Like any normal Video Game reviews, the most appropriate way to rate a game is on a scale from 1 to 10.
Even after first hearing about this game, one pretty much had to figure it would be wildly similar to X-Men Legends. After all why screw up a formula that really works? What Snowblind studios and WB Games needed to do was create their own version of Marvel�s successful title, while keeping the ideas and the gameplay the same.
On first glance Heroes is exactly what it seems to be, the DC Comics version of X-Men Legends. However, the game play of course differs. Rather than controller four characters, players are limited to only two, while some may not like this feature it works in this game because you don�t get to pick your characters until after you have played with the core seven. This is both good and bad. Bad because obviously players want to create their own team and good because it allows you to level up and play as the core seven who are really at the heart of the game. The gameplay is very similar to X-Men Legends and to those who want to cry rip-off, the only answer is why screw with a formula that works? While similar to Legends the greatest advantage Heroes has over its Marvel counterpart is the ability to control and play the iconic characters of comicdom.
The game�s strongest point comes in the actual story. Written by Justice League Unlimited alum, Dwayne McDuffie, the game feels like it comes from not only the comic book, but the cartoon as well making it a fun and true Justice League adventure. The dialogue is on point; the characters are perfect from Batman�s wanting to work alone to the Flash�s quips while slugging it out with the bad guys. The story focuses in on Brainiac and his ultimate plan to take down the Justice League and conquer Earth and along the way our heroes get involved with a slew of villains from Brainiac himself to the Queen Bee. McDuffie manages to make even the Queen Bee menacing and tough to handle.
The graphics are outstanding. The characters are each fully realized and detailed from Superman all the way to Aquaman. The alternate costumes also look great as do the unlockables characters available. The environments are rendered in amazing detail and look better than many action-RPGs on the market. The looks and the sounds of the game really immerse the player into the DC Universe and allow for a fantastic gaming experience. Another strong point of the game is the way in that unlockable characters such as Kyle Rayner and Hal Jordan, aren�t just re-skins of John Stewart, rather their own individual characters.
Justice League Heroes is not a perfect game. It is short, relatively easy and the way you are forced to play as certain characters only two at a time may bother some hardcore gamers. But the plot and the characters are a huge highlight of this game and for the first time players can be two of their favorite leaguers, such as Green Lantern and Superman, at the same time. My biggest qualm came with how when one of your players is knocked out he automatically revives when you hit a checkpoint, rather than allowing you to select a new character and have to collect shields to revive your fallen comrade. That aside, this is definitely the Justice League game a lot of people have been waiting for, and while a bit on the short side, go back and play it with the unlockable characters like Hal Jordan.
Heroes is a great addition to any game collection and does have a replay value that rests in the story and the unlockables. If your are looking for a mind boggling puzzled ridden story, this isn't the game you're looking for. It is however what you are looking for in terms of story, adventure, action and the ability to play as some of DC Comics Iconic heroes.