Mucha Lucha- Lucha Libre AAA: Heroes del Ring Review

Despite a showfloor performance by Method Man and Redman, a massive giveaway of 360 Slims to members of the press,  and a three-hour, star-studded concert from Activision, one of greatest spectacles of this year’s Electronic Entertainment Expo were the sizzling lucha libre matches. Displaying a sense of speed, athleticism, and theatricality which often trumped their U.S.-based counterparts, the luchadores blended acrobatic dexterity with high-flying showmanship. Occasionally, the action refused to be contained to the ring, and the match would spill out into the audience, suggesting  a contest teetering on the edge of control. Nearly every attendee was transfixed by the sheer physicality of the performance.

While the game which prompted the event- Lucha Libre AAA: Heroes del Ring, manages to skillfully capture most of the major nuances of the matches, it also woefully neglects to capture some of the amazing aerial dexterity and speed shown by the luchadores. Despite this minor setback, Heroes is undeniably entertaining and has the potential to be a flawless catalyst for both impassioned local and on-line competitions, thanks to the game’s responsive and intuitive control scheme.

Like most contemporary wrestling title, Lucha Libre presents a hearty variety of modes. Pride Matches allow players to quickly  jump into a 1 vs 1, 1 vs. 2, 1 vs. 3, 2 vs. 2, or free for all competition; a solid variety of customization variables allow participants to select the type on win condition (pin or submission), how long fighters are allowed outside the ring, and even the allegiance of referees. Heroes del Ring offers two separate campaigns- one for tecnicos (the faces), and another for rudos (heels). Both paths offers satisfying cinematic-based storylines along with revealing clips illustrating the colorful history of lucha libre. Additionally, the game offers a eight player local tournament as well as an online mode for up to four participants. One of the game’s more notable contests is the Mask vs. Hair contest, where losers face the humiliation of relinquishing one of their distinctive attributes.

Of course, losing your mask means little if there’s an endless supply of pre-made digital disguises. Thankfully, the game includes a character editor which allows players to not only create their own masks, but also alter their fighter’s appearance, moveset, and ring entrance. While the customization component wasn’t deep enough accurately recreate my features, there is an impressive range of body types, equipment, and costumes. Thankfully, each character can be transformed in a beloved mini, via a code on the player select screen (up,up,down,down,left,right,left,right).

A handful of diminutive blemishes prohibit Heroes del Ring from achieving champion status. While each fighter  has a impressive arsenal of strikes and grapples, the amount of aerials are limited. Sadly, the opportunity for dramatic cooperative strikes have been unfulfilled, reducing the intensity of team matches. It’s probably just as well, playing against more than one CPU opponent can often be frustrating on the game’s higher difficulty settings. Reversals can be especially difficult to master, as the window of opportunity for a turnaround is just after a strike/or grapple is made. Heroes del Ring seems to be aware of its faults- each transgressions is countered by a benefit. From a robust roster of thirty-one real world wrestlers to allowing players to attack the ref, the game certainly has its share of charms.

Showing the power of the Unreal Engine, Heroes offers both a solid framerate and some impressive texture work. La Parka’s costume wrinkles convincingly, while Vampiro Canadiense’s tattoos are well detailed. Repeated strikes to the head create visible damage- it’s not uncommon to see tasteful bleeding, as well as combatants try to cover their wounds with their hands. Generally, the game’s motion capture is delightfully fluid, although intermittent animation breaks can be observed as luchadores begin a new sequence.

While Lucha Libre AAA: Heroes del Ring draw to aficionados in undeniable, the game’s polish and depth is strong enough to haul in wrestling fans who aren’t familiar with Mexican wrestling. Inaugural titles can often be dicey propositions- like those despicable rudos, Heroes is one of those infrequent games which takes enjoyment in breaking the rule.

About Robert Allen

Since being a toddler, Robert Allen has been immersed in video games, anime, and tokusatsu. Currently, his days are spent teaching at two southern California colleges. But his evenings and weekends are filled with STGs, RPGs, and action titles and well at writing for Tech-Gaming since 2007.

32 comments

  1. So this has the midgets in it? Woohoo!

  2. I’ll admit I’ve bought a few years of WWE SmackDown vs. Raw. This sounds cool, but I think I can wait.

  3. If Nacho Libre is unlockable/creatable, I’m so there.

  4. HeadGamerInCharge

    is the game that close up all the time? That doesn’t seem like it would be easy to play at all.

  5. muey beun review, Senor Deagle.

  6. I’ve been looking all over if AAA Heroes del Ring had midgets. Thanks guys. And thanks for the code!

  7. Wrestling games? Really? What has become of this site?

  8. Can you taunt the other guy by threating to pull off his mask and reveal his identity to the world?

  9. I’d sooner play Willy Wonka on a broken DS that play this crap. Wrestling games are shit!

  10. Walker Texas Rapist

    Yeah, two midgets with capes vs. La Parka is about as cool as games could get.

  11. somebody put a lucha libre mask on that plump girl in your t-shirt ad. QUICKLY!

  12. Ezio Auditore da Firenze

    Number of Metacritic reviews for this: 0

    How the hell did you get this so early? Anyway great review. hats off for getting the exclusive on this one.

  13. I don’t understand why they cant review a wrestling game? Just because you’re not into it, doesn’t mean other people aren’t.

  14. Background textures look a bit low-res and plain.

  15. And you were waiting for the Invizimals review or what?

  16. Is this one $60? A lower price could make me take the plunge.

  17. Its just for the screenshots.

  18. Is there on a demo on Live for this?

  19. Sounds like its better than I thought it would turn out. Maybe I’ll check it out.

  20. cool review.

  21. Maybe when it hits $30.

  22. Well, the fighters look pretty good.

  23. There’s another review at some site called SFX 360- but take it with a grain of salt:

    “Lucha Libre is the first effort of the Bogotá Colombia Based Studio Immersion Games and Software and is published by Legendary gaming company Kanomi. Now from my 23 year history with Kanomi’s games I have learned one thing. Kanomi is a consistent producer of quality games.”

    http://www.sfx-360.com/index.php?idReview=573
    How the F do you misspell Konami three time in two sentences?

  24. Yeah you guys should write like fourth graders. Its the new way to review.

    Create A Luchador. A very simple yet interesting mode. The focal point of this truly was and is creating your Luchadors mask. In my eyes this was the only thing that mattered. I managed to create myself and a friend of mine. As well as found out you can create a good Luchador Iron Man.

  25. Asbestos wrestling dolls.

  26. I’m not quite sure I like lucha enough to drop $60 on it. Still, this sounds like it would be great with four guys and a case of beer.

  27. Are there any American wrestlers in the game? Can you easily make them?

  28. I’m really suprised no one’s made a lucha game until now. Seems like it would be a no-brainer.

  29. Buy this at Kmart and get a $25 coupon for another game. Not bad.

    http://www.cheapassgamer.com/forums/showthread.php?t=274278

  30. This sounds like it could be really fun. Especially with the little guys. Are there women too?

  31. Thanks for the review. Much better that watching the tutorial screens as the guys from Giant Bomb say “OK”. Their first looks are garbage.