So as you may or may not know, SuperBot has been wanting to put up a public beta for PS All-Stars for a while now, and on October 17th, it went up publicly for the PS Vita, and privately for PS+ Members on the PS3. It will be up publicly for Ps3 players on October 23rd, the same day as the PS Store update.
I downloaded the beta as soon as it came out as I was very excited for it. Let me tell you, it does not disappoint.
The beta includes a minimal amount of content, but just enough to keep you playing. Right off the bat I went for a tutorial because I never got into Super Smash Bro’s (the game’s inspiration) and it was easy to use, fun way to learn how to play the game. If the tutorial is anything like it is right now in the full game, people won’t have any problems picking the game up for the first time, and diving right into the awesomeness that is the multi-player.
Once I finished with the tutorial, the only other option was a four player free-for-all mode, where you could choose characters. There was Sly Cooper, Parappa the Rapper, Colonel Radec, Fat Princess, Kratos, and Sweet Tooth. Trying out all of these characters (albeit a limited amount) was a ton of fun, and loved how many ways you can play as each character, how unique they are, and how well SuperBot has utilized the directional pad to give every player a series of specific attacks which makes wanting to master and learn these characters and their moves all the more challenging, and fun.
The game’s art style and fluidity of gameplay are also very well done. The beta only has about two stages, yet every time I enter one that I’ve entered tens of times before, I can’t help but shift my focus away from my character, and onto what’s happening in the background, and how great it all looks. It’s a shame really, because some people will neglect to notice these amazing stages due to the fact that they want to win the match.
The gameplay itself is a lot of fun, but I did have one complaint. I found the only way to take someone down, was with your supers. Basically, the more hits you score on someone, the higher your super meter will get. Once it reaches a certain point, you’ll have obtained a level 1 super. If you want a more powerful one, you can save up to a level 2, and possibly a level 3 (which at that point, there’s no way someone has much of a chance dodging it). I found some characters level 3 super to be almost unfair. Kratos’s level 3 is that he turns into a giant with a huge sword that has a wide range, and if you’re hit by it, you die,although it’s possible to dodge if you time your jumps off ledges just right.
Sly’s and Radec’s, on the other hand… It basically becomes first person for them, as they just click a button, and will basically score an easy kill. I’ve been in games where Sly or Radec save up until level 3, and then just get at least six kills before their super runs out (which has practically won them the game).
This isn’t as big of an issue as I’m making it sound though. The other characters level 3 super’s are just as powerful as long as you know how to use it right. I felt the game though relied too much on super’s, and that they should be your only focus in the game. Instead of actually trying to pull off some sweet combo’s or move’s, you’ll just be spamming the square button, with the occasional triangle and circle button thrown in.
All in all though, I would highly recommend trying out the beta. I mean you might as well considering its free. Bluepoint has done a great job with the port, adding in specific Vita controls as well. If I had to give a review, going by the fact that it’s only a beta right now, I would give it:
8.3/10