Falling off Santa’s sleigh in the run-up to prepare for take-off came Override 2: Super Mech League, which values the “privilege” of being the first robot fighting game on PS5 and Xbox Series X and S. It’s the sequel to Override: Mech City Brawl, released in 2018, is all about triggering punches and kicks without a break with fuses as tall as a skyscraper.
Override 2’s combat system could be compared to that of Super Smash Bros. in that it is apparently easy to understand, but underneath there are levels of complexity that cannot be ignored. The thing is to chain a series of punches or kicks in attack and activate a temporary shield that breaks the opponent’s combo in defense. There are grappling and throwing movements and from time to time some weapons like a grenade launcher, sword or shotgun seem to hit more as well. It’s not something to write home about, but in small doses, it’s fun and anyone with a controller will be able to do something.
In addition to the typical one-on-one interview, there are two other types of matchups that do not change the dynamics significantly. There is a two-on-two and a free-for-all mode, also for four people. These type of battles create the illusion that there is more to be done, but in reality it only changes the number of people holding a controller as the way of facing the game is the same. It has nothing to do with the alternate modes of Nintendo game where you have to do something other than the typical battles.
Unfortunately, there is no story mode to entertain alone or anything like that. In its place, there is a league mode based on battling anyone who touches to improve the leaderboard until they are the champion. You have few highlights to start with, but the gold you earn can add to the collection if you don’t spend it before buying accessories that you already have an avatar for. These leagues couldn’t captivate me because they are just a series of online games with little incentive in between. They offer the chance to win sponsorship and unlock more, but it doesn’t make up for what you get. As if that wasn’t enough, getting new robots isn’t enriching either, as they can be achieved with the fast-paced game too.
The 20 giant robots available, or 21 if you buy the Ultraman DLC are the best from Override 2. They went to great lengths to design each one with their own attributes, sizes, and aspects rather than putting a handful made with a shape and color changed. One of my favorites is Stardust, a white and pink unicorn that shoots stars. And I also liked Sprinkles, a wick that shoots chewing gum with two dispensers on the sides of the head. I have to admit I didn’t play the first and don’t know to what extent they added enough or if the new ones offer what a second half needs.
On the other hand, there are 9 battle scenarios where you can hold on to cake, but in this case the disappointment is big. While there are good ideas out there, they’re very limited, and even War of the Monsters, released 18 years ago on PS2, carried more life into its sets as the poor inhabitants of this world fell into terror before the beasts were destroyed. These rings are empty steps with a handful of items scattered around for you to pick up and toss the first time you see them, and an added hazard like lava if anything. Even those who look good, like the casino and the cake, are poor as hell.
The biggest shame is that nobody is playing today, so the servers are empty (or at least those of the Xbox combo version I played for this test). I would have loved to have played more online because the few times I’ve done it I’ve enjoyed battles much more intensely than what the AI offers when it’s in front, but there is almost no one and the wait is eternal. Since it’s available on all consoles and PC, crossplay is the only salvation. Hence, it should be your top priority.
Look, when you take control and start fighting it seems fun. it is fun. But Override 2: Super Mech League can’t keep you entertained for more than a few minutes if no one is on the other side. The little you can do alone doesn’t compensate, and the few multiplayer modes only add to the number of people on the screen. It’s a shame, because with these cool highlights and the very easily accessible controls, you can make a lot more juice out of them.
