Bandai Namco and Byking Inc. return to the arena fighter formula with MY HERO ACADEMIA: All’s Justice, a PlayStation 5 adaptation that attempts to deliver the series’ climactic Final War arc through high-impact 3D battles and an expanded character roster. As with Byking’s previous anime adaptations, the foundation is unmistakably cinematic: dramatic camera sweeps, explosive Quirk effects, and arena destruction all aim to capture the heightened intensity of Kohei Horikoshi’s superhero saga. The focus this time, however, is firmly on escalation – bigger forms, flashier abilities, and narrative stakes that mirror the manga’s endgame.
Story Mode anchors the experience around the Final War storyline, presenting major confrontations such as Bakugo’s stand against All For One and Deku’s desperate clash with Shigaraki in a format that blends in-engine cutscenes with playable encounters. The presentation succeeds at evoking scale and emotional gravity, particularly for fans already invested in the source material. However, while certain battles benefit from dynamic framing and character-specific flourishes, the storytelling can feel condensed, occasionally rushing through pivotal moments that deserved greater dramatic buildup. The result is a campaign that resonates strongest with established followers but offers limited onboarding for newcomers unfamiliar with the broader narrative context.
Mechanically, the 3v3 battle system remains the structural core. Players assemble teams and can swap between characters mid-combo, enabling extended juggle chains and tactical resets. The “Rising” mechanic – a temporary power amplification that boosts mobility, damage output, and Quirk effectiveness – introduces momentum swings that reward timing and aggression. At its best, combat feels fluid and expressive, encouraging synergy between team members and experimentation with assist timing. That said, beneath the spectacle, the system does not radically evolve the arena formula beyond what we’ve seen before. Defensive options can feel limited, and match flow sometimes leans toward repetitive combo loops once optimal patterns are discovered.
The expanded roster is one of the game’s most tangible strengths. Featuring a broad lineup that spans students, pro heroes, and villains in their most advanced incarnations, the cast diversity translates into varied Quirk implementations – from zoning-heavy projectile users to close-quarters rushdown specialists. Some characters stand out with distinct mechanics that subtly shift tempo or spatial control, though balance inconsistencies are evident, particularly when certain high-damage combinations overshadow more technical playstyles. For competitive-minded players, this may narrow viable selections, though casual fans will likely appreciate the sheer fan-service appeal.
Outside of traditional versus modes, supplementary offerings such as Team Up Mission add a layer of progression-driven structure. Framed as virtual training exercises for Class 1-A, these missions provide unlockables and additional character moments, extending longevity beyond the main campaign. While the mode adds welcome variety, its mission objectives can become formulaic over time, and the virtual-space framing lacks the environmental dynamism that defines the series’ larger narrative battles. Still, as a vehicle for unlocking Archives Battles and supplementary content, it serves its purpose.
Visually, All’s Justice capitalizes on PS5 hardware with sharp character models, vibrant particle effects, and destructible arenas that amplify each Quirk’s impact. Animations for signature moves are lavishly staged, frequently echoing iconic manga panels in motion. Yet, environmental textures and background detail sometimes feel comparatively sparse, creating a contrast between highly polished fighters and less detailed arenas. Performance is generally stable, maintaining fluid frame rates during standard exchanges, though occasional camera hiccups during chaotic super-move sequences can briefly disrupt clarity. The Japanese voice cast delivers energetic performances, and the soundtrack underscores climactic moments effectively, even if it lacks particularly memorable standalone tracks.
Ultimately, MY HERO ACADEMIA: All’s Justice refines rather than reinvents Byking’s established arena blueprint. It succeeds in delivering fan-oriented spectacle, a generous roster, and accessible yet combo-friendly mechanics that translate well to PlayStation 5’s hardware. At the same time, its condensed storytelling, occasional balance concerns, and structural familiarity prevent it from fully transcending genre expectations. For dedicated followers eager to relive the Final War in playable form, it stands as a satisfying and visually impressive adaptation; for those seeking systemic innovation in the arena fighter space, it remains a competent but conservative evolution.
Score: 7.3/10
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