INTRODUCTION
Part of the fun of PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale is seeing how the different properties interact with each other outside of battle. While the combat serves to settle the question of which character would win in a fight, the levels let you see what happens when two video games meet on a grand scale. Every level begins as a representation of one game before another game invades and activates a mash-up sequence where the two games interact. These mash-ups are often hostile, as one game attempts to take control of another or defend itself from a threat, and by the time the match ends, one game or the other will have won the mash-up.
SETTING THE STAGE
This chapter of the strategy guide discusses each level in detail. Expect to see a thorough explanation of the changes the level goes through over the course of a match, details on how the mash-up works, and what Hazards to avoid or take advantage of while playing.
DETAILS
AT A GLANCE
Each level has an At a Glance section that discusses the games represented in the level, the number of distinct phases featured, and which major Hazards may prove to be a problem during a match.
TROUBLE SPOTS
Every level is unique, which means that each level provides a new challenge. Some stages scroll vertically, while others rotate around an axis. This guide spotlights the trouble spots for every stage and explains how to avoid getting trapped in a sticky situation. Trouble spots include actual Hazards that can cause you to lose AP and areas that are difficult to escape from when cornered by an aggressive enemy. Staying away from them is the foundation of a good defense.
PHASES
Every level, assuming default settings, runs on a three-minute timer. Over the course of those three minutes, players can have their characters interact with the background, be hit by level-specific Hazards, and face down a mash-up Hazard, as well. The evolution of each level is slightly randomized, meaning that occasionally, Hazards appear earlier or later than indicated here. To compensate, this chapter separates each level into distinct phases of battle, including time codes.
Each phase involves some type of major evolution in the level. Sometimes, characters attempt to take control of the levels, such as when Buzz! invades Dreamscape. Other levels may change settings or wildly alter their geometry over the course of the match. Knowing what’s going to happen before it happens is a great way to stay on top of a battle, so pay close attention to the stage’s evolution in addition to battling your foes.
HAZARDS AND INTERACTION
It’s important to know what can hit your character and what’s merely decoration. The guide explains every Hazard on the stage, in addition to the objects that are interactive. Some objects give players free AP, while other objects may shock characters that get too close. A handy table provides all of this info at a glance, while the text explains how to utilize the Hazards and interaction at the expense of the enemy.
STRATEGY
This section gives each phase a specific and natural border, such as when a mash-up begins or when other notable actions happen. Every phase plays a little differently than the phase before or after it, and in-depth strategies for each phase and what to expect from other players are provided here.
These strategies include how to take advantage of high-traffic areas, ways to use the stage to your advantage, good places to trap your foes, and which characters, moves, and Super attacks are particularly efficient on a certain level. Every level requires a slightly different approach, and the strategy section is the place to find specifics on that approach.
TIPS, SIDEBARS, AND EASTER EGGS
Half the fun of playing PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale is seeing your favorite characters in action and how they interact with unfamiliar characters. This guide tells you what Easter eggs to look for, tips on how to best exploit the stage, and other crucial info by way of detailed sidebars.