Hands-On With Every Major Upcoming Video Game - Ranked

14. Jump Force

Announced at E3 as a beat 'em up focused on mashing together every anime property under the sun, going hands-on with Jump Force certainly delivered in the visual stakes, but combat was left a little wanting.

Granted, I only got to play for a handful of matches, but Jump Force feels like it prioritises style over substance.

Taking place on more of an isometric plain than a standard one-on-one brawler, it's slightly reminiscent of the Dragon Ball Budokai games, mixed with older 3D brawlers from the early 2000s. In a brilliant touch you're given access to specials by holding the shoulder buttons and tapping a face button, meaning characters like Goku and Vegeta can bust out massive energy blasts, whereas One Piece's Luffy and Naruto display overblown acrobatics.

The only downside was triggering these specials gave way to overly frantic action; losing an initial feeling of more considered play. I came away feeling like anime fans are more than catered for, but in a post-Dragon Ball FighterZ world, that game's bar-setting perfection means this has a long way to go.