Capes

The game seems to play well enough. However, I couldn't handle the self-aware voice acting and cringey script that accompanied it. Every time there was a story event, I felt taken out of the world instead of becoming more immersed in it. YMMV

The graphics are very good. I truly love the comic book aesthetic. The sound/voice work is decent and ranges from good to ill-suited. The story is forgettable, by the numbers, for modern audiences yawn-fest. The *Heroes* have about as much depth as the narrative consultants' list of approved "for modern audiences" check marks. Well, except for the bad guys, the enemies have about as much diversity as a rank-and-file stormtrooper and share a similar palette. The characters which should be the core and driving factor of the game, are boring *safe* representations of characters as opposed to well-thought-out individuals and as such are not able to have the depth, flaws, and shortcomings that make for those unique individuals. The story is *blah*, overdone, and brings nothing new to the whole *Superheroes Failed* schtick. From the grizzled mentor who only cares about the 'ends', to the bright-eyed youth in over their head. Hell, the game even has a power psychic who is stuck in a wheelchair... Ultimately, the game is boring, and worse it is predictable. The occasionally interesting level and the excellent graphics are not enough to make me want to play more.

The number of turn-based superhero games is thin on the ground, and this one is welcome. Its got some flaws (sometimes its ambition exceeds its budget I think), but learning to use each character as they become available and overcome the problems presented makes for some compelling game play. If I had a single big complaint, it'd be that it'd be nice if the game provided some, from lack of a better term, strategic layer play; there seems to be some potential room for it, but the designers didn't go there.

Why did it take so long to realize this combination? It's rather brilliant. Turn based combat with super heroes makes so much sense given the tropes of the genre, which are lovingly recreated here: rescuing civilians, combining attacks, disarming bad guys...etc. In a city taken over by super villains and an unlimited squad of bald stormtroopers you command a roster of new blood resistance fighters with super abilities. Simple, effective plot. The writing is cheese-tastic but I guess that goes with the genre. It's not much better or worse than a typical Marvel film, although maybe with a little more swearing. But the meat and potatoes of the game is as solid as the clean, chunky, appealing comic book art style. Each of the thirty or so levels is custom made thankfully, not procedurally generated, so you have opportunities to take advantage of cover and other environmental cues while enjoying the dynamic locales that are distinct. Gameplay is familiar to anyone who has played XCom: turn based squad combat, but with the advantage of heroes being able to do anything they want to within the limit of their energies rather than an arbitrary 'move' amount. Extra energy is added to the 'ultimate' status which is basically a limit break and unique to each hero. This Ultimate is compounded by the fact that heroes have tie-in attacks with specific other heroes which are very powerful so it encourages squad builds with compatible heroes. And after each battle you go back to base to improve your skills and your powers, find new allies, progress the plot. It's all rewarding stuff. I enjoy the grittier take on super heroes, the simple to learn/lifetime to master systems, the full voice acting although VERY overwrought is welcome. Overall a creative and enjoyable twist on a genre I already loved!