Things just keep getting better
For those who don't - give it a try anyway.
Bleach is back on the PS2 with Blade Battlers 2nd, and what a fine job Racjin have done. Just over a year later and the game has been beefed up nicely.
Game play - The game features a new tutorial mode, which serves to introduce some new attacks/techniques and to refresh knowledge of the old ones. However it can be had to complete if you don't read Japanese. You begin with 14 characters at your disposal as well as 9 arenas to fight in. There are two main modes that will be played the most (Not counting Free Battle), Story Mode and Battlers Mode. Story mode is just that - a story mode. It consists of 7 'episodes' each with 5 fights. Completing these earns you more fighting arenas.
Battlers Mode is ... very involved. There are literally hundreds of fighting missions to complete and not being able to read Japanese can REALY frustrate you. It looks as if you're playing on a board suspended in mid-air. You start off as Ichigo with a partner and select the square (Fight) you wish complete. Green squares are normal 'free' battle squares, but Blue squares require you to beat the mission with a specific player. At the end of every fight, a criteria screen will appear and you will be able to earn yourself a maximum of 3 crowns, however only if you fulfil that specific criteria (see how it can become annoying if you don't read Japanese?) The purpose of Crowns? To unlock more Blue squares (and a specific character). The purpose of Blue squares? Earn more fighting squares and earn bonuses for purchase. Battlers mode unlocks all of the characters.
The game has a TON of bonuses to be earned. Among these are the hilarious Radio Kon Golden skits. Yes, they too are in Japanese but you can still manage to get the jist and laugh (they are quite funny, and beautify brought to life). Once again there are pictures to unlock, but there are also, what feels like, a billion different accessory items to unlock, buy and equip. While these don't enhance your fighting ability, it is funny to see Yamamoto fighting with an afro, or Kon wearing Urahara's hat, or giving a few characters some bling, or sunnies.
There are new attacks, new gauges to keep your eyes on and some awesome new EX (finisher type) moves. In the previous game you could only activate two types of 'O' attacks, one that used 1/3 reiatsu and the other using the whole bar. Now there are four different 'O' moves – you can activate it while transformed now!! Controls - The controls are nearly identical to the previous game however because some new manoeuvres have been introduced some things have changed. The attacks are quite easy to execute, but fast paced fighting can sometimes get the better of you. Sound/Graphics - The seiyū (Voice actors) are all here to lend the characters their voices, and they sound great - they never sound bored or tired. The only problem is hearing the same phrase over and over again...but that's always going to be a problem - the same goes for the music too, it's fantastic but at times repetitive.
The graphics have taken a step forwards. The characters look much better, as do their attacks. Initiating certain character's transformations can look fantastic and just like the anime (Byakuya's Bankai). The arenas also look nice and smooth, although it's not perfect.
Overall – In just over a year the game has been improved upon this much! With a total of 36 characters, you're bound to have a favourite (Aizen!) and considering this game can have a total of 4 players, it is a game well worth buying. 9.5/10