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1457330cookie-checkIcons: Combat Arena Is A Smash Bros Clone, But It Has A Long Ways To Go
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2017/07

Icons: Combat Arena Is A Smash Bros Clone, But It Has A Long Ways To Go

Wavedash Games recently released a new trailer for their 3D side-scrolling brawler called Icons: Combat Arena. The game is a multiplayer fighter designed to mimic the likes of Super Smash Bros. Once you see it in action it’s not hard to spot the similarities.

The trailer was recently posted up over on the Wavedash YouTube channel, featuring just over a minute’s worth of gameplay. You can check out the trailer below.

There are obviously a couple of major things that stand out with the trailer. First of all, there are the muted sound effects, which come across as someone with a boxing glove punching a Styrofoam pillow. And then there’s the rather stilted fighting animations featuring a cast of unremarkable characters.

The sound effects can easily be updated, but a large part of a game’s appeal lies in its attractive cast of characters. and by attractive I’m talking about appealing to gamers in a way that makes them seem fun to play and come across as characters you want to get to know or learn more about.

In this regards, we have a generic set of sci-fi characters, including an anthromorphic goat man who seems to be a cross between Star Fox and Rocket Raccoon, a check in power armor who seems to be a cross between Pharah from Overwatch and Samus from Metroid, and then we’ve got a big muscle-bound green lady who appears to be a cross between Gamora from Guardians of the Galaxy and Zarya from Overwatch.

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If you haven’t guessed by now, the game definitely has a lot of crossover inspiration from Blizzard’ hero shooter and Nintendo’s cross-branded fighter.

Based on its own originality I doubt people will be flocking to the game, especially given that the actual gameplay and combat still need a lot of refining and improvement before it can be compared to the likes of Super Smash Bros.

Nevertheless, Wavedash have up until the fall to iron out all the kinks, improve the sound effects, spruce up the special effects, enrich the character animations, and make sure that the combat is as smooth as possible.

The game will also feature local and online play for both casual players and those looking to move up in the global leaderboards via ranked play.

If you’re interested in the title, and think it may have some potential, you can sign-up for the beta right now by visiting the official website.

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