When it comes to martial arts, primary colors, epic battles, and giant robots, nothing quite compares to the Power Rangers. Beginning life in Japan as Super Sentai, Power Rangers has become a massive brand with continuous television series, toy lines, a massively successful comic, and a few movies under its belt. When BOOM! Studios launched its Mighty Morphin Power Rangers comic book in 2016, there was a resurgence from many older fans who were greeted with a more mature take on the teens with attitude. With just over 60 issues released, the book has ushered in both classic and completely new teams and introduced many to the iconic storyline Shattered Grid.
While the Power Rangers franchise has become a massive hit in multiple outlets, video games have been the only medium where there is a shaky foundation. But there is one way to make a hit Power Rangers game that America hasn't' seen yet: a Musou title. And Shattered Grid is the perfect setting for such a title.
The Musou genre has proven to be a successful format for games that feature a massive roster of characters. In a Musou, or "warriors," game, players can control a character and battle hundreds of foes at once with devastating and satisfying moves and abilities. This gameplay style has been exemplified in games like Dynasty Warriors, Persona 5 Strikers, and Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity.
This is where Shattered Grid creates a perfect setting. The story takes place in a timeline where Tommy has not only become evil and power-hungry, he has amassed massive strength and desires to destroy all of the rangers in history. Banding together, each ranger team decides to take the fight to Tommy (now called Lord Drakkon) and his army of monsters and allies. This includes Kimberly as the deadly Ranger Slayer. Shattered Grid has not only become a timeless classic, but it also changed everything for the Rangers. The story is the perfect setting for an all-out Power Rangers brawler.
Super Sentai has released a warriors style game in the past for the Wii, the Japan-exclusive Super Sentai Battle Cross. The game proved that these characters are still beloved and need an expansive take on this idea with a mainstream Ranger title. By utilizing the Shattered Grid storyline, players would have access to over 20 years of characters. Adding a multiplayer aspect to the game could also create some great team synergy and allow a team of 5-6 to mix and match rangers from various teams.
Following the rave early word of mouth for Persona 5 Strikers, it shows that warriors style games are in growing demand. The only thing that a Shattered Grid game would need is a fantastic story to grab players. Basing the game on the title's inspiration, players will be introduced to a story that places some of its best characters in a much darker narrative. By following the comic series's timeline, players will also be exposed to various and unique maps and enemies. But there is still one thing missing from this game: Megazords!
Dynasty Warriors is no stranger to implementing large mecha into their games with properties like Gundam. By implementing Megazords whenever needed, a player's team can defeat even more foes and even giant bosses by simply calling one of the many Zords at their disposal. Bringing in Zords would also help mix up the typical warriors tips and strategies that span many titles.
Musou style games are few and far between when compared to some larger video game releases. However, with a name like Power Rangers, a warriors style game based on Shattered Grid would be nothing short of morphinominal. Implementing a great storyline with a library of characters and Megazords is just the start. The real fun would be between the players working together to beat up hundreds of putties or even the machine empire. If it can work in Japan for Super Sentai, why shouldn't it work for Power Rangers?