Ben-DutkaSlowly but surely, video games based on movies have been getting better. Therefore, we maintain an optimistic viewpoint for Sega’s Thor: God of Thunder , which is loosely based on the upcoming action film. Recognizable villains like Ulik, Ymir, and Surtur will be featured, along with a legion of evil hordes, all intent on destroying the hammer-wielding hero. That hammer has a name – pay respect! – and it’s Mjolnir; it not only packs a gigantic wallop, but it can also harness the elemental powers of lightning, thunder and wind. It sounds like a great concept for both the big screen and the world of interactive entertainment, and we’re looking forward to the size and scope of Sega’s compelling action extravaganza. New abilities and upgrades await Thor as he traverses what should be an intriguing environment.
Thor utilizes a standard third-person format, and the player will land a variety of blows and combos, ranging from the basic swipes to awe-inspiring skills that become over-the-top crazy with that elemental assistance. I just mentioned “size and scope;” that’s because we’ve heard many of Thor’s foes will be up to four times his size, and that includes 25-foot-tall Ice Trolls and other rampaging behemoths. The developers will also implement a grappling point system that will help you reach the heads of such monsters, and we’re hoping this pseudo-platforming mechanic turns out to be a welcome addition. You may have to unlock each of the elemental powers but once obtained, they’re easily selected with the directional pad, and we’ll even have the benefit of ranged attacking. Yeah, Thor tossing his hammer at something’s face. Nice.
You will be given every opportunity to enhance the protagonist’s effectiveness. The grappling points and heavy-hitting abilities aren’t the only major features: players will soon learn that many enemies – likely due to their size – will have weak spots, which you must find a way to exploit. I keep thinking they’re going to implement QTEs of some sort (can’t have an action game without them these days), and it’ll be interesting to see how the adventure will progress. In looking at the available media, you will undoubtedly notice the game’s hectic pace and interesting artistic style. Indeed, the atmosphere may be what separates this game from the rest of the action crowd, and I’m liking the exhibited gameplay diversity. Provided the control is reliable and responsive, I’d say we’re good to go.
One last piece of good news- the game doesn’t specifically follow the events of the film, which is usually a good idea. Marvel Comics writer Matt Fraction, who has worked on plenty of Thor comics in the past, has been acting as a consultant for the game’s original storyline. The plot will paint Thor’s adventures through many worlds in Norse mythology, and that’s probably what the fans desire. Personally, it’s the enemies and bosses that stand out, and the video features plenty of impressive gameplay, even if the visuals aren’t exactly overwhelming in terms of sheer detail and clarity. If the gameplay is fun, this could be a great bash-fest…have you played a game like this since God of War III ? Aren’t you feeling a little anxious for some straight-up slashing entertainment?
I smell a 6/10 coming here but i hope i'm wrong. To me it just seems like another Conan/Viking; Battle For Asgard style game, and those games imo, were arse.
Visuals look abit tits, but the big bosses & enemies has me keen, just a little.
Last edited by Kevin555 on 3/22/2011 9:48:21 PM
All I know is the movie looks awful. Another plastic armor-fest.
Whoooooo cares. Speaking of marvel, I wonder how the anticipated avengers movie coming in the summer of 2012 will look.
Luckily the Marvel movies have a better history than their games. 🙂
From the looks of the game in this video and others I've seen. I think we're going to get another mediocre, unpolished, generic, bland super hero game that doesn't stack up.
At best I think we can hope for a mediocre hack n slash game with a few super powers and a half way decent Thor story.
… And from the looks of it I think you're absolutely right.
The Marvel fanboy in me cries every time he see a new Marvel game promo. It just oozes mediocrity.
Yup, same here. Been collecting marvel comics since I was 8 and even though I own almost every marvel video game, it pains me to see how bad a lot of them are.
I had a nice marvel franchise I loved, X-men legends/marvel ultimate alliance, however the last one was done by a different company and it was a giant step backwards from the previous 3 games.
Every time a new marvel video game comes out, I think a part of me dies inside.
Marvel's slowly getting it. X-Men Origins: Wolverine wasn't too horrible, even with the movie stuff tacked on a game already in development; but Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensions was a step in the right direction. It's these movie licensed games from SEGA that's keeping them back right now, I think. They need to keep doing original stories featuring their characters instead of this kinda stuff.
I'm looking forward to the new X-Men game most as far as Marvel's characters go in video games.
@Kraygen: X-men legends 2 (the first was never released for the psp I think?) and ultimate alliance are my two Marvel favorites! They were really fun hack'n'slash rpgs. I think I've created the most powerful Storm on the planet. 🙂
And I totally agree, UA2 were a disaster, no less. But it's an even bigger tragedy if they give up on ultimate alliance because of that one mistake. Just go back to the first ua, use that engine and put a nice Marvel classic story on top of that and I'm happy.
@MadPower: Wolverine was not too bad, true. At least good enough to show friends without feeling embarrassment. And Shattered Dimensions had a good concept, the different dimensions with each their own styles was a clever way of creating a varied experience. But I *hated* those boss fights…!
Last edited by Beamboom on 3/23/2011 4:06:54 AM
Haha, I didn't mind 'em too much. My favorite aspect of Shattered Dimensions was that they cast every voice actor to have played Spidey in the various animated programs since the 1980s. Including the guy from Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends. That was awesome!
I did like the Carnage and Deadpool fights a lot. And while I'm quite fond of DP, I hate Carnage.
I have legends 1&2 and UA on ps2, I need to get the ps3 version though, just because it probably looks nicer.
As for shattered dimensions I hated it. Spider-Man has always been my favorite character, but that game does not make you feel at all like Spider-Man. It had some of the worst Spider-Man flaws I have ever seen.
First there was barely any difference between the dimensions, they each had like 1 unique thing and that was it, they should have all been completely different if they wanted to go multi-dimensional.
Secondly and downright awful, the web swinging. It was bad, really bad. And to make matters worse, you could often web swing where it didn't make any sense, nothing to swing off of, and times when you were inside a building you couldn't web swing.
It was nothing like Spider-Man at all. If you want to feel like Spider-Man play web of shadows. It had some glitch issues, and if you want you can just hack n slash your way through it, but if you utilize all the abilities and play the way the devs intended, it feels like you're Spider-Man. I love the gameplay, like Spider-Man 2, but with much better combat.
I agree with all you say. Oh how sad it is that all Marvel heads like us can do is sit like this and beat eachother in describing how bad the state of affairs is 😀
web of shadows has the *definitive* best webslinging, midair-fighting so far. Hands down. However, web of shadows had other major flaws that were even worse than those you mention for shattered dimensions. Worst of them all were (can't believe *I* am saying this) the graphics. The city look like some toy playground, the pedestrian models were like… 5 different, the cars moved like matchbox toys, oh my.
I've got UA 1 and 2 for ps3, and supposedly I read somewhere that UA1 on ps3 were released in a very limited edition, not many copies at all. Therefore, a collectors item? 🙂 Yes the graphics are upgraded, but other than that it's a direct port, and not a particulary good one. The ps3 struggle at times, and that's illogical on a game like ua… But by all means, it's playable!
Last edited by Beamboom on 3/23/2011 8:58:05 PM
Yup, you are very correct. That is why I have put off buying the ps3 version, it's too expensive for such an old game.
As for web of shadows, also true, but I spent so much time zinging around on my webs I was able to ignore those issues for pure fun factor.
the movie im really looking forward to.
the game, well, yea.
its got allot of potential, i have always had a massive interest in Greek mythology, read quite a bit of it as a kid.
its one of the story gems just sitting there waiting to be tapped, not many games have used it, and, well, none have used it to its full potential!
GOWs ok, but its never been the mass effect of stories!
Thor isn't greek.
I believe the word your looking for is "Norse" Mythology.
Norse Mythology. Kratos handled the Greek Gods. And very well I might add.
IDK about this one I think this will turn-out bad…probably not as bad as the Iron Man game but still pretty bad….
Now that Capt'n America movie game on the other hand looks like at most it MIGHT turnout as good XO: Wolverine game.
A true Thor game should be developed like a God of War game. Norse mythology is so deep and mythical and deserves this level of attention. Thor is a perfect protagonist. Noble yet arrogant, powerful but not invincible. So many creatures and worlds to explore. This game seems like a good attempt but may fall short on all fronts. Sega is trying harder with each license they get. I will keep my fingers crossed.
As far as the comparison between the comics, movies and games. There is none. Most movies can never reach the level of storytelling as comics. Just as ideas between games and movies get lost in translation.
So far it look like this:
Books > Comics > Movies > Games.
Anything after books is interchangeable according to ones preference.
This looks below average..I just started playing Shattered Dimensions and this doesn't seem to even stack up to that…
I got to play it at C2E2, it was pretty decent. but nothing special.