Marvel Super Hero Squad Online

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Marvel Super Hero Squad Online
Promotional comic distributed as free handout during E3 2010.[2]
Cover motif is a pastiche on Secret Wars #1.
EngineUnity
Platform(s)Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X
ReleaseApril 29, 2011 (US Beta)[1]
November 4, 2011 (Europe Beta)
November 1, 2012 (server merge)
Genre(s)Massively multiplayer online role-playing game

Marvel Super Hero Squad Online was a massively multiplayer free-to-play online game for younger audiences based on the Marvel Super Hero Squad, developed by American video game companies the Amazing Society and Gazillion Entertainment. The open beta version of the game was released on April 29, 2011[1] (although a closed beta was released in early 2011).[3] It was a freemium in-browser game that offered two types of microtransactions: To purchase in-game currency, or a monthly subscription that gave the player additional perks.

Players collected heroes to form their own Squad. They were able to choose a hero from their Squad to play in a number of games and activities. As they played, the heroes increased not only their power in combat, but unlocked animated emotes[4] for use in the social game world zones. Many characters from the Marvel Universe appeared in Marvel Super Hero Squad Online in a traditional Super Hero Squad "super-deformed" style.

Marvel Super Hero Squad Online was the first MMO game developed in Gazillion's and Marvel's 10-year exclusive game publishing agreement. The second was Marvel Heroes.

Marvel Super Hero Squad Online was shut down on January 11, 2017.[5] Gazillion Entertainment itself shut down on November 22, 2017.[6]

Gameplay

Marvel Super Hero Squad Online had alternate controls, in which with one click the player could move from one place to another, or use the arrow keys or the traditional WASD keys on a keyboard. Selected characters could fly by pressing blue circles on the ground. If the character was unable to fly, that character could have a double jump or a high/long jump. Points were separated into two compartments, gold, and fractals. Both gold and fractals could be used to buy anything, the difference being that fractals could be earned over time in a game while gold had to be purchased with real money in the store. Many characters from the Marvel Universe appeared in Marvel Super Hero Squad Online in a traditional Super Hero Squad "super-deformed" style. The game's playing area is separated into zones. These included the Daily Bugle, the Baxter Building, and Asgard[7] which were associated with Spider-Man, the Fantastic Four, and Thor, respectively. A fourth zone named Villainville was also made available.[8][9]

A collectible card game was made available to play in early August 2011. The object was to deplete one's opponent's card deck by attacking with their own cards.[10] An arcade was developed where players could play as Deadpool, She-Hulk, Black Panther, Daredevil, Captain America, Thor, Doctor Strange and Jean Grey in selected mini-games. Two characters such as Deadpool and She-Hulk were featured in each mini-game. An achievement system was released that allowed players to complete several challenges such as greeting other players, buying new heroes, beating missions or card game quests. Each challenge completed awarded the player fractals, and a new hero. The game was released in Europe on November 4, 2011. On November 1, 2012, the European server was merged with the North American server and expanded to encompass more European countries.

Characters

There were 197 playable characters before January 11, 2017.

Playable Characters
Mission Bosses
  • ^a Only available to monthly subscribers.
  • ^b Only available after purchasing a one-year subscription.
  • ^c Only available after purchasing the $95.95 gold bundle.
  • ^d Only available through the in-game achievement system.
  • ^e Only available through the in-game crafting system.
  • ^f Only available through an in-game Mystery Box purchase.
  • ^g Rotation character. Only available periodically for a limited time.

Reception

Commercially and critically, the game underperformed. Erik Dekker of the Dutch gaming website XGN gave the game a negative review, criticizing the frequent coercion of microtransactions, "puppet show" combat areas, and lack of depth to the overall gameplay.[11] Other critics praised the presentation and voice acting, but noted that it lacked appeal outside of young children who were fans of the show.[12]

References

  1. ^ a b c "Marvel Super Hero Squad Online". gamespot.com.
  2. ^ Marvel Super Hero Squad Online. Marvel Comics. 2010.
  3. ^ "Super Hero Squad Online fires up closed beta". joystiq.com. Archived from the original on 2013-02-09. Retrieved 2011-09-24.
  4. ^ "Marvel and Gazillion launch Super Hero Squad Online". theblackboxoffice.com. Archived from the original on September 30, 2011.
  5. ^ Faylor, Chris (13 May 2010). "Marvel Super Hero Squad Online Unveiled". Shacknews.
  6. ^ O'Brien, Lucy (22 November 2017). "Marvel Heroes Developer Gazillion Reportedly Shut Down, Game to Close Early: Employees are currently saying they've been laid off without Severance pay or PTO". IGN. Retrieved 7 June 2021.
  7. ^ "Marvel's Super Hero Squad Online Adds Thor & Asgard World". CBR. May 13, 2011.
  8. ^ Lefebvre, Eliot (23 August 2011). "Super Hero Squad Online teasing Villainville". joystiq.com. Archived from the original on 2013-02-07. Retrieved 2011-08-26.
  9. ^ "GDN: Marvel Super Hero Squad Expands into Villianville Where Players Can Be Dark Heroes". www.gamersdailynews.com. Archived from the original on October 1, 2011.
  10. ^ Watch the Super Hero Squad Online Card Game Trailer
  11. ^ "Marvel Super Hero Squad Online critic reviews". Metacritic.
  12. ^ "Marvel Super Hero Squad Online user reviews". Metacritic.

External links

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