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 we're getting back up to speed with the game idea. We are quickly approaching the end, let's hear what you think of this level.
CINEMA: The Maestro has the Fantastic Four beaten, he begins walking toward the fallen heroes."Nice trick Invisible Girl." The Fantastic Four disappear before the Maestro can reach them. He looks up to the sky and can see Franklin Richards hovering above.
"I took them away. I won't let you hurt my family any more." Says the young Franklin. He waves his hands and vanishes. Just then a giant boot kicks the Maestro through a skyscraper.
"The city has been evacuated Banner. There's no reason for me to hold back now." Giant-Man says as he begins running at the Maestro.
Level 6 Beginning
Location: New York downtown.
Objective: Defeat Giant-Man.
Learn: How to knock skyscrapers onto opponents.
Unlock: Classic comic book gallery
Level Design: We are finally in the heart of the Big Apple. We can actually visit the Baxter Building, home of the Fantastic Four, Daily Bugle, Timely Plaza and Stark Tower. In the distance we can see the Avengers tower, the UN and other famous comic book and New York landmarks. All of the famous comic book landmarks have automated weapons and shields protecting them. So if the Maestro tries to run up a building and demolish it he will be met with missile and energy weapon fire. This location is going to be the holding place for the Avengers as they make their stand against the Maestro. There are still soldiers stationed on the edges of the city along with field generators to keep the battle from going any further out.
Imagine the best portions of big city levels from other comic book games. What was it that you remember? The attention to detail? The reflections off of the windows? The weather and lighting effects? The scale of the buildings? Traffic and pedestrians? Well, except for the pedestrians, all of those things come back in this level. Some of the buildings have glass textures which simply refract light, however some skyscrapers have mirror textures that reflect the characters in the level, this little detail was missing in many super hero games but it's here every time the main characters run past these buildings.
Giant-Man starts off at 25 feet tall and over the course of the battle he doubles in height. Despite his height the Giant-Man moves and reacts quickly. Giant-Man moves much faster than Giganto by comparison. If he spots the Maestro on the ground he will run up and kick him. If the Maestro tries to jump at him he can grab him and throw him either into the ground or through a building. Giant-Man can even jump small buildings, climb larger ones and turn corners quickly while chasing the Maestro. The Maestro is only faster than Giant-Man when he is jumping away.
Similar to the fight against Giganto, the Maestro has to target Giant-Man's joints and take them out to slow him down and drop him. The Maestro can run up the buildings and bounce off of them for attacks. If the Giant-Man has his back to the player then the Maestro can jump at him without being swatted. Players learn that they can damage the ground floors on buildings and cause them to collapse in a direction. Combine these attacks to a fallen Giant-Man and the battle will soon be over.
As you can imagine this level is another one inspired by Shadow of the Colossus. The differences being the time in which it's set in and a giant of a boss that runs and reacts faster than any colossus in Fumito Ueda's game. How would you like to see Giant-Man chase the Maestro, swat him like a bug and taunt him the entire time? Or see him jump and climb skyscrapers as if they were ladders? I envision this level as turning into a fan-favorite as the camera stays tight on the Maestro but the target lock can scroll over his shoulder and allow us to spot Giant-Man in our peripheral vision, chasing us and smiling the entire time.
In the opening cinema we see Franklin Richards, he is the son of Reed Richards and Sue Storm. He is possibly the most powerful character in the Marvel universe. He has the ability to alter reality, others like the Scarlet Witch, Magik and the Phoenix have had similar powers and abilities. When Franklin matures he may surpass them all. While he was being trained to control his powers at Charles Xavier's School for Gifted Children, Franklin had some nightmares about the Hulk (Hulk Annual 97). The nightmares are a vision of the future. Sooner or later Franklin and the Hulk will have to cross paths in the comic books. However is this the last time we see him in the game?
What do you think about the Maestro taking on Giant Man in a downtown NY city? Tell me in the comments section. As always if you enjoyed this blog, and would like to sponsor me
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