Get your Green Dragon Dagger ready
When I was a kid, Power Rangers was my jam. Going up in the 90’s, it was pretty much everyone’s thing. Sure, it’s hokey now, but when I was 7, I wanted to be the Green Ranger. Well, all the nostalgia I had for the Teenagers with Attitude came rumbling back to me when I booted up Battle for the Grid. On top of that, it’s a really good fighting game too.
Power Rangers: Battle for the Grid is a 3v3 fighting game in the same vein as Marvel Vs. Capcom. Players choose three characters to be on a team and go up against another team of three characters. It is a four button fighting game with simplified moves. There are no motion-issued moves (quarter circle forward/half circle back) instead, every move is based on direction held during button presses, so hitting the light attack while holding back may be a different move if I were to press light attack while being stationary or pressing forward. There is also a designated special move button that can be used to do both EX moves and regular special attacks. Along with that, players can both tag in their teammates that aren’t in battle or have them drop in for an assist attack.
Platforms: XB1, PS4, PC, Switch
MSRP: $19.99
Price I’d pay: $19.99
There is a special meter that fills up over the course of battle that is used for EX special moves as well as the big super moves that can do some major damage to the enemy team. Along with that, in special Power Rangers fashion, a team can summon a Megazord to attack while fighting that adds even more to the battle. When you have a giant fist going across the screen while getting hit with a special move, it can get a bit crazy on the screen.
The thing that makes the game work so well is just how smooth the gameplay runs. The special moves, tagging in and out, and combos all work well and look spectacular. The combos and air juggles are flashy and timing sensitive, but with enough practice, can be performed with ease. The different characters on the character select screen all play and feel different from each other. There are the zoning characters, the heavy brawlers, and the fast characters that can jump in for a quick combo and get out. It’s actually a diverse lineup.
Now, this game has been out for a while. From what I understand, it had some content issues at launch. From what I have played, there have been some significant updates to it. This includes adding new modes, complete cross play, and DLC characters. The game boasts a story mode, arcade mode, training mode, and online lobbies for matches against other players both in ranked play and casual play.
The issue is that the lifeblood of a fighting game is the online community. With full cross play implemented, I can find players on all platforms. The kicker? At any given time, I may be able to find one or two lobbies. Even during peak hours, the most I ever saw playing the game was around 20 people. Trying to find a match was difficult and even when I did, the only people playing it at this time are what seem to be grandmasters. It’s very unfortunate.
At the end of the day, Battle for the Grid is a solid fighting game. In fact, it is a really good one. The systems work well, it looks flashy and fun, and there’s a decent learning curve to keep players busy. The only thing that really holds it back is the lack of a community. Granted, I am doing this review later on since it released, but I would hope for more than 20 people online playing at the same time. Fighting game fans should give this one a shot if they haven’t already. Maybe bolster up the online community a bit. If that can be done, we’ll have a grand fighter on our hands.
Review copy of game provided by publisher.
