Valentine (Skullgirls)

Skullgirls is a 2012 fighting video game developed by Reverge Labs and published by Autumn Games, originally released digitally for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 and ported to various other home and portable systems afterwards. A 2D fighter, Skullgirls consist of team-based fights and revolves around the "Skull Heart", an artifact which grants wishes for women. If a wisher with an impure soul uses the Skull Heart, she is transformed into a monster known as the "Skullgirl".

The game was initially released through the PlayStation Network and Xbox Live Arcade platforms, and received generally positive reviews from critics, who praised the animation and gameplay mechanics, while criticizing its initial roster size and online multiplayer features. The game was then ported to Windows, released through the Steam platform, before a dispute between Autumn Games and distributor Konami led to its removal from the console storefronts; it was re-released on both platforms in 2014 as Skullgirls Encore, before a PlayStation 4 port and a version for Japanese arcades under the retitled name Skullgirls 2nd Encore in 2015. It has since been ported to other platforms including PlayStation Vita, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S. A spin-off mobile title was released in 2017 for Android and iOS, developed by Hidden Variable Studios.

Development of Skullgirls 2nd Encore continues in the form of downloadable content. After Skullgirls 's initial release, the core team of Reverge Labs reformed as Lab Zero Games and developed the game until its dissolution in 2020, with several of its members forming another indie studio, Future Club, who have been the Skullgirls developers since.

Skullgirls is a tag team-based fighting game in which players control characters, each with unique attacks and fighting styles, to engage in combat. Players must damage the opponent and completely drain their health, thus knocking them out. A player wins when all opposing characters are knocked out. If time expires before then, the player with the most remaining health is declared the winner. Players may select a single fighter or choose to form a team of two or three. A solo character possesses more health and deals more damage. Players can assign custom assists in Skullgirls, further enhancing team customization.