“Senran Kagura Burst Re:Newal ” is a re-imaging of the very first “Senran Kagura” game (“SENRAN KAGURA Burst”), which was released for the Nintendo DS back in 2011.

However, instead of side-scrolling, you now have everything in a 3D perspective and upgraded graphics.

As in the original version, there are two sets of stories, a set of 40 episodes from the good shinobi and around the same from the “evil” side (evil being somewhat incongruous in the “Senran Kagura” series of games).

After the rather disappointing “Peach Beach Splash” game, it’s good to get back to what the series is known for – hacking and slashing with destructible clothes, and right from the start, you know it’s going to be a great game.

First off, whilst “Burst Re:Newal “does play possibly too much like “Estival Versus”, the game is (for the most part) better than that. For starter, the camera work is slightly better this time.

However, if you don’t maintain a continual opponent lock-on, you will have to be manually adjusting the camera a lot, the graphics are much better and the gameplay is possibly a little more fluid.

Furthermore, the controls are smooth, but like Estival, it still suffers from one gameplay flaw – you can generally avoid taking a lot of damage just by jumping in the air and stomping on the ground – it takes a while, but it certainly a viable way of making sure you win!

You have all the usual shinobi transformations (which also look much better now), and of course character upgrades with new moves available when certain levels are reached, allowing you to pull off some pretty nice moves.

Especially so when you chain attacks together (which consist of the quick and light or slow and heavy attacks).

Something that is new, is the ability to temporarily boost your attack power (in addition to the transformation), which does come in very handy at times.

Burst Re:Newal’s story is good  (you very gradually get to know some of girls past history in between missions as well as how they grow their friendships.

Even so, if you have seen the anime (or played previous games), then you already know the history of the girls (you would also have noticed that the Ninja Meeting Room looks very familiar by now).

As usual, the “Intimacy”, “Dressing Up” and “Diorama” modes are correct and present, and work the same as previous titles (for good or bad).

So in overall, “Senran Kagura Burst Re:Newal” is a very fun and sexy third-person slash-em-up with no doubt. However, the game comes with a rather hefty price tag.

Simply put, if you’re a fan of the “Senran Kagura” series, then you should buy “Burst Re:Newal” straight away with no doubt, but for everyone else, it’ll be worth waiting for a sale or getting a previous version.

Pros:
+ Very nice graphics
+ Voice acting is still good
+ Character control is responsive
+ Better camera work, although manual adjust may still be needed

Cons:
– No anime intro this time
– Possibly too similar to Estival – it plays the same and some of the non-school enemies look the same as  well
– Enemy AI can be stupid at times (running off into the distance and then trying to run through (non) shinobi barriers)
– The +40 Euros price tag

Gameplay: 4/5
Graphics: 4/5
Sound and music: 4/5
Controls: 4/5
Replay value: 3/5
Story: 4/5

Verdict: 4/5
“Senran Kagura Burst Re:Newal” is a very fun game with no doubt, although at the price you may want to have a think about getting buying it, unless you are really eager to get the game.

However, “Burst Re:Newal” plays very similar to “Senran Kagura Estival”, except with an origin story and upgraded graphics. In other words, if you are new to the series, then “Burst Re:Newal” may be worth looking at that instead.

Title: Senran Kagura Burst Re:Newal
Developer: Tamsoft
Format: PC Download
Genre: Third person slash-em-up
Resolution: User-defined
Release date: 2019-01-22
Difficulty: User-defined
Spent time: + 2 hours
Average grade internationally: 80% via Gamerankings.com
PEGI age rating: 16+
Price: 40.73 Euros via Steam

Credit:
Robin Ek – Editor

Nicholas Kingsley
The Gaming Ground
Twitter: @sku_te

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• Sorcerous PC review – A long-lasting, dense, and magical RPG that offers a deep world-building lore

Tags: Burst Re:Newal, Lewd, Marvelous Europe, PC games, PC review, Senran Kagura, Senran Kagura Burst Re:Newal, Tamsoft