Is the Bleach Rebirth of Souls a big letdown as many players have been saying? Is it worth playing even if you are a hardcore Bleach fan?
If you’re a diehard Bleach fan who once attempted a Bankai pose in front of the mirror — you must have had Bleach Rebirth of Souls on your radar since the moment it was announced. A full-fledged Bleach fighting game in 2025? Shut up and take my money (maybe even my soul)! But now that it’s finally out, the question isn’t whether it makes your inner Shinigami scream with joy. It’s whether the Bleach Rebirth of Souls gameplay actually lives up to the hype… or if it’s just another anime cash grab with a coat of nostalgia.
So let’s dive in and talk in detail about Bleach Rebirth of Souls gameplay and combat mechanics — Zanpakuto first!
What can you expect from the Bleach Rebirth of Souls Story Mode?
If you’ve been waiting for a way to re-live the epic Soul Society arc in interactive form, the Bleach Rebirth of Souls Story Mode might be your gateway to nostalgia. The game allows you to play the most iconic arc of the Bleach anime — Ichigo’s desperate quest to save Rukia from execution. And yes, the game definitely delivers some absolute bangers in terms of combat sequences.
Bleach Rebirth of Souls gameplay truly stands out as compared to most anime games. The game comes alive during one-on-one boss fights. You get to play the legendary Ichigo vs. Kenpachi duel, reimagined in full 3D chaos. The clang of swords, the bursts of Reiatsu — it’s all there. And that’s not all. You’ll witness Yamamoto Genryūsai squaring off against Shunsui Kyōraku — a battle which was unfortunately never fully shown in the anime (Wonder why?) And let’s not forget Soifon vs. Yoruichi: the cold captain of Squad 2 clashing with her former mentor Yoruichi’s smooth, taunting agility. These moments feel special because they finally let you be in the scene, not just watch it.
The cutscenes lack full animation (a major letdown), as it feels somewhat like an animated visual novel. The voice acting and musical score do a decent job of reviving the old Bleach magic. For fans, Bleach Rebirth of Souls Story Mode will feel like a playable nostalgia. For newcomers? It might be a tad confusing, but the spectacle should still impress.
How good is the Bleach Rebirth of Souls combat system?
The reviews regarding the Bleach Rebirth of Souls combat system seem to be mixed. On one hand, the gameplay definitely seems to be fast-paced, stylish, and full of spiritual energy — literally. Each character has a unique set of moves, finishers, and transformation sequences that echo their anime counterparts. The first few hours feel fantastic. You’re throwing Getsugas, dodging Ceros, and unlocking ultimates like it’s your own personal anime opening.
But players have been quick to criticize a few major flaws in the Bleach Rebirth of Souls combat system. For starters, there’s no ranked mode or crossplay at launch. That’s right — if you’re hoping to flex your Byakuya online, your opponents better be on the same platform. Also, the combos can feel overly simplistic. It may be enjoyable for casual players, competitive fans will note the lack of depth.
The movement system also feels slightly clunky. Dash mechanics are floaty, and hit detection can be frustrating. On PC, things get worse — numerous users have reported crashes, audio bugs, and even controller issues. For a game that demands twitch reactions and fluid combat, these issues break immersion faster than Yammy getting one-shotted. Overall, Bleach Rebirth of Souls reviews are mostly leaning towards negative than positive.
Is Bleach Rebirth of Souls worth buying on Steam or PlayStation ?
On Steam, Bleach Rebirth of Souls comes at $40 (₹ 3,499) for the base game and $60 (₹5299) for the Deluxe Edition. Console versions hover a bit higher than that price: the Deluxe Edition goes for $70 (₹5,999), and the base game is available at $50 (₹3,999). If it seems too high, you are not the only one that feels that way. You can buy The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt – Game of the Year Edition and Batman: Arkham Knight combined for less than half of that price — and those games look significantly better despite being ten years older.
And here’s where the cracks start showing. Despite being a 2025 title, Bleach Rebirth of Souls still relies on cartoon graphics. Yes, they match the anime vibe perfectly, and sure, they’re undoubtedly charming — but for a AAA-priced game, fans expected more visual flair. It’s hard to ignore that even ten-year-old titles offer better atmospheric depth, lighting effects, and animation detail.
And when we talk about the animation- there isn’t much in the story mode. Unlike Mortal Kombat or Injustice, where the campaign feels like a playable movie, Bleach Rebirth of Souls sticks to images and voiceovers. It feels like a letdown for those looking for full immersion, especially when you’re shelling out premium pricing.
Many critics and even fans of the Bleach Franchise have pointed out how the lack of polish and depth make the game feel rushed. Bleach Rebirth of Souls gameplay misses important features like ranked matchmaking. In addition, there is no crossplay. If you combine it with the weak PC port, the overall value just doesn’t match the game’s price.
So, is Bleach Rebirth of Souls worth buying on Steam or Playstation? Unless you are a diehard Bleach fan, you might want to hold off for a Sale. Or at least wait for them to fix their issues.
When is the Bleach Rebirth of Souls release date?
Developed by Tamsoft Corporation and Published by Bandai Namico Entertainment, Bleach Rebirth of Souls officially launched on March 21, 2025, and it’s now available on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC via Steam. There’s no word yet on a Nintendo Switch version or Game Pass inclusion, which is disappointing for handheld warriors or budget-conscious gamers. Still, if you’re eager to throw down as Ichigo, Rukia, or even Aizen himself, you now have the chance… assuming your PC doesn’t catch fire!
Should I play it?
If we remain completely honest, the Bleach Rebirth of Souls gameplay offers moments of brilliance, especially for fans who’ve waited years to relive the Soul Society arc in interactive form. The character animations, voice lines, and music all deliver that nostalgic Bleach flavor we love. And those boss fights? Epic!
But when you look past the sparkle and nostalgia, there’s a laundry list of shortcomings: Bleach Rebirth of Souls gameplay lacks the combat depth we want, and there is also the lack of ranked or crossplay features. In addition, the game has a weak story presentation, plus there are performance issues — especially on PC. And when we combine all that with a premium price tag in 2025, suddenly, this Soul Reaper feels more like a wallet reaper. Maybe the publishers should have considered releasing it at least 30 percent cheaper?
Final verdict? Unless you’re a diehard Bleach fan, this game is definitely not worth the price at launch. Wait for a sale, and until then, maybe rewatch your favorite episodes of the anime!
