Introduction

If you've ever walked away from 'JoJo's Bizarre Adventure' wondering how many alternative realities a single universe can hold, then 'Eyes of Heaven' has got your number. It's a lovably convoluted action brawler that brings together heroes and villains across the entire JoJo saga, proving once and for all that there are no depths to which the Joestar family won't plunge to avoid a leisurely Saturday afternoon.

Gameplay

At its core, 'Eyes of Heaven' is a 3D arena brawler: think of it as if Super Smash Bros. had a baby with a convoluted narrative that requires a family tree to navigate. You control a single character, much like you would in any fighting game, but you also get a swing partner via tag-team mechanics that allow you to switch between characters mid-fight. This can lead to the glorious lunacy of witnessing Jotaro Kujo fighting alongside his great-great-grandfather Jonathan Joestar, just to keep things in the family (because who wouldn't want to beat up some evildoers alongside their forebear?). Battles take place across various environments ripped straight from the manga and anime, each crowned with an impressive aesthetic that should make even the staunchest Pokemons fan blush with jealousy. Players can execute explosive combo attacks, with a few specific character pairings offering unique animations, though the actual advantage gained from these is akin to bringing a knife to a tank fight. In addition to classic fights, players tackle several mini-games which I assume were included simply because someone thought, "What if we made this even more bizarre?" Spoiler alert: they did, and it mostly works. Now, about those Battle Styles-characters are slotted into various types, such as 'Vampires,' 'Stand Users,' and 'Hamon Users.' Each category shapes the way characters interact with each other, ensuring you know precisely which moves will decimate your enemies. The Battle Styles evoke a feeling of nostalgia while simultaneously inviting new fans to the bizarre wonderland that is JoJo. Bonus points for the addition of ridiculous titles that would make even the most serious of gamers chuckle.

Graphics

Given that 'Eyes of Heaven' is an anime adaptation gone absolutely wild, the graphical fidelity isn't the biggest concern here. CyberConnect2 has clearly taken the anime's art style and injected it into the game with an impressive array of colors and character models that make you feel like you've been transported directly into a panel of the manga. Character motions are smooth and fluid, crafted in a way that preserves the over-the-top drama that has defined JoJo's for decades. In particular, the character model for Joseph Joestar looks like it just stepped off the cover of a men's fashion magazine-if men's fashion included flamboyant capes and an affinity for peculiarly shaped hats. While not everything is perfect (low-res textures pop up periodically like the weird cousin at a family gathering no one wants to acknowledge), it all meshes together nicely for an experience that's, from a visual standpoint, downright delightful. 'Eyes of Heaven' definitely shows love to its source material and hits all the right nostalgia buttons while remaining captivating for newcomers.

Conclusion

'JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Eyes of Heaven' is not for everyone, but it certainly has its charm. If you're looking for a fighting game with heaps of fanservice and a plot that takes logical leaps that could rival an Olympic gymnast, you have a gem in your hands. It's kooky, it's colorful, and it's bound to delight both hardened fans and newbies who randomly found a copy lying around. However, be warned: it's also a bit of a jumble. The mechanics can feel simultaneously linear and chaotic, akin to juggling while blindfolded. Yet for those who take the plunge, the weirdness of JoJo's is in full display here, and it's hard not to laugh when you're watching two Joestars go head-to-head against a villain with the audacity to rewrite reality. Grab a buddy, ignite the tag-team antics, and prepare for the bizarre. Who knows? You might just find a favorite Stand amongst the pandemonium. For it all, this game proudly earns a solid six out of ten-a portal to a bizarre adventure that's worth diving into, but not necessarily without its flaws.

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