On the DLC: Playstation All Stars Battle Royale Kat & Emmett

On February 12th, the first Character DLC for PlayStation All Stars had finally released. The characters included in this DLC were Kat from the PSVita game Gravity Rush, and Emmett Graves from the PS3 title Starhawk. Also included in this stage is the new map Fearless. The two characters were free however the Fearless stage had to be purchased, but it was still accessible in online match. Also along with the DLC came a patch update which added balances and tweaks to certain cast members.

Kat’s play style can be describe as fast action, fast kicks. A very mobile character Kat is able to move around the stages better than majority of the cast members, her double jump can go in multiple directions. Several of her moves can be used for mobility, and to extend her combos. Much like Raiden and Dante, Kat is very combo heavy, and probably has the highest combo potential out of the cast. Using her fast kicks and gravity powers to extend her combos, she builds her meter quite fast. Her Level One super is a forward rush move, if she hits a player with this, the enemy is left unable to move, and she crushes a ball she takes from them, which will explode taking out that player, and any players too close to that player. Her Level Two has her floating in the air, launching two sets of Rock Spikes at her opponents. This special is amiable, and explodes on contact, giving it range. However this super is very easy to dodge, and can be completely avoidable on most big stages. Her Level 3, the Gravity Panther is a transformable super in which Kat transform into this monster panther form, dishing out fast slashes, and lounges at her opponents. Also given a Radial slash move she is a huge threat in this form, so dodging is very important. Overall, Kat is a very balanced character, good combos, decent supers, and an amazing Level 3, making her a threat in this game.

Emmett Graves play style can easily be the best “keep away character” of the game. Mixing both explosives, long, and short range projectiles he can be very effective in spacing. Mobility is very basic, he is not a fast character but he isn’t slow. He doesn’t have as much combos as most cast, but he excels at projectiles. Using his melee can lead to keeping your opponents away, so you can follow up with projectiles. He can call down a turret which will stay on the screen for a long time, or until Emmett dies, also a meter gaining generator that will pop up balls of AP similar to Parappa the Rapper which doesn’t stay in screen long. His main choices are his rocket launcher, and shotgun which stay on the screen until death. Depending on what weapon you have will change the attacks Emmett does. The best choice is the shotgun; builds meter fast, and the sticky mines he can throw will be your best friend. His Level One gives him the ability to fire a powerful blast that will vary depending on your weapon of choice. If he has his basic rifle he fires a short range blast that will kill one opponent. With the rocket launcher, it fires a long range blast that will kill anyone it hits till it explodes. With the shotgun he fires two close range shots, one in front, and one ahead. His Level Two drops a missile that has area affect properties, and will kill all under, and around it. But his Level Three, can be consider the best Level 3 in the game, has Emmett running to his trusty “Hawk” A mech that fires lasers, launches aerial mines, and can stomp from both floor and the skies. Also has the ability to bomb rush the stage, and depending on how early you do this, will change the strength of it, when you use it right away, it will guarantee a kill for all your opponents, and in the right hands this super is deadly, and will win you the match. Emmett Graves takes time, and practice to master however once you learn him, the rewards speak for themselves.

The Fearless stage is a very small stage at first, and people will recognize the elements it has to its corresponding game Heavenly Sword. A basic map, with no place to hide, is perfect for one on one match. However when the Wipeout 2048 aspects come in the game changes. The stage explodes, as players fall to a lower part which is a village with the Wipeout track filling one side of it. Sending an opponent into the track causes them to lose AP, and smashing pots located on the platforms will grant you the AP inside. The stage is fairly decent, and good for most matches, however with a full 4 player match it can be hectic. Overall the DLC is very good. You get two awesome characters to learn and master, along with a new stage that isn’t half bad. I can recommend these DLC purchases, and highly suggest learning these characters, and having some fun on this stage.