THQ demoed a bunch of games at its holiday 2010 press event a few weeks ago, but the one that I stared at for almost an hour was Marvel Superhero Squad 2. It’s the company’s second game based on the animated series, and is every bit as bright and adorable as you’d expect chibi superheroes to be.
This game picks up exactly where the second season of the TV show ended. Thanos’ is on the hunt for Infinity Stones to add to his gauntlet and tear up the universe, so it’s the Superhero Squad’s job to stop him. There are 13 playable heroes including Iron Man, Hulk, Wolverine, Thor, Falcon and Scarlet Witch. There are a ton of villains thrown in the mix, too. All of them were voiced by the show’s cast – with a few celebrity cameos thrown in for the mix (John O’Hurley as the Grand Master made me smile). That tip of the hat to the show’s audience should go a long way to keeping them engaged in the game.
Primarily for 1 or 2 players at any given time (except for certain challenges, which allow up to 4 players), the gameplay was basically grab and smash. Puzzle elements have been added into the platform and adventure elements from the previous game, increasing the involvement of the player and the overall challenge of the levels as well. The first two were designed to teach players the basics of the game –attacking, blocking, switching characters to solve puzzles – while later levels built on those skills. Each character has a specific power move they can use once they charge their meters.
Trophy hunters will find little here. Collecting shards unlocks levels and alternate costumes (Iron Man can wear War Machine’s outfit, Hulk becomes Red Hulk, etc), but not much else. Character packs and additional levels will be offered as downloadable content, but it won’t be a major focus of the game.
Marvel Superhero Squad 2′s humor is very much for kids, even though I was greatly entertained (though chibi Thanos and Wolverine would entertain anybody). It will be available for the PS3, Xbox 360, Wii, and DS by the end of the year.
