One-Punch Man: A Hero Nobody Knows Review

One-Punch Man: A Hero Nobody Knows is the first console game based on the hit manga/anime One-Punch Man. Released in February 2020, developer Spike Chunsoft has created no ordinary anime fighter. A Hero Nobody Knows actually introduces a number of new features and gameplay mechanics to mix up the action. This includes a range of systems you would expect to see in action RPGs rather than the fighting genre.

Story

The basics from the overall manga series carry over into One-Punch Man: A Hero Nobody Knows. The main character is Saitama, a hero who is so powerful he can defeat any opponent with just a single punch. While this might sound like the perfect power, it leaves the character despondent and depressed. After all, it means that no one can pose him a real challenge and makes his heroics feel pointless.

As you might have guessed from the name, the actual focus of the story is on a brand new hero. Players create their own character and build them up rather than taking direct control of an established fighter. The ultimate aim of the plot is to get your personal creation recognized by the Hero Association. This involves advancing through the ranks as you complete a variety of fighting challenges.

Fortunately, One-Punch Man: A Hero Nobody Knows doesn’t just rely on fights to tell its story. The developers use a mixture of cel-shaded stills and animated cutscenes. Many of them, especially the stills, look as if they have been taken directly from the anime itself. Fans of the show will also find a few nice surprises in the plot. That’s because it takes place during the time of the first season.

As you progress through the singleplayer campaign, you encounter characters and witness events directly from the anime. This not only reminds you of the overall story but helps make you feel part of the world. Unfortunately, your hero doesn’t play all that big of a role. Another problem comes from the fact that the player character doesn’t really interact with anyone or anything. Obviously, this is a consequence of them being customizable rather than someone from the series, but it is still disappointing.