August 2016’s Game of the Month: Attack on Titan
Read the Review!
Senior Features Editor Ishmael Romero: Attack on Titan shouldn’t be as good as it is, not by a long shot. Developers have gotten much better at bringing licensed properties to life, but you can always point out the instances where they tried (and failed) to force an anime/manga/movie/cartoon and video game mechanics to play nice. With Attack on Titan the need for quick traversal akin to Spider-Man’s swinging, horrifically large enemies, and brutal combat were at the forefront of every fan’s wishlist. Omega Force, known for their hit series Dynasty Warriors, had their work cut out for them. How were they going to switch up what has worked wonders for them over the past couple of decades to deliver something truly amazing? The answer, it turns out, was quite simple: they brought the anime to life exactly how it appears on screen.
When you step into the game, you can’t help but feel that you’re really in the Scout Regiment and playing a critical role in the Attack on Titan lore. Moving through trees and over buildings at break-neck speeds is as fun as it sounds, but the added threat of random Titans seeking to snatch you out of the sky for the sole purpose of consuming your body keeps the tension up. Combat is fast-paced and strategic, forcing you to stay aware of your surroundings, keep it moving, and strike with precision all at once. The balance offered by the transitions between mobility and combat are well executed to the point that you forget you’re playing a licensed anime game, which is Attack on Titan’s biggest strength.
It’s not just a really good licensed game either. Attack on Titan is a damn good video game no matter what title or characters you slap onto it. The mechanics are fine-tuned to be fun and challenging, the presentation is beautiful, and there is a ton of content to jump into either alone, or with friends. Even if you aren’t a fan of the source material, you’ll fine something to like about Attack on Titan.
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That does it for our August 2016 Game of the Month round up. Congratulations to Attack on Titan! What were your favorite games this month? Let us know in the comments!
