Heroes become Legends, and few can make great Alliances...
When it comes to role-playing games, there are many distinct games and systems that really make a mark. You have your Final Fantasy games that are more traditionally turn-based, Dragon Quest which utilizes chance while taking turns, Chrono Trigger which has both turn-based and active modes of battle, and even the various Mario role-playing games that use timed button-presses to promote better offense and defense in combat. However, games like Baldur's Gate and Gauntlet are the go-to games for this discussion. They are known as "Action RPGs", blending elements of an action game with elements of a role-playing game. As you attack, discover, search, etc., your level of experience rises. You can also use different forms of armor and accessories. These games have really risen to the forefront lately. In this category, my favorite games have been X-Men: Legends and Marvel: Ultimate Alliance.
Both of these games were published by Activision and came out near the end of one console generation and the beginning of another. Your task was to take the heroic teams and create whatever combination you desire to succeed in different missions. Some teams have a special connotation to them, while others are of your choosing. Either way, the possibilities are endless. Now, both series have given gamers a bunch of X-Men to rearrange and Marvel Super Heroes as well. However, since about 8 years ago, there have been no other games from this series. Such a waste of good game development. Well, not for long...
Here are 10! Count' em! 10 intellectual properties that I feel would do great with this game style. For this list, I'll take the staff who made these games and focus it on other universes and such in the world of fantasy today. So, how about we get started, eh?
Both of these games were published by Activision and came out near the end of one console generation and the beginning of another. Your task was to take the heroic teams and create whatever combination you desire to succeed in different missions. Some teams have a special connotation to them, while others are of your choosing. Either way, the possibilities are endless. Now, both series have given gamers a bunch of X-Men to rearrange and Marvel Super Heroes as well. However, since about 8 years ago, there have been no other games from this series. Such a waste of good game development. Well, not for long...
Here are 10! Count' em! 10 intellectual properties that I feel would do great with this game style. For this list, I'll take the staff who made these games and focus it on other universes and such in the world of fantasy today. So, how about we get started, eh?
DC Comics
OK, so this should be a given, right? Marvel had or has a tendency to open new doors when it comes to adaptation. This isn't limited, as in this case, to video gaming. So, with RavenSoft, Vicarious Visions, and the like not making games for Marvel anymore, I figured DC would be next to take the reigns. To this date, they haven't, but boy, would it be fun to do what we have done in Marvel what we could do for DC. I don't have to state exactly who would be in this game, save for the definite characters like Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, and the rest of the core Justice League members. But with the grand scale of Marvel's games, I'd say the possibilities are endless. Of course, it's possible that a litany of the characters mentioned would be as strong if not stronger than say, The Hulk. But, hey, we're here to destroy bad guys, so bring on the power, and the characters that represent it.
Mortal Kombat
Now, this may be a bit of a stretch, but not completely. I thought a fighting game would suit this setup pretty well. However, there aren't many fighting games that can pull this off properly. After all, we're talking team mechanics, powerful super moves, and combos. You won't get that much of a team motif from Street Fighter. However, if there is one game that has captured that, it's Mortal Kombat. The latest MK games have made it clear that teams can and have formed for mutual goals. Plus, MK has had their share of adventure and action games from the horrible (Special Forces) to the actually pretty good (Shaolin Monks). I figure, let's try it again, and this time, give them the Ravensoft engine. Give us also a lot of characters, too. Oh, and most importantly, it's MK. Don't skimp on the violence.
Dragon Ball
There have been many a role-playing game type with Dragon Ball and its franchise connected to it. Of this, I know and am sure. So, why not give Ravensoft the go-ahead with the Dragon Ball crew? I don't limit this to just Z, as that is the most popular. I figure you can do it for the entire universe or something of that nature. Just like with the Danger Room missions in X-Men Legends and the training missions in Marvel: Ultimate Alliance, you can go to the past or even the future, if it means powering up certain characters. I can only imagine the power moves they can do or would do for supers. Definitely something to see if you ask me. Can you imagine a 4 person team consisting of the most powerful Saiyans in Goku, Gohan, Trunks, and Vegeta? Or even attempt the Z force team of Piccolo, Tien, Yamcha and Chaozu? I'd even like to see a Ginyu force team. Or even a team from Dragon Ball, like Young Goku, Young Krillin, Bulma, and Master Roshi. Nonetheless, give me DBZ in Ravensoft form, and I'll be a happy boy!
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
Oh, like you didn't see this one coming? It's a four-person team-style game. It's a franchise with a litany of characters to choose from. It literally writes itself. In fact, when this was attempted for the Nintendo Wii and I had picked up the game, I enjoyed it. I could switch between the characters. I could power up each character with new and different moves. And it was four player co-op. To me, this was tailor-made for Ravensoft and the crew. With them, you can expand it by adding more characters, more moves, more upgrades, and, in my opinion, the closest thing to an excellent follow-up to TMNT: Turtles in Time in video game form. The only thing, it would be so much bigger!!!
WWE
I know what you're thinking. You're thinking: Are you serious? A wrestling company taking a video game approach to this effect? When it comes to wrestling and video games, 1) the only wrestling video games that ever really get off the ground are wrestling video games that, well, simulate wrestling in the ring, and 2) any other games that go along the lines of action are either beat em ups that are bad or beat em ups that don't even get released into the pantheon of gaming. So, why this game? Well, to be honest, what do you have to lose? I can see this working in a few ways. You can take the current wrestling product approach pitting faces against heels in large team fashion. You can take the old-school or "Legends" approach, taking a number of wrestlers from the past and having them fight it out, good vs evil. Or as it just came to me, why not a cartoon-styled version of a cavalcade of WWE superstars from past, present, and/or future and team them up to fight some evil. You could base it on WWE All Stars, the Rock N' Wrestling era, WWE Slam City, or whatnot. It's not a horrible idea, in my view. Just something to consider.
Final Fight
This, to me, would be an interesting attempt at breathing life into a franchise that I'm sure most folks
are well aware of, and are very fond of. Now, I'm sure a side-scrolling, beat em' up would be more approachable, seeing as how that's where most of this series' popularity had come from. But, think of the possibilities here? You can make up a 4-person Final Fight team for the first time. You can do crazy combos and super moves. You can even create a great team of Final Fight characters and boy, are the possibilities endless. Then, there's the leveling up of characters. Man, that's a great idea. I'm all for it. Cody, Haggar, Guy as your standard 3-man team. The fourth character addition is up to you. Yea, definitely all for it.
SEGA
I initially was going to say Streets of Rage for this spot, but then I realized that there are way, WAY, too many characters from the world of SEGA to pass up, especially in a game that just took an entire Marvel Universe and put them together in one super event. So, yes, SEGA should also get the nod on this one. It feels that they may have done something to this effect with Virtua Quest on the Gamecube. However, that wasn't as well received as anything from the Marvel series. We've also seen how well the Sega Superstar series came out, be it racing or tennis. I'm sure they can make this work as well, with a large library of stars to use.
Nintendo
What's good for Sega's goose, is definitely good for Nintendo's gander. OK, let me first say that I enjoyed The Subspace Emissary mode of Super Smash Bros. Brawl. I enjoyed the cinematics, as well as the adventure portion. I'm in the minority to be sure, but it was a fun experience. Having said that, the Ravensoft crew could do some pretty cool things with Nintendo characters. Instead of using something like the Smash Bros system for team battle, you can use this team dynamic. Can you imagine Mario, Link, Kirby and Pikachu all at once, on one team, tearing through some bad guys? Just imagine how it would look if you were to choose from a slew of characters like you could in Marvel: Ultimate Alliance and you see a collection of stars that Nintendo has created over the years. Heck, you can even throw in Amiibo support, and wouldn't that be a peach of a thing to do? I'm for it!
Image Comics
When Marvel and DC weren't giving certain writers and artists their just due, they decided to create their own comic book company. From that new venture, a litany of comic book characters made their way into the pantheon of pop culture. Characters like Spawn, Savage Dragon, Gen 13, and the like were now the talk of the town. About 20 or so years later, Image hasn't really been on the tips of people's tongues like Marvel and DC has lately. However, that's not to say that there haven't been a number of comics, heroes, and the like that can't be used for a game of this caliber. I can see Spawn teaming with Savage Dragon and Gen 13 crossing paths with Danger Girl in team format. Should be a fun ride. Possibly a very mature one, too....
I guess that's all I can think of. Talk about an uneven number. Oh wait, there is one more:
Power Rangers
OK, this is a bit of a stretch, but hear me out. The Power Rangers are pretty good at teamwork. They also carry weapons and fight a ton of monsters. So, this isn't too far a stretch. Then, of course, the large library of Power Rangers from different and interconnecting time frames and universes. That would make for one large roster to show from. I'm not sure how much staying power this game would have, but with the vast amount of series, and the propensity for crossovers, this could be a winner.
And that's the list. I really enjoyed this series tremendously. The way the game was put together and developed really brought out the best in the action RPG genre. It also gave us fans some of the few standout games in the comic book world that did an amazing job of adapting the comic world to video games. We may never know if the series, let alone the developers, will ever come back. However, we can enjoy the ride as we see fit with all that has been given to us already.
So, don't be afraid to pop in that Ravensoft Comic book game that you're still holding onto and have a good time. How else can you be part of a legendary alliance of people...and Cyclops? Agree? Disagree? Share a comment or two and have a good one. A legendary one even....of great alliance!
OK, so this should be a given, right? Marvel had or has a tendency to open new doors when it comes to adaptation. This isn't limited, as in this case, to video gaming. So, with RavenSoft, Vicarious Visions, and the like not making games for Marvel anymore, I figured DC would be next to take the reigns. To this date, they haven't, but boy, would it be fun to do what we have done in Marvel what we could do for DC. I don't have to state exactly who would be in this game, save for the definite characters like Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, and the rest of the core Justice League members. But with the grand scale of Marvel's games, I'd say the possibilities are endless. Of course, it's possible that a litany of the characters mentioned would be as strong if not stronger than say, The Hulk. But, hey, we're here to destroy bad guys, so bring on the power, and the characters that represent it.
Mortal Kombat
Now, this may be a bit of a stretch, but not completely. I thought a fighting game would suit this setup pretty well. However, there aren't many fighting games that can pull this off properly. After all, we're talking team mechanics, powerful super moves, and combos. You won't get that much of a team motif from Street Fighter. However, if there is one game that has captured that, it's Mortal Kombat. The latest MK games have made it clear that teams can and have formed for mutual goals. Plus, MK has had their share of adventure and action games from the horrible (Special Forces) to the actually pretty good (Shaolin Monks). I figure, let's try it again, and this time, give them the Ravensoft engine. Give us also a lot of characters, too. Oh, and most importantly, it's MK. Don't skimp on the violence.
Dragon Ball
There have been many a role-playing game type with Dragon Ball and its franchise connected to it. Of this, I know and am sure. So, why not give Ravensoft the go-ahead with the Dragon Ball crew? I don't limit this to just Z, as that is the most popular. I figure you can do it for the entire universe or something of that nature. Just like with the Danger Room missions in X-Men Legends and the training missions in Marvel: Ultimate Alliance, you can go to the past or even the future, if it means powering up certain characters. I can only imagine the power moves they can do or would do for supers. Definitely something to see if you ask me. Can you imagine a 4 person team consisting of the most powerful Saiyans in Goku, Gohan, Trunks, and Vegeta? Or even attempt the Z force team of Piccolo, Tien, Yamcha and Chaozu? I'd even like to see a Ginyu force team. Or even a team from Dragon Ball, like Young Goku, Young Krillin, Bulma, and Master Roshi. Nonetheless, give me DBZ in Ravensoft form, and I'll be a happy boy!
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
Oh, like you didn't see this one coming? It's a four-person team-style game. It's a franchise with a litany of characters to choose from. It literally writes itself. In fact, when this was attempted for the Nintendo Wii and I had picked up the game, I enjoyed it. I could switch between the characters. I could power up each character with new and different moves. And it was four player co-op. To me, this was tailor-made for Ravensoft and the crew. With them, you can expand it by adding more characters, more moves, more upgrades, and, in my opinion, the closest thing to an excellent follow-up to TMNT: Turtles in Time in video game form. The only thing, it would be so much bigger!!!
WWE
I know what you're thinking. You're thinking: Are you serious? A wrestling company taking a video game approach to this effect? When it comes to wrestling and video games, 1) the only wrestling video games that ever really get off the ground are wrestling video games that, well, simulate wrestling in the ring, and 2) any other games that go along the lines of action are either beat em ups that are bad or beat em ups that don't even get released into the pantheon of gaming. So, why this game? Well, to be honest, what do you have to lose? I can see this working in a few ways. You can take the current wrestling product approach pitting faces against heels in large team fashion. You can take the old-school or "Legends" approach, taking a number of wrestlers from the past and having them fight it out, good vs evil. Or as it just came to me, why not a cartoon-styled version of a cavalcade of WWE superstars from past, present, and/or future and team them up to fight some evil. You could base it on WWE All Stars, the Rock N' Wrestling era, WWE Slam City, or whatnot. It's not a horrible idea, in my view. Just something to consider.
Final Fight
This, to me, would be an interesting attempt at breathing life into a franchise that I'm sure most folks
are well aware of, and are very fond of. Now, I'm sure a side-scrolling, beat em' up would be more approachable, seeing as how that's where most of this series' popularity had come from. But, think of the possibilities here? You can make up a 4-person Final Fight team for the first time. You can do crazy combos and super moves. You can even create a great team of Final Fight characters and boy, are the possibilities endless. Then, there's the leveling up of characters. Man, that's a great idea. I'm all for it. Cody, Haggar, Guy as your standard 3-man team. The fourth character addition is up to you. Yea, definitely all for it.
SEGA
I initially was going to say Streets of Rage for this spot, but then I realized that there are way, WAY, too many characters from the world of SEGA to pass up, especially in a game that just took an entire Marvel Universe and put them together in one super event. So, yes, SEGA should also get the nod on this one. It feels that they may have done something to this effect with Virtua Quest on the Gamecube. However, that wasn't as well received as anything from the Marvel series. We've also seen how well the Sega Superstar series came out, be it racing or tennis. I'm sure they can make this work as well, with a large library of stars to use.
Nintendo
What's good for Sega's goose, is definitely good for Nintendo's gander. OK, let me first say that I enjoyed The Subspace Emissary mode of Super Smash Bros. Brawl. I enjoyed the cinematics, as well as the adventure portion. I'm in the minority to be sure, but it was a fun experience. Having said that, the Ravensoft crew could do some pretty cool things with Nintendo characters. Instead of using something like the Smash Bros system for team battle, you can use this team dynamic. Can you imagine Mario, Link, Kirby and Pikachu all at once, on one team, tearing through some bad guys? Just imagine how it would look if you were to choose from a slew of characters like you could in Marvel: Ultimate Alliance and you see a collection of stars that Nintendo has created over the years. Heck, you can even throw in Amiibo support, and wouldn't that be a peach of a thing to do? I'm for it!
Image Comics
When Marvel and DC weren't giving certain writers and artists their just due, they decided to create their own comic book company. From that new venture, a litany of comic book characters made their way into the pantheon of pop culture. Characters like Spawn, Savage Dragon, Gen 13, and the like were now the talk of the town. About 20 or so years later, Image hasn't really been on the tips of people's tongues like Marvel and DC has lately. However, that's not to say that there haven't been a number of comics, heroes, and the like that can't be used for a game of this caliber. I can see Spawn teaming with Savage Dragon and Gen 13 crossing paths with Danger Girl in team format. Should be a fun ride. Possibly a very mature one, too....
I guess that's all I can think of. Talk about an uneven number. Oh wait, there is one more:
Power Rangers
OK, this is a bit of a stretch, but hear me out. The Power Rangers are pretty good at teamwork. They also carry weapons and fight a ton of monsters. So, this isn't too far a stretch. Then, of course, the large library of Power Rangers from different and interconnecting time frames and universes. That would make for one large roster to show from. I'm not sure how much staying power this game would have, but with the vast amount of series, and the propensity for crossovers, this could be a winner.
And that's the list. I really enjoyed this series tremendously. The way the game was put together and developed really brought out the best in the action RPG genre. It also gave us fans some of the few standout games in the comic book world that did an amazing job of adapting the comic world to video games. We may never know if the series, let alone the developers, will ever come back. However, we can enjoy the ride as we see fit with all that has been given to us already.
So, don't be afraid to pop in that Ravensoft Comic book game that you're still holding onto and have a good time. How else can you be part of a legendary alliance of people...and Cyclops? Agree? Disagree? Share a comment or two and have a good one. A legendary one even....of great alliance!
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