![the bouncer game the bouncer game](http://appcheaters.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Bounce-Classic-e1488900740452.jpg)
The Bouncer also introduced a depth-of-field (DOF) effect, blurring the background or foreground during cinematic cutscenes. The game's presentation and production values were considered groundbreaking, particularly due to its introduction of innovative shading techniques, most notably what would later be called a light bloom effect, which critics at the time described as a "glowing" effect that created "a unique gloss that's never been used before with such success." This effect was used in order to create a more cinematic movie-like look, as well as to compensate for the PS2's lack of anti-aliasing. While the game itself is not commonly remembered as a high point in the PS2's library, some of its features were popularized by more successful games and became widely-used. Like earlier Dream Factory & Squaresoft collaborations, such as Tobal, Bushido Blade, and Ehrgeiz, The Bouncer used novel design and presentation ideas, but its experimental nature divided critics. The progression of the game's plot is also dependent on which bouncer the player chooses to control during specific sections of the game. The game also features an experience system that allows each of the player characters to grow stronger and learn new moves over the course of the game. The game is a beat 'em up with three playable characters, Sion Barzahd, Volt Krueger, and Kou Leifoh, each with their own distinct fighting styles.
![the bouncer game the bouncer game](https://gamefabrique.com/storage/screenshots/ps2/the-bouncer-04.png)
The game was directed by fighting game pioneer Seiichi Ishii (who created the Virtua Fighter, Tekken and Tobal franchises and Ehrgeiz) along with Squaresoft's Takashi Tokita (who designed Final Fantasy IV and directed Chrono Trigger and Parasite Eve). The Bouncer, developed by Dream Factory and Squaresoft, was the first game published by Squaresoft for the PlayStation 2 console, launched in Japan on December 23, 2000, and in the U.S.