The Big Game Idea: Level 5 Middle - A 1UP classic Oct 18, 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.

Today brings us to the middle of level 5. This is the first level that I set up from beginning to end, including all of the cinemas so you know how it works in the context of the plot. I hope you like it.

CINEMA: "Say Betty does not belong to you!" The Hulk is pushing the barrier.

"Never!" Says Dormammu and continues blasting the Hulk. The crystals forming on the back of the Hulk begin flaking off as he glows with gamma radiation.

"Say it!!!" The Hulk demands. A good portion of the kingdom has collapsed inside of the barrier.

Dormammu relents after seeing his bolts of magical energy are only fueling the Hulks rage. "Very well beast. I give up all claims on the soul of the mortal woman..." With that said the Hulk disappears in a flash of light. The kingdom comes crashing down directly in front of Dormammu. A bolt of energy from the Mindless Ones sends Dormammu falling. They surround Dormammu and begin attacking.

"Worthless slaves!" Dormammu yells.

FADE TO BLACK

Level 5 Middle
Location: Desert New Mexico - Hel, the Netherworld.
Objective: Defeat the army soldiers - Mephisto.
Learn: How to fight as Bruce Banner.
Unlock: Final Strength Power Up.
Level Design: This is the "artsy" level. This game does not begin with a cinema but rather right into the action. In a way this level could also be the most controversial, you'll find out why in the cinema. When the level begins we see the Hulk is gray and placed inside of a valley.

The first things that the player should notice are a radical change to the graphics. This entire level is in a comics-shading format, similar to the Ultimate Spider-Man game. The characters themselves are not made up of the same polygon models or textures featured throughout the game. Save for the Hulk and Betty, who are the exact same models that we saw at Level 2, when Yagan shows the Hulk a piece of his history.

Remember when I explained how the characters are made? In particular the whole idea of "Comic-Shading?" Dale Keown would be the main designer for all of the characters, he would even illustrate the textures used on the polygon models so they really look like a comic book brought to life. This level features a completely different artist doing the textures for just a few new models. Tim Sale is the painter behind the Hulk: Gray book. His presentation style is very unique. He uses a brush to paint broad strokes on the characters, the final effect is reminiscent of Frank Miller and Lynn Varley's art. So imagine if you will that 99% of the game is rendered in Dale Keown's wicked, visceral, style and suddenly you are in a level that looks like a painted comic book.

At first the player may think that the Hulk is just a different color but upon closer inspection they realize that even the polygon model is shaped different, the frame, torso and head are more square and disproportional. That and his skin is actually made up of gray brush strokes.

As long as you're still with me, concerning the comic-shading, may I suggest being able to unlock a Todd McFarlane and Bruce Timm version of the Hulk as secret characters? Mcfarlane's tank-like Hulk was wicked and Bruce Timm actually does a killer Jack Kirby impression of the Hulk. These wouldn't be skins as much as they'd be new Hulk models for the game altogether. But I digress! Back to the game!

The Gray Hulk appears in the middle of a valley. In the distance is Betty Ross, she sees the Hulk and screams. The player cannot jump, run or attack in any way. They can only move the Hulk at a walking pace. When they get close to Betty she screams and runs away. She leads the Hulk around a few turns in the stone valley, with wrecked military vehicles strewn about, the Hulk cannot manage to get any closer to her. He turns into Banner and we are now Bruce Banner trying to catch up to Betty.

Eventually she runs into the arms of General "Thunderbolt" Ross. He orders his men to arrest Banner. The soldiers surround Banner and we must now fight them off before they can arrest him and take him from Betty forever.

The military police trying to arrest Banner have billy clubs but no guns. Their designs are clean and straightforward, classic MP uniforms.

Banner does not have any super powers, however all of the Hulk button combinations work as Banner, only with different results. Instead of a thunderclap, Banner tries to box his opponents ears with a slap to the side of their head. Instead of a clothesline Banner just shoves his opponents away. If the MP surround Banner and jump him, ala the dogpile other characters try on the Hulk, he will fall to the ground and be prone to attacks. However Banner can also crawl out of danger once the soldiers have fallen on top of him. In case you don't know which game. The police can dogpile the main characters in Jet Grind Radio and take them down, however the character can still crawl, get up, and get away. There are no health power-ups in this level. If Banner takes too much damage then he is knocked out and arrested... game over.

As a player the best bet here is to try and take out one opponent at a time. Banner might try pushing a soldier into the burning wreckage of a jeep. If Banner can get a nightstick away from an MP he can also use it. On occasion Rick Jones pops his head up from behind the boulders and cheers Banner on with phrases like "go get 'em doc!" and "watch out!" When Rick yells these things he throws rocks at the MP's. Banner can pick up the rocks and throw them at the soldiers as well.

Eventually Banner has to beat all the soldiers without running out of health himself. When he does so he walks up to Betty and the General. Ross pulls a gun on Banner and says...

CINEMA: "Give yourself up Banner. My daughter wants nothing to do with a milksop like you. Especially now that you've exposed yourself as the real monster." Thunderbolt Ross says.

"Go ahead, shoot. If you wanted to kill me you would have done so a long time ago. You just want to torture me. This isn't going to work, you're not Ross, that's not Betty and this isn't New Mexico. End this illusion, show me your real face." Banner says.

Ross laughs as his skin melts away. Underneath he is Mephisto, the king of the underworld. Betty Ross melts too and turns into Blackheart, the son of Mephisto.

"Forfeit your claim on my wife!" Banner points at Mephisto.

"You can not make demands here." Mephisto says. Blackheart slashes at Banner with his large black claws. Banner yells and collapses at the feet of Mephisto. "Now ask me again, beg if you want."

"Forfeit your claim..." Banner spits up blood as Blackheart kicks him.

"Where is the Hulk? Where is the jade champion of your dimension?" Mephisto laughs and grabs Banner by the face. "You are alone here. Alone in the abyss... and here you are powerless. You will remain so for all-time." Mephisto hisses.

Banner closes his eyes and thinks of the last time he held Betty. His hand over hers, their wedding bands touching. He thinks of their wedding day and can see the small chapel where they were married. They exchange rings and say their vows.

"Those whom God hath joined, let no one put asunder." Says the priest in the memory of Banner.

Bruce opens his eyes and says "Her soul is not yours." Banner struggles to stand. "When we got married... we made a contract with God. For better or worse, in sickness and in health... till death do us part." Banner begins glowing. "She is not dead yet..."

"Silence!" Mephisto says. Blackheart steps back from the light surrounding Banner.

"She was poisoned... but she is not dead. You cannot kill her... and you cannot kill me either." Banner begins walking toward Mephisto. "You cannot break our contract with God and you know it! You just wanted me to give up on Betty, to give her over to you?" He touches Mephisto and begins burning his flesh. Mephisto slaps the hand of Banner away and clutches his chest. "Forfeit your claim!"

"No." Mephisto hisses.

Banner turns and points at Blackheart. "Forfeit your claim!" Blackheart places a hand over his glowing eyes and steps back. Banner begins shining brighter.

"Enough!" Mephisto says. "I cease... I cease all claims on her soul... but neither of you will live forever... I will be waiting."

"I'll be ready." Says Banner before he disappears.

Now do you guys know why I said this would be the most controversial level? Religion in comic books are taboo. For some funny reason though most of the major characters have gotten married (in a non-denominational church) at some point in their history. Bruce and Betty actually got married in a Catholic church, Betty even became a nun for a while. Bruce was also the best man at Rick Jones and Marlo Chandler's wedding. Mephisto interfered at Rick's wedding and the Hulk couldn't touch his demonic powers. However when the Hulk pointed out that Mephisto was trespassing on holy ground and that the almighty would contest Mephisto's gripes he suddenly began glowing. At that point he could have put a beat-down on Mephisto but instead the big red demon left in an angry puff of smoke.

Although this is the only time we actually play as Banner in the game I wanted it to mean something. In the first Hulk game by Radical we played a little too much as Banner, this was the major complaint from gamers and reviewers. In this game the Hulk has faced physical challenges of all shapes and sizes. He is now at the point where he has to stand up to magical and demonic challenges as well. Mephisto could have made a prison for the Hulk that was fueled by his own rage. These metaphysical monsters have to be outsmarted rather than fought by brute force. That is why Banner has to see past the illusion and fight for his wife by using his head. By stepping out of his green skin Banner proves to the player that he too is willing to risk everything to save Betty. Standing up to Mephisto and Blackheart as a human defines courage. Is this courage enough to see Betty brought back to life?

Those that have been reading so far I thank you. If you are a Hulk fan, or just a comic book fan in general then I suggest picking up these two trade paperbacks, Tempest Fugit and Hulk Gray. They were the books that put the spark into my big game idea. Without them I certainly would not have thought of how to give Banner and Betty some redemption. The books aren't very long and they won't cost you much money so please pick them up and give them a read, you won't be disappointed.

Do you enjoy the progress with the game 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!