JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure may seem like a strange pick for Capcom to give the HD treatment, but it makes more sense knowing that the comic it’s based on is experiencing a resurgence of interest in Japan. What doesn’t make sense, however, is how poorly this cult fighter’s been treated in its download debut.
Despite the game’s low-key Western release in the late ’90s, the years have proven kind to it, with curious fighting fans picking up on its surprising technical depth. The rogue’s gallery of JoJo's fight alongside supernatural assistants called “stands,” which are unique to each character. The way these stands function — being active, passive, or distinct — varies across the board, making every character interesting and rewarding to learn. Though you’ll run into some obvious character-balance problems (Petshop is obscenely overpowered), the underlying game engine remains solid and unique even now.
What sours the deal, however, is the lack of care and value put into the package. JoJo’s is premium-priced at $20, and there’s little here to justify that cost. The “HD” upscale looks blotched and muddy, and there aren’t any tutorials, special challenges, or even combo exercises to ease new players into this very demanding fighting game. Online versus mode is solid but similarly no-frills, with only basic lobby and ranking functions. JoJo's may be an overlooked diamond in the rough, but its luster’s been crushed.
Stands and users can sometimes attack independently.PUBLISHER: Capcom • DEVELOPER: Capcom • ESRB: Teen • MULTIPLAYER: 2 locally or on Xbox Live • ACHIEVEMENTS: OH MY GOOOOOOD • COST: 1,600 Microsoft Points ($20) • RELEASE DATE: August 22, 2012
+ Excellent, uber-technical fighting engine holds up.
– “HD” graphics filter doesn’t impress; extremely difficult for new players to learn.
– Lack of extras and touch-ups makes the premium pricing seem outrageous.
? Why isn’t the translation updated to match the English anime and manga releases?
