Marvel Super Hero Squad: The Infinity Gauntlet PS3 Review

Publisher – THQ – Developer – Griptonite Games – Genre –  Action – Players – 1-2 – Age Rating – 7+ – Other console/handheld formats – Xbox 360, Wii, DS

The Super Hero Squad Show is a TV series inspired by a line of action figures called the Marvel Super Hero Squad. Both have shrunken down Marvel’s most iconic heroes and villains and the show has a light hearted tone, none of which is likely to impress many long time Marvel fans.

Those that are unfamiliar with the cartoon and are expecting something along the lines of the comics will be disappointed with how childish everything is in Marvel Super Hero Squad: The Infinity Gauntlet. Up on seeing the super deformed versions of the characters, it’s obvious that this is not a serious take on Marvel’s properties. For some it will be charming and amusing, however many fans of the comic giant will dislike what has been done to their beloved characters and universes.

The visuals are not without charm, though are nothing the PS2 couldn't pull off, and without breaking a sweat too.

The Infinity Gauntlet is clearly inspired by Traveller’s Tales’ LEGO games, which, as far as children’s games go, isn’t a bad blueprint. The game consists of combat, light puzzle solving, item collecting and it’s also focused on co-op play.

Some will be disappointed that the co-op play is just playable locally, particularly if they have no one else to play with. It’s a game built around co-op to the extent that it can sometimes be painful to play it alone. For instance, with puzzles that require the abilities of both characters the AI is lazy and will just stand there, forcing you to take charge of them to do their part yourself. It results in some of the bigger puzzles becoming tedious and, in more ways than one, The Infinity Gauntlet is definitely a more pleasant experience when played in co-op.

Far from having a seemingly endless move set to play with, combat is simple and bereft of depth.  Characters have just a handful of moves, a physical attack, a ranged attack and their own unique special move, of which is useful for dealing with multiple enemies. It’s all very rudimentary, but is nonetheless functional and enjoyable in a switch your brain off sort of way.

The puzzles almost never do much in terms of taxing the mind either, but do grant some welcome variation to the game. With these you’ll make use of a character’s ability, for instance Iron Man’s technical abilities can be used to hack into computers, whilst the Invisible Woman can levitate objects and Hulk can smash things to pieces.

In the main story, you’re not able to choose your character, but there is a Freeplay Mode, where you’re able to revisit levels, with any other unlocked characters, making use of their abilities to gain access to new areas of a stage.

Up on seeing this and any other screen of the game, some Marvel devotees will be left in a Hulk like rage.

There’s also a Challenge Mode, playable for up to 4 players. It lifts the mini games from the story mode and adds a competitive element to them. Whilst they work well enough to mix things up a bit in the story mode, here they feel little more than throwaway fun, hardly a reason to be still playing the game for weeks after completion.

For many that enjoy Traveller’s Tales LEGO games, Marvel Super Hero Squad: The Infinity Gauntlet should hold some appeal. It doesn’t have the vast choice of characters and as much of a personality as those titles, so it’s not quite on the same level, but nonetheless it remains as an entertaining game while it lasts, all the more so if you’re a fan of the cartoon series.

7/10

Leave a reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *