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.
Okay folks, we have the fighting engine laid out, the graphics engine laid out and even the health and strength bars laid out. Too bad it took me three levels to get everything squared away. Let's kick off the beginning of the end, we're halfway through the title let's see what it holds for us.
CINEMA: A news station is broadcasting a special report saying that a large green mutant is rampaging on the east coast. We see footage of buildings burning and giant holes in the ground. "All signs point to the Hulk, or a Hulk-creature from the future known to the Avengers as the 'Maestro.' It is unknown who or what has caused this appearance." A helicopter flying above the Maestro gives us a shot. The Maestro is as large as the Hulk but seems to be wearing armor, a horned helmet and a cape over one shoulder. He sees the helicopter and throws a car at it. The car breaks the tail section off of the helicopter and sends it dropping to Earth. The cameraman falls out and is caught by Spider-Man. Before the helicopter crashes into the rooftops of an apartment complex Luke Cage jumps out and catches it. He slides down in the space between two buildings. Slowing the helicopter's descent by bracing himself against the buildings.
"Here you go pal, take the cab next time." Spider-Man puts the cameraman down.
"That's not a bad idea web head." Luke says as he tears the door off of the helicopter and lets the pilot out. "What are we going to do about your old friend?" Luke motions over to the Maestro.
"I think we should invite him for some pizza down at Al's. Maybe that will calm him down." Says Spidey.
The Maestro grabs and lifts a car with one hand. Luke takes off his track jacket. "I don't think a slice of the pepperoni will be enough."
Level 4 Beginning
Location: New York City Suburbs
Objective: Defeat Spider-Man and Luke Cage.
Learn: How to do grapple moves while jumping off of buildings.
Unlock: Mega shockwave stomp.
Level Design: We are in the outskirts of the Big Apple. There are some high rise buildings nearby, but mostly apartment complexes and small shops. There is an elevated train track with a subway car stopped on the tracks. The level is only a few square blocks in size, however just about all the buildings and structures you see can be destroyed and flattened. The edges of the city are protected by an energy shield. We see giant transports with energy cannons beaming the translucent walls of energy to keep the Maestro at bay. A squad of combat warden robot suits and some radiation cannons help Luke and Spidey fight the Maestro.
This is the first level in the game that allows us to play as the Maestro. All of his moves and controls are similar to the Hulk with only slight differences. For example, the Hulk has a ground punch that sends a shockwave, the Maestro has a ground stomp that does the same thing. Some of the combos and grappling moves require the same buttons to activate but their outcomes are slightly different. A clothesline might be replaced with a headbutt, a suplex replaced with a piledriver, etc.
Spidey and Luke can't match the Maestro's raw strength. However they can slow him down with their double-team attacks and allow the military capture squad a chance to trap him with their stasis beams and shield generators. When Spidey shoots webbing at the head of the Maestro we actually see webbing splash across the screen, making it hard for the player to see what's going on. If the player doesn't put distance between the Maestro and Spidey, or strike him, then Spidey will keep shooting his webs until the entire screen is covered. The webbing goes away if the Maestro continues fighting. Spidey is very fast and difficult to hit, the player has to set up an attack (rather a distraction) by throwing an object at Spidey and quickly following-up with a punch.
Luke Cage is slower than Spidey but a good hand-to-hand fighter. He's stronger than Venom and can throw cars at the Maestro to keep him at bay. His skin is super-dense and can survive gunshots and even fire. Every time Spidey blinds the Maestro you can expect Luke to pummel him with a combo attack or throw him into the path of a stasis beam.
For those not familiar with the Maestro, he comes from the story "Future Imperfect" by Peter David, illustrated by the great George Perez. All comic book fans should have a copy of the TPB. In it we see a future where mankind is ruled by a despot named the Maestro, a version of the Hulk that has gone mad from radiation and power. In the future there are no Marvel heroes or villains left to challenge his rule. There is a trophy room where an ancient Rick Jones keeps souvenirs of the fallen legends. Captain America's shield, Thor's hammer, the Silver Surfers (broken) surfboard, Wolverine's skeleton, Doctor Octopuses arms, Professor X's wheelchair, Cyclops' visor, the Ghost Rider's motorcycle, Dr. Strange's cloak and amulet, a Sentinel head... on and on including the ashes of other heroes. The trophy room puts the whole Marvel Universe in perspective.
Do you like this sudden turn of events for a game? They say that the Marvel universe always has to be in balance, if the Hulk follows Nightmare into a different dimension then does that allow his alternate future-self to enter ours? I've always been fascinated with the ability to play the bad guy in a game, like Venom in Ultimate Spider-Man. Not enough games allow us that luxury. The Maestro has all the same powers as the Hulk and is even stronger. There is no learning curve for the players. This sudden appearance allows us to explore the classic "what if?" What if the Hulk was a force for evil, could he be stopped by anyone else on Earth? Let's let the Hulk, ahem, Maestro loose and find out.
The heroes have always theorized that the only way to defeat the Hulk would be a planet-ending event... and even then it might not be enough. In case you were wondering about the red and gold colors for the clothing, it was deliberate. It's a jab at DC's Captain Marvel aka SHAZAM! I got nothing against little Billy or his alter-ego, hell, I love that character compared to Superman. But the title of Earth's Mightiest Mortal belongs to the Maestro.
Did you ever think you'd be playing a game as the bad guy? With the Maestro sharing the exact same moves as the Hulk players would be able to just keep on rolling through the story. Do you like this turn in the game? Tell me in the comments section. As always if you enjoyed this blog, and would like to sponsor me
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