i had the fortune to playtest this, and let me say, it's even better at a full game.
as with a lot of people here, superheroes aren't really my thing. marvel has burned us out in its supernova, and the "dark side of heroes" stories like the boys are too edgy for me. i think what makes binary star hero compelling is its focus: on people. it is not hugely a focus on the roles of villains and heroes, on the aliens with no name which attack the city, on even binary star himself. it's a desire for people to be people. the protagonist's desire for a normal life away from their kpop mafia-like villain in crime. the desire for haley to live without the heroes. the desire for ray to get coffee and have a personal life. the desire for miles to help people. the desire not for a life of crime but for you from double. the superhero stuff is important, but it can serve as a backdrop to "everyone here needs therapy, actually, and a warm cup of apple cider."
ray is a very compelling character. oh, to be human, to be normal, but to also cling onto the mask which has brought you adoration. i very much enjoyed the art of him, his slips into his superhero character, and his desire to just pet cats and drink coffee.
haley was probably my favorite, though. i love green. i love a good villain doing it to piss off the rich. they were probably the most reasonable person in this whole game. really loved every moment with them!
concrete's art and writing are absolutely stunning as usual. feels like a real comic book. paired with zach's wonderfully fitting music, i was immersed the whole time.
thank you for this!