Bleach: The 3rd Phantom announced for DS in North America

Bleach: The 3rd Phantom DS screenshot

Sega has announced Bleach: The 3rd Phantom as the newest game based off the hit animated series. This time the game will be coming to the DS and entering the world of strategy role-playing for the first time. The game is scheduled for release in North America this Fall.

Bleach: The 3rd Phantom employs the best of both worlds as it mixes traditional Strategy RPG gameplay with unique side-scrolling battles. The field map features “outrageous” renditions of the Bleach characters that is sure to please fans while the battles feature anime-styled 2D graphics with beautiful artwork that looks to be ripped straight from the show. Once gamers complete the story mode, a bounty of unlockable content awaits them. Multiplayer is also featured which allows up to two players to battle head-to-head via Wireless Mode.

The videogame-exclusive storyline for Bleach: The 3rd Phatom meanwhile has been created from the ground up while being supervised by Tite Kubo, the author and creator of BLEACH. Shedding light on events that transpire before the animated series begins, players get to choose who they want to play as the story centers between two fraternal Soul Reaper twins, Fujimaru Kudo and his sister Matsuri Kudo.

The game offers an enormous cast with over 50 playable characters who all feature voices lent by the actors from VIZ Media’s award-winning animated series and will ensure that players will get a dynamic range of personalities as they make their way through the game and discover new characters. With each character having their own unique skills and strengths, players will be able to adapt to any situation as they build an army of up to eight Soul Reapers.

In order to unlock certain characters, gamers must manage personal relationships through in-game dialog interactions and various other conditions. Naturally, fans will encounter the familiar faces of Ichigo, Aizen and Rukia alongside never before seen characters developed specifically for the title. Additionally Arturo, the SEGA exclusive Arrancar, makes his return from Bleach: Shattered Blade. As players fight against the Arrancar and Hollows, they will gain experience to further customize their character’s abilities.

“With the tremendous success of the past three BLEACH videogames, we are very excited to introduce the newest game in the series” said Sean Ratcliffe, Vice President of Marketing, SEGA of America, Inc. “BLEACH is the perfect game for a Strategy RPG. With such a vast variety of customizable features, characters, and exclusive storyline, gamers everywhere will experience a whole new way to play BLEACH.”

“We are thrilled to once again partner with SEGA for the development of a new BLEACH videogame” states Andrea Gonzalez, Licensing Director, VIZ Media. “We are proud of the success of both the manga and the animated series from VIZ Media and are thrilled with the success the previous two SEGA games continue to enjoy in North America. We look forward to great fan response to the release of BLEACH: The 3rd Phantom.”