The Big Game Idea: Level 6 Middle - A 1UP classic from Oct 25, 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.

There's no news today people. Just another mad update from the wishing well.

CINEMA: Giant-Man is knocked unconscious. Suddenly an invisible pulse pushes the Maestro into the ground. The force of which creates a crater. The Maestro rolls to his back and can see Tony Stark flying in wearing his "Hulkbuster" Iron Man armor. He moves just before the heavy suit stomps his head.

Level 6 Middle
Location: New York downtown.
Objective: Defeat Tony Stark, the Iron Man.
Learn: To bait opponents into a skyscraper and collapse it on them.
Unlock: Robot Hulk for game + mode.
Level Design: We are still in the heart of the city. Giant-Man is in the background, lying in the ruins of a building. Players can run up his torso and jump to taller buildings. Iron Man is as fast as any of the Maestro's other opponents, stronger than most but can fly and shoot blasts of energy and missiles. The Hulkbuster armor is far more durable than the combat armor the military uses. Despite it's size it is also stronger than the massive robots the military uses. As the level progresses the sky turns from blue to gray and eventually it starts raining.

While the suit is bigger and stronger than any previous Iron Man armor, by no means is it indestructible. Tony Stark does his best to keep the Maestro at a distance with his energy blasts. When the Maestro gets in close to fight Tony actually can go toe-to-toe with him as if he were the Juggernaut. If the Maestro manages to grab Tony then he'll fly through the city and try knocking him into a building.

A strategy that can be used here is to bait Tony into following the Maestro into one of the tunnels created by hitting the walls on the skyscrapers. If he follows the Maestro can knock out the back side and cause the rest of the building to collapse on him. The armor generates a shield to keep the Maestro away but damage from a falling building can quickly take down that barrier. The Maestro can regenerate his health if he gets hurt but not the Iron Man. This is also a good level for the player to toss tanks at Iron Man or deflect their shells into his path. The level is over when the Maestro damages the Hulkbuster enough to cause Tony Stark to eject and fly away with his smaller Iron Man armor.

This level, like the previous is a chance for players to see how a battle between the Maestro and the Avengers would really go down. I have nothing against a game like Marvel Ultimate Alliance which features most of the Avengers but it is unrealistic to see characters like Iron Man doing the same amount of damage with a physical attack as Spider-Man. Or to have a bolt from Iron Man's energy cannons do an equivalent amount of damage as a web shooter. Which is why I prefer titles that focus on player-controlled action rather than Diablo-style mechanics.

This is also the first level reward that would be a new Hulk model for the game + mode. The Mecha/Robot Hulk was created by the Gremlin, a deformed super-genius and son of the original Gargoyle (both Russian spies). The robot Hulk toy featured above was designed by my favorite US comic book artist, Arthur Adams. I think it would be a perfect counter to Keown's Hulk designs for this game. The Robot Hulk wouldn't have all the same powers as the Hulk but variations of them. Instead of a directional thunderclap the Robot Hulk would shoot a missile out of his chest. Instead of a rage meter he would have a meltdown bar, where if he doesn't release radiation via the mega attacks then he'll explode. Use your imagination and think about the replay value with this robotic colossus.

Have you ever wanted to fight against Iron Man in a game? What other character do you think could take him in a fistfight? 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!