Review of JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: All Star Battle R

“JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: All Star Battle R – An Enjoyable Yet Flawed Tribute”

JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: All Star Battle R stays true to the wild and flamboyant nature of the original series, offering a visually stunning and faithful representation. The game immerses players in the world of JoJo from the moment they launch it, with its vibrant half-tone art, snarky dialogue cut-ins, and abundant references. Every aspect of the game, from combat to menus, is infused with the iconic sound cues, visual motifs, and dynamic art style reminiscent of the manga.

While All Star Battle R excels in capturing the essence of JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure, it falls short in certain critical areas. As a remaster of the 2013 game, it retains much of the original content and delivers a solid one-on-one fighting experience with plenty of flair. The controls are satisfying, and each character’s unique playstyle is brought to life through punchy effects and intuitive visual design. However, the game lacks modern practice tools and tutorials for advanced techniques, which could have enhanced the learning experience for players.

One of the game’s highlights is its extensive fan service and deep references to the source material. Special moves trigger unique interactions with specific characters, and the attention to detail in the scenery is commendable. The game’s menus are also thematic and accompanied by narrations from appropriate characters, adding an extra layer of immersion. However, the constant dialogue can become repetitive, especially in matches involving duplicate characters, potentially dampening the overall enjoyment.

All Star Battle R introduces new original content, features, and characters that are a welcome addition. The ten new characters bring fresh playstyles and mechanics that align with their thematic origins, offering diverse gameplay experiences. The inclusion of a new assist system adds depth and resource management to battles, complementing the existing mechanics. Gameplay adjustments have also made the overall experience faster and more responsive compared to the original game.

Despite its charm and energy, All Star Battle R suffers from moments of emptiness. The captivating main menus are juxtaposed with reused and poorly placed UI elements, which detract from the overall aesthetic. Multiplayer issues, particularly the absence of rollback netcode, severely impact online matches, causing frequent interruptions and slow-paced gameplay. The lack of a proper lobby system and skill-based matchmaking further hampers the online experience, leading to long waiting times and occasional crashes.

The game’s “Easy Beat” system, while accessible for newcomers, can also be a double-edged sword. It allows anyone to execute basic combos with ease, showcasing each character’s personality and abilities. However, the system’s shortcomings become apparent when facing opponents who rely on Easy Beat, leading to imbalanced matches and frustration for those seeking a more competitive experience.

In terms of solo content, the replacement of Story Mode with “All-Star Battle Mode” feels lackluster. The panel battles and “what if?” scenarios lack narrative depth, and unique dialogues between characters are limited. The Arcade Mode also falls short, offering a basic consecutive fight and score system without much excitement.

Unlockable items and cosmetics provide some incentive for playing these modes, showcasing the game’s stunning character designs. However, the process of earning these rewards can feel repetitive and uninspiring.

Despite its flaws, All Star Battle R still manages to deliver enjoyable moments of split-second conflict and cel-shaded spectacle. The potential for improvement lies in addressing the online support and expanding the solo content. If Bandai Namco recognizes the game’s long-term potential and invests in addressing these issues, All Star Battle R could fulfill its promise and become a more fulfilling experience.

As a fan eagerly anticipating JoJo games on PC and in non-Japanese markets, All Star Battle R is held back not by its design, but by the lack of support for its fundamental features. With necessary improvements, these issues can be overcome, paving the way for a brighter future for the game.

We bring out some of the most well-known JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure Collection, all of which are available at reasonable costs. Visit our link now if you are interested in the JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure Collection

Rohan Kishibe,Jolyne Cujoh,Yoshikage Kira,Josuke Higashitaka,Bruno Bucciarati