I am a sucker for a good brawler, I went over this in my preview of Metro Siege and bring it up any chance I get. I cannot give any information on how I feel about this latest announcement from Limited Run Games though – their preview video is so focused on quick cuts it is impossible to tell if they have the fighting down or not. My nostalgia gaming side is screaming to grab this ASAP when it releases though I have to wonder, did fans do it better already using things like OpenBOR? What could Limited Run Games do to make this a worthy purchase. Considering I am planning on getting this on PC via Steam, that means no feelies for me so “extras” like that are a non-issue for fans like me.
Nostalgia Through the Roof of Castle Grayskull
I grew up with Voltron, Masters of the Universe, Transformers, Go-Bots, and Thundercats throughout the 80s. I remember rushing inside after school so I could catch that days episode of He-Man and the Masters of the Universe. Ah, the memories.
I was there for the 2002 He-Man on Cartoon Network (I literally got the cheapest cable package that offered CN so I could support it). I grabbed a few of the 2002 toys (apparently not enough as it got canceled as it was getting good). If I had Netflix I would be there supporting that version as well (though I have many of those deluxe toys as they are quite awesome). I picked up the He-Man action figures that are in the style of the originals (thanks to the WWE crossover getting me back into that stuff).
With all that said, I can say Limited Run Games are definitely going for what I would call a style closer to the 80s cartoon (having not seen the Netflix series). This is fueled by their promotional video using the original figures, not the newer versions (but I have NO clue what platform those controllers belong to).
This is the brawler that fans like me wanted to see when I first laid eyes on Final Fight. Sadly, that never happened. Sure, fans have stepped up and done a couple of OpenBOR style versions (and at least one MUGEN version of He-Man).
Giving Fans What They Want Is Key
Sure, there is not much, outside of feelies, that Limited Run Games could do to entice fans to buy this if they weren’t already on board. There are a couple of things though.
One is original lines from voice actors recorded for this release. Most fans making an OpenBOR version of He-Man are not going to go that far, financially or effort wise.
Another is the feelies that Limited Run Games could include for physical purchases. I could see the Power Sword, He-Mans chest emblem, various character heads all being keychains of some sort. Stickers, maybe go old school and include a coloring book of some sort. Maybe some miniatures as well, like those Nano Metalfigs (which I believe He-Man was a part of, maybe source those molds).
If you are a fan of He-Man and the Masters of the Universe, not that 90s He-Man that went into space though – we don’t talk about that abomination, then here you go. Fans of brawlers, we have a new title coming that may be worth checking out. I just hope they got the feel right. Wishlist on Steam now also coming to PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch.