Mucha Lucha- Lucha Libre AAA: Heroes del Ring Review

Despite a showfloor performance by Method Man and Redman, a massive giveaway of 360 Slims to members of the press,  and a three-hour, star-studded concert from Activision, one of greatest spectacles of this year’s Electronic Entertainment Expo were the sizzling lucha libre matches. Displaying a sense of speed, athleticism, and theatricality which often trumped their U.S.-based counterparts, the luchadores blended acrobatic dexterity with high-flying showmanship. Occasionally, the action refused to be contained to the ring, and the match would spill out into the audience, suggesting  a contest teetering on the edge of control. Nearly every attendee was transfixed by the sheer physicality of the performance.

While the game which prompted the event- Lucha Libre AAA: Heroes del Ring, manages to skillfully capture most of the major nuances of the matches, it also woefully neglects to capture some of the amazing aerial dexterity and speed shown by the luchadores. Despite this minor setback, Heroes is undeniably entertaining and has the potential to be a flawless catalyst for both impassioned local and on-line competitions, thanks to the game’s responsive and intuitive control scheme.

Like most contemporary wrestling title, Lucha Libre presents a hearty variety of modes. Pride Matches allow players to quickly  jump into a 1 vs 1, 1 vs. 2, 1 vs. 3, 2 vs. 2, or free for all competition; a solid variety of customization variables allow participants to select the type on win condition (pin or submission), how long fighters are allowed outside the ring, and even the allegiance of referees. Heroes del Ring offers two separate campaigns- one for tecnicos (the faces), and another for rudos (heels). Both paths offers satisfying cinematic-based storylines along with revealing clips illustrating the colorful history of lucha libre. Additionally, the game offers a eight player local tournament as well as an online mode for up to four participants. One of the game’s more notable contests is the Mask vs. Hair contest, where losers face the humiliation of relinquishing one of their distinctive attributes.

Of course, losing your mask means little if there’s an endless supply of pre-made digital disguises. Thankfully, the game includes a character editor which allows players to not only create their own masks, but also alter their fighter’s appearance, moveset, and ring entrance. While the customization component wasn’t deep enough accurately recreate my features, there is an impressive range of body types, equipment, and costumes. Thankfully, each character can be transformed in a beloved mini, via a code on the player select screen (up,up,down,down,left,right,left,right).

A handful of diminutive blemishes prohibit Heroes del Ring from achieving champion status. While each fighter  has a impressive arsenal of strikes and grapples, the amount of aerials are limited. Sadly, the opportunity for dramatic cooperative strikes have been unfulfilled, reducing the intensity of team matches. It’s probably just as well, playing against more than one CPU opponent can often be frustrating on the game’s higher difficulty settings. Reversals can be especially difficult to master, as the window of opportunity for a turnaround is just after a strike/or grapple is made. Heroes del Ring seems to be aware of its faults- each transgressions is countered by a benefit. From a robust roster of thirty-one real world wrestlers to allowing players to attack the ref, the game certainly has its share of charms.

Showing the power of the Unreal Engine, Heroes offers both a solid framerate and some impressive texture work. La Parka’s costume wrinkles convincingly, while Vampiro Canadiense’s tattoos are well detailed. Repeated strikes to the head create visible damage- it’s not uncommon to see tasteful bleeding, as well as combatants try to cover their wounds with their hands. Generally, the game’s motion capture is delightfully fluid, although intermittent animation breaks can be observed as luchadores begin a new sequence.

While Lucha Libre AAA: Heroes del Ring draw to aficionados in undeniable, the game’s polish and depth is strong enough to haul in wrestling fans who aren’t familiar with Mexican wrestling. Inaugural titles can often be dicey propositions- like those despicable rudos, Heroes is one of those infrequent games which takes enjoyment in breaking the rule.