Screenshot
No.1
Screenshot No.2
Screenshot No.3
SCENE
GENRE
GRAPHICS
SOUND
PLAYABILITY
VALUE
OPINION
REVIEW
INDEX |
| Setting
the Scene |
Come
on, own up! All those who said that the PSX was only good for 3D
beat-em-ups. All those who said that the PSX could not handle
whopping great 2D sprites. Yeah, nobody will admit it now but there
have been numerous reports from disbelievers over the last twelve
months claiming just these points, but Capcom have made these
critics eat their words by producing an almost perfect version of
the arcade smash Marvel Super Heroes.
|
| Genre |
This
is a coin-op-conversion that features some well, and not so
well-known Marvel characters who partake in series of one-on-one
battles to decide the ultimate comic book hero.
|
| Graphics |
Most of your favorite Marvel characters perform their skills in
front of a selection of stunning flat backdrops. Some of the scenery
has a fair amount of movement going on which occasionally catches
your eye and provides a slight distraction. Giant eagles swoop
across the screen, a battle torn New York setting is alive with
broken electric cables and moving mechanical parts while a body slam
from the gi-normous Juggernaut sees sections of a rickety old bridge
collapse under the strain.
Every whack, biff, sock and kaaa-pow is rewarded with forceful
animation depicting the action using vibrant colors and stunning
effects. The power and speed of each attack is exaggerated to the
umpteenth degree, in fact it's a comic book battle coming to life in
front of your very eyes.
Each of the characters have been meticulously animated. Every
muscle on the body of the Incredible Hulk has been lined and shaded,
highlighting his tremendous power, with fists the size of
sledgehammers. Even his shorts have been ripped to shreds during his
transformation into the large green beast.
Spider-man is as agile as his comic counterpart, casting his web
into the far corners of the screen before launching his wide range
of acrobatic attacks.
Where Juggernaut lacks in speed he most certainly gains in weight,
throwing his enormous body around the set to land on his foe with
more power than an avalanche.
Captain America wears his stars and stripes costume with pride
launching his boomerang shield around the screen with great effect.
Wolverine is an X-Man mutant with claws longer than a Hollywood
bitch. Similar to the comic character he has accelerated healing
powers and moves at lighting speed making him a difficult opponent
to face.
Iron Man is armed with some mighty impressive weapons such as a
piercing beam that comes from his chest and a pair of cannons that
double up as his arms.
Psylocke is the curvaceous sister of Captain Britain. She can
teleport around the screen before popping up to attack the enemy
with her martial art skills.
Shuma-Gorath occasionally appeared with Dr Strange. Basically a
one-eyed purple squid who can alter his form into many advantageous
shapes.
The floating Magneto and the ghostly Blackheart complete the ten
available characters within Marvel Super Heroes.
|
| Sounds
and Effects |
Every
swish, bang and crash from the arcade classic has been accurately
converted onto the PSX version, while each character throws in a few
words every now and then such as "Showtime", "Unstoppable",
"Freedom" or "Come on".
The background music has that arcady feel to it which is hardly
ground breaking but perfectly acceptable.
|
| Playability |
The
gameplay follows the familiar routine where you are offered a choice
to take part in the single player Arcade mode or a two player Versus
contest. The two player mode allows you and a mate to battle it out
by each selecting one of the ten available characters and then
adjusting the handicap bar to ensure a fair fight. You must then
decide if the battle is to be fought using Normal or Turbo speed.
Once the desired number of rounds has been won it's back to the
character select screen to line up another contest.
The single player game uses a 'winner stays on' system of play.
Select your preferred fighter and prepare to work your way through
all nine other contestants. Should you fail at any hurdle you are
returned to the initial screen to re-select your character. Conquer
all of your opponents and the ultra hard bosses Dr Doom and Thanos
are waiting to bring you straight back down to earth.
A quick visit to the options screen allows you to adjust the
difficulty setting, decide on the time limit, choose the number of
rounds for each contest and configurate your control pad. Turbo
speed may also be adjusted.
Attacks are performed with three kick buttons and three punch
buttons while every fighter has their own unique selection of
special moves which are unveiled by pressing the correct combination
of buttons. Backing off from your attacker puts the fighter in
defensive mode. Combos aside, every character has one really special
move called an Infinity Move which if performed correctly will
inflict multiple damage on your foe. Should you hit the correct
buttons the screen will darken as your fighter receives a small
charge-up. Now it's only a matter of laying the first punch before
all shit breaks loose with an unstoppable lethal combination of
strikes that rain down on your opponent, severly damaging their
health bar.
I thought that the inclusion of Infinity Gems gave Marvel Super
Heroes an extra edge over it's 2D rivals. Both fighters begin with
three gems each and depending on how successful your attacks are,
you can grab gems from your opponent and add them to your own
collection. The gems you possess are displayed below your fighter
and may be called upon by pressing the relevant combination of
buttons. This extra power will only last for a few seconds therefore
speed is of the essence. Should you lose any of the gems during a
battle they will fall to the floor and picked up by whoever walks
over them. The gems are Power - which increases the strength of
attack. Time - which boosts your speed. Space - increases defensive
power. Mind - recovers energy. Soul- enhances your health bar.
Reality - enhances your character with fantastic new powers.
|
| Value
for Money |
If
you are a fan of the Marvel arcade smash then you probably already
own this title which has been around for a few months now. Newcomers
will find this game irresistible as it's so easy to pick up and play
while proving impossible to put down. It has ample characters to
select from, bright colorful graphics and a multiple of hidden
moves.
|
| Opinion |
| MARTIN |
|
|
|
|
| GRAPHICS: |
18/20 |
Marvel
Super Heroes must rank as the best 2D fighting game on any console
and will be an excellent addition to the growing library of quality
beat-em-ups available on the Playstation. |
| SOUND: |
9/10 |
| PLAYABILITY: |
44/50 |
| VALUE: |
16/20 |
| OVERALL
|
87% |
|
