Full-stop, I’m a huge fan of the One Punch Man manga and anime (its first season anyway), but I never felt a particular desire to have a video game based on the property. So when I first saw One Punch Man: A Hero Nobody Knows was announced, my expression was about as apathetic as Saitama’s usually is. However, after having the chance to play a decent portion, I’m looking forward to its February 27th release.
Before you start the game’s story mode, you create a character. The character creator is expansive but leans in a specific direction, allowing you to make the goofiest characters your imagination can come up with. I made a hero whom the game dubbed Mole Hands. Mole Hands was adorned with angel wings upon his left shoulder, and devil wings on his right. He had hands which resembled those of moles (obviously) and had horse heads on his wrists. Mole Hands finished his look by carrying a dark red keyboard on his back, and an eyepatch adorned over his right eye (which was already obstructed by bangs). At any point if things looked unnatural (or too natural), I could use the advanced options to place these accessories in the exact place I would want.
Once I got into a fight, the game went over the basic controls which reveal that One Punch Man: A Hero Nobody Knows is at the very least a mechanically sound fighting game. You are able to move freely in a 3D arena and dash with the right trigger. You can dash to your opponent by tapping in the analog stick. You have normal and strong attacks tied to the face buttons and can mix the two in a variety of combos. Placement is also important in terms of what moves you’ll be able to do. If you tilt down the analog stick while hitting the attack buttons you’ll do a sweep, while if you’re in the air and attack you will do a jump attack. There is also the inclusion of a guard button and throw moves that round the overall systems out.
Easy to pick up and play while being heavy on sub-mechanics
Guarding right before you get hand will allow your character to do a “Perfect Guard” which negates the damage that would otherwise be done and places you in your opponent’s rear. You can hold down the attack buttons to do a charge move (which may leave you open if timed incorrectly) and strong attacks place distance between you and the opponent.
There is also a move gauge that you can utilize to do a variety of extra-strong abilities. You have the ability to charge it manually with a button combination, but your stocks will also fill out over time. If you have enough stocks, you’re able to do a “Mode Change” which raises the attack and defense of your character and gives you the ability to execute a “Super Killer Move.”
One Punch Man: A Hero Nobody Knows is a team-based fighting game. Your chosen heroes are able to be controlled by switching to them via the bumpers. In the One Punch Man anime and manga, the title character Saitama is able to dispatch enemies with a single punch. In a fighting game such as this, he’s inherently unbalanced. So if you choose Saitama to be a part of your team in the game, a separate timer will be present during the match. If you get higher combos, the time is shed from the clock. When it expires, the “One Punch Man” joins your team and can defeat the opponents instantly. The risk/reward is clever and fits well with the property
Apt to its title, the story mode in One Punch Man: A Hero Nobody Knows has you playing as a rather unknown hero. You start with the lowest license a hero can have, with the goal being to amass contribution points. At the end of each fight, you get graded on your performance. You’re measured by your remaining HP, the time it took to defeat your opponent, and on your and whether or not you complete optional objectives.
One Punch Man: A Hero Nobody Knows sets itself apart from other anime brawlers
The story mode is akin to ARPG beat-em-up due to these mechanics. As you help citizens in need, you’ll gain credibility and level up. As you level up you gain more moves that you can use in battle. You can also raise your social status with characters that include various benefits. Creatively conceived characters from the property such as the extravagant swordsman named Spring Mustachio are present, so it’s pretty safe to say that your favorite character has a high chance of being on the roster.
After spending some time with One Punch Man: A Hero Nobody Knows, I’m curious as to how the full game will shape up. The strongest aspect was how much the title lent into the over-the-top facets of the source material, while also serving fun and engaging fighting game mechanics. If they can balance this well in the final product, developers Spike Chunsoft will properly differentiate themselves in a sea of other licensed anime fighting games.
