Prior to E3, IGN gives a hands-on impression of Bleach DS: The 3rd Phantom. The game has already been out in Japan for nearly a year now; however, there is a September 09 release date for the US. The preview discusses the gameplay elements along with the storyline.

For those who've been out of the loop, the third Bleach DS game changes things up in the series. The first two were solid 2D fighting games created by Treasure. However, they've made this installment into a strategy RPG. If you've been awaiting a Bleach RPG, this game might seem to be a good bet. However, as IGN pointed out in the preview, the gameplay consists of standard strategy RPG elements.

Fans of the hit anime Bleach have been pretty dang spoiled on DS in recent years. We've seen not one, but two pretty impressive 2D fighters by developer Treasure, each fighting against the other for the role of top DS brawler in the US. Yadda yadda, Jump Ultimate Stars is better, yadda yah; we know, but it isn't in the US, is it?

Normally this is the time of year where we start coverage on the next Bleach came, and start it we have with this first hands-on of the US version of Bleach: The 3rd Phantom. But wait a minute… this isn't a third fighting game on DS! This is something very different…

McClubbin via ds.ign.com »