SUPER HERO SQUAD…..HERO UP!!!!

PREVIEW

Super Hero Squad Online (PC, MAC….)

Developer: The Amazing Society/Gazillion Entertainment

Publisher: Gazillion Entertainment

Release Date:  Early 2011

Who’s a Marvel Comics fan…..practically almost everyone that has EVER read a comic book or seen the blockbuster movies, like Iron Man, Spider Man and the HULK. So what is the Super Hero Squad you might ask? Well this is Marvel’s take on the Avengers (a collective of Marvel super heroes that consist of Captain America, Iron Man, Hulk, Thor, etc) but with a younger style and feel for an easy introduction to the Marvel Universe for those that have never picked up a comic book  or those that don’t know the lore of all the Marvel characters.

Super Hero Squad Online is a browser based MMO that runs on the Unity Engine. This title has been in development since last year and is slated to drop early 2011. You might be thinking that the development cycle has been relatively short for an MMO…..and you’re right. However game play looks really smooth and the characters look rich and polished. Developers at The Amazing Society (gotta admit…that just sounds BAD ASS!), are a collective of gaming industry veterans that bring big passion to this project. Jay Minn aka Doctor Aggro (yes Doctor Aggro…the team all have nicknames for themselves) gave us a quick preview and run through of the game and was also nice enough to talk to me about it.

The characters all have this vinyl toy look, which actually works well and gives the game a campy and fun feel to the game. The game brings a collecting concept that gives players the ability to collect as many characters as they can. This is quite a feat because players will be able access over 5,000 characters from Marvel’s extensive catalog! Like a typical MMO, players have to level up their characters. Each character comes with about 25 standard emote actions right out the box….(that’s just the minimum) and the game ships with about 50 characters to begin with. Part of them are what they call “Super Hero” emotes, which are character specific.

More after the Jump:

Players can explore the different settings and move vertically and horizontally throughout the environment. Settings of Marvel worlds range from but not limited to: Spider Man, Fantastic Four and Super Hero city (Super Hero City is like a mélange of a lot of the Marvel Superhero cities all in one). Gameplay is more action based and less turn based, unlike most MMOs. Combat missions will allow up to 4 players per squad.  Plus the different game modes would be: competition, collection and community. Each level of play is designed to be about 5-15 mins of play, which keeps the game fresh and exciting. This helps remove the long monotonous grinding feel most MMOs tend to have after a while. All the rounds are replayable, especially with different squad combos. In addition, each round has ratings for players that range from Silver to Adamantium. The game rates based off damage taken, KOs, combos executed, etc.

Now what would all MMO players want in their game? Alternative costumes of course! Super Hero Squad Online delivers that as well….with a little twist! The alternate costumes are really variant characters. For example, Hulk buster Iron Man or Wolverine. These variant characters come with brand new sets of combos and moves……the new costumes is a plus! =)

Well Gazillion and The Amazing Society are looking to unveil more during E3 so check back for more info when it drops. For now, if the game stays on track and the developers are able to integrate and utilize everything that they want, this game will be GREAT and take on (and possibly destroy) the competition in that space. I’m not a big MMO guy…ok…not at all…but I am actually looking forward to having hands on with this one!

Check out the Screens: