I don’t care about PlayStation All Stars Battle Royale. Not in the slightest. I have no interest in the game itself, on any platform or in any guise. I just don’t care. in fact, the only thing I find remotely interesting about it is that fact that I don’t find it interesting at all. Let me explain.
Normally, I’ll get quite excited about anything new, even if it’s not something that would usually interest me. I’ve got a Wii U pre-ordered and I can’t wait to try it, in spite of never being the Wii’s (or Nintendo’s) biggest fan. I bought a 3DS at a midnight launch and I imported a Vita from Japan as soon as it was possible, despite never being a great fan of handheld gaming – and letting my DS and especially my PSP gather dust for so long.
I can’t think of a single high profile game that’s been released in recent memory that I haven’t at least wanted to try. Usually, I’ll see a trailer, maybe watch a dev diary and look at some screenshots. It might be a game I don’t think I’ll like but I’ll still want to try it, just to know what everyone else is talking about.
[drop]Sometimes, as with Killzone 3, this presents me with a little surprise in that I enjoy it very much. Sometimes, as with Gravity Rush, I expect to like something and find it a little underwhelming.Either way, I’m usually keen to see it in action. And yet, Sony’s big release for this Christmas (outside of Wonderbook’s Book of Spells, which I’m perplexingly eager to try!) doesn’t connect with me at all.
I’ve spent weeks wondering why this might be. I’ve tried – tried – to watch various trailers and gameplay videos.
I’ve also read several reviews, including the enthusiastic coverage Blair gave it on this very website. I know loads of people who are excited about it. So why can’t I muster any enthusiasm for this coming together of so many treasured icons from my gaming history in one package?
“Just try it and I’m sure you’ll enjoy it” came the response from one of my Twitter friends when I mentioned my unrelenting apathy towards this game. Which is fine, usually that’s exactly how my head works for games that I’m not keen on. But Battle Royale isn’t a game I feel I won’t like, it’s a game for which I don’t feel at all.
It looks very much like multiplayer a brawler – like Smash Bros. Well firstly, I wasn’t very keen on Smash Bros. Secondly, it seems as though it’s not quite that simple. Battle Royale is being spoken about in terms that make it seem similar to a proper fighting game, like Street Fighter. Several references to balancing and online code make it seem to me as though this is something which could be played competitively, at tournaments. The problem with that is that I’m not a huge fan of fighting games, either. Well, not since Mortal Kombat 2 on the Mega Drive, at least.
[drop2]So, already I don’t really know what Battle Royale is but neither of the things I think it is are very dear to me.I find the focus of the game’s pre-release discussion quite confusing. It’s like Sony decided to rip off Nintendo’s Smash Bros. but then decided that they could make something that might appeal to traditional fighting fans instead.
It seems like a bit of a hybrid. Kratos throwing hands with PaRappa the Rapper is a juxtaposition too far for me. If it had been either of the two things I think it seems like, I would probably have wanted to try it. Kratos fighting against other muscle-bound rage monsters? Yeah, bring that on. PaRappa trading slaps with Sackboy? Yeah, that could be fun. But Battle Royale seems to not quite know what it is and without that cohesive anchor point, I can’t find anything to attach to.
I’m sure the single sale I lose Sony this holiday season won’t tip them over the edge into absolute economic meltdown. But I can’t be the only person that the marketing message hasn’t connected with, can I? Is this widespread? Will it damage the game’s sales figures?
Perhaps I’ve just (finally!) reached a point in my life where my subconscious is switching off my desire for things that I must know, deep down, are an unnecessary drain on my dwindling free time? Either way, I’ll be spending my holiday season playing games like Far Cry 3, Halo 4 and Black Ops II. I’ll be running around Nintendo Land with Mario and friends rather than slapping the cake out of Fat Princess’ mouth with Cole from inFamous. And I’ll be thankful for the abundant choice we all have in today’s selection of games.
Alex C
The issue here is that Sony have been hyping this for months, and yet rarely managed to deliver a coherent advert for it that explains what it is. Instead, the Blog runs with videos of the attract mode (and the boss) for no reason, and the various character reveals have just been that: character reveals.
Gameplay footage has been thin on the ground, and so people don’t really get what this is. I’ll be honest and found the PS3 version underwhelming, but it fit nicely on the Vita, Bluepoint did an amazing job with the port. It’s a fun portable game that’s fun for a blast here and there, but it’s not (IMO) a fully fledged console game, it’s just too lightweight.
Peter’s point is totally valid, a massive PlayStation game (their big Christmas title) and yet it’s just unappealing to him, which is absolutely worthy of discussion.
2ofclubs
I get what you mean about the lack of explanation of what the game defintely is but I don’t agree about the character reveals. They consisted almost entirely of gameplay., the attract trailer not included of course.
You have definitely got it right about the Vita being the best fit. Perfect for blasts of fighting on the go.
Roynaldo
I tweeted quite a while ago “Am I the only one who thinks Battle Royale looks like a really shit game”. I had quite a few responses saying I wasn’t alone and CB has joined that group too it seems.
I just don’t get what it is even after reading Blairs review a few days ago. Must be a marmite thing.
CdmanJak
Cool story Bro get 4 mates and play free for all your opinion might change
Gamoc
I have wanted All-Stars since I played Super Smash Brothers: Melee on Gamecube years and years ago. When I discovered that they were actually making that damn game I almost wet myself. If I could afford it I would’ve bought it by now and I would’ve been playing it ever since.
TSBonyman
Apart from being slightly tickled by the ridiculous rumour that Loco Roco might be a playable character i’ve had very little interest in this, just not a genre that i would ever go for. I’ve also never been a fan of games where they stick in a character from a different game as an unlockable character so this whole concept is anathema to me.
ThatMattKid
Very strange article, I don’t really think it’s necessary considering you haven’t played it and have no interest in playing it, so why be negative; just let sleeping dogs lie. I will say this though, grab three friends and a few beers, put aside your unwillingness to try the game, and I think you’ll be surprised.
Forrest_01
This isn’t about Sleeping Dogs! ;)
JBoo
These articles are pointless. Who cares if someone doesn’t like a game or not??? People just care about real reviews of games on the internet(well i never go by internet gaming sites reviews anyway, i don’t trust them at all) I could say i hate Halo & COD(i do, same old boring sh*t now) but there is no point in me saying so on the internet, because no one cares & if they do care what some random person says online then they are just SAD LoL:D
Origami Killer
I guess you are intentionally calling me sad then. I care for articles like this, firstly because it shares the same opinion as me, and secondly it offers a different stance on the review for this game here on TSA. It’s always nice to have both sides of the story, in this case from one who loves the game and another who isn’t interested at all by it’s premise.
Your comment seems to deem all readers of opinion pieces as “just sad lol”. Not sure why you even bothered signing up here if you have an attitude like that.
And for the record last year sometime I posted a Guest Article on Call Of Duty and why Im loosing faith with the series, and the article had some great responses in bulk. People do care you see, but no one really cares for responses like yours.
The Lone Steven
Just ignore the fanboy. In fact, i would dare to say that he is a troll judging from his latest comment. He won’t respond and should be ignored. I suspect Adam has tried to talk to him but most likely had little to no success.
Jboo, you’ve just insulted yourself seeing as you have an opinion on this article which is on the interenet therefore by your logic, you are sad.
I know he won’t respond to me or anyone but can Adam,Tef or Peter have a word with him about his behaviour as i’m sick of seeing the same fanboy bullcrap that he posts. And i suspect other people feel the same way.
Origami Killer
I usually ignore his comments but today I felt I had to respond. I must also correct my first sentence of the other post to *unintentionally ;)
Sympozium
Yeah, pointless comment.