Yo-kai Watch Blasters

Last updated
Yo-kai Watch Blasters
Yo-kai Watch Blasters Red Cat Corps Artwork.png
North American cover art for Red Cat Corps
Developer(s) Level-5
Publisher(s)
Director(s) Ken Motomura
Producer(s) Akihiro Hino
Programmer(s) Yuji Mori
Tetsuo Mori
Artist(s) Takuzo Nagano
Miho Tanaka
Nobuyuki Yanai
Writer(s) Kohei Azuma
Akihiro Hino
Yoichi Kato
Composer(s) Kenichiro Saigo
Series Yo-kai Watch
Platform(s) Nintendo 3DS
Release
  • JP: July 11, 2015
  • WW: September 7, 2018
Genre(s) Role-playing
Mode(s) Single-player, multiplayer

Yo-kai Watch Blasters [lower-alpha 1] is a role-playing video game developed and published by Level-5 for the Nintendo 3DS. Blasters was originally released in two versions, named Red Cat Corps [lower-alpha 2] and White Dog Squad. [lower-alpha 3] The game is a spin-off based on the Blasters mini-game in the main series game Yo-kai Watch 2 , and was released in Japan in July 2015 and worldwide by Nintendo in September 2018. [1] Human characters are noticeably absent from gameplay, and players control yōkai in a beat 'em up action style instead.

Contents

The story follows Jibanyan and his Blasters team in stopping Yo-kai shenanigans. Players tackle various missions and bosses and befriend new Yo-kai in the process. The game spoofs the Ghostbusters franchise, and is named "Busters" in the Japanese release. [2] However, due to copyright and licensing issues, the Western release was renamed, and most of the overt references to Ghostbusters were removed (including notable spoofs of the Ectomobile and Stay Puft Marshmallow Man, among others).[ citation needed ]

Gameplay

In Yo-kai Watch Blasters, the player plays as Yo-kai; there are only four medal slots in Blasters, in contrast to the six slots in the main series games. The game has four types of missions: Story, Patrol, Boss Rush (Big Boss in English versions), and True Challenge Missions. In all missions, players collect Oni Orbs, an in-game currency that has many uses, including leveling up Yo-kai, buying items, making and upgrading equipment, and using the Oni Crank-a-kai. The Crank-a-kai allows the player to spend coin items to have a chance at getting rare items and Yo-kai.

In Story Missions, the player progresses through the story to become the best Blaster possible. There are two types of Story Missions: Main Missions and Sub Missions. As the name suggests, Main Missions are essential to completing the story. Sub Missions are generally optional, though some are essential to progress in the main story.

In Patrol Missions, the player explores different towns of their choice to befriend Yo-kai and clear small missions called Mini Missions, which reward Oni Orbs.

In Big Boss Missions, the player can re-fight bosses previously defeated in Story Missions. Each Big Boss Mission has a selectable difficulty level: Normal, Super, and Ultra mode. Ultra Big Bosses require the use of an item called "Ultra Orb" specific to each boss to be challenged. The requirements to get Ultra Orbs vary between bosses. Additionally, eight bosses have an additional Challenge Mode, where the objective is to beat a set amount of them with increasing difficulty as fast as possible.

Each mission has a distinct set of objectives. These may include collecting items, battling Yo-kai, etc. If all Yo-kai faint, or the timer runs out, the mission is failed.

Roles

Each playable Yo-kai has one of four roles: Fighter, Tank, Healer, and Ranger. Fighters specialize in dealing damage to foes to defeat them. Tanks protect the team with defensive techniques and support them using negative Inspirit effects. Healers' main purpose is to heal the team to help them stay alive. Rangers use different techniques to support allies by debuffing foes and dealing damage.

Moves

Each Yo-kai has access to one normal attack and three to four Technique attacks. Some of these are restricted to certain roles or Yo-kai. Additionally, each Yo-kai has a special, powerful move called a Soultimate, which is only performable after the Soul Meter is charged by using attacks. Some Soultimate Moves take longer to charge than others for the same attack.

Stats and equipment

Similarly to mainline games, in Yo-kai Watch Blasters each Yo-kai has 5 stats: HP, strength, spirit, defense and speed. HP determines how much damage a Yo-kai can take. Speed determines how fast the Yo-kai moves on the field: at a Fast, Normal or Slow speed. Strength affects how powerful a Yo-kai's physical attacks are, and Defense affects the amount of damage that a Yo-kai takes from attacks. The player can give equipment to Yo-kai to increase their stats.

Equipment sometimes has additional benefits, such as increased critical hit chance or resistance to elemental attacks. Players are able to create or strengthen equipment, which usually requires materials and Oni Orbs, and occasionally Yo-kai Souls. Players can also gain equipment by scanning special QR codes, or as treasure drops after clearing a mission.

Players can perform Soulcery to turn Yo-kai into an equippable items called Souls that grant certain benefits. Souls can be leveled up by being fused with other Souls or turned into rare Soul Gems by fusing two specific Souls together.

Plot

Characters

Release

The spin-offs' commercial success in Japan led to a free expansion, Moon Rabbit Crew, [lower-alpha 4] which released in Japan in December 2015 and worldwide in September 2018. [3]

In addition, a Japanese-exclusive arcade version, Iron Oni Army, [lower-alpha 5] was released in December 2015.

Reception

Both versions of Yo-kai Watch Blasters received mixed or average reviews, according to the review aggregator Metacritic. [4] [5]

Sequel

A sequel, Yo-kai Watch Busters 2: Secret of the Legendary Treasure Bambalaya , [lower-alpha 6] was also released in two versions, Sword [lower-alpha 7] and Magnum, [lower-alpha 8] on December 16, 2017. [9] The sequel games are linkable with the Blasters games as well as the three versions of Yo-kai Watch 3 released in Japan. [10]

Busters 2 has not been localized into English and most likely will not be due to its low sales, mostly negative reception,[ citation needed ] and the 3DS family of consoles ending production in September 2020.

Notes

  1. ↑ Known in Japan as Yo-kai Watch Busters (Japanese: 妖怪ウォッチバスターズ, Hepburn: Yōkai Wotchi Basutāzu)
  2. ↑ Known in Japan as Yo-kai Watch Busters Akaneko-dan (Japanese: 妖（よう）怪（かい）ウォッチバスターズ 赤（あか）猫（ねこ）団（だん）, Hepburn: Yōkai Wotchi Basutāzu Akaneko-dan, lit. Yokai Watch Busters Red Cat Squad)
  3. ↑ Known in Japan as Yo-kai Watch Busters Shiroinu-tai (Japanese: 妖（よう）怪（かい）ウォッチバスターズ 白（しろ）犬（いぬ）隊（たい）, Hepburn: Yōkai Wotchi Basutāzu Shiroinu-tai, lit. Yokai Watch Busters White Dog Team)
  4. ↑ Known in Japan as Yo-kai Watch Busters Getto-gumi (Japanese: 妖（よう）怪（かい）ウォッチバスターズ 月（げっ）兎（と）組（ぐみ）, Hepburn: Yōkai Wotchi Basutāzu Getto-gumi, lit. Yokai Watch Busters Moon Rabbit Group)
  5. ↑ Known in Japan as Yo-kai Watch Busters Tekki-gun (Japanese: 妖（よう）怪（かい）ウォッチバスターズ 鉄（てっ）鬼（き）軍（ぐん）, Hepburn: Yōkai Wotchi Basutāzu Tekki-gun, lit. Yokai Watch Busters Iron Oni Army)
  6. ↑ Japanese: 妖怪ウォッチバスターズ2秘宝伝説バンバラヤー, Hepburn: Yōkai Wotchi Basutāzu 2 Hihō Densetsu Banbarayā
  7. ↑ Japanese: ソード
  8. ↑ Japanese: マグナム

Related Research Articles

<i>Yo-kai Watch</i> Japanese multimedia franchise

Yo-kai Watch is a Japanese media franchise created and developed by Level-5. The franchise's main work is the role-playing video game series of the same name, the first of which was released for the Nintendo 3DS in 2013. Three main sequels and several spinoffs, on both Nintendo and mobile platforms, have been released. In December 2019, the franchise expanded to PlayStation with the release of Yo-kai Watch 4++. An associated toy line is produced by Bandai for the Japanese market, while Hasbro formerly sold the toys under license in the Americas and Europe.

<i>Yo-kai Watch</i> (video game) 2013 role-playing video game

Yo-kai Watch is a role-playing video game developed and published by Level-5 for the Nintendo 3DS and the first game in the Yo-kai Watch franchise. Originally released in Japan on July 11, 2013, the game is based on the Yōkai of Japanese folklore, who are said to be ghosts and apparitions that cause mischief in daily life. In Yo-kai Watch, player character Nathan "Nate" Adams or Katie Forester, depending on who the player chooses, is given the titular watch, which gives him or her the ability to see Yo-kai, after stumbling across and befriending a butler Yo-kai named Whisper. Players assume the role of Nate or Katie, as he or she travels around town searching for and befriending peaceful Yo-kai, battling hostile Yo-kai, and solving problems caused by mischievous Yo-kai.

<i>Yo-kai Watch 2</i> 2014 role-playing video games

Yo-kai Watch 2: Bony Spirits  and Yo-kai Watch 2: Fleshy Souls  are a pair of 2014 role-playing video games developed and published by Level-5 for the Nintendo 3DS. The games are a sequel to 2013's Yo-kai Watch, and were released in July 2014 in Japan, in North America and Australia in late 2016, and Europe in 2017. Much like their predecessor, the games put players in an open world, befriending and battling various yōkai, which are ghosts and apparitions originating in Japanese folklore, that cause mischief in daily life. In Yo-kai Watch 2, the memories of the protagonists Nathan "Nate" Adams and Katie Forester are erased when their Yo-kai Watch is stolen, leaving them with no recollection of their past adventures. However, they soon stumble across their Yo-kai butler Whisper once again, and their adventures resume.

<i>Yo-kai Watch: Enma Daiō to Itsutsu no Monogatari da Nyan!</i> 2015 Japanese anime film directed by Shinji Ushiro Shigeharu Takahashi

Yo-kai Watch: Enma Daiō to Itsutsu no Monogatari da Nyan! is a 2015 Japanese animated fantasy adventure film directed by Shigeharu Takahashi and Shinji Ushiro. It is the second film in the Yo-kai Watch film series, following the 2014 film Yo-kai Watch: The Movie. It was released on December 19, 2015. It was followed by Yo-kai Watch: Soratobu Kujira to Double no Sekai no Daibōken da Nyan!, which released on December 17, 2016.

<i>Yo-kai Watch: Soratobu Kujira to Double no Sekai no Daibōken da Nyan!</i> 2016 film by Shinji Ushiro, Takeshi Yokoi

Yo-Kai Watch: Soratobu Kujira to Double no Sekai no Daiboken da Nyan!, also known as Yo-kai Watch the Movie: A Whale of Two Worlds, is a 2016 Japanese animated/live action fantasy adventure film and the third film in the Yo-kai Watch film series, following the 2015 film Yo-kai Watch: Enma Daiō to Itsutsu no Monogatari da Nyan!. It was released in Japan by Toho on December 17, 2016. It was followed by Yo-kai Watch Shadowside: Oni-ō no Fukkatsu, which released on December 16, 2017.

<i>Yo-kai Watch Shadowside: Oni-ō no Fukkatsu</i> 2017 film by Shinji Ushiro

Yo-kai Watch Shadowside Oni-o no Fukkatsu is a 2017 supernatural anime film produced by OLM, Inc. and distributed by Toho. It is the fourth film in the Yo-kai Watch film series, following the 2016 film Yo-kai Watch: Soratobu Kujira to Double no Sekai no Daibōken da Nyan!, and features characters from Shigeru Mizuki's GeGeGe no Kitarō manga. It is directed by Shinji Ushiro and written by Yoichi Kato, with Level-5 president Akihiro Hino overseeing the production and script. It was released on Japanese theaters on December 16, 2017 and on DVD on July 4, 2018.

<i>Yo-kai Watch Shadowside</i> 2018 anime show

Yo-kai Watch Shadowside is a supernatural anime series produced by OLM. It is a sequel to the 2017 film Yo-kai Watch Shadowside: Oni-ō no Fukkatsu as well as the original Yo-kai Watch anime series, originally based on the games created by Level-5. Yōichi Katō returned to officially direct and write the anime alongside new staff. It aired on all TXN Stations in Japan from April 13, 2018 to March 29, 2019. It was replaced by the 2019 Yo-kai Watch! series in its timeslot.

<i>Yo-kai Watch 4</i> 2019 role-playing video game

Yo-kai Watch 4 is an action role-playing video game developed and published by Level-5 for the Nintendo Switch. As indicated by the name, it is the fourth game of the main series of Yo-kai Watch video games; unlike the preceding Yo-kai Watch 3, 4 was initially released only as a single version in Japan in June 2019. An enhanced version titled Yo-kai Watch 4++ was released for the Switch and PlayStation 4 in Japan in December 2019. Its full name is "Yo-kai Watch 4: We're Looking Up At The Same Sky", translated from "妖怪ウォッチ4: ぼくらは同じ空を見上げている".

<i>Yo-kai Watch: Forever Friends</i> 2018 film directed by Shigeharu Takahashi

Yo-Kai Watch: Forever Friends is a 2018 supernatural anime film produced by OLM, Inc. and distributed by Toho. It is the fifth film in the Yo-kai Watch film series, following the 2017 film Yo-kai Watch Shadowside: Oni-ō no Fukkatsu, and is the second film set in the 1960s before the series' storyline, featuring a boy named Shin who adventures into the Yo-kai World with his Yo-kai friend Nekomata. It was directed by Shigeru Takahashi, and was released on Japanese theaters on December 14, 2018 alongside the first Dragon Ball Super movie, Dragon Ball Super: Broly, and the Japanese dub of The Grinch.

<i>Yo-kai Watch!</i> (2019 TV series) Japanese anime television show

Yo-kai Watch! is a 2019 remake television series. It is a sequel of the original Yo-kai Watch series co-produced by OLM and Magic Bus. It premiered on TXN on April 5, 2019. This is the third series based on Level 5's Yo-kai Watch franchise, and the successor to Yo-kai Watch Shadowside.

<i>Yo-kai Watch: Wibble Wobble</i> 2015 video game

Yo-kai Watch: Wibble Wobble is a mobile puzzle spin-off title to the Yo-kai Watch video game series. As announced on April 2, 2018, the English versions of the game permanently shut down on May 31, 2018.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jibanyan</span> Main character of the Yo-kai Watch franchise

Jibanyan (ジバニャン), formerly Rudy, is a main character and mascot in the multi-media franchise Yo-kai Watch. Designed by Akihiro Hino, Jibanyan is a cat-like Charming tribe Yo-kai who's, notably, shown a strong liking towards chocolate bars. Jibanyan has appeared in most Yo-kai Watch media, including the video games, the manga, and the TV-series.

<i>Yo-kai Sangokushi</i> 2016 role-playing video game

Yo-kai Sangokushi is a turn-based tactical role-playing game developed by Koei Tecmo and published by Level-5 for the Nintendo 3DS in 2016 exclusively in Japan. The game is a collaboration between Koei Tecmo's video game series Romance of the Three Kingdoms and Level-5's multi-media franchise Yo-kai Watch and sees the player controlling military commanders who aim to unify the world.

<i>Yo-kai Watch Dance: Just Dance Special Version</i> 2015 video game

Yo-kai Watch Dance: Just Dance Special Version is a 2015 dance video game developed by Ubisoft Paris, Ubisoft Milan, Ubisoft Reflections, Ubisoft Bucharest, Ubisoft Pune, Ubisoft Montpellier, Ubisoft Barcelona, and Level-5 and published by Nintendo and Level-5 for the Wii U. The game is a collaboration between Level-5's Yo-kai Watch series and Ubisoft's Just Dance series, therefore being the fourth Japanese installment of the Just Dance series, and sees the players attempting to mimic dances performed by Yo-kai Watch characters in the game. The songs and dances featured in the game are originally from the Yo-kai Watch anime series.

<i>Yo-kai Watch Busters 2: Secret of the Legendary Treasure Bambalaya</i> 2017 role-playing video game

Yo-kai Watch Busters 2: Secret of the Legendary Treasure Bambalaya is a 2017 role-playing video game developed and published by Level-5 for the Nintendo 3DS, released exclusively in Japan. A sequel to 2015's Yo-kai Watch Blasters, the game was released as two different versions: Sword and Magnum. Busters 2 sees the player controlling a team of up to four Yo-kai, who explore the fictitious Karakuri Island in search of treasure.

<i>Yo-kai Watch Jam: Yo-kai Academy Y – Waiwai Gakuen Seikatsu</i> 2020 role-playing video game

Yo-kai Watch Jam: Yo-kai Academy Y – Waiwai Gakuen Seikatsu, also known as Y School Heroes: Bustlin' School Life, is a 2020 role-playing game developed and published by Level-5 for the Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 4. A spin-off installment in the Yo-kai Watch series, Yo-kai Watch Jam focuses on Jinpei Jiba, a student at the fictitious Y Academy, who investigates mysteries occurring in the academy and surrounding areas. He is also joined by his friends, who are among the playable characters.

<i>Yo-kai Watch</i> (manga) Japanese manga series

Yo-kai Watch is a manga series written and illustrated by Noriyuki Konishi, based on Level-5's franchise with the same name. The series primarily follows Nate Adams, who gets the titular Yo-kai Watch, which allows him to see Yo-kai, who are otherwise invisible to the human eye. The series was serialized by Shogakukan in their CoroCoro Comic magazine in Japan from December 2012 to April 2023. Viz Media publishes the series in North America under their Perfect Square imprint, whereas Shogakukan Asia publishes the series in Singapore and Kazé publishes it in Spain and France.

References

  1. ↑ Sato. "Yo-kai Watch Blasters: Red Cat Corps And White Dog Squad Headed West On September 7". Siliconera. Retrieved 4 July 2018.
  2. 1 2 "Yo-Kai Watch Blasters: Red Cat Corps & White Dog Squad Review". Nintendo Life. September 4, 2018. Retrieved September 24, 2021.
  3. ↑ "New Games in the Animal Crossing and Luigi's Mansion Series Coming to Nintendo Switch". Business Wire. 13 September 2018. Retrieved 13 September 2018.
  4. 1 2 "Yo-kai Watch Blasters: Red Cat Corps". Metacritic. Retrieved 2021-09-25.
  5. 1 2 "Yo-kai Watch Blasters: White Dog Squad". Metacritic. Retrieved 2021-09-25.
  6. ↑ "Review: Yo-kai Watch Blasters: Red Cat Corps". Destructoid. Retrieved September 24, 2021.
  7. ↑ Schaefer, Emma (September 14, 2018). "Yo-Kai Watch Blasters: White Dog Squad review". Electronic Gaming Monthly. Retrieved September 24, 2021.
  8. ↑ Olivo, Matthew (September 25, 2018). "Yo-Kai Watch Blasters: Red Cat Corps and White Dog Squad (3DS) Review". Nintendo World Report. Retrieved September 24, 2021.
  9. ↑ "『妖怪ウォッチバスターズ2 秘宝伝説バンバラヤー』の発売日が12月16日（土）に変更" [Release date of Yo-kai Watch Blasters 2 changed to Saturday, December 16]. Famitsu. 22 November 2017. Retrieved 29 April 2019.
  10. ↑ "『妖怪ウォッチバスターズ2 ソード／マグナム』2バージョンの限定妖怪が明らかに！ 各種特典も公開" [Announcing the yo-kai of Yo-Kai Watch Blasters 2 exclusive to Sword and Magnum versions! Various benefits also published]. Famitsu. 13 October 2017. Retrieved 29 April 2019.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.