These are the tropes of Hero Core that not everyone agrees with.
- Alternative Character Interpretation: Did Flip Hero go rogue to destroy Cruiser Tetron, or did Cruiser Tetron create him for that purpose? The good ending supports both!
- Anti-Climax Boss: Cruiser Tetron is actually quite easy compared to some of the other bosses. The Living Warmachine can be, too.
- Awesome Music: The boss theme
, along with the Annihilator Factory and Tetron's theme. - Best Boss Ever: Really, any of them could qualify; the game's bosses are excellent. But special mention goes to the Rock Smasher, a huge machine that you spend the entire battle inside, and the Living Warmachine, whose footsteps are synchronised with the beats of the final boss theme.
- Demonic Spiders: Annihilators. They throw massive amounts of fire at you, not counting their occasional explosive blasts. It's not surprising that they're the only non-boss enemies with their own death animation.
- Genius Bonus: The last Annnihilation log computer does not simply contain random dots and lines, but morse code. The text is not entirely decipherable (the dying author presumably made typos), but the last letters are "THEZENTRAIDON", "Zentraidon" being a Tasen/Komato term for self-annihilation by technical advancement.
- Good Bad Translation: The "retro" language uses Intentional Engrish for Funny.
- Surprisingly Improved Sequel: Hero was okay, but basic. Hero Core adds the lessons Daniel learned from Iji.
- That One Boss: Odd version: It seems that different playing styles result in different bosses becoming this. The most likely candidate on hard mode is the Reaper Drone, because he's the last boss you have to fight before getting a gun upgrade.
- That One Level: The room on hard mode with an Annihilator and a Warp Eidolon. To make things worse, it's about as far from a save point as you can get in the game, and the route there is dangerous. And it's an Inescapable Ambush room.
- The Un-Twist: Especially after fighting the Elites, it's obvious what Flip Hero is.
