[Review] Aquapazza: Aquaplus Dream Match
Fighting games are something very near and dear to my heart. it’s one genre I really enjoy, because it challenges me to improve my reflexes. It is also one genre I’m not jaded with, meaning I won’t tell myself that a crappy game *coughvanillaStreetFighterXTekkencough* is good, or vice versa. Atlus USA has just released a new fighting game entitled Aquapazza: Aquaplus Dream Match, but how is it?
Aquapazza: Aquaplus Dream Match is a 2D fighting game developed by Examu, and was released in Japanese arcades on 2011.06.22. It is also a joint collaboration between Aquaplus and Leaf, who developed all the characters. The "Dream Match" in the title references the characters of the game coming together from the various Aquaplus titles featured in the game.
As in most fighting games, AquaPazza’s plot is more of a throwaway one, only there to explain how and why characters from Utawarerumono, Tears to Tiara, To Heart, Kizuato, Routes, Comic Party and White Album are fighting. There are a total of 26 characters to choose from -- 13 playable fighters and 13 partners. Every character is unique and has their own abilities. Unique to AquaPazza is an emotion mechanic, which grants bonuses if you’re doing well, or penalties if you’re not. The game also has a number of various modes, including most of the standard ones, except Arcade mode. To seemingly make up for the lack of Arcade, AquaPazza has not one, but two Story modes, both of which are still throwaways, but still. As of the writing of this review, I have not tried the game's online functionality.
AquaPazza is a 5-button fighter, as there's A, B, C, D (and combinations of them, like B+C) and a Partner button, all of which can be remapped however you like. Your Partner acts much like an Assist in the Marvel vs Capcom series. They come in, do an attack then leave. The game also has two control schemes: Normal and Simple. The Normal controls remind me of those of the King of Fighters franchise. In addition to the usual Quarter Circle Forward (236), Quarter Circle Back (214) and Dragon Punch (623) motions, there are more complex motions like Quarter Circle Back Half Circle Forward (2141236), and Half Circle Forward Back (412364).
Simple mode is very similar to the mode of the same name in Marvel vs Capcom 3. In this mode, rather than inputting all the normal motions, you can just press buttons repeatedly and you get combos. If you press a direction and button, you'll get a special move. This is good for accessibility, but you can't improve yourself using Simple, because all you're doing is pressing buttons. At least in Normal mode, you have to input the motions quickly. If you're too slow, practice and improve your reflexes.
As a fighting game, AquaPazza: Aquaplus Dream Match doesn't bring anything new to the genre. Honestly, I would not recommend it, if you’re a serious fighting game player. However, if you’re new to the genre and/or like any of the franchises, AquaPazza may be for you.
Game Rating: 3/5 stars
Accessibility Rating: 5/5 stars
AquaPazza: Aquaplus Dream Match was developed by Examu, and published by Atlus USA. It was released on 2013.11.19 as both a physical retail version on Sony PlayStation 3 Blu-Ray disc, as well as a digital download on the Playstation Network. As of this writing, both retail for $29.99 USD new, and are rated T for Teen. They graciously sent me a copy of AquaPazza: Aquaplus Dream Match for review, and I would like to sincerely thank them for doing so.
