 |
| Box Art |
For the longest time, there have been many fighting games. Very few have been in the genre of a single company exclusive fighting game. The main that comes to mind is Super Smash Bros published Nintendo. If you know me, I am an extremely huge fan the SSB series, so I came to PlayStation All-Stars with very high expectations. PSASBR has been rated good and bad by many different people all by comparing it to such a legendary series, but I believe that it is very different. PSASBR currently has 22 playable characters and 14 playable arenas with even more downloadable players and stages in the near future. This variety comes from many PlayStation exclusive games such as God of War, InFamous, Sly Cooper, Killzone, LittleBigPlanet, Uncharted, Twisted Metal, and many more from old such as PaRappa the Rapper to the new such as Devil May Cry. There are few exceptions of the exclusivity, such as Big Daddy from the Bioshock series and Heihachi from the Tekken franchise. This game also has similar to other fighters, multiple different attacks (approximately 24 different per character), a guard, a roll, and a few directional throws. So let's get into reviewing PSASBR.
 |
| The original 20 playable characters and their respective owners |
Visuals
 |
| Spike confronting his rival |
PSASBR was such a nice sight. This game provided many different art styles varying on each franchise. Some characters looked very realistic such as Kratos, from the God of War series, Dante, from the Devil May Cry series, and Nariko from Heavenly Sword. Others had a much more cel-shaded design such as Sly Cooper and Kat from Gravity Rush. Although each character has different designs, each was made to look as similar as possible from their original games. SuperBot Entertainment did a phenomenal job at this. Each was so specific to details that I was seriously impressed. You could see everything, from the scars on Kratos, to the ridges on Radec's guns, even to the chest hairs of Sweet Tooth's chest. Even the stages were beautifully done. You could see the trash all over Alden's Tower, and every crack in the stones in Hades.
One of the few things done wrong with the visuals were from the story mode. Although this game is on the PlayStation 3, which has very advanced software, PSASBR felt it necessary to replace any possible cutscenes, with still images and voice overs. So instead of hearing a monologue from a fully animated character, you are stuck looking at a portrait. The only exception is the "rival confrontation" where two characters are fully animated, but at the cost of the interesting background. This only cutscene takes place in a dull blue crystal based background. This was very lazy on SuperBot's part, but it wasn't too bad, just inconsiderate.
Music
PSASBR had some truly great music. From the music at the main menu and onwards, you hear nothing but pumping music. Each stage has music remixes based on the franchise to which the arena is inspired by. Along with the stage music, the victory music for each character truly gave you a sense of accomplishment. I wish I could beef up this section, but unfortunately, music doesn't play too much of a part of this game.
Gameplay
 |
Gameplay between Radec, Kratos, Sweet Tooth, and
Fat Princess at Sandover village |
Finally we are at gameplay. This game was truly fun, but this is no where near a perfect game. As a big fan of the Smash Bros series, I have always been accustomed to a fighter without a life bar. PSASBR is very similar in this department. What separates it from Smash Bros is how the killing is done. In PSASBR, each successful attack done on the enemy fills up a bar at the bottom of the screen under each respective player. When enough attacks have landed, you can perform a Super attack. Each character has 3 Super attacks from the level 1, level 2, and level 3, 3 being usually being the best. Each Super attack, as well as regular attacks, are unique to each character.
Each normal and Super attack is based off the character in the game. A perfect example is how Kratos has an entire button dedicated to his Blades of Athena which do similar combos like in his own games. The only real problem PSASBR has, is unfortunately the biggest part of the game. The problem it has is balance. Each character is good in their own way, but some are made way better than others. Back to Kratos who uses his Blades of Athena at mid-range, has no competition again Heihachi who is almost completely close-ranged. Another example is Radec who primarily uses guns, against PaRappa the rapper who is also a very close-ranged fighter. Along with range is the ability to do combos. Most known for his ability to do this is Raiden, from the Metal Gear series, who uses his mid-ranged katanas to continually slice at you, which once he starts, can only be endured until the combo ends and an escape route appears. And even worse is that Raiden has an attack that will send him flying towards the enemies, allowing him to start his combos again.
 |
An epic battle of blades between the new Dante and Raiden
on Sandover Village |
Although being able to have combos to build up their meter is important, the ability to ensure a kill with a Super attack is just as important. This also provides another problem. Some character's Supers are unavoidable in the wrong hands. Someone who shows this perfectly is Ratchet, from the Ratchet and Clank series. Ratchet's level 1 Super seems to be a Gatling gun, which sends bullets flying in one direction for a very short range, but is continuous for several seconds. This may seem like a perfectly fair attack, but pair with his throw is devastating. Ratchet's throw is his vacuum gun from his series, which if you haven't guessed yet, pulls you into his gun. In the time you are trapped in his gun, he can run and spit you out. Ratchet players have learned that if you throw an enemy into a corner and activate your level 1 Super from the right distance, the victim cannot escape in any way possible.
 |
| Gameplay between Spike, Radec, Sweet Tooth, and Sackboy at Time Station |
Now I bet you might think I am just speaking from bad experience with other players. Though I have been a victim to all the tactics just discussed, PSASBR is still a very fun game. Honestly there is absolutely nothing good to get from the single player "arcade mode". Even the final boss, who I will try not to ruin for those out there who haven't seen it, is very boring and seems unimaginative. The only thing to be gained from the single player, besides trophies is experience and the knowledge of how attacks work. But the multiplayer is where this game truly shines. I have found myself playing this game with friends online for hours at a time, even after I was awarded the platinum trophy for finishing everything in the game. Unfortunately the multiplayer isn't as enjoyable after skill is gained. This is mainly due to the fact that PSASBR loses its fun with competitive play. But if you really enjoy this game, you can make it last for a long time.
Overview
PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale has been such a great experience to play. Unfortunately, those with little patience for fighting games should stay away. For those who are willing to give this a try, do not expect this to be the Super Smash Bros. clone it has been put out to be. This is an extremely unique fighter than some say is actually simpler than SSB. I have had a blast playing this and hope anyone else who gives this game a try, will enjoy it too.
I rate this game a 7.5 out of 10
Notes: Thank you for anyone and everyone who reads these reviews, and I hope you stick around for the next. I have decided, in honor of the soon to be released "InFamous: Second Son", for the new PlayStation 4, I will review the 3 games from the franchise. This includes nFamous, InFamous 2, and InFamous: Festival of Blood. In between these review, feel free to send me an email or comment, if you want me to review any other game. Til then, have a nice spring break and I will see you soon.
I rate this game a 7.5 out of 10
No comments:
Post a Comment