“Sony is ripping off of Nintendo!” “Wahh, PS All-Stars is just a complete rip off if Super Smash Bros!” Is this the problem that worries me about Sony’s upcoming brawler? Not at all.
Sony’s upcoming PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale is something fans have been clamoring about for years. It is for that reason that I feel I must start this article by thanking everyone over at SuperBot Entertainment for making one of my many gaming wishes come true. My second, of course, being a Marvel vs DC Universe title. However, we know that is very unlikely. All-Stars is shaping up to be one very fantastic game. Sure, it borrows elements from Nintendo’s very own Super Smash Bros., but it also manages to bring in some unique twists to the crossover genre.
The game relies solely on knocking out your opponents by methods of super moves. The character roster is shaping up to be great and the recent leaks show that the stages are nothing short of exciting as well. SuperBot promises a robust single player experience alongside a deep multiplayer aspect. So what about this game is exactly worrisome? Well, it has to do with the game’s key feature – super moves.
Each character sports three levels in a super move, properly called level 1 super, level 2 super and a level 3 super. These are earned by acquiring points by beating your opponent’s senseless. This is fine and dandy, and a great way to change the game up a bit. However, looking at some of the character’s supers, it almost doesn’t make sense to go for your level 3 super when you can probably net more kills with a level 2.
Players may argue that this was SuperBot’s intention and it was there way of requiring strategic thinking of the players, but what about when it comes to other character’s level 3 supers being far too powerful? Characters like Heihachi, Toro and PaRappa automatically net players with three kills with their level 3 supers. In other words, it takes down all the opponents in one blow and that’s it. That’s perfectly fine, for the most part. Well-balanced for a super move, though the amount of skill required in using that super is removed. However, characters like Kratos and even PaRappa’s level 2 super can possibly net more than 3 kills. This raises the question as to why bother saving up to PaRappa’s level 3 super and are Kratos and possibly some of the other characters way too overpowered? Kratos’ level 3 super turns him into the God of War and gives players the ability to hack and slash away at enemy players with the Blade of Olympus. If players can strategically maneuver the play field, they can easily net more than 3 kills as other players respawn once again. The next question to be asked is what can SuperBot do to fix what is looking like some balancing issues? Let’s hope that answer will come to us when the game launches this October.