It might seem a little unusual to announce a video game adaptation of a cartoon that hasn`t even premiered yet, but it`s fitting in the case of OK K.O. The upcoming Cartoon Network series draws much of its inspiration from video games, and the game spun off from it, OK K.O.: Let`s Play Heroes, was developed in tandem with the cartoon and had direct input from series creator Ian Jones-Quartey, who worked on other Cartoon Network shows such as Adventure Time and Steven Universe.OK K.O. revolves around the eponymous K.O., the newest employee of Gar`s Bodega, a convenience store for superheroes. K.O. dreams of becoming a superhero himself, and both the cartoon and game follow his adventures to be immortalized in his own POW card (collectible cards for each of the town`s heroes). Despite its ties to the show, however, Let`s Play Heroes isn`t an adaptation in a traditional sense; Jones-Quarty considers the game to be its `own canon` that explores the series and its characters from a different angle.Fittingly, where the OK K.O. television series draws inspiration from video games, Let`s Play Heroes takes many of its ideas and elements from cartoons. Players can freely explore the town of Lakewood Plaza, but the transitions between each area resemble `cuts` to a different scene, and dialogue between characters is framed as an over-the-shoulder shot/reverse-shot. It`s a unique effect that certainly makes the game feel like an interactive cartoon.The game plays out like a traditional, side-scrolling beat-`em-up with light RPG elements. Players take on quests that typically involve battling Shannons (the robotic minions of the series` antagonist, Boxmore). You unleash different combos depending upon the directional input of your attacks; for instance, players can juggle an enemy by uppercutting them into the air or knock them to the ground by holding down on the control stick while attacking. It`s a simple but surprisingly flexible battle system, allowing young players to ...
|