'One Piece: Burning Blood' news: Bandai Namco announces new details on upcoming game

Bandai Namco Europe

Building up the hype for the next fighting title based on the long-running and successful "One Piece" manga series, publisher Bandai Namco has announced new details on the upcoming "One Piece: Burning Blood" brawler game.

According to Gematsu, the reveal in the latest edition of Japanese weekly magazine Weekly Jump that new characters will be added to the roster has been confirmed by the publisher with official screenshots. Based on the official images, "One Piece: Burning Blood" will have X. Drake, Franky, Roronoa Zoro, And Aokiji as playable characters in the upcoming fighting title. The additional details were a surprise, as Weekly Jump only hinted at two characters – X. Drake and Franky – to be added to the new game.

Meanwhile, Bandai Namco also updated its official website page for "One Piece: Burning Blood" with new information. As revealed, players will now have the chance to use an "advanced battle system" that almost replicates abilities that are unique to each character, making "One Piece: Burning Blood" as close to the original manga adaptation as possible.

Characters will have "Logia Moves" such as Ace's fire-based attacks. Meanwhile, new to the game is the introduction of "Logia Fruits," an idea taken from the manga. When equipped during a battle, it will make some characters invulnerable to physical attacks for a limited amount of time. However, countering this skill is "Haki Blow," also taken from the manga, where the user can counter Devil Fruit and even Logia users.

In addition, the original "Devil Fruit" skill will also be present, where players equipped with the option will have the power to do Special Attacks that deal massive damage, and even Reinforced Special Attacks, for accumulated damage.

Also true to the continuing saga of the original "One Piece" manga, the upcoming title will additionally feature a three-man team (much like Luffy, Sabo, and Ace in the manga), and players can sub them in and out during battles as part of strategy against enemies.

"One Piece: Burning Blood" will be released to the PlayStation 4, PS Vita, and Xbox One next year.