The Naruto series jumps to eighth generation consoles with the fourth sequential installment of the Ultimate Ninja Storm series.

<h2>Overview</h2><p>Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 4 is the fourth sequential entry in the Naruto: Ultimate Ninja Storm series. It continues the story that left off in <a href="/naruto-shippuden-ultimate-ninja-storm-3/3030-38786/" data-ref-id="3030-38786">Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 3</a>, with the conclusion of the Fourth Shinobi World War. The game includes characters from this war's storyline in the manga and anime, as well as from The Last: Naruto The Movie.</p><p>The game launched in Japan on February 4, 2016, Europe February 5, 2016 and on February 9, 2016 in North America.</p><h3>Road to Boruto</h3><p>On February 2, 2016 in Japan and February 3 in US and Europe, a DLC set is to release called "Road to Boruto", which will include characters and scenarios based on the story of <a href="/naruto-uzumaki/3005-790/" data-ref-id="3005-790">Naruto</a> and <a href="/hinata-hyuga/3005-3557/" data-ref-id="3005-3557">Hinata</a>'s son, <a href="/boruto-uzumaki/3005-31992/" data-ref-id="3005-31992">Boruto</a>. The DLC will also be available on disc along with the core game.</p><h2>Gameplay</h2><p>Gameplay in Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 4 will likely be very similar to previous entries, with some slight alterations. Players can engage each other or with AI in one-on-one style fights in a 3D arena based upon environments in the Naruto universe.</p><p>Wall battles will make their return, having been absent since the original <a href="/naruto-ultimate-ninja-storm/3030-20903/" data-ref-id="3030-20903">Naruto: Ultimate Ninja Storm</a> title. This feature allows players to scale walls and cliffs during battle. The option to select one of three fighting type which was introduced in <a href="/naruto-shippuden-ultimate-ninja-storm-revolution/3030-44590/" data-ref-id="3030-44590">Revolution</a> has gone, the player can now use all three fighting types during battle.</p><p>Characters can also swap in and out during battle in similar vein to <a href="/marvel-vs-capcom-3-fate-of-two-worlds/3030-30944/" data-ref-id="3030-30944">Marvel Vs. Capcom 3</a>. Awakening and Ultimate Jutsus' are shared between switchable characters, as is the life meter. It is possible to weapon and armour break enemies in battles which is new to the series, also new is elemental damage (for example the ability to spit fire to burn someones cloths).</p><h2>Collector's Edition</h2><figure data-align="right" data-size="medium" data-img-src="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/11/118833/2771742-9637415894-NSUNS.png" data-ref-id="1300-2771742" data-ratio="0.81103448275862" data-width="725" data-embed-type="image" style="width: 725px"><a class="fluid-height" style="padding-bottom:81.1%" href="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/11/118833/2771742-9637415894-NSUNS.png" data-ref-id="1300-2771742"><img alt="No Caption Provided" src="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_medium/11/118833/2771742-9637415894-NSUNS.jpg" srcset="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/11/118833/2771742-9637415894-NSUNS.png 725w, http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_medium/11/118833/2771742-9637415894-NSUNS.jpg 480w" sizes="(max-width: 480px) 100vw, 480px" data-width="480"></a></figure><p>The collector's edition of the game includes an Exclusive Metal Plate Illustration, FuturePack case, Naruto Uzumaki "Last" Figurine, Storm Memories Artbook &amp; Collector's Box.</p>

Based on the Wii U game, Poochy &amp; Yoshi’s Woolly World includes all the stages from the original plus a bunch of brand new Poochy levels as well as 30 episodes of animated shorts based on the game. A new Yarn Poochy amiibo releases at the same time.

Fire Emblem Heroes is the first mobile game in the Fire Emblem series. Releasing in 2017 as a free-to-start starring heroes from all Fire Emblem titles.

A futuristic racer about a government forcing a racer from each planet to partake in the Lifespeed race that determines their planets survival.

<p>Features eight tracks on four different worlds, four difficulty modes, 11 racers, and supports online leaderboards.</p>

Celebrate the Double Dragon series' 30th anniversary with a properly numbered fourth entry.

<p>The "fourth" Double Dragon game appears to pick up where the previous game left off. From the looks of a teaser trailer released in late December 2016, the game appears to use the NES versions of the Double Dragon games as inspiration, rather than the arcade originals.</p>

Train two Digimon simultaneously and explore the digital world in this open world role playing game.

<h2>Overview</h2><p>Digimon World: Next Order (sometimes stylised as Digimon World -next 0rder-) is a role-playing game developed by <a href="/b-b-studio/3010-9621/" data-ref-id="3010-9621">B.B Studio</a> and published by <a href="/bandai-namco-entertainment/3010-382/" data-ref-id="3010-382">Bandai Namco Entertainment</a>.</p><p>It was first released in Japan for the Playstation Vita on March 17, 2016. Whilst the European and American versions of the game were released in January 2017 for the Playstation 4.</p>

A strategy RPG focusing on Zhao Yun, taking place in a parallel world

<h2> Trivia</h2><ul><li>This game's Japanese release date was exactly 16 years after the Japanese release date of the <a href="/dynasty-warriors-2/3030-15413/" data-ref-id="3030-15413">first Shin Sangoku Musou game</a>.</li></ul>

A tarot card driven roguelike action role playing game, by Defiant Development from Brisbane, Australia.

All Images, PAX Aus Roadshow, PAX West 2016, PAX West 2016 Booth

All Images, Indie Megabooth, PAX Prime 2014 Booth, PAX Prime 2014

<h2>Overview</h2><p>Hand of Fate is a successfully <a href="/kickstarter-funded/3015-7378/" data-ref-id="3015-7378">Kickstarted</a> card based rogue-like developed by <a href="/defiant-development/3010-8349/" data-ref-id="3010-8349">Defiant Development</a> for the <a href="/pc/3045-94/" data-ref-id="3045-94">PC</a>, <a href="/mac/3045-17/" data-ref-id="3045-17">Mac</a>, <a href="/linux/3045-152/" data-ref-id="3045-152">Linux</a>,<a href="/xbox-one/3045-145/" data-ref-id="3045-145"> Xbox One</a>, and <a href="/playstation-4/3045-146/" data-ref-id="3045-146">PlayStation 4</a>. The game initially entered Early Access on <a href="/steam/3015-718/" data-ref-id="3015-718">Steam </a>and was fully released on 17th February 2015 along with the console versions.</p><p>Featuring both real time 3rd person brawling action (similar to a combat style popularised by the Batman Arkham games) and turn based deck building card game. Though not quite a full CCG (Collectable Card Game) the player receives rewards in the form of of cards for equipment and new scenarios in the story.</p><p>The game is heavily inspired by Dungeons &amp; Dragons, CCGs and old Choose Your Own Adventure books such as <a href="/sorcery/3030-47802/" data-ref-id="3030-47802">Sorcery</a> (which was adapted in to an iOS adventure game) and the cards artstyle mimics the illustrations featured within those books.</p><h2>System Requirements</h2><h3>PC</h3><table data-max-width="true"><thead><tr><th scope="col">Minimum</th><th scope="col">Recommended</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><strong>OS</strong>: Windows 7/8/8.1/XP/Vista (32 or 64 bit)</td><td>Windows 7/8/8.1 (64bit)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Processor:</strong> 2.4ghz Intel Core 2 Duo or equivalent</td><td>2.66GHz Intel Core i7</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Memory:</strong> 4 GB RAM</td><td>4 GB RAM</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Graphics:</strong> Nvidia 260 GTS or Radeon HD 4850 - 512 MB of VRAM</td><td>Nvidia 460 GTX / Radeon 5770 - 1 GB of VRAM</td></tr><tr><td><strong>DirectX:</strong> Version 9.0c</td><td>Version 9.0c</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Hard Drive:</strong> 5 GB available space</td><td>5 GB available space</td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>Sound Card:</strong> DirectX compatible sound card</p></td><td>DirectX compatible sound card</td></tr></tbody></table><h3>Mac</h3><table data-max-width="true"><thead><tr><th scope="col">Minimum</th><th scope="col">Recommended</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><strong>OS</strong>: Mac OSX 10.5 or higher</td><td>Mac OSX 10.5 or higher</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Processor</strong>: 2.4GHz Intel Core i5</td><td>2.66GHz Intel Core i7</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Memory</strong>: 4 GB RAM</td><td>4 GB RAM</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Graphics</strong>: NVIDIA GeForce GT 300 Series or Radeon equivalent</td><td>NVIDIA GeForce GT 400 Series or Radeon equivalent</td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>Hard Drive</strong>: 5 GB available space</p></td><td>5 GB available space</td></tr></tbody></table><h3>Linux</h3><table data-max-width="true"><thead><tr><th scope="col">Minimum</th><th scope="col">Recommended</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><strong>OS</strong>: Ubuntu 12.04 or later</td><td>Ubuntu 12.04 or later</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Processor</strong>: 2.4ghz Intel Core 2 Duo or equivalent</td><td>Intel i5 series or equivalent</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Memory</strong>: 4 GB RAM</td><td>4 GB RAM</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Graphics</strong>: Nvidia 260 GTS or Radeon HD 4850 - 512 MB of VRAM</td><td>Nvidia 460 GTX / Radeon 5770 - 1 GB of VRAM</td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>Hard Drive</strong>: 5 GB available space</p></td><td>5 GB available space</td></tr></tbody></table>

The sixth game in IO Interactive's stealth murder franchise, simply titled Hitman, adopts an episodic design which continually introduces new assassination contracts for players to undertake.

<h2>Overview</h2><p>Hitman (sometimes stylized as HITMAN) is the 6th game in the <a href="/hitman/3025-306/" data-ref-id="3025-306">Hitman series,</a> released on PC, Playstation 4, and Xbox One. It was the first Hitman game to release through an episodic method rather than traditional release. The first episode was released March 11th, 2016, with the sixth and last on October 31st, 2016.</p><p>A retail release with the first season is expected to release January 2017.</p><h2>Development</h2><p>Initially, development of the next <a href="/hitman/3025-306/" data-ref-id="3025-306">Hitman </a>game was to be helmed by the newly created studio <a href="/square-enix-montreal/3010-7798/" data-ref-id="3010-7798">Square Enix Montreal</a>. However upon numerous layoffs for veteran Hitman developers<a href="/io-interactive/3010-3562/" data-ref-id="3010-3562"> IO Interactive</a>, they were once more given control of the next Hitman game, although all of their other projects were also cancelled in the process. Square Enix Montreal still continues to be involved with the Hitman franchise, but only for developing smaller, tablet-based entries within the series, such as <a href="/hitman-go/3030-46020/" data-ref-id="3030-46020">Hitman Go</a>.</p><p>IO Interactive updated their website on Jan 16, 2014, detailing the direction they intend to take with the next Hitman game. Due to the feedback after the release of <a href="//www.giantbomb.com/hitman-absolution/3030-26417/" data-ref-id="3030-26417">Hitman: Absolution</a>, Hitman 6 was said to be a lot more open in scope and more in line with the older games of the series. Locales were said to be much more diverse as well, and feature <a href="//www.giantbomb.com/agent-47/3005-889/" data-ref-id="3005-889">Agent 47</a> 'at his prime' as his work takes him across the world.</p><figure data-align="right" data-size="small" data-img-src="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/1/10354/2663035-_1401302635.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2663035" data-ratio="0.56333333333333" data-width="600" data-embed-type="image" style="width: 600px"><a class="fluid-height" style="padding-bottom:56.3%" href="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/1/10354/2663035-_1401302635.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2663035"><img alt="No Caption Provided" src="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_small/1/10354/2663035-_1401302635.jpg" srcset="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/1/10354/2663035-_1401302635.jpg 600w, http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_medium/1/10354/2663035-_1401302635.jpg 480w, http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_small/1/10354/2663035-_1401302635.jpg 320w" sizes="(max-width: 320px) 100vw, 320px" data-width="320"></a></figure><p>On May 28th, 2014, IO Interactive stated that their next Hitman game would not make an appearance at <a href="/e3-2014/3015-7932/" data-ref-id="3015-7932">E3</a>. However to reassure fans they released a concept image depicting Agent 47 in Central Europe showing one of the locations in the full game. They further stated the player will be able to explore the entire building shown in the image, and that its size will be larger than any level from Absolution.</p><p>Come E3, 2015, Hitman was given an official trailer during Sony's conference, now rebranded as simply 'Hitman'.</p><h2>Gameplay</h2><h3>Elusive Targets</h3><p>A new feature which sees new targets added to maps with only a certain time to complete them.</p><h3>Escalation Contracts</h3><p>Escalation Contracts are five-part contracts that progress in difficulty and are designed to test the player's mastery of different parts of the level. A new objective, target, or rule is added on with each subsequent level. For example, level 2 of an Escalation Target may require the player to assassinate the target detailed in level 1 but with the additional requirement that they avoid being spotted by security cameras. New Escalation Contracts are frequently added to each episode.</p><h3>Contracts Mode</h3><p>Players may <a href="/user-generated-content/3015-129/" data-ref-id="3015-129">create their own contracts</a> in any of the game's levels with up to five targets. Featured and most recently published contracts can be browsed and played.</p><h2>Plot</h2><p>Each episode of Hitman contains a story chapter linked to at least one contract within each map. Backstory is given for each one, and upon completion a cutscene details the progression of the story's overarching narrative.</p><h3>20 Years Earlier</h3><p dir="ltr">The prologue begins in the year 1999. Agent 47 steps off a helicopter in the mountains which leads into a secret International Contract Agency recruitment base. <a href="/diana-burnwood/3005-1841/" data-ref-id="3005-1841">Diana Burnwood</a> greets him and speaks about the agency. 47 is lead to his quarters and is told his training will begin the next day.</p><p dir="ltr">47 starts his training with a simulated test, he completes the test with great effectiveness prompting Burnwood to give him more time with free-form training.</p><p dir="ltr">47’s final test is a recreation of the agency director Erich Soders own legendary mission, where he had to kill Jasper Knight at a Cuban military base during the cold war. Soders believed 47 was a threat to all the agency stood for and because of this made the final harder than it once was. 47 overcame Soders challenge with the help of Burnwood and was accepted in the agency under the title of “Agent”.</p><p dir="ltr">The prologue finishes with a conversation between Burnwood and 47. Burnwood tells 47 to lay low until The Agency contacts him. 47 leaves the mountains.</p><h3>Stopping the Show</h3><p dir="ltr">The game starts after the events of Hitman: Absolution, it is the year 2019 and Agent 47 has been given contract for Viktor Novikov and his acquaintance Dalia Margolis. IAGO, an intelligence agency has smuggled top secret information about MI6 agents in the middle east. Novikov and Margolis are part of a smuggling operation and it is Agent 47’s mission to kill them both and retrieve the information.</p><p dir="ltr">Agent 47 completes his mission and escapes Paris.</p><p>A day earlier Novikov and an unnamed man and a Shadow Client hold a meeting. The Shadow Client takes a notebook off of Novikov and claims it’s “The Secrets of the Global Elite”.</p><h3>Trapping the Messenger</h3><p>After Paris, Agent 47 travels to Sapienza, Italy where the ICA has been contracted to eliminate a DNA-specific virus capable of infecting anyone and leaving no evidence of ever being infected. Also 47 has been tasked with the job of assassinating the creator of the the virus Dr. Silvio Caruso and his company appointed assistant Dr. Francesca De Santis.</p><p>A week later an unknown agent who was investigating the virus is ambushed in his car. The ambusher reveals that he has been following the agent since the Italy after using agencies IAGO and the ICA to arrange for the destruction of the virus. He threatens the agent into giving him "the key", whilst the agent replies with a threat of the organisation from "Providence". The ambusher mentions Cobb had made similar warning, takes the key and then shoots the agent.</p><h3>Club #27</h3><h2>Episodes</h2><p>Seven separate episodes were announced that would comprise a season. These were released over the course of 2016.</p><h3>Episode 1 - Intro Pack (Paris)</h3><p>This was the first release and was launched on March 11th, 2016. It consisted of two tutorial levels, which made up the beta, and a fashion show located in Paris.</p><h3>Episode 2 - Sapienza</h3><p>The second episode took place in a small coastal town of Sapienza and was released on April 26th, 2016.</p><h3>Episode 3 - Marrakesh</h3><p>The third episode, Marrakesh, came out on May 31st, 2016.</p><h3>Summer Bonus Episode</h3><p>A special non-canon episode released July 19th, 2016. This saw Sapienza repurposed for a film shoot and Marrakesh repurposed for another contract.</p><h3>Episode 4 - Bangkok</h3><p>Episode 4 was released August 16th, 2016. The destination sees 47 traverse a luxury hotel on the Chao Phraya River.</p><h3>Episode 5 - Colorado</h3><p>Episode 5 takes place in Colorado it was released September 27th, 2016. This destination had four targets in the main campaign.</p><h3>Episode 6 - Hokkaido</h3><p>The final episode to round out season one was released October 31st, 2016. The location is a remote, high-tech mountaintop private hospital in Japan.</p><h2>Elusive Targets</h2><figure data-align="right" data-size="small" data-img-src="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/11/118833/2880618-6112866684-640.j.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2880618" data-ratio="0.5625" data-width="640" data-embed-type="image" style="width: 640px"><a class="fluid-height" style="padding-bottom:56.3%" href="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/11/118833/2880618-6112866684-640.j.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2880618"><img alt="The Wildcard Gary Busey" src="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_small/11/118833/2880618-6112866684-640.j.jpg" srcset="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/11/118833/2880618-6112866684-640.j.jpg 640w, http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_medium/11/118833/2880618-6112866684-640.j.jpg 480w, http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_small/11/118833/2880618-6112866684-640.j.jpg 320w" sizes="(max-width: 320px) 100vw, 320px" data-width="320"></a><figcaption>The Wildcard Gary Busey</figcaption></figure><p>A new addition to the Hitman games is the "Elusive Target". Elusive Target contracts add a unique character to one of the game's episodes with their own backstory and briefing cutscene. Changes are often made to the level, such as additional security around the target.</p><p>The Elusive Target must be killed within a specified amount of real-world time, often between 53-72 hours. The player gets one attempt at taking out an Elusive Target, though they may restart and replan the contract as long as they haven't died. If the player does die, they may not replay the contract. Additionally, if the target is successfully killed the contract may not be replayed. Elusive Target contracts cannot be attempted once they expire.</p><h3>Targets</h3><ul><li>The Forger (Sergei Larin) - May 13<sup>th</sup>, 2016</li><li>The Congressman (Anthony L. Troutt) - May 27<sup>th</sup>, 2016</li><li>The Prince (Adlarico Candelaria) - June 8<sup>th</sup>, 2016</li><li>The Sensation (Jonathan Smythe) - June 14<sup>th</sup>, 2016</li><li>The Gunrunner (Vito Đurić) - July 1<sup>st</sup>, 2016</li><li>The Twin (Dylan Narváez) - July 15<sup>th</sup>, 2016</li><li>The Wildcard (Gary Busey) - July 21<sup>st</sup>, 2016 <ul><li>Gary Busey was voted by the community to be a target via poll. He received more votes than Gary Cole (who was also included within the mission).</li></ul></li><li>The Broker (Howard Moxon) - August 5<sup>th</sup>, 2016</li><li>The Black Hat (Owen Wagner) - August 26<sup>th</sup>, 2016</li><li>The Pharmacist (Nila Torvik) - September 16<sup>th</sup>, 2016</li><li>The Fixer (Xander Haverfoek) - October 12<sup>th</sup>, 2016</li><li>The Identity Thief (Brendan Conner) - October 21<sup>st</sup>, 2016</li><li>The Ex-Dictator (Richard Ekwensi) &amp; The Gold-Digger (Inez Ekwensi) - November 1<sup>st</sup>, 2016</li><li>The Chef (Gabriel Santos) - November 14<sup>th</sup>, 2016</li><li>The Angel of Death (Etta Davis) - December 2nd, 2016</li><li>The Guru (Richard J. Magee) - December 16th, 2016</li><li>The Food Critic (Wen Ts'ai) - December 30<sup>th</sup>, 2016</li></ul>

Kill The Bad Guy is a puzzle-game where physics play an essential role. Track the Bad guys in several levels, use the background and turn it to your advantage to create deadly traps.
Plan your assassinations brutally and cleverly, choose your way to kill, but keep in mind: the death of each criminal must be seen as an accident.

<h2>Overview</h2><p>Kill the Bad Guy is a puzzle game developed and published by <a href="/exkee/3010-6595/" data-ref-id="3010-6595">Exkee</a> for <a href="/pc/3045-94/" data-ref-id="3045-94">PC</a>, <a href="/mac/3045-17/" data-ref-id="3045-17">Mac</a>, and <a href="/linux/3045-152/" data-ref-id="3045-152">Linux</a> platforms.</p>

All Images, Indie MEGABOOTH, Indie MINIBOOTH, PAX East 2016, PAX East 2016 Booth

Bandai-Namco bundles its hit Pac-Man: Championship Edition 2 on a disc with three Namco classics.

<p> Collected on this disc:</p><ul><li><a href="/pacman-championship-edition-2/3030-54689/" data-ref-id="3030-54689">Pac-Man: Championship Edition 2</a></li><li><a href="/galaga/3030-15784/" data-ref-id="3030-15784">ARCADE GAME SERIES: Galaga</a></li><li><a href="/pac-man/3030-7624/" data-ref-id="3030-7624">ARCADE GAME SERIES: Pac-Man</a></li><li><a href="/dig-dug/3030-2587/" data-ref-id="3030-2587">ARCADE GAME SERIES: Dig Dug</a></li></ul>

Take control of fierce female warriors in a 1940s dark Deco world in this stylish indie fighting game developed by (and for) hardcore fighting game enthusiasts.

<h2>Overview</h2><p>Skullgirls is a 2D fighting game developed by <a href="//www.giantbomb.com/reverge-labs-llc/3010-7447/" data-ref-id="3010-7447">Reverge Labs</a> and co-published by <a href="//www.giantbomb.com/autumn-games/3010-7446/" data-ref-id="3010-7446">Autumn</a> and <a href="//www.giantbomb.com/konami-digital-entertainment-inc/3010-647/" data-ref-id="3010-647">Konami</a> on <a href="//www.giantbomb.com/xbox-live-marketplace/3045-86/" data-ref-id="3045-86">Xbox Live Arcade</a> and <a href="//www.giantbomb.com/playstation-network-ps3/3045-88/" data-ref-id="3045-88">PlayStation Network</a> on April 10, 2012. It was later ported to the <a href="//www.giantbomb.com/pc/3045-94/" data-ref-id="3045-94">PC</a> by <a href="//www.giantbomb.com/lab-zero-games/3010-8407/" data-ref-id="3010-8407">Lab Zero</a> and released via <a href="//www.giantbomb.com/steam/3015-718/" data-ref-id="3015-718">Steam</a> by <a href="//www.giantbomb.com/marvelous-aql/3010-1777/" data-ref-id="3010-1777">Marvelous AQL</a> on August 22, 2013. <a href="//www.giantbomb.com/linux/3045-152/" data-ref-id="3045-152">Linux</a> and <a href="//www.giantbomb.com/mac/3045-17/" data-ref-id="3045-17">Mac</a> versions are being ported by outside sources with assistance from Lab Zero. The Japanese release of the PlayStation 3 version was published by <a href="//www.giantbomb.com/cyberfront-corporation/3010-579/" data-ref-id="3010-579">CyberFront</a> on February 14, 2013, with a Japanese <a href="//www.giantbomb.com/arcade/3045-84/" data-ref-id="3045-84">arcade</a> release on the <a href="//www.giantbomb.com/nesicaxlive/3015-6734/" data-ref-id="3015-6734">NESiCAxLive</a> board system.</p><p>Following Lab Zero's cut-off with Konami, the game was set to be removed from PlayStation Network and Xbox Live. It was re-released in 2014 on these platforms, rebranded "Skullgirls Encore".</p><h2>Story</h2><p>Set in a 1940's dark <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Art_Deco" rel="nofollow" data-ref-id="false">Art Deco</a> world (the <a href="//www.giantbomb.com/canopy-kingdom/3035-4340/" data-ref-id="3035-4340">Canopy Kingdom</a>), the story revolves around a mysterious artifact called the Skull Heart, which grants a single <a href="//www.giantbomb.com/wish/3015-2315/" data-ref-id="3015-2315">wish</a> to a young woman every seven years. However, women who attempt to use it with an impure heart become corrupted into a monstrous being of immense power (known as the "Skullgirl") and unleash chaos upon the world. Female fighters from all over the Kingdom seek to claim the artifact for themselves (for various different purposes), having to stop the current wielder, the Skullgirl <a href="//www.giantbomb.com/bloody-marie/3005-23312/" data-ref-id="3005-23312">Bloody Marie</a>, in the process.</p><h2>History</h2><p>Skullgirls began its life as two separate “doujin” projects. <a href="/tournament/3015-1096/" data-ref-id="3015-1096">Tournament</a> fighter <a href="/mike-zaimont/3040-101660/" data-ref-id="3040-101660">Mike “Mike Z” Zaimont</a> had begun working on a fighting game engine, while <a href="/alex-ahad/3040-103997/" data-ref-id="3040-103997">Alex “o_8” Ahad</a> had begun working on a world, story and characters for a fighting game. Some years later, mutual friends introduced them to one another, and their two personal projects were merged into the game we see today. <a href="/richard-wyckoff/3040-13699/" data-ref-id="3040-13699">Richard Wyckoff</a> and <a href="/emil-dotchevski/3040-7405/" data-ref-id="3040-7405">Emil Dotchevski</a> began <a href="/reverge-labs-llc/3010-7447/" data-ref-id="3010-7447">Reverge Labs</a> in 2010 after <a href="/pandemic-studios/3010-1779/" data-ref-id="3010-1779">Pandemic Studios</a> was shut down. Mike Z teamed up with Wyckoff, also a former Pandemic employee, and Reverge Labs to bring Skullgirls to home consoles.</p><p>In May of 2012 Autumn Games, the publisher for Skullgirls, became embroiled in a lawsuit alongside Konami filed against them by City National Bank over allegations of fraud. With their assets frozen by the courts, <a href="/autumn-games/3010-7446/" data-ref-id="3010-7446">Autumn Games</a> was unable to give Reverge Labs their share of the profits from sales of their game. Suddenly without income, the developer went through a series of layoffs before eventually dissolving, with the core team reforming under the newly branded <a href="/lab-zero-games/3010-8407/" data-ref-id="3010-8407">Lab Zero Games</a> in November of 2012.</p><p>While the future of Skullgirls was uncertain, Mike Z and co. were bolstered by the continued support of their fans who helped them raise $78,000 in donations for breast cancer research in their bid for a spot at the <a href="/evo-championship-series/3015-7054/" data-ref-id="3015-7054">EVO</a> 2013 fighting game tournament.</p><p>On February 25th, 2013, an Indiegogo campaign for $150,000 was launched to fund development of their first DLC character, <a href="/squigly/3005-25539/" data-ref-id="3005-25539">Squigly</a>. Funding surpassed the initial goal almost immediately. Through stretch goals, four additional DLC characters were funded, as was the donation of the Z Engine powering the game to fellow independent fighting game developer Mane 6. In total the campaign raised $829,829.</p><h2>Gameplay</h2><p>Skullgirls is designed as a competitive fighting game, taking inspiration from other games in the genre while implementing several unique systems of its own.</p><h3>Infinite Detection</h3><p>Central to Skullgirls’ design is a unique infinite detection system, designed to make the game somewhat “self-balancing.” If the game detects that a player is looping a <a href="../../combo/92-18/" rel="nofollow">combo</a>, the hit-sparks will change color and the opponent can break out of it with a single button press. However, as long as the player is changing up their combo and improvising, the combo can continue.</p><h3>“Ratio System” Tag Battles</h3><p>At the start of battle, each player can pick one super-powerful character, two stronger characters or three normal characters - team sizes don't need to match. Single characters do more damage and have more <a href="../../health/92-130/" rel="nofollow">HP</a>, but lose the strategic advantages of character assists and the ability to regenerate health while off-screen.</p><h3>Custom Assists</h3><p>While each character comes with a few preset assists, Skullgirls also offers support for custom assists, allowing you to choose an assist move by inputting its motion during character selection. Aside from <a href="../../super-combo/92-6149/" rel="nofollow">super moves</a>, any ground action can be chosen - this includes throws, normal attacks, dashes, and any special move.</p><h3>Building Super Meter</h3><p>Players can build their <a href="../../super-meter/92-1013/" rel="nofollow">super meter</a> by whiffing normal attacks (attacking without hitting the opponent), but only if they stay in place or are moving forward - moving backwards and attacking will not build meter. Additionally, only one level can be built this way - if the player already has a super stocked, normal attacks must make contact with an opponent to build any more meter.</p><h3>High/Low Unblockables</h3><p>High/low unblockables exist in many fighting games, and are an extremely strong tactic when discovered. In Skullgirls, however, after a character blocks a high or low hit, they are protected for a period of time from being hit by the other type. The protection is short enough to not affect regular gameplay, but long enough that a player can successfully defend against the first attack and still be protected from what might otherwise be an unblockable second attack.</p><h2><b>Characters</b></h2><p>The eight launch characters are: <a href="/filia/3005-18187/" data-ref-id="3005-18187">Filia</a>, <a href="/cerebella/3005-18186/" data-ref-id="3005-18186">Cerebella</a>, <a href="/peacock/3005-18191/" data-ref-id="3005-18191">Peacock</a>, <a href="/parasoul/3005-20764/" data-ref-id="3005-20764">Parasoul</a>, <a href="/ms-fortune/3005-20721/" data-ref-id="3005-20721">Ms. Fortune</a>, <a href="/painwheel/3005-21354/" data-ref-id="3005-21354">Painwheel</a>, <a href="/valentine/3005-21355/" data-ref-id="3005-21355">Valentine</a> and <a href="/double/3005-22367/" data-ref-id="3005-22367">Double</a>. Following the release the following characters were added: <a href="/squigly/3005-25539/" data-ref-id="3005-25539">Squigly</a>, <a href="/big-band/3005-25705/" data-ref-id="3005-25705">Big Band</a>, <a href="/fukua/3005-29220/" data-ref-id="3005-29220">Fukua</a>, <a href="/eliza/3005-26162/" data-ref-id="3005-26162">Eliza</a>, <a href="/beowulf/3005-26159/" data-ref-id="3005-26159">Beowulf </a>and <a href="/robo-fortune/3005-25930/" data-ref-id="3005-25930">Robo-Fortune</a> as DLC funded by a record-breaking Indiegogo campaign.</p><h3><a href="/filia/3005-18187/" data-ref-id="3005-18187">Filia</a></h3><figure data-align="left" data-img-src="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/10/107492/2083185-filia.png" data-ref-id="1300-2083185" data-size="small" data-ratio="1.1561181434599" data-width="474" data-embed-type="image" style="width: 474px"><a class="fluid-height" style="padding-bottom:115.6%" href="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/10/107492/2083185-filia.png" data-ref-id="1300-2083185"><img alt="No Caption Provided" src="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/10/107492/2083185-filia.png" srcset="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/10/107492/2083185-filia.png 474w" sizes="(max-width: 553px) 100vw, 553px" data-width="553"></a></figure><p>Filia was an average schoolgirl, but one day awoke without any memories. In their place was a powerful parasite named Samson, grafted to her head in the form of unruly hair - with eyes and teeth, no less. Unable to remember how her partnership with Samson began, Filia must trust the ancient being and wield his strength if she ever hopes to piece together her past... and survive the inevitable confrontation with the Skullgirl.</p><p>Filia is a "rushdown" character. As such, she has only three special moves and makes up with it with lots of maneuverability and easily-comboed normal attacks.</p><h3><a href="/cerebella/3005-18186/" data-ref-id="3005-18186">Cerebella</a></h3><figure data-align="right" data-img-src="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/10/107492/2083187-cerebella.png" data-ref-id="1300-2083187" data-size="small" data-ratio="1.5126050420168" data-width="476" data-embed-type="image" style="width: 476px"><a class="fluid-height" style="padding-bottom:151.3%" href="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/10/107492/2083187-cerebella.png" data-ref-id="1300-2083187"><img alt="No Caption Provided" src="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_small/10/107492/2083187-cerebella.png" srcset="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/10/107492/2083187-cerebella.png 476w, http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_small/10/107492/2083187-cerebella.png 423w" sizes="(max-width: 423px) 100vw, 423px" data-width="423"></a></figure><p>Cerebella is the biggest sensation in the Cirque des Cartes - a tumbling, soaring dynamo of star power! Throughout the kingdom, Cerebella is admired for her daring, and lusted after for her curvaceous form. Sadly, the kind of approval she craves is the one kind she isn't getting: what Cerebella really longs for is praise from her patron and de facto father, mobster Vitale Medici, who rescued her from the street for a life of fame.</p><p>Faced with Cerebella's inherent goodness, the only way Vitale can keep her doing such dirty work is withhold affection. Cerebella is the only person capable of controlling the living weapon Vice-Versa, so the cold and calculating Vitale must keep her wrapped around his little finger.</p><p>Cerebella is a grappler with command throws for virtually any situation. Unlike typical grappler characters, she doesn't have difficulty getting in close, either, thanks to an armored charge and aerial glide.</p><h3><a href="/peacock/3005-18191/" data-ref-id="3005-18191">Peacock</a></h3><figure data-align="left" data-img-src="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/10/107492/2083188-peacock.png" data-ref-id="1300-2083188" data-size="small" data-ratio="1.1185682326622" data-width="447" data-embed-type="image" style="width: 447px"><a class="fluid-height" style="padding-bottom:111.9%" href="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/10/107492/2083188-peacock.png" data-ref-id="1300-2083188"><img alt="No Caption Provided" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" sizes="(max-width: 572px) 100vw, 572px" data-width="572" class="js-lazy-load-image" data-src="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/10/107492/2083188-peacock.png" data-srcset="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/10/107492/2083188-peacock.png 447w"><noscript><img alt="No Caption Provided" src="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/10/107492/2083188-peacock.png" srcset="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/10/107492/2083188-peacock.png 447w" sizes="(max-width: 572px) 100vw, 572px" data-width="572"></noscript></a></figure><p>The magnum opus of the Anti-Skullgirl Labs, Peacock is a mechanical monstrosity built from a broken little girl.</p><p>When she was rescued by the Labs’ Dr. Avian, she was just the orphan Patricia, her mind and body broken by the slave traders that captured her in the aftermath of the Grand War. Taking pity on her, Dr. Avian rebuilt the child with an arsenal of reality-defying weaponry, which was promptly twisted by the memories of the cartoons Patricia used to escape the pain of her slave life. Perhaps irretrievably damaged, she behaves like a rotten, spoiled and extremely unstable child. Terrifying as she may be, Peacock may very well be the best chance the Labs have to destroy the Skullgirl.</p><p>Peacock is a "zoning" character, and plays a mean game of keep-away with a variety of projectile attacks and escape moves. While she's best at a distance, she can still hold her own up close.</p><h3><a href="/parasoul/3005-20764/" data-ref-id="3005-20764">Parasoul</a></h3><figure data-align="right" data-img-src="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/4/41714/1982699-parasoul.png" data-ref-id="1300-1982699" data-size="small" data-ratio="1.241610738255" data-width="447" data-embed-type="image" style="width: 447px"><a class="fluid-height" style="padding-bottom:124.2%" href="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/4/41714/1982699-parasoul.png" data-ref-id="1300-1982699"><img alt="No Caption Provided" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" sizes="(max-width: 515px) 100vw, 515px" data-width="515" class="js-lazy-load-image" data-src="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/4/41714/1982699-parasoul.png" data-srcset="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/4/41714/1982699-parasoul.png 447w"><noscript><img alt="No Caption Provided" src="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/4/41714/1982699-parasoul.png" srcset="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/4/41714/1982699-parasoul.png 447w" sizes="(max-width: 515px) 100vw, 515px" data-width="515"></noscript></a></figure><p>The princess of the Canopy Kingdom and leader of its elite military, Parasoul's own mother became a Skullgirl when she was a child. She is fiercely protective of her little sister, Umbrella, and is frequently torn between defense of her country and defense of her family. Wielding the living umbrella, Kreig, Parasoul fights with grace, poise and cunning.</p><p>Parasoul is primarily a "poking" character, and uses a variety of "charge" moves. In addition to her long attack range, she can place napalm "tears" created by her umbrella around the screen as traps, as well as call on her troops for a variety of support functions.</p><h3><a href="/ms-fortune/3005-20721/" data-ref-id="3005-20721">Ms. Fortune</a></h3><figure data-align="left" data-img-src="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/10/107492/2083189-msfortune.png" data-ref-id="1300-2083189" data-size="small" data-ratio="1.2885906040268" data-width="447" data-embed-type="image" style="width: 447px"><a class="fluid-height" style="padding-bottom:128.9%" href="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/10/107492/2083189-msfortune.png" data-ref-id="1300-2083189"><img alt="No Caption Provided" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" sizes="(max-width: 496px) 100vw, 496px" data-width="496" class="js-lazy-load-image" data-src="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/10/107492/2083189-msfortune.png" data-srcset="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/10/107492/2083189-msfortune.png 447w"><noscript><img alt="No Caption Provided" src="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/10/107492/2083189-msfortune.png" srcset="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/10/107492/2083189-msfortune.png 447w" sizes="(max-width: 496px) 100vw, 496px" data-width="496"></noscript></a></figure><p>A pun-loving cat burglar, Ms. Fortune is a feline humanoid of the undead persuasion. With her friends in the Fishbone Gang, she was hired to steal the Life Gem from the head of the Medici Mafia, which she swallowed it for safe-keeping. When the Mafia caught her and the rest of her gang, they murdered them, chopped them to pieces and threw them to the bottom of the ocean. The power of the Life Gem suffused Ms. Fortunes body, and she alone survived the ordeal, but her body still bears the scars of her murder - as a result, she can detach her head and stretch her body along those scars.</p><p>Ms. Fortune is a hybrid "rushdown" and "puppet" character. She can detach her head and control it independently from her body, and many of her attacks function differently depending on whether or not her head is currently attached.</p><h3><a href="/painwheel/3005-21354/" data-ref-id="3005-21354">Painwheel</a></h3><figure data-align="right" data-img-src="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/10/107492/2083181-painwheel.png" data-ref-id="1300-2083181" data-size="small" data-ratio="1.2959183673469" data-width="490" data-embed-type="image" style="width: 490px"><a class="fluid-height" style="padding-bottom:129.6%" href="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/10/107492/2083181-painwheel.png" data-ref-id="1300-2083181"><img alt="No Caption Provided" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" sizes="(max-width: 493px) 100vw, 493px" data-width="493" class="js-lazy-load-image" data-src="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/10/107492/2083181-painwheel.png" data-srcset="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/10/107492/2083181-painwheel.png 490w"><noscript><img alt="No Caption Provided" src="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/10/107492/2083181-painwheel.png" srcset="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/10/107492/2083181-painwheel.png 490w" sizes="(max-width: 493px) 100vw, 493px" data-width="493"></noscript></a></figure><p>A normal schoolgirl named Carol, until she was kidnapped by Valentine and transformed into Painwheel. Host to two synthetic parasites called Buer Drive and Gae Bolga, Painwheel draws her power from pain and fury.</p><p>An "aerial dominance" character, Painwheel can fly using her Buer Drive blade and charge her attacks, as well as confronting foes with spikes that eject painfully from her body. She can also contort her body into inhuman shapes and unleash her rage with brutal moves.</p><h3><a href="/valentine/3005-21355/" data-ref-id="3005-21355">Valentine</a></h3><figure data-align="left" data-img-src="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/10/107492/2083177-valentine.png" data-ref-id="1300-2083177" data-size="small" data-ratio="1.3803131991051" data-width="447" data-embed-type="image" style="width: 447px"><a class="fluid-height" style="padding-bottom:138.0%" href="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/10/107492/2083177-valentine.png" data-ref-id="1300-2083177"><img alt="No Caption Provided" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" sizes="(max-width: 463px) 100vw, 463px" data-width="463" class="js-lazy-load-image" data-src="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/10/107492/2083177-valentine.png" data-srcset="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/10/107492/2083177-valentine.png 447w"><noscript><img alt="No Caption Provided" src="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/10/107492/2083177-valentine.png" srcset="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/10/107492/2083177-valentine.png 447w" sizes="(max-width: 463px) 100vw, 463px" data-width="463"></noscript></a></figure><p>The only survivor of the Last Hope, a group of special Anti-Skullgirl Lab operatives, Valentine now dutifully serves the Skullgirl. She keeps to herself, so much of her true nature and personality are unknown.</p><p>Valentine is a "rushdown" character with the ability to inflict status effects on her opponent: damage over time, increased hit stun and button lag, although only one may be active at a time. Her level five super allows her to revive a fallen team mate to one third of their health - made possible thanks to the fact that in Skullgirls a team mate's corpse remains on the screen after they are eliminated.</p><h3><a href="/double/3005-22367/" data-ref-id="3005-22367">Double</a></h3><figure data-align="right" data-img-src="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/10/107492/2131741-double.png" data-ref-id="1300-2131741" data-size="small" data-ratio="1.3565217391304" data-width="460" data-embed-type="image" style="width: 460px"><a class="fluid-height" style="padding-bottom:135.7%" href="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/10/107492/2131741-double.png" data-ref-id="1300-2131741"><img alt="No Caption Provided" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" sizes="(max-width: 471px) 100vw, 471px" data-width="471" class="js-lazy-load-image" data-src="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/10/107492/2131741-double.png" data-srcset="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/10/107492/2131741-double.png 460w"><noscript><img alt="No Caption Provided" src="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/10/107492/2131741-double.png" srcset="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/10/107492/2131741-double.png 460w" sizes="(max-width: 471px) 100vw, 471px" data-width="471"></noscript></a></figure><p>An amorphous creature capable of assuming the form of any person, most frequently a smiling nun.</p><p>A 'mimic' character, each of her normals looks like that of another character but will have vastly different frame data and properties. Though she transforms into other characters during her specials, they are completely unique, such as a projectile using Parasoul's gun, a Cerebella rush based on <a href="/r-mika/3005-3608/" data-ref-id="3005-3608">R-Mika's</a> Flying Peach or a <a href="/sub-zero/3005-2/" data-ref-id="3005-2">Sub-Zero</a> ground slide as Filia. Her level five special transforms her into a <a href="/moai-head/3055-319/" data-ref-id="3055-319">Moai head</a> in an homage to <a href="/gradius/3025-261/" data-ref-id="3025-261">Gradius</a>.</p><h3>Squigly</h3><figure data-align="left" data-size="small" data-img-src="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/10/107492/2767632-squigly.png" data-ref-id="1300-2767632" data-ratio="1.3624161073826" data-width="447" data-embed-type="image" style="width: 447px"><a class="fluid-height" style="padding-bottom:136.2%" href="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/10/107492/2767632-squigly.png" data-ref-id="1300-2767632"><img alt="No Caption Provided" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" sizes="(max-width: 320px) 100vw, 320px" data-width="320" class="js-lazy-load-image" data-src="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_small/10/107492/2767632-squigly.jpg" data-srcset="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/10/107492/2767632-squigly.png 447w, http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_small/10/107492/2767632-squigly.jpg 320w"><noscript><img alt="No Caption Provided" src="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_small/10/107492/2767632-squigly.jpg" srcset="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/10/107492/2767632-squigly.png 447w, http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_small/10/107492/2767632-squigly.jpg 320w" sizes="(max-width: 320px) 100vw, 320px" data-width="320"></noscript></a></figure><p>Squigly is the last “surviving” member of the Contiello family, a long lineage of opera singers and among the Medicis’ most valued clients. Fourteen years ago, Squigly’s mother Selene obtained the Skull Heart, resulting in Lorenzo Medici ordering an attack on the Contiello family. Fraught with despair, Selene became the Skullgirl and revived her family as an undead army. What spared Squigly from becoming a mindless minion was the intervention of the Parasite Leviathan, the Contiello family’s friend and guardian</p><h3>Big Band</h3><figure data-align="right" data-size="small" data-img-src="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/10/107492/2767633-big-band.png" data-ref-id="1300-2767633" data-ratio="1.5011185682327" data-width="447" data-embed-type="image" style="width: 447px"><a class="fluid-height" style="padding-bottom:150.1%" href="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/10/107492/2767633-big-band.png" data-ref-id="1300-2767633"><img alt="No Caption Provided" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" sizes="(max-width: 320px) 100vw, 320px" data-width="320" class="js-lazy-load-image" data-src="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_small/10/107492/2767633-big-band.jpg" data-srcset="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/10/107492/2767633-big-band.png 447w, http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_small/10/107492/2767633-big-band.jpg 320w"><noscript><img alt="No Caption Provided" src="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_small/10/107492/2767633-big-band.jpg" srcset="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/10/107492/2767633-big-band.png 447w, http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_small/10/107492/2767633-big-band.jpg 320w" sizes="(max-width: 320px) 100vw, 320px" data-width="320"></noscript></a></figure><p>Ben Birdland has seen a lot in his time, including the worst of the Grand War. But nothing was worse than what he saw as a beat cop in New Meridian. When he ran afoul of his crooked unit he was given a violent early retirement, and his broken body was left to spend the rest of its days in an iron lung.</p><p>That would have been the end of Ben’s story if it hadn’t drawn the ears of the Anti-Skullgirl Labs. With little left to lose, he agreed to be rebuilt with their experimental procedures. Melded with the machinery that allows him to breathe and a powerful an array of pneumatic weaponry, he was reborn as “Big Band.”</p><h3><a href="/eliza/3005-26162/" data-ref-id="3005-26162">Eliza</a></h3><figure data-align="left" data-size="small" data-img-src="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/10/107492/2767634-eliza.png" data-ref-id="1300-2767634" data-ratio="1.1083172147002" data-width="517" data-embed-type="image" style="width: 517px"><a class="fluid-height" style="padding-bottom:110.8%" href="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/10/107492/2767634-eliza.png" data-ref-id="1300-2767634"><img alt="No Caption Provided" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" sizes="(max-width: 320px) 100vw, 320px" data-width="320" class="js-lazy-load-image" data-src="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_small/10/107492/2767634-eliza.jpg" data-srcset="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/10/107492/2767634-eliza.png 517w, http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_small/10/107492/2767634-eliza.jpg 320w"><noscript><img alt="No Caption Provided" src="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_small/10/107492/2767634-eliza.jpg" srcset="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/10/107492/2767634-eliza.png 517w, http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_small/10/107492/2767634-eliza.jpg 320w" sizes="(max-width: 320px) 100vw, 320px" data-width="320"></noscript></a></figure><p>A famous nightclub singer in New Meridian, Eliza got caught up in a scheme by the Medici family when they discovered that her many charitable "blood drives" were actually what's keeping her young and beautiful. Faced with blackmail, Eliza reacts just about exactly how one might expect a vain and vengeful woman to.</p><p>She wields the Staff of Ra and uses her own blood to fight, along with a second form that's simply the skeleton parasite beneath her skin, Sehkmet. In battle, she's assisted by her bodyguards Horus and Albus.</p><h3>Beowulf</h3><figure data-align="right" data-size="small" data-img-src="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/10/107492/2767635-beowulf.png" data-ref-id="1300-2767635" data-ratio="1.4" data-width="450" data-embed-type="image" style="width: 450px"><a class="fluid-height" style="padding-bottom:140.0%" href="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/10/107492/2767635-beowulf.png" data-ref-id="1300-2767635"><img alt="No Caption Provided" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" sizes="(max-width: 320px) 100vw, 320px" data-width="320" class="js-lazy-load-image" data-src="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_small/10/107492/2767635-beowulf.jpg" data-srcset="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/10/107492/2767635-beowulf.png 450w, http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_small/10/107492/2767635-beowulf.jpg 320w"><noscript><img alt="No Caption Provided" src="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_small/10/107492/2767635-beowulf.jpg" srcset="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/10/107492/2767635-beowulf.png 450w, http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_small/10/107492/2767635-beowulf.jpg 320w" sizes="(max-width: 320px) 100vw, 320px" data-width="320"></noscript></a></figure><p>Known world-wide for felling the Gigan warrior Grendel and for his illustrious career in the ring, Beowulf had secured himself a spot in the history books as a champion. But a mediocre acting career after leaving the ring tarnished his legacy.</p><p>Beowulf usually just relies on his holds, throws, open-handed strikes. He also wields his trusty folding chair, "The Hurting," and Grendel's arm.</p><h3>Robo-Fortune</h3><figure data-align="left" data-size="small" data-img-src="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/10/107492/2767637-robo-fortune.png" data-ref-id="1300-2767637" data-ratio="1.4" data-width="450" data-embed-type="image" style="width: 450px"><a class="fluid-height" style="padding-bottom:140.0%" href="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/10/107492/2767637-robo-fortune.png" data-ref-id="1300-2767637"><img alt="No Caption Provided" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" sizes="(max-width: 320px) 100vw, 320px" data-width="320" class="js-lazy-load-image" data-src="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_small/10/107492/2767637-robo-fortune.jpg" data-srcset="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/10/107492/2767637-robo-fortune.png 450w, http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_small/10/107492/2767637-robo-fortune.jpg 320w"><noscript><img alt="No Caption Provided" src="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_small/10/107492/2767637-robo-fortune.jpg" srcset="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/10/107492/2767637-robo-fortune.png 450w, http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_small/10/107492/2767637-robo-fortune.jpg 320w" sizes="(max-width: 320px) 100vw, 320px" data-width="320"></noscript></a></figure><p>Robo Fortune is the creation of Brain Drain, the psychic director of ASG Lab Zero, and stands as a testament to her maniacal creator’s unmatched pride and petulance. Built to demonstrate loyalty and cunning, Robo Fortune fails to deliver either to any measurable degree. Employing cutting-edge technology, she sets out to hunt down the Skullgirl, and to engage in easily avoidable conflicts.</p><h2>Other Features</h2><h3>Graphics</h3><p>Skullgirls features a powerful 3D engine to power its predominantly 2D presentation.</p><p>Characters are assembled from three layers (line, shading and color) and colored via a custom shader. They are illuminated by dynamic rim lights and per-pixel lighting generated by light sources in the environment and hit sparks.</p><p>The backgrounds are 3D, although use minimal geometry and high-resolution textures to retain a painterly look.</p><h3>Animation</h3><p>Averaging around 1400 frames of animation per character, Skullgirls features the most frames of animation per character of any 2D fighting game. Additionally, the sprites are of very high resolution - they're twice the size they are on the screen for filtering and zoom-in purposes.</p><h3>GGPO Netcode</h3><p>Skullgirls' online experience is built upon the Good Game, Peace Out (<a href="/ggpo/3015-7124/" data-ref-id="3015-7124">GGPO</a>) networking library, a favorite of the hardcore fighting game community.</p><h3>Easier Inputs</h3><p>In order to shift the game’s focus from executing difficult moves to fighting strategically, the game features simplified inputs.</p><p>For example, if a character has any 360 moves, the game will be able to tell if the player completes a 360 even if the player didn’t execute it at speeds that would be required in another fighting game. Not only does this make execution of these moves and make <a href="../../grappler/92-456/" rel="nofollow">grappler</a> characters easier, it also prevents the character from hopping (which occurs whenever the 'up' direction is pressed) at the apex of the 360 movement.</p><h3>Soundtrack</h3><p>Reverge Labs announced that Skullgirls' soundtrack will be composed by <a href="../../michiru-yamane/72-40896/" rel="nofollow">Michiru Yamane</a>, a composer on numerous <a href="../../castlevania/62-86/" rel="nofollow"><i>Castlevania</i></a> games.</p><h2>PC System Requirements</h2><ul><li><strong>OS:</strong> Windows XP, Window Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8</li><li><strong>Processor:</strong> Dual-core CPU</li><li><strong>Memory: </strong>2 GB RAM</li><li><strong>Graphics: </strong>Intel HD3000</li><li><strong>DirectX:</strong> Version 9.0c</li><li><strong>Network: </strong>Broadband Internet connection</li><li><strong>Hard Drive:</strong> 2 GB available space</li></ul>