The Big Game Idea: Level 1 (middle) - A 1UP classic from Sep 20, 2006

Below is a series that I originally ran on 1UP in 2006. In it I proposed an original video game based on the Incredible Hulk. I called it "The Big Game Idea." Over a few weeks I described the graphics, game play, visuals, and plot from beginning to end, including bonus features. I made a few minor edits, but it is more or less exactly the same as it was almost 20 years ago. I hope you enjoy it.

Heya peeps, I guess my early title sounded a little too religious for some. Not to worry, some things get changed in pre-production and that's only my first title idea, it can still change. Today we'll look at the second part of level 1. Each level consits of three stages in case you were wondering, like all good stories each chapter of the game has a beginning, middle and end. All of these small stories are threads in the overall plot.

Now let's pick up at the end of the first portion of level 1. If the player successfully destroys the Orion missile before it can enter orbit then here's what happens next.

CINEMA: The Hulk falls from the sky as the Orion Missile breaks apart and explodes in the upper atmosphere. The Hulk lands in the North Atlantic with a big splash. He treads water and looks around as pieces of the Orion Missile crash in the distance.

The water explodes nearby and the Hulk turns to see a battleship bearing down on him.

Level 1 Middle
Location: In the Atlantic Ocean.
Objective: Destroy the naval ships.
Learn: How to swim, dive and dash underwater. Jump and power jump. Lock on a target at a great distance and jump to it. How to regain strength and stamina.
Unlock: Thunderclap.
Level Design: The Hulk can swim or jump between the ships in the ocean. He can also climb up their side if he falls into the water.

Most of the details on the ship can be destroyed or turned into weapons. These include the turrets on the battleships and the aircraft on the aircraft carriers. If the Hulk grabs onto a submarine it will begin diving. The Hulk enters a mini game that allows him to disable the submarine's torpedoes. The Hulk cannot run out of air if swimming underwater.

Remember that I said this game is not a sandbox environment. The ocean is really only about two virtual square miles. The water is choppy, with big waves and great physics, inspired by the water physics in Hydro Thunder of course. The Hulk can swim very fast, motorboat fast but if the Hulk swims too far from the ships then their shells will blow him out of the water and severely injure him. Players learn to stay close to the ships until they are destroyed. On one side of the map there is an aircraft carrier and on the opposite are two battleships. A submarine patrols the area between the ships.

The player learns to target lock and jump between the ships in a single bound. If the Hulk lands in the water, or is hit by a missile mid-air then he has to face the submarine challenge. This challenge was inspired by the Hydrus, electric eel, level in Shadow of the Colossus. The Hulk can crawl along the surface of the submarine when underwater and will not drown when the submarine dives. If the players slides off the face of the attack sub he remains underwater for the minigame portion where the submarine fires torpedoes and the player has to deflect them or tear them apart. If the player is successful then the submarine and Hulk surface. Now the Hulk can swim to the other ships and continue the fight until they are disabled.

What do you think so far? Just wait until the end of Level 1!

The Hulk has so far only faced machines in combat. You'll never guess where the next battle takes us! Would you play this game if it were real? Tell me in the comments section. As always if you enjoyed this blog, and would like to sponsor me please visit my Patreon page and consider donating each month, even as little as $1 would help make better blogs and even podcasts!