The Big Game Idea: Level 3 End - A 1UP classic from Oct 05, 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.

Hello everybody. I'm sure some of you think the last part of level 3 was crazy. Jumping from moving planes, fighting a dragon during the middle of a thunderstorm? What else can we do to make the game more challenging and exciting? Read on true believers!

CINEMA: When the Hulk pulls the wings off of Fing Fang Foom they both come falling through the clouds back to the island. The island turns out to be hollow as the Hulk and Foom crash through the ground and into a massive underground cave. Foom melts into a silvery goo and drains into the cracks in the ground. In the background a massive battle is waging between the Mole-Man's Moloids and the stone legionnaires of Tyrannus. The Hulk stands and looks around. The rain comes falling in through the hole above. We can see Yagan floating down through the hole as well.

"I sense the demon is nearby." Yagan calls out. Other aborigines appear out of thin air. The Hulk looks at them as they approach him. "We cannot get any closer. The demon will surely destroy us if we do." They place their hands on the Hulk. The snake tattoo appears and fades away once more. "we believe in you Hulk, Betty believes in you..." Yagan and the others fade away.

The Hulk turns and begins walking toward the battle.

Level 3 End
Location: Nightmare Island Caves
Objective: Defeat Mole Man, Giganto and Tyrannus.
Learn: Grapple moves can be used to turn opponents into blunt weapons.
Unlock: Running frenzy, a move that clears a path of destruction through dozens of opponents.
Level Design: The caves are illuminated by a lava flow in the cracks on the floor as well as backlit by glowing magma in the distance. The floor of the cave is mostly flat. The armies of Tyrannus and the Mole Man are literally facing each other when the level starts. Once the Hulk gets close to them they begin attacking, they fight each other and the Hulk as well. The Mole Man and Tyrannus fall back and rely on their armies for the fighting. This is easily the biggest mob battle for the Hulk, with hundreds of opponents to fight in one location.

The soldiers of Tyrannus look like ancient Roman sentries, with glowing swords, however their skin appears to be made out of shiny marble. Tyrannus was the last Roman Emperor and banished to live in the Subterranea, he discovered the fountain of youth while exiled and has been alive for centuries. He's mastered both magic and technology and is using it to control the vast expanse of caves and tunnels connecting the underworld of the Marvel Universe. The Mole Man's army consists of yellow-skinned Moloids, short, skinny citizens of Subterranea. The Moloids are armed with electrically charged crystals that explode on contact with opponents. The Mole Man seeks to control all of the monsters in the Marvel Universe and has been in pocket battles with Tyrannus from time to time. This battle seems to be the largest yet.

Tyrannus also has catapults and spear launchers that shoot fireballs and explosives toward the Moloids. Mole Man has access to large monsters to fight the artillery, the biggest of which is Giganto. He was the monster on the cover of the first Fantastic Four comic book. Although he appeared in a Fantastic Four videogame, he didn't really look like the beast Jack Kirby had designed. This game returns the classic monster and allows him the freedom to cut loose on a legion of warriors. The explosives used against Giganto just bounce off his enormous frame. Of course this inclusion also allows players to know what would happen if the Hulk ever had to battle a thousand ton, 50-foot tall monster.

The lessons learned from SotC return here. We limit the size of the level so we can have more characters on the screen at once. Not only that, but by setting it in a dimly-lit cave and during a storm, we also limit the draw distance so we can have a single massive polygon model sharing the screen with hundreds of smaller characters. For this battle we keep the camera tight and low on the Hulk and reinforce the image of Giganto in the background at every turn. We can see Giganto deflecting fireballs from the catapult and flattening a dozen enemies with a single step. As the Hulk dispatches both armies, players know that eventually they are going to have to face off against that monster in the distance.

Giganto is not a character that the Hulk can just go up to and begin punching. Giganto's skin is thick and rubbery, it would be akin to punching a truck tire. The Hulk has to target lock and take out his joints in order to bring him down. Once down the Hulk can lift and throw Giganto in a mini game by rapidly pushing the buttons.

If the player successfully clears both armies and Giganto this is what follows.

CINEMA: The defeated sentries of Tyrannus melt into the ground. However the Moloids do not. The Mole Man runs over to Giganto to check his status. Giganto gets up slowly and the Moloids retreat into the caves. "I'll never forgive you for this Hulk!" The Mole Man shakes his fist and calls out as he accompanies his troops into the caves.

"Where is Betty?" The Hulk grabs Tyrannus around the neck and lifts him into the air.

"Foul beast, release Tyrannus, your lord and master." Tyrannus strikes the Hulk with his sword but does no damage. The Hulk begins squeezing his neck. "Release... release..." Tyrannus begins kicking and flailing.

"WHERE IS BETTY?!" The Hulk begins shaking Tyrannus violently.

"Argh!" Tyrannus stops flailing and begins to change color. His clothes turn jet black then dark green. His blonde wavy hair changes into black spiky hair and his skin becomes the color of ash. "You have found me Hulk... Did you get a haircut?" It is Nightmare, the demon that feeds on fear and traps souls in his nightmare kingdom.

"HULK WANTS BETTY!" He shakes Nightmare.

"I don't have her any more." Nightmare says. The Hulk begins squeezing. "I swear to you I do not." He begins coughing.

"Then Hulk will smash you and smash this island until Hulk find Betty."

"N-no. Hulk I will show you where she is, but even I cannot give her to you... I swear." Nightmare looks more pale than usual. "Please release me."

"If you trick Hulk, Hulk will know." He snarls.

"Fair enough." Says Nightmare. The Hulk drops him. Nightmare stands up and creates a magical portal. "The soul that you seek is in another dimension." He holds his neck and steps forward. "This way Hulk." The Hulk walks through the portal with one hand on Nightmare's shoulder. Both disappear.

FADE OUT

END OF LEVEL 3

So there you have it people. We are almost halfway through the game! Three levels in and the conspiracy is exposed! Nightmare did trap Betty on his island at the end of the Tempest Fugit storyline. The plot of which was never resolved. Now the game will have us creating the rest of the arc, giving players a chance to redeem or destroy Bruce Banner.

Do you like the game so far? I imagine this level and the Absorbing Man levels are what the studio would show game journalists to get them hyped. After all, let's say that a few years down the line the press is invited to Activision's premier party. As usual the journalists are filled with oh's and ah's for Tony Hawk's Project X, Gun II and Call of Duty 4. Over in the corner is a secret game to be released when the Hulk movie drops on DVD. The game has nothing to do with the movie so journalists are skeptical. After playing through the Absorbing Man level and then seeing the Tyrannus and Mole Man level they are filled with shock and awe. "Sleeper hit?" Maybe. I figure they'll get the word of mouth out and call this game "God of War... on STEROIDS" Yeah, I can see it now... typical.

So do the challenges get any easier? Where is Betty? What is Professor Crawford up to? Find out the answers to this next week when Level 4 kicks off!

Have you heard of any of these classic Marvel characters featured today? Who are your favorite rare villains? 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!