SENRAN KAGURA ESTIVAL VERSUS

75%
Game Brain Score Based on 2,595 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • graphics
SENRAN KAGURA ESTIVAL VERSUS Game Cover
Solid and definitely has an audience. There could be some hard-to-ignore faults, but the experience is fun.
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In Senran Kagura Estival Versus, four rival shinobi schools are transported to a mystical island for a tournament. Here, they encounter their deceased loved ones and get the chance to lay their souls to rest. The game features fast-paced action and animation, as well as a heavy emphasis on the personal struggles and relationships of the female characters.

  • PC
  • Play​station 4
  • Play​station 5
  • Windows
  • Play​Station
  • Play​station Vita
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

75%
Audience ScoreBased on 2,595 reviews
story223 positive mentions
grinding14 negative mentions
  • story979 mentions

    The story of "Senran Kagura: Estival Versus" is a mixed bag, with many players finding it to be lighthearted and comedic, yet lacking depth and coherence. While some appreciate the emotional moments and character development, others criticize it for being filled with filler missions and a weak overarching plot that often feels like an excuse for fanservice. Overall, the narrative is seen as entertaining but not particularly strong, appealing mainly to those who enjoy the series' unique blend of humor and action.

    • “The story surprised me as being rather solid, especially as I was just expecting an excuse plot for ninja girl fights, but the story mode really captured the lives of the girls in a way that allowed me to empathize with the characters.”
    • “I was genuinely surprised with a certain story mode moment, of which I'll talk about later in the review.”
    • “The story is actually kinda funny and well written.”
    • “The main story is not all that interesting or relevant, it's like an entire season of filler that makes no meaningful progress.”
    • “Ev story felt underwhelming and way longer than it had to be.”
    • “The story is much worse in general with 90% of quests being completely useless to the plot or any character lore.”
  • gameplay516 mentions

    The gameplay of "Senran Kagura: Estival Versus" is characterized by its fast-paced hack-and-slash mechanics, offering a diverse roster of characters with unique playstyles and special moves. While many players find the combat enjoyable and engaging, some criticize it for being repetitive and clunky, with issues like animation delays and limited depth in combat mechanics. Overall, the game is appreciated for its fun factor and customization options, though it may not satisfy those seeking a more complex gameplay experience.

    • “Gameplay is again the most similar to sv, yet frantic can be activated at any time, which is nice.”
    • “Coupled with its huge roster of 25 characters in the base game with unique playstyles, 3 styles (flash/yang/yin) for most characters to progress in, varied character movesets/mechanics, and plenty of single/multiplayer content; there's quite a lot of fun, experimentation and replayability to be had here.”
    • “And that day, I ended up finding one of my favorite games of all time, so let's start off with the basics: Senran Kagura Estival Versus is a simply delightful hack n slash/beat 'em up game with well-made mechanics and fast-paced gameplay, in stages there are many enemies to battle and mow down your way to victory with usually at the end of these waves of enemies you are met with another character that you must fight to complete the stage.”
    • “The game is alright, though the gameplay is stiff like crazy.”
    • “I already knew beforehand that the story and characters would be really bad and butchered compared to the other games so if it was just that I would have accepted that (non insignificant) flaw, but when the gameplay itself is also catastrophically bad it's just inexcusable.”
    • “All of the characters suffer from animation lag for all of their attacks causing gameplay to feel clunky and sluggish.”
  • graphics202 mentions

    The graphics in "Senran Kagura: Estival Versus" have received widespread praise for their significant improvement over previous titles, particularly "Shinovi Versus." Players highlight the vibrant art style, detailed character models, and smooth animations, which contribute to an overall visually appealing experience. However, some users note limitations in graphical options and settings, suggesting that while the visuals are impressive, they could benefit from further customization.

    • “The graphics are the biggest improvements made in this game; models, effects, animations, and maps have all seen a drastic makeover from the previous game.”
    • “The art style of the game is just incredible, from the action sequences to the main screen, it's all really amazing.”
    • “Graphics: 10/10 - if you like anime, you will love this.”
    • “The only problem I have about this game is that it does not show advanced graphics options.”
    • “Framerate is locked to 60fps, keyboard and mouse controls are horrible, the anti-aliasing barely even works, the resolution doesn't change, not many graphical options.”
    • “This is one of those games where they spent all their time on the visuals, but not on the gameplay.”
  • music148 mentions

    The music in the game has received widespread acclaim, with many players praising its catchy and memorable soundtracks that enhance the overall experience. The soundtrack features a mix of genres, including upbeat Japanese pop and instrumental j-rock, with character themes that resonate well with their personalities. While some found certain tracks to be repetitive or overly loud, the majority agree that the music is a standout aspect, contributing significantly to the game's fun and engaging atmosphere.

    • “I keep coming back to this game, it's fun and the soundtrack is so amazing.”
    • “The soundtrack is probably the best in the series.”
    • “Music is 10/10, there are just so many memorable soundtracks and character themes which fit perfectly.”
    • “The music is too accelerated and loud all the time.”
    • “The opening and menu themes are solid, and there are a few character theme songs that you'll love, but for the most part, it blends into the background.”
    • “Music: 9/10 - gets a bit repetitive but it's hype if you like cheery and eerie anime tunes.”
  • humor120 mentions

    The humor in the game is widely praised for its blend of slapstick comedy, witty dialogue, and absurd situations, often revolving around fan service and character quirks. Players appreciate the unexpected depth in the storytelling, which balances lighthearted moments with more serious themes, resulting in a fun and engaging experience. While some find the humor to be juvenile or repetitive, many agree that it adds significant charm and enjoyment to the gameplay.

    • “The writing and dialogue had me laughing out loud repeatedly, with the Japanese voice acting being really entertaining to boot.”
    • “Story is fun, character interactions are 10/10; I cannot count how many times they made me laugh and smile.”
    • “This game is hilarious! It's full of lewd humor and amazing characters.”
  • emotional42 mentions

    The game features an unexpectedly emotional narrative that resonates with players, often evoking heartfelt moments and even tears, despite its light-hearted and fanservice-driven premise. Reviewers highlight the touching themes of loss and coping, alongside a well-executed plot that balances humor with deeper emotional storytelling. Overall, it offers a surprising depth that keeps players engaged beyond the initial appeal.

    • “Further, it not only has a plot, it has an emotional and heartfelt plot about loss and coping with the death of loved ones.”
    • “It was an emotional rollercoaster from start to finish and I think anyone who wants an emotional, deep and engaging plot should buy this.”
    • “I am here to say that this game's story is unexpectedly touching.”
  • optimization25 mentions

    Overall, the optimization of "Estival Versus" is highly praised, with users reporting smooth performance and impressive graphics, especially for a port from a PS4 exclusive. While some minor crashes were noted, they were attributed to specific issues rather than the game's overall stability. Players appreciate the tight controls and the game's ability to maintain a constant 60 fps, making it a solid experience for both newcomers and veterans of the hack and slash genre.

    • “I loved how the graphics improved and how well optimized it is for PC considering it was a PS4 exclusive.”
    • “The performance as a port is really quite good, especially at 1080p.”
    • “You can play the game the way the game tells you to, which is unoptimized, or you can read some guides to figure out how it really works.”
    • “It also feels optimized with constant 60 fps for my PC.”
    • “Better modeling in EV compared to SV, more detailed effects; I believe you will like the special performance.”
  • character development22 mentions

    The game features impressive character development across its 20+ characters, with well-rounded arcs and engaging backstories that enhance the overall experience. While the focus on character design and fanservice is prominent, players can also enjoy deep gameplay mechanics and a rich narrative that encourages exploration of character backgrounds. However, some players may find the pacing of character progression slow, particularly if they are not invested in the main characters.

    • “I torrented this game at first but once I played it and saw how beautiful it was I just had to buy it and support the devs. The character designs are just the tip of the iceberg; this game is much more than that: we have quality gameplay, an astonishing soundtrack, a deep story (check previous games to catch up), great timed comedy and jokes to give you some laughs, and some deep thoughts to make you think about life, but most importantly, a surprisingly great character development for all the 20+ characters available just in the base game.”
    • “Expect lots of fanservice, but there's also several characters to choose from with unique playstyles, great gameplay, and a surprisingly nice story with a good deal of character development.”
    • “Conclusion: character design is too good, I like every one of them, and the background story is huge if you dig into it.”
    • “While this does add to the character development, for a time it can feel like nothing is really getting done, and if you're not interested in the focus characters it can feel like a slog.”
    • “The stereotypical anime stuff is a bit much, but I think that's just because the devs are aware that the character design is based off of the well-rounded character arcs and thick plots, so it's pretty easy to laugh at the story's absurdity.”
    • “Obviously the main appeal is the character design, but you can purchase unlockables from an in-game shop with currency you get for doing well in the missions.”
  • replayability17 mentions

    The game boasts high replayability due to its extensive roster of 25 characters, each with unique playstyles and multiple progression styles, allowing for diverse gameplay experiences. Players appreciate the satisfying combo combat and the ability to replay missions with different characters, enhancing both single and multiplayer enjoyment. Overall, the combination of varied mechanics and content keeps players engaged and encourages experimentation.

    • “Coupled with its huge roster of 25 characters in the base game with unique playstyles, 3 styles (flash/yang/yin) for most characters to progress in, varied character movesets/mechanics, and plenty of single/multiplayer content; there's quite a lot of fun, experimentation, and replayability to be had here.”
    • “Satisfying combo combat with many characters to choose from and replayability to keep you engaged throughout the story. Despite it being simplistic in many areas, the combat can keep you on edge in PvP battles.”
    • “I adore this game for its allure, simplicity, and replayability.”
    • “Not only are 3 characters locked at the beginning, the story mode enforces a playable character in every unfinished mission (although all of them can be replayed with every character).”
    • “Better gameplay with actual challenge, much better animations, better replayability.”
    • “If you're a fan of the series, and/or have played this game on PS4 and know its replay value, do it!!!”
  • grinding16 mentions

    The grinding aspect of the game is frequently noted as tedious and repetitive, particularly for players aiming for 100% completion or achievements. While some enjoy the grind for character development and experience farming, others find it a chore, especially due to the randomness in gacha mechanics and the scattered nature of specific mission requirements. Overall, the grind can detract from the enjoyment of the otherwise engaging hack and slash gameplay.

    • “The one drawback is that the game can get a bit grindy in the storyline missions.”
    • “To 100% this game is more of a chore because of tedious grinding specific stage interactions you get when finishing a shinobi off with a special move near the interactive area on the map, and they're scattered in all 98 missions.”
    • “Grinding on randomness guaranteed, because who doesn't love pointless gacha games?”
  • stability12 mentions

    Overall, the game's stability is generally praised, with most players reporting smooth performance, especially on the Steam Deck and even on lower-spec PCs. However, some users have encountered minor glitches, occasional crashes during cutscenes, and issues with saving data, though these problems are not considered game-breaking. The game is noted for running well at high resolutions, maintaining a stable frame rate for extended play sessions.

    • “Incredibly good and stable port, runs great at 4K 60fps and looks awesome.”
    • “Runs in 4K in fullscreen borderless, and runs great!”
    • “Just finished playing 8 hours straight, it runs great on my low-spec PC for the most part and all the display options are easy to get to and use to fix any lag problems.”
    • “I have experienced a few glitches while fighting and problems where I clicked 'save' and it didn't seem to save all of my data.”
    • “Sometimes there are weird glitches where what I have bought in the shop resets.”
    • “Some minor bugs and glitches that can briefly halt gameplay.”
  • atmosphere6 mentions

    The atmosphere of "Estival Versus" is described as dynamic and intense, particularly during combat, with players appreciating the high performance of the Steam version compared to the Vita version. The game is noted for its vibrant visuals and playful themes, contributing to a unique and engaging experience, though there are concerns about the future of the series.

    • “Estival Versus is great and worth playing for its high performance and beautiful fighting atmosphere.”
    • “The low frame rate in the Vita version completely ruined the intense atmosphere during combat, which is why I decided to buy the Steam version.”
  • monetization2 mentions

    The monetization strategy of the game has been criticized as a blatant cash grab, exploiting the success of its predecessor without offering substantial value to players.

    • “This was clearly made as a cash grab, piggybacking on the success of the previous entry.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

62% average critic score

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Play time

49hMedian play time
52hAverage play time
30-100hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 7 analyzed playthroughs

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