The Big Game Idea: Level 4 End - A 1UP classic from Oct 12, 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.

The challenges for the game have gotten progressively harder. Do you think the challenges are logical? Does the progression make sense to you as a player? We have officially passed the halfway point of the game. I hope that you are not disappointed. Especially now that level four reaches it's conclusion.

CINEMA: "So much for family." The Maestro smirks as he stands over the defeated She-Hulk. Hercules is crawling in the background trying to prop himself up on a wrecked car. "A god? Hardly!" The Maestro turns and jumps away. In the air the Maestro suddenly comes to a stop as if hitting an invisible wall. He lands at an intersection. He sees the Fantastic Four flying in their Fantasticar.

"Hulk, this is Reed Richards talking. I am your friend. We're here to help you." Mr. Fantastic says as the airship hovers above.

"Incoming!" Ben Grimm, aka the Thing yells out as the Maestro leaps toward the Fantasticar and smashes it to pieces. Ben drops to the ground and prepares for battle. The Human Torch flies overhead as Mr. Fantastic and the Invisible Woman float down. The Maestro lands on top of a building and looks down, laughing.

Level 4 End
Location: New York City Downtown
Objective: Defeat the Fantastic Four.
Learn: How to target multiple opponents for combo attacks.
Unlock: Rampage power.
Level Design: The buildings here are taller than in the previous level. We can now see the skyscrapers nearby. If the Maestro tries to target lock and use his mega jump to stomp and opponent he will hit an invisible barrier every time. Instead he must fight on the ground while the Fantastic Four can take shots at him from a distance. Players learn to break open fire hydrants so they can find the Invisible Woman and hit her with a thunderclap. Once she is out the Maestro can cut loose on the remaining members.

Reed attacks with an assortment of high-powered weapons, if the Maestro can get his hands on him then he can use the elastic Reed as a whip against the other members. If the Maestro target locks and jumps at the Human Torch then he can grab him and try to bring him down and throw him like a fireball at his family members. If the Torch becomes white-hot he'll slip through the fingers of the Maestro and fly off. The Thing is very strong and can fight the Maestro with his boxing skills or throw cars at him with ease. The four combined can slow the Maestro down and allow the military time to capture him with their stasis beam. Add a few combat warden robot suits and tanks and this level is not very easy.
END OF LEVEL 4
This is why we introduce the "Rampage" power in this portion of the game. From this point on in the game both the Maestro and the Hulk will be able to reach a super powered status, above their already incredible abilities. If the player can land many multiple hit combos without being damaged and destroy a good portion of the environment then they enter a rampage mode where they do more damage with every hit, recharge faster from "Mega" attacks and heal faster when injured. This may sound unfair but remember that reaching this level of power is difficult to accomplish, most players will be able to beat the game without reaching a rampage status.

The rampage is difficult to build-up against single super-powered opponents. Which is why there are four super-powered targets on this level and four chances to build up the Maestro's rage. If the player juggles his attacks between the targets and doesn't concentrate on taking out only one then their rage builds faster. This counters most game design as players are taught to focus their attacks on one opponent at a time. This title is more about frenetic action and spectacular combat than traditional action games.

Next week begins the best comic book challenges ever committed to a video game. Tune in if you don't believe me!

Did you ever think you'd get to fight so many Marvel heroes in a game? Which is your favorite so far. 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!