Collector's delight: Of summer, swimsuits & showdowns

Although DOAX3 and its lush special editions are all the rage now, I chose to focus on another game packed with summery settings and revealing swimsuits. That game is none other than Senran Kagura: Estival Versus, a game so heavy on estival aesthetics that gazing at the box alone makes me wish summer were already there. We're talking more specifically about the Millennium Festival edition, known as the Endless Summer edition in North-America. These two Specials pack up exactly the same goodies, the only difference being the outer box; and I have to admit that for once, Europe got the best version. Look at the beauty Marvelous bestowed upon us!

This gorgeous box bursting with bright colours and featuring all the characters is not as enormous as the one hosting the Deluxe Edition of Bravely Second, but it's not too far off the mark. We're talking about a 24 x 34 x 5cm box, which is still much larger than a book and makes that special edition cumbersome to store in regular shelves or pantries. A teeny-weeny bit galling, especially knowing that most of that space is occupied by the cardboard structure hosting the feelies. And since I'm mentioning the feelies, here they are in all their colourful glory:

We have a double-CD bursting with tracks, an art book, some postcards and last but not least, the game itself. The art book contains lovely illustrations along with detailed descriptions of all the characters' background, which is quite enjoyable. I only regret that Marvelous didn't include strategy advices like they did in the "Let's get Physical" edition of Senran Kagura Shinovi Versus. Oh, well.

All in all, this is a gorgeous special edition and an excellent deal to boot, given that the game alone costs roughly the same price. Of course, one had to be an early bird to get their paws on this special, since Marvelous used again the system of preoders and print-on-demand that had proven so successful with Senran Kagura 2. I love them more and more for not giving up on physical format when the whole industry is trying to make digital distribution the norm, and for crafting beautiful special editions to boot. I can feel all their love and passion for the game in that vibrant box, and I will most certainly buy more lovingly designed Specials for them. Thanks for reading, and be my guest anytime!