I'm still on a bit of a superhero rant here and since I came off the 'Marvel Ultimate Alliance' series, it gave me an opportunity to review another game that had similar capabilities, though ultimately underperformed. That game was 'Justice League Heroes'.
Developed by Snowblind Studios and published by Warner Bros. Games, 'Justice League Heroes' has a similar set up that ultimately had little to no pop. It tried to copy off of the popular multiplayer function that 'X-Men Legends' and 'Marvel Ultimate Alliance' had at the time and didn't really do much of it. However, the storyline does have some interesting traits to it, since it is written by the late Dwayne McDuffie, a veteran comic book writer and one of the lead writers in the 'Justice League of America' animated show.
Does this game have a story that can make up for its crappy gamplay? Time to find out. Lets fly right into 'Justice League Heroes'.
(...and we have our Justice League for the game)
The story begins after a meteorite crashes into earth and leaves a mysterious stone, which is soon confiscated by S.T.A.R. labs. Some time after, Superman and Batman are called into Metropolis to stop a rampage of robots. Apparently, the set-up was done by Braniac, an advanced Kryptonian AI who seeks only power and knowledge. It has planned in advanced to set up separate bodies to distract the heroes. After Superman and Batman defeat one of Braniac's bodies, they realize they both have been duped. Through video footage, they learn that Braniac has stolen the mysterious rock, as well as some Kryptonian DNA, with Batman refering to is as 'Superman's old sparring partner'.
Back at the Watchtower, the Martian Manhunter and Zatanna head to Metropolis to put an end to the robot threat. However, they also realize that it is a ruse. They learn of a villain called Queen Bee converting humans into mindless drones for her hive. Naturally, the heroes beat the villainess, but the rest of the Justice League discover that the entire communications grid is offline. The Green Lantern and Flash head off to a communications relay near Russia, discovering that whatever is blocking the communications grid is there.
Both of the heroes have an encounter with the villain called the Key, who used his technology to open portals to other dimensions, like one filled with dangerous mushroom men. Meanwhile, Batman has done some separate investigation of his own, learning that a nuclear missile has been launched at a site and find the villainess Killer Frost. He ends up retreating when he encounters several of Killer Frost's ice minions. Back at the communications relay, Green Lantern and Flash manage to stop the Key and get the communications grid back online. In another part of the world, a Braniac robot frees Gorilla Grodd and lets him take control of Gorilla City as a means of a distraction.
Back at the Watchtower, the heroes realize that the nuclear missile has been launched, but is heading for orbit instead. As they try to learn what its trying to do, Wonder Woman and Zatanna join up with Batman to put down Killer Frost. The heroines manage to stop other missiles from being launch, as well as capturing Killer Frost in the act. Meanwhile, the rest of the Justice League learn that the missile that was fired was retro-fitted to enable space flight, letting it fly to its destination: Mars, or more specifically, where the White Martians are being held.
Superman and the Martian Manhunter deal with in the incoming White Martian assault, while Flash, Green Lantern, Batman and Zatanna deal with the situation in Gorilla City. Superman and the Martian Manhunter are able to stop most of the White Martians and put them back into a hibernated state, but are knocked out themselves in the process. A Braniac drone appears and 'thanks' them for their assistance, stealing pieces of White Martian tech for his own uses. Back in Gorilla City, the heroes manage to stop Gorilla Grodd's plans and free the rest of the gorillas from his mind control.
With the White Martian fleet reaching close to Earth orbit, Wonder Woman does her best to stop it by herself. Thankfully, Superman arrives on the scene to lend her a hand, while the Martian Manhunter has returned to to the Watchtower to deal with a possible intruder. While the White Martian fleet has been stopped, the Martian Manhunter gets knocked out by Doomsday, a powerful monster who had killed Superman in the past. While only a clone of the real monster, this Doomsday manages to commendeer the whole Watchtower for some purpose.
The remaining Justice Leaguers regroup in a backup base on the moon, set up by Batman (guy thinks WAY ahead of everybody). The group splits up into 3 teams: one to take care of the Watchtower defenses, another to rescue the Martian Manhunter and the last to fight Doomsday. The Justice League is successful, but not before Braniac steals a device known as the Mother Box, a computer with a very advanced AI and incredible power. Surprisingly, the Mother Box manages to send out a traceable energy signature leading directly to Braniac's main HQ.
The leaguers transport to the HQ, splitting up in hopes of stopping Braniac's plans. Eventually, they reach Braniac who, of course, gets into a fight with the heroes and loses. While Braniac tries to get a second wind, his body breaks down...somehow and its essence is used to reform Darkseid, a powerful god-like being who was trapped in that rock prison some time before the story. He uses his Omega Beams to thoroughly annihilate most of the leaguers except Superman, whom he decides to keep prisoner and let him watch as Darkseid turns the planet Earth into a hellish landscape.
However, the rest of the heroes arrive in an alternate dimension, alive and well. Though split up, the heroes manage to regroup back at the watchtower through a teleporter in that same dimension. Through careful deduction, they realize that the Mother Box helped send them to that other dimension, not only to escape with their lives, but also for the Green Lantern to absorb some special energy to protect the heroes from the Omega Beams. A bit of searching lets them track down where Superman is being kept, planning to free him first before confronting Darkseid himself.
With Superman back with the Justice League, the heroes attacked Darkseid in his throne room. As Darkseid gloats that nothing could stop him, the heroes use Wonder Woman's Lasso of Truth to force him to give the heroes a way to stop him. Using the same power that imprisoned Darkseid, the heroes are able to return the Earth to normal and put Darkseid back into his prison. Finally, the world was at peace once more, thanks to the Justice League.
So how was Justice League Heroes? Kinda so and so. Story does a good job of getting a basic plot across and the climax is pretty exciting once it starts. However, characters seem a bit bland at times and could use a bit more pep. Gameplay-wise, I don't get why it allowed only 2 heroes to play at a time, while X-Men Legends and Marvel Ultimate Alliance allowed 4 player cooperative play. Overall, Justice League Heroes was okay. Nothing to spectacular or crappy, just enough to get in a good run through or two.
Until next time...
Actually, for a special treat, here are some videos showing the different cutscenes in the game, cut and put together to create a full movie of sorts.
Justice League Heroes was developed by Snowblind Studios
Thanks to schetter and Batmitey for the Youtube videos
Back at the Watchtower, the heroes realize that the nuclear missile has been launched, but is heading for orbit instead. As they try to learn what its trying to do, Wonder Woman and Zatanna join up with Batman to put down Killer Frost. The heroines manage to stop other missiles from being launch, as well as capturing Killer Frost in the act. Meanwhile, the rest of the Justice League learn that the missile that was fired was retro-fitted to enable space flight, letting it fly to its destination: Mars, or more specifically, where the White Martians are being held.
Superman and the Martian Manhunter deal with in the incoming White Martian assault, while Flash, Green Lantern, Batman and Zatanna deal with the situation in Gorilla City. Superman and the Martian Manhunter are able to stop most of the White Martians and put them back into a hibernated state, but are knocked out themselves in the process. A Braniac drone appears and 'thanks' them for their assistance, stealing pieces of White Martian tech for his own uses. Back in Gorilla City, the heroes manage to stop Gorilla Grodd's plans and free the rest of the gorillas from his mind control.
With the White Martian fleet reaching close to Earth orbit, Wonder Woman does her best to stop it by herself. Thankfully, Superman arrives on the scene to lend her a hand, while the Martian Manhunter has returned to to the Watchtower to deal with a possible intruder. While the White Martian fleet has been stopped, the Martian Manhunter gets knocked out by Doomsday, a powerful monster who had killed Superman in the past. While only a clone of the real monster, this Doomsday manages to commendeer the whole Watchtower for some purpose.
The remaining Justice Leaguers regroup in a backup base on the moon, set up by Batman (guy thinks WAY ahead of everybody). The group splits up into 3 teams: one to take care of the Watchtower defenses, another to rescue the Martian Manhunter and the last to fight Doomsday. The Justice League is successful, but not before Braniac steals a device known as the Mother Box, a computer with a very advanced AI and incredible power. Surprisingly, the Mother Box manages to send out a traceable energy signature leading directly to Braniac's main HQ.
The leaguers transport to the HQ, splitting up in hopes of stopping Braniac's plans. Eventually, they reach Braniac who, of course, gets into a fight with the heroes and loses. While Braniac tries to get a second wind, his body breaks down...somehow and its essence is used to reform Darkseid, a powerful god-like being who was trapped in that rock prison some time before the story. He uses his Omega Beams to thoroughly annihilate most of the leaguers except Superman, whom he decides to keep prisoner and let him watch as Darkseid turns the planet Earth into a hellish landscape.
However, the rest of the heroes arrive in an alternate dimension, alive and well. Though split up, the heroes manage to regroup back at the watchtower through a teleporter in that same dimension. Through careful deduction, they realize that the Mother Box helped send them to that other dimension, not only to escape with their lives, but also for the Green Lantern to absorb some special energy to protect the heroes from the Omega Beams. A bit of searching lets them track down where Superman is being kept, planning to free him first before confronting Darkseid himself.
With Superman back with the Justice League, the heroes attacked Darkseid in his throne room. As Darkseid gloats that nothing could stop him, the heroes use Wonder Woman's Lasso of Truth to force him to give the heroes a way to stop him. Using the same power that imprisoned Darkseid, the heroes are able to return the Earth to normal and put Darkseid back into his prison. Finally, the world was at peace once more, thanks to the Justice League.
So how was Justice League Heroes? Kinda so and so. Story does a good job of getting a basic plot across and the climax is pretty exciting once it starts. However, characters seem a bit bland at times and could use a bit more pep. Gameplay-wise, I don't get why it allowed only 2 heroes to play at a time, while X-Men Legends and Marvel Ultimate Alliance allowed 4 player cooperative play. Overall, Justice League Heroes was okay. Nothing to spectacular or crappy, just enough to get in a good run through or two.
Until next time...
Actually, for a special treat, here are some videos showing the different cutscenes in the game, cut and put together to create a full movie of sorts.
Justice League Heroes was developed by Snowblind Studios
Thanks to schetter and Batmitey for the Youtube videos
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