really well, but the sexualized content is not for me at all. If this is your kind of thing, this is a great game to play. If you really can't get along with the anime breasts, I would say stay far away from this one. Even then, the combat is a pretty well done.
Senran Kagura Estival Versus has no shame and that's just fine.
Senran Kagura: Estival Vesus might not do anything extremely different, but it's apparent the fan base is perfectly happy with that and, ironically, so am I.
Senran Kagura Estival Versus doesn't stand out as an action game, but there's more than enough enjoyable content here to keep fans happy. An imaginative character roster and expansive storylines ensure you get enough, er, boing for your buck, and the title's presentation is top notch. As always, if you can look past the game's controversial exterior, you'll find the beating heart of a reasonably solid hack and slasher.
Estival Versus continues to build on a formula that's working for the franchise, but is starting to wear thin on its fanservice schtick. The gameplay is really hitting its stride now and has quite a bit of good additions this time around, with plenty of characters and variety. The excellent localization also helps strike a good balance between the comedy and touching story bits. Anyone who's interest in Senran Kagura game though, should opt for the portable version, because there's almost no way you can explain owning this on PS4.
It's not great, but Senran Kagura Estival Versus offers up some low brow fun in multiplayer. Poor level design kills the single player experience, though.
Senran Kagura Estival Versus is the softcore contents of a hidden folder on a 13 year old boy's computer sprung to action, the results being a competent hack and slash bout of violence starring inappropriate, large-breasted women. The game is a total mess at its best, and is just cringeworthy at its typical worst. The Vita version of Senran Kagura Estival Versus is a competent game that has a very similar feel to the PlayStation 4 version, and the game itself is fun despite the immature themes. A portable version of this game seems unnecessary, and overall the game is not worth even a moment's time even from the most dedicated a hack-and-slash player.
Summary : Senran Kagura: Estival Versus continues the series forward momentum of compelling character-driven narrative and addictive and accessible combat in the best-looking entry to date. The light-hearted tone pairs well with the brawler gameplay x musou meets visual novel. Don't buy into the hate and give this one a shot.
Senran Kagura: Shinovi Versus is an entertaining romp, that will probably engross you for the length of time needed to complete 2 or 3 of the games 4 storylines - but unless you can find yourself lost in the games dizzying amount of fanservice, all that's left to find is a decent beat-em-up, with some surprising character to back it up.
On one hand I had a lot of fun, but on the other, there are some serious questions about the sexual objectification of the characters, and where the line is drawn between fun and overkill.
Politically correct gaming... yeah, this isn't that!
Estival Versus is a short game in terms of the main story, but has high replayability with the 27 characters to choose from. If you're a fan of fast-paced anime action and cutie anime girls (It's okay, I won't tell) then this game is definitely worth pick
As for other players, if you take issue with characters with big bosoms, this game revels in bouncy breasts. If you can get behind the game's presentation and are looking for a solid musou with a likable cast, this game might be able to scratch that itch.