Did the game make me want to watch the show? Not really. But that's actually one of its strengths. It's a game that didn't need me to be familiar with the source material and is able to stand on its own as a pretty versatile and fantastic little brawler.
Its story might take itself a little too seriously at times, but some of the more darker tones are appreciated, especially for older players.
For those that enjoyed games like Virtual-On, the Japanese Gundam Vs, or especially the Custom Robo games should definitely take a look at LBX. While there is a lot more story to process here, as it is an RPG after all, the fast-paced combat and versatility of being able to mix and match so many various armor sets make it an absolute blast.
It's not cheap though, so that might be a slightly bigger barrier of entry. Sitting at $39.99, it will most likely appeal to LBX fans first and foremost. But if you're like me, and looking for a decent time sink with a story, anime visuals, a fantastic soundtrack and some great combat mechanics, I'd say give LBX a shot.
LBX: Little Battlers eXperience launches on August 21, 2015 for the Nintendo 3DS.
The Positives
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As is standard with LEVEL-5 titles by now, the anime visuals are gorgeous, and certainly do the show justice.
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There are numerous anime cutscenes sprinkled generously through the game, which I'm assuming are directly from the show.
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The voice acting is also surprisingly good, at least for a kids show.
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The game also carries an episode format, each with self contained stories that build off one another, and are united by a much bigger picture. The only way this would have been more episodically formulaic is if it had the intro and outro present during each episode.
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You also get to play as other characters which helps flesh them out more.
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The framerate remains steady and doesn't dip even in full 3D. This is actually a pretty big deal since a lot of games seem to suffer from playing with the 3D slider all the way up.
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Over 130 robot sets to collect, each with six different parts (head, body, two legs and two arms). All of these can be mixed and matched to create an insane amount of combos. Combine that with the various weapons you can collect and buy and you have one of the most robust character customization options I've seen in a portable game.
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The combat is fast and frantic, especially when fighting 3v3. The game ensures that despite the chaos, you can always lock-on to an enemy, making them easier to track.
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The Tension gauge acts similarly to Monster Hunter or Dark Souls where each move you perform lowers it. However, it is much more forgiving than those other games. Simply blocking will not only decrease the damage you take, it will also refill your Tension at the same time. However, its inclusion makes sense as you're not able to simply spam the same attacks over and over, and instead forces you to play smarter, backing off when necessary, and going in for the hit when you see an opening.
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You can always bring two weapon loadouts into the game, making your character even more versatile. For instance, you can bring a 1-handed sword and shield for melee focused attacks, and then a blaster which you can freely switch to, for ranged attacks. Mixing it up based on your situation is necessary as some enemies can do crazy damage up close or at range, so combating them against their weakness ensures your survival.
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Different weapon classes each have their own finishing moves which, when used at the right time can lead to some devastating damage. You can also level up your proficiency with weapons which will further unlock new skills to utilize.
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There are numerous battle modes. Sometimes you have to take out an enemy three times in order to win, other times it's simply just a battle until destruction.
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You can also pause the battle and switch up your friends' tactics. Should they focus more on long range combat, or get right in their face with melee weapons. You can also take direct control of the other LBX on your team as well, which is a nice touch and lets you get a feel for the other sets, and see whether it's something you might want to switch to in the future.
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The world, while not huge by any means, is nicely detailed, and the parts that are explorable are actually fun to run through. I certainly appreciate the work put into the environment.
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The bottom screen houses the map, which is very helpful as it always points you in the direction to advance the plot, though you're encouraged to explore, battle
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The soundtrack is fantastic.
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Streetpass is a cool way to share parts with others. While you do lose the parts you list, you do get points in return, which you can spend on various upgrades. Sadly, given the location where I live and the lack of the game being out, I was unable to test this out myself.
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Multiplayer! You can battle your friends in a 3v3 match. Though do keep in mind that it's local multiplayer only.
The Negatives
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The storyline can take itself way too seriously. It's not a huge issue, but it can be cringe worthy at times. Come on, it's a Nick show!
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Random encounters seemed very out of place in the game. There are certain Danger areas where you'll be thrust into battle even when there are no characters around. It's supposed to simulate other characters attacking you with their LBX robots, but it just doesn't fit within the context of the game. It would have made way more sense to simply place characters on the map, and have them challenge you as you run by them, Pokemon style.
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With that said, there are NPCs in Neutral zones (zones without random encounters) that you can battle, but there are some crazy difficulty spikes, some that you don't always see coming.
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Not being able to skip cutscenes is annoying, especially if you have to redo a fight you've just lost. I don't need to rewatch that entire drama all over again.
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No online multiplayer. Boo!
I find myself pretty well versed in kids anime shows, and yet I had never heard of LBX before the game graced my 3DS. Seeing LEVEL-5 as the developer then isn't surprising since they seem to have a firm grasp on either adapting more obscure anime titles into video games, or generally produce original titles with gorgeous anime visuals.
The premise around LBX (Little Battlers eXperience) revolves around Van and his friends, and their adventures with their LBX toys that are used to duel one another. Van's father created a powerful LBX prototype, that could either bring hope or despair to the world, depending on who gets their hands on it. Van's father disappears in what looks like a plane crash and then ends up with his prototype while on the run from the evil goons who want to get their hands on it. It's a silly enough story, especially when you consider the fact that these little toys are basically the equivalent of Yu-Gi-Oh! cards in this world, and yet they're somehow also powerful tools of destruction. But hey, I saw Small Soldiers, so I get it.
As you progress through the story, you'll continually unlock new LBX parts, of which there are over 130 full sets, that you can then mix and match depending on your playstyle. That's like being able to catch over 130 different Pokemon and then mixing and matching their body parts to create the ultimate supreme being with the perfect stats and skills. That analogy didn't really work, but you get it. You'll also get access to various weaponry that changes how your LBX attacks and functions during battle.
So the question is, do you invest in the new robot-part-collecting crazy that is LBX, even if you haven't ever heard of the show? Let's check it out.
