PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale - Let's get obscure

At 20 characters strong it looks like the roster for PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale is rounding up, with a list that features third party favourites, Sony icons, and the weird cat thing. With each passing day it looks less and less likely that Crash Bandicoot will be joining the ranks of Raiden and Ratchet. We can only hope that there are still some surprises in store between now and the games November launch.

So here’s my picks of five obscure characters and five stages that SuperBot could really surprise me with. I don’t expect any of them to make it in there, though maybe one or two could replace Evil Cole in the sequel.

Character - Rosco McQueen 

PlayStation's first (and last?) fire fighter only managed one outing on PS1, but he packed enough charm to remain in my heart for the following 14 years. Armed with a fire axe, water pack and a ridiculously toothy grin, he'd make for the perfect nod for hardcore PlayStation fans. To hear him lovingly cry "Water!" once more as he picked up bottles of liquid would make us cry tears of joy. 

Level 3 - Rosco could sometimes stumble upon a titanium-coated Super Axe as well as throwing axes. A storm of these could wipe the screen clear of his foes with ease.    

Stage - Kurushi Final

Kurushi Final was a brutal-yet-addicting puzzle game back from the PS1 days of yore. Players had to eliminate gigantic blocks from the map as they rolled towards you. Failing to perform this task, you'd either be crushed or fall to your death. Not hard to see how this could work in All-Stars, right? 

Cross with - Empire City. The Infamous setting is used to monsters and mayhem; what harm could a few more bricks of death do?

Character - Shun Akiyama

There's no doubt that Kazuma Kiryu rules the Yakuza franchise with an iron first, but Akiyama's debut in Yakuza 4 certainly gave the legend a run for his money. Shun boasts a mastery of kick-based fighting which could be helpful to no end. Above all else though, his laid back, borderline slapstick approach to life as a loan shark makes him a perfect fit for the crazy crossover. 

Level 3 - Lily, Shun's assistant, is a chubby little lady and a force to be reckoned with. She's the only person capable of motivating (read: threatening) Shun and is probably tougher than the entirety of the Japanese mafia. Worthy of a Level 3 super, no doubt.

Stage - Hanuda

When an American traveller interrupts an ancient ritual in the small village of Hanuda, Japan, things get more than a little bit hectic. The shibito-infested setting of Siren Blood Curse would make for a terrifying battle where players could hide in closets and cabinets to avoid the deadly foes. It would probably secure a 18/M rating for the game all by itself, but it's still a must in our book.

Cross with - Keeping on the topic of disturbed rituals, why not throw in Nathan Drake's own brand of supernatural baddies from the Uncharted trilogy? Spanish zombies, flaming skulls heads and blue hulks? Meet brainless, blood covered savages. 

Character - Vincent

 

Catherine's Vincent may not seem like much of a fighter but, trust me; the guy can swipe a pillow mighty hard. Dashing around in his heart-spotted underwear, fighting sheep and desperately clambering up bricks; it almost sounds like Vincent was made for this game. Not to mention his titular mistress likes to get a bit stabby when someone hurts him - not a bad thing to have... on your side at least. 

Level 3 - Vince could transport players to the very nightmares he's been having, with falling blocks either crushing other players or giving way beneath their feet, screaming 'No waaaaaay!' as they fell. 

Stage - Flower fields

Let's slow things down a bit and all just relax in the cool, soothing meadows of thatgamecompany's Flower. The wind could lightly kiss Kratos' bald head, while petals dance around Radec's rifle. All of a sudden, the evils of industrialization kick in and BAM! Fried Parappa. 

Cross with - TGC's other 'before Journey' title, Fl0w, was themed around aquatic predators. What would disturb the peace more than one suddenly erupting from a nearby lake? BAM! Chewed Parappa.

Character - Kat

Kat is the most recent addition to the PlayStation family and very much one of the best. The timid gravity-shifter certainly wouldn't be short on attacks to stun her siblings with - her gravity kick leaves a mark and she's no slouch without her powers either. She's earned her spot here with just one game, and it wouldn't be a bad way to get the word out on one of brightest Vita's titles, either.

Level 3 - One of Kat's more amusing powers is the ability to accidentally pluck citizens of its town up from where they stand and fling them across the map. It's an effective way to show haters the door, and could rack up some major kills in All-Stars.

Stage - Escape Plan's death factory

Another Vita entry; the treacherous traps and devious dangers of Escape Plan’s setting are the perfect place to settle a scrap. Visually, the game’s black and white aesthetic would make it a standout, and we’d love to hurl one the many doomed sheep at our opponents and cover them in the gooey black paint (read: blood) that erupts from within.

Cross with – The twisted halls would play perfect host to the equally twisted monsters from the Dark Souls/Demon’s Souls series. Break up all that black and white with the fiery lava of the Ceaseless Discharge! The sheep would run in fear.

Character – Lucas Kane

As much as we’d love to see Ethan Mars run around the arena, redundantly screaming “Jason!” at the top of his voice, the protagonist of Quantic Dream’s other ‘interactive drama’ is a much better fit. Lucas seems like your average Joe/amnesiac killer, but as the game goes on he discovers his own set of Superman-eqsue powers. Some argue that the game’s supernatural twist ruins the initially chilling murder mystery. Sure – but it would make for a cracking throw down against Big Daddy.

Level 3 – Indigo Prohecy, like Heavy Rain, is all about QTEs. Have players try and match a gruelling set of inputs, or death will sweep over them.

Stage - Bubsy 3D

What could make for a more vibrant stage than the oranges and, well oranges of Bubsy 3D? What better way to celebrate the PS3’s graphical prowess than showcasing one of the most visually appalling games of all time? Bubsy himself could even cameo, although not posing as any sort of threat, rather begging to just rub shoulders for a bit with PlayStation’s best. Or food. It’s been a rough few years for ol’ Bubs.

Cross with – Vib Ribbon. Vib. Ribbon. Nuff said.