The first game in the Override series, Override: Mech City Brawl, was released in late 2018 to reasonable success. Thomas, our reviewer go-to guy when it comes to everything mech-related, had a great time with it, praising its controls and combat mechanics. Modus Games also liked that game’s success. They not only decided to greenlight a sequel, but even went as far as to buy the studio that developed that game, renaming it Modus Studios Brazil in the process. That shows some commitment. Let’s see if Override 2 was worth the wait and the investment.

Override 2: Super Mech League isn’t “more of the same”. In fact, the game is a complete revamp of its predecessor’s gameplay and structure. It ditches the previously acclaimed slow-paced, limb-based combat system for something faster and more accessible. It’s still a 3D arena brawler, but instead of relying on that deep, yet occasionally intimidating combat system, which felt like actually watching two men dressed in uncomfortable mech suits struggling to hit each other, this feels like something more closely related to Power Stone.

The thing is, clunky limb movement is one of the reasons we love mechs fighting each other. They are slow as a snail, but each punch, well, packs a punch. Turning each mech into a twenty-five foot tall ninja is fun at first, but it’s nowhere near as rewarding or exciting to play as it was two years ago. Override 2: Super Mech League is actually quite a disappointment, as there isn’t a single thing it prevails over its predecessor. Well, maybe the fact that the classic tokusatsu character Ultraman is included in the roster… but you gotta pay extra to unlock it. Sigh…

The new combat system features buttons for light/heavy kicks and punches, as well as a block, a grab, and the ultimate attack prompt once you fill up your special bar. I’ll give the developers credit, it is accessible, but at the cost of uniqueness. This new combat system is just way too simplistic and shallow, and to add insult to injury, every single mech just feels the same. They all have the same combos, they all suffer from the same severe input lag whenever you try to perform a light punch – light kick – heavy kick trio. Finally, there’s the weird auto lock-on feature present in all battles, which means that you’ll be fighting against the enemy and the game’s camera at the same time.

Weirdly enough, Override 2: Super Mech League had a full next-gen build released alongside the PS4, Xbox One, and Switch versions. The extra power of the PS5, as well as its SSD architecture, allowed the devs to improve the game’s framerate and loading times, all while shrinking the overall file size to miniscule levels. However, that doesn’t mean that this game looked, played or felt like a next-gen title at any point while I was playing it.

It looks… fine. Its framerate and resolution are excellent, but it doesn’t look better than its PS4 predecessor. Particle effects look way too simplistic. There’s no excitement whenever a gigantic robot is thrown onto a pile of explosive oil drums, for instance. Daemon X Machina, a game that had to deal with the severe limitations of the Switch’s hardware, looks way better than this PS5 title, for instance. Override 2 also suffers from a repetitive and poorly mixed sound department, just like its predecessor.

Sometimes, aiming for a wider audience isn’t the right solution. Override 2 isn’t better than its predecessor at all. Its gameplay is much simpler and less appealing, its visuals are far from impressive for a PS5 title, and it’s still very underwhelming if you decide to play it on your own. Not even the inclusion of Ultraman (at an extra cost) managed to impress me at all. When you manage to make a game about giant robots punching each other feel boring, you know you need to go back to the drawing board if you ever decide to make an Override 3.

 

Graphics: 6.5 Override 2: Super Mech League features some nice mech designs and an excellent framerate, as to be expected with the extra horsepower provided by the PS5. However, nothing in its visuals scream “next-gen” at all.	Gameplay: 5.5 Between the noticeable amount of input delay, excessively simplified controls, and weird camera angles, Override 2‘s gameplay is a letdown when compared to its predecessor.
Sound: 5.5 Override 2‘s sound department suffers from a repetitive soundtrack, poor sound effects, and terrible sound mixing.	Fun Factor: 6.0 As fun as an arena brawler featuring mechas might sound, including the special appearance by Ultraman, Override 2: Super Mech League is a game devoid of lasting appeal.
Final Verdict: 6.0

Override 2: Super Mech League is available now on PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series S/X, PC, and Switch.

Reviewed on PS5.

A copy of Override 2: Super Mech League was provided by the publisher.