Pre-order Senran Kagura Burst Re:Newal

Senran Kagura Burst was the game that started the entire franchise. Before it became a minor success, it was expected to be a one-and-done game. As such, it was written as a self-contained story that closed off most of the character plot arcs. (In the original script, they planned to kill off the entire cast.) As the sequels walked that back, the new game is making minor adjustments to the script, mostly to make things more cohesive with the later games in the series. The English script has also been adjusted by the same editor who worked on the rest of the Senran Kagura games to make sure the characters' voices fit the later translations.

Senran Kagura Burst Re:Newal isn't just a remake of the original game. It brings the previously side-scrolling fighter into full 3D, like the newer games in the Senran Kagura series. As such, the combat has been changed significantly from the original. It's a fast-paced game similar in some ways to Dynasty Warriors. You can do quick attacks, heavy attacks, and you can also guard, dodge and parry attacks. Senran Kagura has a heavy focus on air combat as well, and if you knock an enemy into the sky, you can follow it up with an Aerial Rave combo.

As is traditional for the series, you can also undergo a Shinobi Transformation. Once you do, the character's outfit changes, and they gain access to powerful Ninjitsu attacks that can clear out tons of weaker enemies or deal huge damage to boss characters, but they need to be charged through repeated attacks. They're extremely powerful and the key to each character's play style.

There's also a Burst gauge that fills up as you fight. Once it's full, you can activate it to enter a super mode, where you're faster, stronger and can perform infinite Aerial Raves. At the end of the super mode, you'll also perform an incredibly powerful bonus attack that can deal a ton of damage. Sometimes, it's worth using Burst to clear out large amounts of weak foes, but other times, it's better to save it for a boss who can be torn to shreds by effective use of the Burst attacks.

Much as in the original game, there will be 12 different characters to pick from. The game is designed to feel as similar to the original as possible so as not to lose any fans of the franchise. That isn't to say there won't be new content. There will be two DLCs featuring the characters and schools found in the later games. Once you have both DLCs, you'll have over 20 characters and corresponding stories from later Senran Kagura games. The first DLC will come free with the limited edition of the game, and the other DLC will be offered later.

Senran Kagura Re:Newal has a lot of potential for fans of the franchise. While it's a return to the basics, the basics seem solid and well-designed. It may not be changing the series, but considering the original was previously only available on Nintendo's handheld, it's also a great way for PlayStation fans to see where everything began. Senran Kagura Re: Newal will be coming out for the PS4 sometime this summer.