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With the annual San Diego Comic-Con coming up in just a few months and several huge super-hero movies being released this year and under production for the next few years, the gaming industry is itself jumping into the world of super-heroes at this year’s E3 as well. Although the numbers are small (in comparison to how many FPS games you’ll find), the games are just as unique and just as well made as many other metacritic-toppers out there. This year’s line-up includes Warner Brothers’ Justice League Heroes for the Xbox and Playstation 2; EA’s Superman Returns for the Xbox 360, Xbox and Playstation 2; and Activision’s Marvel Ultimate Alliance for all systems, including Playstation 3 and Xbox 360.

With the annual San Diego Comic-Con coming up in just a few months and several huge super-hero movies being released this year and under production for the next few years, the gaming industry is itself jumping into the world of super-heroes at this year’s E3 as well. Although the numbers are small (in comparison to how many FPS games you’ll find), the games are just as unique and just as well made as many other metacritic-toppers out there. This year’s line-up includes Warner Brothers’ Justice League Heroes for the Xbox and Playstation 2; EA’s Superman Returns for the Xbox 360, Xbox and Playstation 2; and Activision’s Marvel Ultimate Alliance for all systems, including Playstation 3 and Xbox 360.

I’ve ordered this list by my top favorites from the show. Some may disagree with this, as I saw the Marvel Ultimate Alliance game getting numerous "Best of E3" nominations. However, I think the important aspect here is that it isn’t the graphics that are supposed to make a game superb - it is the gameplay above all - and from these games these are what I felt had the better gameplay. In addition, this is not meant to be as subjective as it is, but rather an outlook at the upcoming super-hero games.

1. Justice League Heroes

Warner Brothers

www.JusticeLeagueHeroes.com

Justice League Heroes stood out as one of the most polished and well designed super-hero games at E3. The game focuses around two-member teams that battle their way through a story laid out by comic book writer Dwayne McDuffie. Although there is not an additional multiplayer mode above 2-player co-op, the game provides an incredibly vast number of gaming possibilities with the scenarios presented. During the first run through of a mission, certain required super-heroes will be teamed up, however if the mission is replayed, any of the 7 playable super-heroes can be chosen and teamed up to fight the mission over.

The fighting system is very intuitive and designed to be very quick and easy to learn. All of the models and combat styles are unique per character - there are no re-used animations. Warner Brother has looked to create a game that above all is focused on not disappointing the fans and staying very true to characters as they are in the DC world. The 7 characters: Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, The Flash, Green Lantern, Zatanna, and Martian Manhunter, are all very unique in their own customization possibilities. There is no need to learn abilities, as the characters naturally make sense to have all of their abilities already. In addition they’ve added a "second wind" which, given that they are super heroes, is the "second chance" to recover health. In addition each character can be leveled and customized to the player’s wishes. All of these aspects are part of the excellent gameplay that has gone into Justice League Heroes. It is quite hard to describe each element without actually seeing how well they tie together while playing the game.

Although Justice League Heroes is only being released on current-gen systems (not the Xbox 360 or Playstation 3), it doesn’t mean that the game can live up to the expectations of the other super hero games on the showfloor. Getting hands on with this game I was able to actually see that it is definitely fun and above all true to the comic book universe. The customization aspects and various controls from health to the heroic meter (which allows you to get into a heroic mode and kick some major ass) are all very unique additions to the game. Check out the screen shots from it and definitely pick up a copy when it hits retail this fall.

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