Superhero videogames have a real hit-or-miss history. While titles like Batman: Arkham City absolutely reinvigorated the genre, the lure of the quickly produced, movie tie-in will often doom a comic-book themed game from the onset. So, when Marvel recently started displaying teaser images of what appeared to be an Avengers mobile game -- the apprehension factor was a bit high.
After a brief first-look at Avengers Initiative, developer Wideload Games has crafted a slick, well-produced iOS action title that borrows very heavily from the Infinity Blade series.
"We've recommitted ourselves to holding out for quality," said Marvel's vice president of game production, TQ Jefferson, in a recent phone conversation with Mac|Life.
According to Jefferson, the team at Marvel have identified the company's three core strengths: engaging gameplay, compelling story, and experiences that remain true to the established characters of the Marvel universe. But Marvel also feels none of those core values will matter without a quality product. A dedication to getting the game "right" might lead to a delay – as it did with Marvel's Facebook game, Avengers Alliance -- but the end result is a better received title.
Avengers Initiative builds off of the success of Alliance, carrying over the story of the Pulse; a planet-smashing event which leaves Earth vulnerable to a host of villains. But while Avengers Alliance was a turn-based social game, Avengers Initiative is a console-quality, real-time action game where you'll smash heads as the big green man himself, The Hulk.
"This first episode is a full, three to five hour experience," says Wideload's Patrick Moran. "And every couple of months, we want to release a new episode that features a new member of the Avengers. Each character has his own story that continues on through an entire season's story arc."
During the first episode -- available Thursday for $6.99 in the App Store -- Hulk is out to stop the invasion of villains like Wendigo, who have escaped the Vault. The game plays out as a series of one-on-one melee combat scenarios, using swipes and gestures to defeat Hulk's enemies. On first glance, the game sure seems an awful lot like Infinity Blade, but the visuals are sharp, the story looks to be in-line with Avengers canon, and the entirety of what we've seen of Avenger's Initiative seems pretty great.
What's most intriguing about Avengers Initiative is the possibility of long-running, free content. Of course, the release of subsequent episodes will likely depend on continued sales and enthusiasm, but it does sound like a decent way to get your seven-bucks worth.
"If people respond to the Hulk, and there's a big audience there for it, we want to release those episodes for free," said Moran. "The way you stay on the charts is by growing a community and offering quality content updates. We can't think of a better way of doing that than offering players new members of the Avengers."
Speaking of community engagement, Avengers Initiative will also sync with Avengers Alliance, via the Marvel XP service. Playing either game will offer incentives in the opposite title, something Marvel refers to as an overall goal: to allow all the company's games to "speak" to one another.
While there's some reason for concern over Initiative’s seemingly clone-like similarities to Infinity Blade, there's no denying it looks like a solid iOS title. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, and assuming Avengers Initiative brings a decidedly Marvel flair to the game, it could turn out to be one super mobile adventure.
Follow this article's author, Matt Clark on Twitter.
