I can’t help but feel utterly disappointed with what Movie Battles II has become. I played the game for 10 years before ever joining the beta test team, dedicating countless hours to understanding its mechanics, balance, and what made it truly enjoyable. From there, I worked my way up to Beta Test Lead, refining and improving the game alongside others who shared a passion for its design. Eventually, I took on the role of Gameplay Lead, where I focused on creating a streamlined, impactful experience—one that emphasized accessibility without sacrificing depth.
But the latest iteration, one I’ve had no involvement in, is not just not fun—it’s outright poorly designed. Gameplay balance is nonexistent. Instead of a cohesive and well-structured experience, the game is now bloated with hidden mechanics and unnecessary keybinds, a complete departure from the streamlined approach I aimed for. The focus has shifted heavily toward 1v1 encounters, completely neglecting the Open mode that was supposed to be the heart of the game.
And then there’s Legends. Rather than prioritizing balance, it seems like an excuse for the developers to throw in overpowered, albeit flashy, features with no consideration for how they fit into the broader gameplay. It feels like balance has been tossed aside entirely in favor of gimmicks.
Honestly, I’m embarrassed to have MBII on my CV at this point. After spending over a decade playing, testing, and eventually leading the design of this game, it’s frustrating to see it take such a misguided turn. What was once a carefully crafted system, designed to be both deep and accessible, has been turned into a chaotic mess. It’s heartbreaking to see something I cared about so much become this unrecognizable.
