Review of LEGO Marvel Super Heroes - PS3
Released in 2013, LEGO Marvel Super Heroes is an action-adventure game developed by TT Games and published by Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment for the PlayStation 3. It brings together the beloved LEGO game formula with the expansive world of Marvel superheroes, allowing players to control a variety of iconic characters from the Marvel Universe. Known for its humor, engaging gameplay, and expansive roster of heroes and villains, LEGO Marvel Super Heroes is an excellent title for both LEGO and Marvel fans alike.
Story and Setting
LEGO Marvel Super Heroes takes place in a LEGO-fied version of the Marvel Universe, where players can explore a variety of locations, from New York City to outer space. The story begins with the villainous Galactus threatening to consume Earth, and the heroes must come together to stop him. Along the way, players encounter a slew of other Marvel villains, including Loki, Magneto, Doctor Doom, and Red Skull, who all try to stop the heroes in their tracks.
The story is fun, lighthearted, and humorous, consistent with the tone of other LEGO games. The narrative serves as a backdrop for the gameplay rather than the focal point, but it is still entertaining, especially with the numerous comic-book-inspired references and moments of banter between the heroes. The games lighthearted take on the Marvel Universe ensures it remains family-friendly, with plenty of jokes, slapstick humor, and moments that will appeal to both kids and adult fans of Marvel.
Gameplay
LEGO Marvel Super Heroes combines classic LEGO game mechanics with the fast-paced action of the Marvel superheroes. The game offers both single-player and cooperative multiplayer, allowing you to play with friends or family.
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Core Mechanics: The gameplay follows the familiar formula found in other LEGO games, where players control characters in an action-adventure environment, solving puzzles, collecting LEGO pieces, and battling enemies. The game is a mix of platforming, puzzle-solving, and combat, with a strong emphasis on character-switching to overcome various obstacles. As in previous LEGO titles, there are hidden collectibles and challenges to find in each level, providing replayability and incentive to explore.
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Character Variety: One of the highlights of LEGO Marvel Super Heroes is the massive roster of characters. The game features over 150 playable characters from the Marvel Universe, including fan favorites like Spider-Man, Iron Man, Captain America, Thor, Hulk, Black Widow, Wolverine, and many others. Each character has their own unique abilities that help solve specific puzzles and defeat enemies. For example, Iron Man can fly and shoot lasers, while the Hulk can smash through walls, and Spider-Man can use his web-slinging abilities to navigate through certain areas.
The game does a great job of making each character feel unique, and switching between them on the fly is a key mechanic. Youll need to use the right combination of characters to complete objectives, adding variety and depth to the gameplay. The sheer number of playable characters means that players can experiment with different playstyles and combinations to find their preferred heroes.
- Combat and Exploration: Combat in LEGO Marvel Super Heroes is simple but satisfying. Players use basic melee attacks and special abilities, with many characters having unique powers or weapons. The game allows for both close-range and ranged combat, with many of the powers being visually spectacular and fun to use.
Exploration is another key aspect of the game, with New York City serving as the central hub of the game. The open-world setting is vibrant and full of side missions, collectibles, and challenges. Players can freely roam around the city, interacting with NPCs, fighting enemies, and collecting LEGO studs to unlock new characters and abilities. The city is a joy to explore, and the game does a great job of making the environment feel alive with dynamic elements like traffic, pedestrians, and weather effects.
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Puzzles and Platforming: The game includes a wide variety of puzzles, which require the use of specific characters' abilities. These range from building structures with LEGO pieces to activating switches, breaking objects, and more. The puzzles are generally straightforward, but some require a bit of creativity and planning to complete. The game also features platforming elements, such as jumping across gaps, climbing walls, and avoiding traps, which add a nice variety to the gameplay.
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Co-op Mode: The cooperative multiplayer mode is a great addition, allowing two players to team up and tackle the story and side missions together. The games split-screen mode makes it easy to play with a friend, and the cooperative gameplay encourages teamwork as players can work together to solve puzzles and defeat enemies. The friendly, family-oriented design of the game makes it a great option for co-op play with children or casual gamers.
Length and Replayability
The games story mode is fairly lengthy, taking approximately 10-12 hours to complete, depending on how much time is spent exploring and solving puzzles. However, the real replay value comes from the large number of side missions, collectibles, and challenges scattered throughout the game. With over 150 characters to unlock and the vast, open-world New York City to explore, theres a ton of content to enjoy even after the main story is finished.
The game encourages players to go back and replay missions with newly unlocked characters, which opens up additional ways to solve puzzles and explore previously inaccessible areas. The game also features a variety of optional objectives, such as collecting hidden LEGO bricks and completing challenges, which further boosts its replayability.
Final Thoughts
LEGO Marvel Super Heroes is a delightful action-adventure game that combines the charm and humor of LEGO with the excitement and depth of the Marvel Universe. Its a game thats enjoyable for players of all ages, offering a mix of fun combat, clever puzzles, and exploration. The massive roster of playable characters, vibrant open-world settings, and cooperative gameplay make it a must-play for both LEGO fans and Marvel enthusiasts. While the story may not be groundbreaking, the sheer amount of content, character variety, and lighthearted tone ensure that it remains engaging throughout.
Pros:
- Massive roster of over 150 playable Marvel characters
- Fun combat and creative use of characters unique abilities
- Engaging open-world exploration with New York City as the central hub
- Family-friendly, with plenty of humor and charm
- Great cooperative multiplayer mode
- Excellent graphics and sound design
Cons:
- Story is light and doesnt delve deeply into Marvel lore
- Some puzzles can feel a bit too simple for experienced players
- A few technical hiccups, such as occasional camera issues
Rating: 8.5/10
LEGO Marvel Super Heroes is an enjoyable, charming, and accessible game that offers plenty of content and fun for both casual and hardcore gamers alike. Its combination of LEGO humor and Marvel superheroes creates an entertaining experience thats well worth playing.
