Senxin Aleste

Senxin Aleste (戦刃アレスタ) is a vertical shoot ’em up by M2. The Japanese arcade version has been running on Sega APM3 systems since July 15, 2021. Four pilots fly through five sections. The console release combines the original with a new arrange mode.

The arcade version was released in Japan on July 15, 2021. For March 18, 2027, M2 announces the console version for Japan. A separate European release date has not been confirmed.

Standalone versions are confirmed for PS5, PS4 and Nintendo Switch. Switch and PS5 also get physical releases; the PS4 version is digital only. A native Switch 2 version has not been announced.

Senxin Aleste is a vertically scrolling shoot ’em up. The team consists of four main characters, one of whom is selected as the lead. Five consecutive stages demand precise flying and smart handling of enemy formations and projectile patterns.

The home version combines the arcade version with a specially developed arrange mode. Both are part of the same base game.

ORIGIN sticks closely to the original arcade game. Optional M2 gadgets help you observe and understand game situations. The traditional arcade display remains selectable as an alternative.

BLADE offers a different style of play. The new Blade Missile destroys enemies and projectiles. In addition, the four characters can be switched freely instead of only setting one at the start. It is an arrange mode, not separately available DLC.

Training mode lets you select individual stages and ship types. Difficult situations can be practiced in a targeted way. Together with the M2 gadgets in ORIGIN, this supports preparation for the demanding sequences of the arcade version.

Besides the arcade music, the console version of BLADE offers new compositions by Sakuoki Kudo and chibi-tech. Arrangements by Hirokazu Koshio are added, so three music variants are available. Opening and ending sequences get full voice acting with Hana Takeda.

The Japanese box versions for PS5 and Nintendo Switch are planned as standard and limited editions. Both are to include a strategy guide in the first print run. For the limited edition, M2 also mentions special packaging, an archive book and a soundtrack. On PS4 only a download is planned.

The physical packages are editions of the same base game, not additional platforms or standalone expansions.

M2 lists Japanese and English as supported languages and one player as the player count. Other languages or multiplayer features have not been confirmed so far.