Fans of Bleach will enjoy this DS game. This is the third one that I have reviewed, each one has had a different format. This one is a turn based RPG so there is no button mashing. You select the activities of your characters from menus and wait it out while the animations go. It may sound boring, but I found it addicting, and had a harder time letting it go back to Gamefly than I’d like to admit.

You’ll play as either Matsuri or Fujimaru Kudo, who are twin Shinigami from the Rukon District of Soul Society. It takes place 100 years before to the main Bleach storyline. You get a team of eight Shinigami to play in the turn-based isometric tactical combat. You can power up some of the characters to use Bankai. Eventually points gained from kills can be used to increase stats. Some of the characters can support each other on the battlefield with attacks or blocks.
There is an overall problem with 3rd Phantom that has more to do with the level design and how the game play events are paced. The customization options come too slowly, and don’t do enough to make it more fun. It plays solidly, if not stoically. You can almost get a nap in while the games AI plays against you. The battles take an eternity to play out. Everything takes a long time to navigate. A battle plan that should take mintues can take a half an hour to execute. Then if you have to go someplace in a hurry it is really difficult. If you shut down in the middle of the battle, you might be sent back.

Seeing your favorite Bleach cast members in a game is always fun. Most of Bleach’s English voice actors are on there. The expressions they say, the little jokes and remarks are what you are really there for. The animations will be interesting at first, but there is lots and lots of repetition.

Game – play seems to be centered on tactics and strategy. It might have sounded like a good time on the drawing board. In reality it is monotonos and the fun factor is some where near dull. I made it fun by choosing all girl teams which made it challanging.  Who will enjoy this game is going to depend on their perspective. If just seeing Rukia and Rangiku in a game is enough for you then you’d be satisfyied. If you are looking for the great music and spirited battles that make Bleach so popular you won’t find it in Bleach 3rd Phantom. I give it 6 Zanpaktou out of 10.