SENRAN KAGURA SHINOVI VERSUS

Senran Kagura: Shinovi Versus is a simple, frenetic and fun game that is hindered by a mediocre port. It's not a game for everyone, obviously, but if you're in this kind of gameplay and... uhm... other stuff, there's value to be found.

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In SENRAN KAGURA SHINOVI VERSUS, players experience intense action and immersive storytelling as they follow the journeys of multiple factions of shinobi girls. With a focus on fast-paced combat and dramatic plot twists, this game invites players to navigate the complex relationships between rival academies and their students. As the story unfolds, players will uphold their chosen faction's ideals while battling opponents and uncovering the truth behind a dangerous conspiracy.

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Play Modes

Reviews

95%

Audience ScoreBased on 1,657 reviews

story183 positive mentions

grinding16 negative mentions

story
870 mentions
21 % positive mentions
74 % neutral mentions
5 % negative mentions
The story in "Senran Kagura: Shinovi Versus" is a mixed bag, with many players finding it surprisingly engaging despite its heavy reliance on anime tropes and fanservice. While some reviews criticize the narrative for being dragged out, text-heavy, and formulaic, others appreciate the character backstories and interconnected arcs that add depth to the gameplay. Overall, the game offers a substantial amount of content through multiple storylines for different schools and individual character missions, making it enjoyable for those who invest in the narrative alongside the action.
- “The story mode has a mountain of content, with 5 act campaigns for each of the 3 schools and unique 5 episode stories for each character.”
- “The characters are very trope-heavy, and it's easy to pick out common anime archetypes here, but the story works with that pretty well and presents a story where the relationships between the girls really shines through and you do end up caring to some degree how those relationships resolve.”
- “The story is surprisingly engaging thanks to these girls.”
- “The story is told through long walls of text that are boring and an awful way to portray the narrative.”
- “I find the formula very generic; almost every character has a sad backstory with personal issues to overcome, which gets boring, predictable, and annoying at times.”
- “The story tries to be serious, despite the fact that the main idea of the game is stripping girls.”
gameplay
405 mentions
36 % positive mentions
60 % neutral mentions
4 % negative mentions
The gameplay of this title is characterized by fast-paced, hack-and-slash mechanics reminiscent of the Dynasty Warriors series, offering a mix of offensive and defensive strategies, though many players find the defensive mechanics lacking. While the combat can become repetitive, the diverse character abilities and engaging combo systems keep it enjoyable for many, with a blend of fanservice and humor enhancing the experience. Overall, players appreciate the fun and addictive nature of the gameplay, despite some technical issues and a simplistic battle system.
- “What I got instead was a game with fun mechanics, lovable and strong characters, a really great plot, inspiring strength, tales of true friendship, and so much more.”
- “The gameplay can also be pretty addicting.”
- “The gameplay is the fastest in the series and very enjoyable, but it can also be rather mindless at times.”
- “Gameplay is pretty jarring because you're encouraged to play offensively and defensively, but the defensive mechanics they give you never really work, so you're better off just slashing like a madman.”
- “Just don't go into this game expecting a deep battle system or complex mechanics.”
- “The gameplay is repetitive and easy even on hard mode, save for a few missions.”
graphics
144 mentions
33 % positive mentions
57 % neutral mentions
10 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game, originally developed for the PS Vita, are generally considered dated and lack the polish of newer titles, with many reviewers noting that they fall short compared to other entries in the series. However, some players appreciate the unique character designs and vibrant anime art style, finding them charming despite the technical limitations. Overall, while the visuals may not impress hardcore gamers, they are deemed acceptable for a handheld port, especially when considering the game's engaging gameplay and content.
- “Produced by Tamsoft Studio, I must give my sincere congratulations for the graphics, especially the various girls, each with their unique appearance and clothing design when in ninja mode, in addition to very well done physics of the clothes.”
- “The visuals are great and run a smooth 60fps at 1080p.”
- “Graphics are vibrant and fit the game perfectly.”
- “Old PS Vita graphics, so the environment looks bad.”
- “The graphics are sadly the weakest out of all Senran Kagura games available on Steam, but they're honestly not too bad if you force supersampling or downsampling.”
- “Graphically speaking, all the effort went to the playable characters.”
music
118 mentions
52 % positive mentions
46 % neutral mentions
3 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim, with many reviewers praising its catchy and energetic soundtrack that blends traditional Japanese instruments with modern styles, including rock and metal influences. The voice acting is also highlighted as a strong point, complementing the overall audio experience. While some tracks may be forgettable, the majority are considered memorable and well-designed, enhancing the gameplay and contributing to the game's appeal.
- “The soundtrack is gigantic and full of extremely catchy and intricate hard rock tunes.”
- “The music is probably my favorite part of the series, with lots of rock and dance music infused with traditional Japanese instruments and orchestral elements.”
- “In the soundtrack part, we have something very interesting, with several lively and energetic songs, made by combining traditional Japanese instruments with more modern ones, in addition to the excellent and incredible work done in the voice of each of the characters in all their lines.”
- “The only problem is the fact that you forget about the music really fast because you're usually fully focused on the gameplay.”
- “Despite the overall generic music, there were a few tracks during the final battles that genuinely hyped me up, and the voice acting was overall well done.”
- “Half the plot you can skip because it's just more generic anime tropes and the music tells you when the scene is just going to be boob talk or some awkward lesbian innuendo.”
humor
86 mentions
99 % positive mentions
-2 % neutral mentions
3 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is widely appreciated, with many players finding the dialogue and character interactions to be genuinely funny and self-aware. While the humor often leans towards the juvenile and relies on fan service, it is described as entertaining and effective in lightening the overall tone of the game. Players enjoy the blend of comedic moments with engaging gameplay, making it a fun experience despite its more risqué elements.
- “The overarching story itself is kinda corny but the dialogue between the characters is funny.”
- “Not only that, but it's actually funny and self-aware!”
- “The translation is the MVP, though: Xseed has done a phenomenal job infusing outrageous premises with incredibly self-aware humor.”
- “Insert generic unfunny meme #752 in a desperate attempt to appear funny so people notice me.”
- “The jokes feel forced and lack any real wit or originality.”
- “I found the humor to be stale and predictable, making it hard to stay engaged.”
optimization
32 mentions
38 % positive mentions
50 % neutral mentions
13 % negative mentions
The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players praising its performance on lower-end hardware and reporting smooth gameplay at various resolutions, while others criticize it for feeling unpolished and poorly optimized compared to its predecessor, Estival Versus. Many users noted that despite the game running well on their systems, it still exhibits performance issues and lacks optimization for modern PC components. Overall, while some players experienced great performance, others found it to be one of the more poorly optimized games they have encountered.
- “Amazingly optimized game.”
- “The game runs very well, and I have had zero issues in terms of performance and framerate on my end, running on a rather below average laptop.”
- “Great performance, will run on anything that isn't a potato.”
- “I've played Estival Versus first before this, and I have to say, when I first tried it out, it felt incredibly weird, like I somehow traveled to the past and stole an unfinished tech demo that was supposedly Estival Versus. The whole thing felt absurdly similar to Estival Versus, at least on first glance, but a way chunkier, slower-paced, and just outright, less optimized version of it.”
- “Now that might have happened because my PC parts are light years ahead of the recommended specs that the developers have on the Steam page, and the game hasn't been optimized for modern PC parts.”
- “On a side note, this is one of the most poorly optimized games I have ever played.”
emotional
29 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its nostalgic and heartwarming feel, with players noting the depth of character development and the impactful backstories that evoke genuine feelings, including moments of joy and sadness. Despite its playful and sometimes silly tone, the game successfully weaves in serious themes of friendship, loyalty, and redemption, creating an emotional rollercoaster that resonates with players. Overall, the combination of engaging narratives and lovable characters fosters strong emotional connections, making it more than just a typical fanservice title.
- “Many of these stories are tragic and sometimes genuinely emotional and heartfelt.”
- “The premise is unironically pretty engaging, and the characters' backstories were emotional enough to make me tear up on a couple of occasions.”
- “It is expansive and the characters actually grow and learn, and it has some really touching moments.”
character development
25 mentions
60 % positive mentions
28 % neutral mentions
12 % negative mentions
Character development in the game has received positive feedback, with many players surprised by the depth and emotional resonance of the characters' backstories. Each character is noted to have a unique history and motivations, contributing to a richer narrative experience than initially expected. While the game features appealing character designs and enjoyable gameplay, the depth of character development stands out as a significant and rewarding aspect.
- “The character development was a very pleasant surprise as well, with each of the girls having a backstory and a sensible reason for what they're doing.”
- “But if you actually attempt to pay attention to the story when you play it, you'll notice that the long visual novel cutscenes contain a lot of character development and characterization for the characters.”
- “The story is a continuation of the previous Senran Kagura games, and while it might appear to be a bit carefree at the beginning, each girl actually has one or two dark details from their past, as well as having different reasons for becoming shinobis, different moral codes, etc. There is also some character development for each heroine, and a lot of them are related to each other in ways you wouldn't even expect.”
- “I honestly didn't think that character development would have existed in this sort of game.”
- “It's nothing groundbreaking, but it had its moments and all the characters had a decent amount of character development.”
- “That being said, it's still a functional and enjoyable game as far as the actual gameplay elements go and has more emotional moments and character development than a game like this honestly deserves.”
grinding
18 mentions
6 % positive mentions
6 % neutral mentions
89 % negative mentions
Players generally find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and time-consuming, often feeling like a chore rather than an engaging part of gameplay. While some appreciate the need for grinding to achieve completionist goals, many express frustration with the repetitive nature of combat and exploration, which can detract from the overall experience. Overall, grinding is seen as a necessary but unenjoyable element that can lead to player burnout.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “Completing it is only really a chore because of grindy achievements but still worth it.”
- “The combat and levels sound nice on paper, but the way they play out is overly tedious and repetitive at best.”
- “Grinding is easy and simplistic; levels are small and lacking variety. It's so brain dead that you'll quit playing to look for something with actual challenge and balance.”
replayability
17 mentions
18 % positive mentions
65 % neutral mentions
18 % negative mentions
The game's replayability is mixed, with some players praising the option to play through four different schools and multiple story paths, which enhances replay value significantly. However, others note a lack of content variety, particularly in multiplayer modes, leading to a perception of limited replayability despite some enjoyable gameplay elements. Overall, while there are opportunities for replay, the experience may vary greatly depending on individual preferences and play styles.
- “This game lets you play 4 different schools, so the replay value is quite high.”
- “Awesome action-adventure game with multiple story paths and tons of replayability.”
- “Fun beat 'em up (a bit repetitive but aren't they all?) with a fair amount of replay value and unlockables.”
- “Content-wise, there's only the story and the 'Shinobi Girls Hearts' side missions, which is relatively enough but poor replay value.”
- “Doesn't have much replayability due to dead multiplayer though.”
- “It does not have a lot of replay value; it does have hard mode and the previously mentioned Shinobi Girls' Heart, but that is about it honestly.”
stability
14 mentions
43 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
57 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's stability is a mixed bag; while many players report a solid performance with a steady 60 fps and minimal glitches, others have encountered significant bugs and crashes, particularly related to character models and specific gameplay scenarios. Some users noted issues with the dressing room and battle sequences, but these problems appear to be infrequent and manageable for most. Despite these concerns, many still find the game enjoyable and recommend it, highlighting that it runs well under certain conditions.
- “The game runs great, solid 60 fps and it supports 2560x1440 resolution out of the box.”
- “Overall 8/10, could be higher with a little more detail but glad they didn't, game runs great.”
- “The only thing that matters is the gameplay and how it runs and feels, and it runs great at a steady 60 fps.”
- “The biggest problem I have to point out are the bugs and glitches in the game.”
- “This one is buggy with DX12 and crashes during startup.”
- “9 out of 10 good game, bad glitches and crashes though beware of that dressing room is buggy and battles tend to crash because of weird touchpad issues.”
atmosphere
2 mentions
50 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
50 % negative mentions
Users note that while the atmosphere is essential for understanding the story and dynamics of the game, some find certain parts necessary for beginners to be disruptive, potentially breaking the immersive experience for seasoned players.
- “I am a huge fan of the series and I've played every iteration. Sometimes I skip those parts because they are somewhat necessary for a beginner to understand the atmosphere and story, but you can skip those after you get a grip on the dynamics between the different schools.”
- “For me, it kinda breaks the atmosphere.”
monetization
1 mentions
0 % positive mentions
-200 % neutral mentions
300 % negative mentions
The monetization in One Piece Pirate Warriors 3 is criticized as being exploitative, with players feeling that the game prioritizes profit over quality, despite offering more combo options.
- “One Piece Pirate Warriors 3 has more combo options, but it's also a shameful cash grab.”
- “The monetization in this game feels exploitative and detracts from the overall experience.”
- “I feel like the game is designed to push players towards spending money rather than enjoying the gameplay.”