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Our initial experiences with video games, perhaps dating back to the era of arcade machines, mark the inception of an art form that has continued to evolve over the past three decades, approaching a state of near-perfection.
And even with all these modern popular video game genres, from time to time, we find joy in revisiting our gaming origins, relishing a classic beat 'em up where the only goal is to achieve the well-known K.O. screen against our opponent.
Nickelodeon All Star Brawl 2 falls into this category, where it's a brawl featuring beloved characters from Nickelodeon cartoons, pitting us against them throughout the game. To gauge how this game competes within the realm of fighters like Street Fighter, Tekken, Mortal Kombat, and others, and to ascertain if it merits our attention, you can find the answer in our review.
Campaign Mode
Surprisingly, Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl 2 presents a narrative that's rather decent, particularly within the context of this game genre. While the storytelling isn't conventional, the campaign mode takes players on an adventurous journey involving battles against waves of enemies and formidable bosses, all underpinned by a compelling backstory that serves as the foundation for campaign progression.
In the campaign, the central character, SpongeBob, sets out on a quest to rescue his missing friend, Patrick, who has been drawn into a mysterious portal. When SpongeBob is defeated in combat for the first time, he finds himself in some sort of hub, guided by an enigmatic time-manipulating character. This character explains that to rescue his friend, SpongeBob must endure a cycle of defeat and rebirth, restarting the adventure from its beginning with each setback.
In the campaign, every time you defeat a boss, he becomes available for you to play with, and each new playable character has slightly different moves that differ mostly in animations, not the damage they deal. Each time you fall in the campaign, you will be forced to restart it from the beginning, but everything you collect will still be available for you.
Each campaign round you undertake consists of distinct levels, each with its own unique characteristics. Some levels will test your combat skills against hordes of enemies; others will focus on platforming challenges; and there are those that introduce perks and special cards to enhance characters with unique abilities. Of course, the most important ones are those with bosses that give you the biggest challenge.
Gameplay and modes
When it comes to the combat system, it treads familiar ground, bearing a striking resemblance to other fighting games. The key distinction lies in its slightly higher pace and somehow chaotic battles. However, this chaos doesn't necessarily work in its favour, particularly when engaged in battles against multiple enemies in the campaign mode.
Very often, flashy animations or a distant camera perspective can lead to confusion regarding your character's identity. Given that these skirmishes mostly occur on platforms, it's all too common to find yourself falling off the map, resulting in an automatic K.O.
In Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl 2, your character can perform basic actions like physical and ranged attacks, jumping, crouching, and special moves that grow stronger as you damage enemies. Notably, regular enemies, unlike bosses, don't have visible health bars, making it unclear how much damage they can take. In 1v1 modes, the standard health bar is present, similar to other games in this genre.
The game has four primary modes. The Battle Mode allows you to engage in local 1v1 battles or face CPU opponents in various arenas. The second mode is online, offering ranked matches, 1v1 and 2v2 matchups, a free-for-all mode reminiscent of battle royale, and the option to create your own lobby or join an existing one.
The third mode is the campaign, which has been previously discussed. In the fourth mode, known as Single Player, you can explore various options. This includes Arcade mode, where you engage in repetitive battles against CPU opponents and participate in mini-games. The Boss Rush mode allows you to confront bosses sequentially, while the Minigame mode offers opportunities to compete in various mini-games and set high scores. Additionally, the Dojo mode provides a safe environment for practise without the risk of defeat.
Graphics and Sounds
Back at the beginning of the year, when I had the chance to review SpongeBob SquarePants: The Cosmic Shake, one of the primary criticisms was centred around its outdated graphics. Yet, upon my initial encounter with Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl 2, a thought immediately struck me: why didn't they craft Cosmic Shake with visuals as impressive as this? Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl 2 exudes such graphic excellence that it genuinely feels as if the characters might step out of the screen and become alive.
Every character is faithfully portrayed with sharp and finely crafted textures. The colours are vibrant and captivating, and the arenas where battles unfold are even more visually striking than those featured in the original cartoons. In a nutshell, the graphical presentation has been elevated to a state of perfection.
The audio elements are equally remarkable, encompassing both the impactful battle sounds and the accompanying background music during battles. The music exudes a nostalgic arcade game vibe, complete with a voiceover that makes its presence known when navigating menus or pausing the game.
It's worth highlighting that given the collaborative effort with Nickelodeon, all characters have been voiced by their original actors, lending the game a sense of authenticity and originality.
Conclusion
In the grand scheme of things, Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl 2 doesn't herald a revolutionary transformation in the world of fighting games; it adheres to the standard conventions of the genre. What sets it apart isn't groundbreaking gameplay, but rather the inclusion of original characters that inject a tremendous amount of fun into the experience.
Ultimately, whether you're seeking a game for enjoyable gatherings at home, battling with friends and family using two or more controllers, or engaging with a multitude of online players, Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl 2 is guaranteed to deliver an ample dose of enjoyment.
The Good
Amazing, life-like graphics- Great sounds and voice talents featuring original actors
- Fun, fast-paced brawl fighting
- Fatefully presented Nickelodeon’s characters
- Solid, well-designed campaign
The Bad
Playable character can easily be confused with enemies- Falling off the map is frustrating
- Battle effects result in on-screen chaos
- Lack of innovations
