Super Smash Bros. Crusade: A Fan-Made Fiesta of Fighting

Super Smash Bros. Crusade is a free, indie fighting game developed by three dedicated fans of the iconic Nintendo franchise. This passion project, built from the ground up without any official Nintendo code, offers a unique and surprisingly robust experience for those yearning for more Smash Bros. action, or those seeking a fresh take on the classic formula. While it may lack the polish of its official counterpart, Crusade’s charm lies in its dedicated community, continuous development, and surprisingly deep gameplay.

A Roster of Familiar Faces and Unique Mechanics

The game boasts a roster of over 37 characters, pulling from various iterations of the Super Smash Bros. series and beyond. These aren’t mere reskins; each character features unique animations, movesets, and playstyles, ensuring diverse gameplay experiences. The roster is divided into two categories: Starters, available from the outset, and Unlockables, requiring specific in-game achievements or progression to be added to your arsenal.

While the pixelated art style might initially seem simplistic compared to the polished visuals of official Smash games or other modern fighting titles like Super Smash Flash 2 or Super Smash Battle 3D, it contributes to the game’s distinct charm. It’s a deliberate stylistic choice, offering a nostalgic feel that complements the game’s overall aesthetic. The animations, however, are far from rudimentary; each character’s attacks and special moves are fluid and expressive, conveying a sense of weight and impact to the combat. This attention to detail breathes life into the familiar characters, making them feel fresh and engaging even for seasoned Smash Bros. players. The variety in character designs and animations offers a visually captivating experience, even with the pixelated style.

The core gameplay mechanics are immediately familiar to Smash Bros. veterans. The objective remains the same: launch your opponents off the stage using a variety of attacks and strategic maneuvers. Damage is represented by a percentage, indicating how close a character is to being knocked out. As the percentage rises, the character becomes increasingly vulnerable to knockback, allowing for impressive combos and satisfying knockouts.

However, Crusade doesn’t simply replicate the established Smash Bros. formula. It incorporates elements inspired by other fighting game genres, adding layers of complexity and strategic depth. The developers have clearly drawn inspiration from a range of titles, blending the familiar mechanics of Smash Bros. with elements that enhance the overall experience and create a unique identity for the game.

Multiple Game Modes to Suit Every Playstyle

Super Smash Bros. Crusade offers a surprising variety of game modes, catering to both solo players and those who prefer competitive multiplayer experiences. The game modes are not merely variations on a theme; each offers a distinct experience that enhances replayability and allows players to engage with the game in different ways.

The Crusade Mode serves as the game’s main story-driven campaign. While still under development, this mode promises to provide a narrative-rich experience, likely drawing inspiration from the overarching lore of the official Super Smash Bros. games. It’s a work in progress, but the potential for a compelling storyline to complement the already engaging gameplay is certainly exciting for fans.

The Single Player Mode provides access to classic challenges like “Board the Platforms” and “Break the Targets,” faithfully recreating beloved modes from the official titles. These modes offer a more focused, skill-based challenge, perfect for honing individual character skills or practicing specific techniques. “Break the Targets,” in particular, is a fun diversion that tests a player’s ability to quickly inflict damage and secure knockouts.

Versus Mode, also known as Crusade Mode (in the context of multiplayer), allows players to customize the rules and settings of their battles. This feature is highly appreciated by those who want to tailor the experience to their preference, adding a level of personalization often absent in more structured fighting game modes. The freedom to adjust rules like stock count, time limits, and even specific stages allows for a high degree of customization, creating a level playing field for a wide range of skill levels.

The game also includes three distinct battle types:

• Stock Match: A classic “last character standing” format where players start with a set number of lives (stocks). The last player with remaining stocks emerges victorious. This is the standard mode for many Smash Bros. fans and provides an excellent platform for testing strategy and skillful play.

• Time Match: This mode sets a time limit, and the player with the highest score at the end wins. The scoring system rewards knockouts (KOs), self-destructs, and successful attacks, encouraging aggressive and strategic play throughout the match. This encourages a different approach to combat, focusing on quick and efficient damage over extended battles.

• Stamina Match: A survival mode where players have a pool of health points (HP) that deplete over time. Players must inflict enough damage to eliminate their opponents before their own HP runs out. This mode emphasizes careful management of resources and requires a more defensive approach than Stock or Time Matches.

Each mode offers a unique experience, providing ample opportunities for players to explore different playstyles and test their skills in various ways. The breadth of these modes speaks to the developers’ commitment to providing a well-rounded and engaging gaming experience.

A Labor of Love: Strengths and Weaknesses

Super Smash Bros. Crusade is undeniably a labor of love. The passion of its creators is evident in the game’s features, dedication to updates, and responsiveness to community feedback. However, it’s crucial to acknowledge both its strengths and weaknesses:

Strengths:

• Vast Character Roster: The sheer number of characters, many of whom are unique to this project, provides immense replayability.
• Multiple Game Modes: The varied game modes ensure that there’s always something new to try.
• Active Development: The developers consistently release updates, patches, and bug fixes, demonstrating a commitment to improving the game over time.
• Free to Play: Access to this extensive game is entirely free, making it accessible to a broader audience.
• Engaging Gameplay: The core gameplay is solid and incredibly fun, offering the satisfying knockouts and strategic depth expected from a Smash Bros. game.

Weaknesses:

• Pixelated Graphics: The pixel art style, while charming to some, may feel dated or simplistic to others.
• Not Officially Licensed: The game’s non-official status means it lacks the high-production values and features of a professionally developed Nintendo title.
• Ongoing Development: While the active development is a plus, some features are still under development, particularly the Story Mode.

Conclusion: A Worthy Addition to the Smash Bros. Legacy

Super Smash Bros. Crusade isn’t a replacement for the official Nintendo titles; it’s a passionate fan-made tribute. It excels where many fan games fall short – delivering a polished, enjoyable, and surprisingly deep gaming experience that’s surprisingly robust. The active development, consistent updates, and large roster of unique characters make it a compelling alternative for those seeking a different take on the iconic Super Smash Bros. formula. While its pixelated graphics may not appeal to everyone, the gameplay and dedication of its creators make Super Smash Bros. Crusade a worthy addition to the Smash Bros. legacy. If you’re a hardcore fan looking for a free, engaging, and constantly evolving fighting game, this is well worth checking out.