OK K.O.! Let's Play Heroes is an action-adventure beat 'em up video game developed by Capybara Games and published by Cartoon Network Games. It is based on the show OK K.O.! Let's Be Heroes and was released digitally on January 23, 2018[1] for PlayStation 4, Windows, and Xbox One, with a port to the Nintendo Switch launching physically in 2019. A physical release of the game bundled with Grumpyface Studios' Steven Universe: Save the Light for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Switch was released in May 2019.[2]
| OK K.O.! Let's Play Heroes | |
|---|---|
 Cover art for OK K.O.! Let's Play Heroes. The artwork is done by Justin Chan. | |
| Developer(s) | Capybara Games |
| Publisher(s) | Cartoon Network Games[a] |
| Director(s) | Dan Vader |
| Designer(s) | Dan Vader Arielle Grimes |
| Programmer(s) | Dave Hill Kenneth Yeung Hubert Wong Drew Grainge |
| Artist(s) | Kelly Smith Mike Nguyen |
| Writer(s) | Dan Vader |
| Composer(s) | Doseone |
| Platform(s) | |
| Release |
|
| Genre(s) | Action-adventure, beat 'em up |
| Mode(s) | Single-player |
Plot edit
When Lord Boxman takes away all the levels of the heroes' pow cards, K.O. must set things right and learn at heart that he is a true hero.[3]
Gameplay edit
K.O. is controlled when fighting against villains. The player can use moves such as an uppercut, punch combo, low kick, etc. The player can collect their stats after defeating all enemies to earn new moves such as a charge punch, a controllable fist, and a stronger uppercut.
During combat, taking damage or dealing damage will raise a bar towards using a special ability called a Powie Zowie, where the player will summon the character in the card and get help. Some examples include Rad, who allows players to levitate and shoot beams, and Carol, who will appear and start doing a combo in front of the player.
Development edit
Ian Jones-Quartey, the creator of OK K.O., was cautious about tie-in videogames that were of poor quality, and wanted to collaborate with a game development studio that shared his passion for the material and to create a videogame in tandem with the show. This approach would ensure that neither the game developers nor animators would try to imitate each other. Cartoon Network connected him and OK K.O. Co-Executive Producer Toby Jones with Capy Games. Ian was already familiar with Capy and was thrilled to work with them. At the start of the collaboration, they were still brainstorming and developing the show, and wanted the game to develop in the same way.[4] On December 7, 2017, the first trailer for the game was released.[5]
Reception edit
| Aggregator | Score |
|---|---|
| Metacritic | (PS4) 69/100[6] (XONE) 57/100[7] |
| Publication | Score |
|---|---|
| Computer Games Magazine | 6/10[12] |
| Destructoid | 6/10[10] |
| Hardcore Gamer | 3/5[8] |
| Nintendo World Report | 7/10[11] |
| RPGamer |   [9] |
Upon release, OK K.O.! Let's Play Heroes received mostly positive reviews. A review by PlayStation LifeStyle remarked that the game "shows that licensed kids cartoon adaptations don’t have to be mediocre, and that they can be filled with the same charm as the television shows that made them beloved in the first place.", but was criticized for its repetitive combat.[13]
References edit
- ^ "Capy Games' next game, Cartoon Network's OK K.O.!, launches Jan. 23". Polygon. January 4, 2018. Archived from the original on January 7, 2018. Retrieved January 5, 2018.
- ^ "Cartoon Network brings Steven Universe, OK K.O to Nintendo Switch this fall". Polygon. 3 August 2018. Archived from the original on 12 November 2023. Retrieved 12 November 2023.
- ^ Dino-Ray Ramos (December 7, 2017). "'OK K.O.! Let's Be Heroes' Set For Season 2 With New Console Video Game". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on December 8, 2017. Retrieved December 24, 2017.
- ^ "OK K.O.! Let's Play Heroes Arrives January 23 on PS4". PlayStation.Blog. 2018-01-04. Archived from the original on 2023-05-01. Retrieved 2023-05-01.
- ^ Cartoon Network (December 7, 2017). "OK K.O.! - Let's Play Heroes First Official Trailer! - Cartoon Network". YouTube. Archived from the original on December 31, 2019. Retrieved December 24, 2017.
- ^ "OK K.O.! Let's Play Heroes for PlayStation 4 Reviews". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on November 12, 2023. Retrieved October 30, 2021.
- ^ "OK K.O.! Let's Play Heroes for Xbox One Reviews". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on November 12, 2023. Retrieved October 30, 2021.
- ^ LeClair, Kyle (7 February 2018). "Review: OK K.O.! Let's Play Heroes". Hardcore Gamer. Archived from the original on 30 October 2021. Retrieved 30 October 2021.
- ^ Fuller, Alex (14 November 2018). "OK K.O.! Let's Play Heroes Review". RPGamer. Archived from the original on 30 October 2021. Retrieved 30 October 2021.
- ^ Valdez, Nick (30 January 2018). "Review: OK K.O.! Let's Play Heroes". Destructoid. Archived from the original on 30 October 2021. Retrieved 30 October 2021.
- ^ Gomez, Julia (29 December 2018). "OK K.O.! Let's Play Heroes Review". Nintendo World Report. Archived from the original on 30 October 2021. Retrieved 30 October 2021.
- ^ Whitaker, Jed (2 February 2018). "OK K.O.! Let's Play Heroes Review". Computer Games Magazine. Archived from the original on 30 October 2021. Retrieved 30 October 2021.
- ^ Treese, Tyler (22 February 2018). "OK K.O.! Let's Play Heroes Review – How Licensed Games Should Be (PS4)". PlayStation LifeStyle. Archived from the original on 7 March 2019. Retrieved 13 April 2020.
- ^ Published physically by Outright Games
