My Hero Academia’s latest video game, My Hero Academia: All’s Justice, is set to launch on the PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC (Steam) with an undetermined release date. Cat with Monocle had the chance to go hands-on with the game, which features a set of new characters in this 3v3 fighting game.
Start Out with a Bang
At the start of a new game, players are thrust into the heat of battle between one of the main heroes, Izuku Midoriya (aka Deku), and the antagonist Tomura Shigaraki. For those unfamiliar with the latest season or manga, All’s Justice covers the last arc of the popular series.
The game provides a guide on how to play along, with controller inputs displayed on the screen. The conflict between the two fighters is intense, showcasing flashy technique movies. Deku’s Blackwhip move is reminiscent of Spider-Man’s webbing, allowing players to extend their attack range against their foe, making it one of the best movies in the demo. After defeating Shigaraki, players witness an animation clip of Deku delivering the final blow to his opponent.
Subsequently, players are introduced to the game’s menu and mechanics. The demo we tested featured a basic versus mode against the computer. In this 3v3 fighting game, players can choose from three playable characters. Unlike the previous My Hero Academia games, One’s Justice and One’s Justice 2, which were strictly 1v1, All’s Justice offers a more complete fighting experience with the ability to swap between three characters.
During our playtime with Bandai outside their booth, we had the opportunity to try out characters like Mirio Togata, Nejire Hado, and Tamaki Amajiki. On the PAX West floor, we were able to play as Tsuyu Asui and Minoru Mineta. Each character has a unique playstyle, with some focusing on setting traps. For instance, Mineta uses his Pop Off Spheres attack to slow down opponents. All Might, while slow in movement, delivers powerful blows on the battlefield. The development team has done a great job in differentiating each character based on their traits, adding depth to team-building and gameplay strategies.
Swapping characters is easy with simple controller commands, and there is a cooldown period before switching again, ensuring fair gameplay for all. This feature proves useful in tight situations or when setting up combos. The game is still in development, with many more characters yet to be revealed, each with their final and full-powered versions.
Show Me Your Moves
One of My Hero Academia’s standout features is its special attacks such as the iconic “Detroit Smash”. Performing larger-scale “Quick” attacks will trigger a short cutscene, but the “Plus Ultra” meter must be sufficiently charged to activate them. Once the move is initiated, players have the option to have a teammate jump in and deal additional damage after their own attack.
Another gauge to monitor is the “Rising” meter. Fill it up and activate it to boost your fighter’s stats, such as speed and power, giving you an advantage in battle. However, if you or your opponent are down to your last character, that character will automatically enter the Rising state, providing a final opportunity to survive.
Waiting for the Final Blow
My Hero Academia: All’s Justice does not have a confirmed launch date yet since playing the demo at PAX West but based on our hands-on time playing it, the fighting game felt more fulfilling than its previous versions. It will be interesting to see the final product of the game once Bandai Namco is ready to reveal it.