Senran Kagura: Estival Versus
A hack and slash sequel with fan service and guest fighters.
Senran Kagura: Estival Versus, a hack and slash title from Tamsoft and published by Xseed Games, arrived on PlayStation 4 and Vita in March 2016, with a PC version following on March 17, 2017. This sequel to Senran Kagura Shinovi Versus sees rival kunoichi schoolgirls transported to a mysterious tropical island world, where they must battle to uncover shinobi secrets. Critics praised its gameplay and story, but the heavy fan service sparked controversy, with some deeming the ecchi content too intense for casual players.
Quick Facts
- Series
- Senran Kagura
- Developer
- Tamsoft
- Publisher
- Marvelous (JP)
- Xseed Games (NA)
- Marvelous Europe Limited (PAL)
- Producer
- Kenichiro Takaki
- Writer
- Yukinori Kitajima
- Composer
- Mutsumi Ishimura
- Akihi Motoyama
- Tatsushi Hayashi
- Takako Ochiai
- Genre
- Hack and slash
- Modes
- Single-player, multiplayer
Facts from the source article.
Release
Two special editions of Estival Versus were released, one for PlayStation 4 and one for PlayStation Vita, both under the name Nyuu Nyuu DX Pack Premium. Each pack came with the game, a collector's box, a code for the 30-minute OVA Senran Kagura: Estival Versus—Eve Full of Swimsuits (featuring 20 characters), a Drama CD, a soundtrack CD, and mini figurines. The Vita version included figurines from the Hebijo Clandestine Girls’ Academy, while the PS4 version had figurines from the Gessen Girls’ Private School; the Drama CDs also had different track listings. Early copies of these collector's editions added a bonus two-CD soundtrack set and a visual book. Guest characters arrived as DLC, starting with Ayane from the Dead or Alive and Ninja Gaiden series. Her DLC also included a kimono and a blue kunoichi outfit based on Kasumi, created in a collaboration with Marvelous. In exchange, Dead or Alive 5 Last Round got a costume set that dressed its female characters as Senran Kagura characters, with those costumes being breakable on PS4 and Xbox One; Ayane’s costume in that set was based on Yagyū. Three more guest characters came from Ikki Tousen: Hakufu Sonsaku, Uncho Kan'u, and Housen Ryofu. Because of temporary licensing problems, these three did not appear in Western versions until the PC port arrived on March 17, 2017. Ayane was removed from online stores on March 17, 2021.
Reception
The PlayStation 4 version received a Metacritic aggregate score of 67/100, indicating mixed or average reviews, while the Vita and PC versions each scored 71/100. CJ Andriessen of Destructoid rated the game 75/100, praising its combination of flashy action and fan service but noting the story did the game no favors and that it was not the best in the series; he called the Vita version playable but a downgrade from the PS4 version. Jason Bohn of Hardcore Gamer rated it 3/5, describing it as aggressively silly and dumb fun, and stated that while the game could be seen as objectifying women, it was done with a wink and a nudge and he would not be embarrassed to play it with his wife in the room due to the characters being strong. Robert Ramsey of Push Square rated it 6/10, calling it a reasonably solid hack and slasher with shockingly robust online multiplayer, though he struggled to find full rooms due to a low multiplayer population.
Frequently Asked Questions
What platforms is Senran Kagura: Estival Versus available on?
Senran Kagura: Estival Versus was released for PlayStation 4, PlayStation Vita and Windows.
Who composed the music for Senran Kagura: Estival Versus?
The music for Senran Kagura: Estival Versus was composed by Mutsumi Ishimura, Akihi Motoyama, Tatsushi Hayashi and Takako Ochiai.
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