And so it seems that before the main event between the Comic Industry's Big Two kicks off, we will have some small dose of superhero gameplay to make do with. And a kid-size small dose it sure is.
Marvel Super Hero Squad, is an upcoming multi-console (Nintendo Wii, Nintendo DS, PlayStation 2, and PlayStation Portable) kid-friendly brawler developed by Blue Tongue and published by THQ. Currently scheduled to be launched in the last quarter of 2009, the game comes piggybacked with additional promotions other than its blatant sources. The namesake, Marvel Super Hero Squad, is a popular Action Figure line marketed by Hasbro since 2006, featuring cartoonized style of established Marvel Superheroes and Villains that was originally targeted at kids under three but went on to become a big hit with the kids and adults. Expectedly, the success of the surprise hit franchise inadvertantly guaranteed further expansion of its lifespan outside the toyline. While the obligatory comic series are already in print, the animated series will be launching in Cartoon Network later this year, a well-timed decision for the franchise.
The premise for this alternate Marvel franchise is that, all the superheroes lives in Superhero City (where your friendly neighbourhood Daily Bugle and the not so friendly Rainbow Bridge to Asgard conveniently co-exist from the cityscape), while the villains resided in (hell, did I mentioned this is for kids?), VillainVille. As always, Doctor Doom gets into his "Pinky & The Brain" routine just so that every other heroes and villains can get into theirs. So much for the premise.
From the reports, the gameplay mainly comes in two mode. Adventures Mode, are for the most part, the Story Mode where players can select two characters from the relatively under-developed roster (reportedly, the game featured a roster of 20 playable Marvel characters, comprising the fan-favourites, Iron Man, Silver Surfer (hell, I had mever imagined that there will come one day where I can called ol' Shellhead and Norrin Radd a fan-favourite!) and Wolverine, and the more obscure characters like Spider-Man 2099 and the Captain America cheap knockoff that is not the Bucky Cap, U.S.Agent) and go through the usual fight-cutscene-fight-cutscene-fight routine. Both single (you will get to switch your character on the fly, much like the Lego series) and cooperative gameplay if you really hated the idea of an A.I. partner, are available. Battle Mode, on the other hand, plays like a party game more suited for casual gameplay. As of now, Blue Tongue is putting additional efforts in ensuring the Nintendo Wii experience work out fine, though further news pertaining the other consoles should be out later on.
Considered this a light-hearted appetizer before the all-out slugfest between Marvel’s Ultimate Alliance 2 (due out this September) and its nemesis's DC Universe Online (scheduled to be hitting shelves only early next year).
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