The success of Marvel Comics has definitely been parlayed into the gaming industry with offerings such as Marvel: Ultimate Alliance and the highly popular Marvel vs. Capcom to name a few. The credibility that the company has built over the years is a signature of assurance that the games will not disappoint. One of the reasons why these games have been so popular is that it provides gamers an avenue to cross out one entry of the player's bucket list: to play as their childhood superhero.

However, Marvel Heroes ushers in a different approach. It is the first game licensed by the comics company that focuses on lesser-known characters as main protagonists. You will play as superheroes like Wonder Man and Thor and carry out various missions. The journey and battles included in the game are perfectly fit to create a solid story line. In some ways, its game play resembles that of Diablo for you have to look for item chests, finish simpler tasks and switch from one hero to another.

Dr. Doom is the main antagonist but he has the support of several villains who will not cease to leave a bitter taste to the fate of the heroes. It is then your job to guide the heroes and spoil Dr. Doom's plans for good. While you are on the way of doing that, the game also provides an interaction with Marvel's not-so-famous characters and the popular ones such as The Incredible Hulk and Iron Man.

Upon the start of the game, you can choose a free character from the likes of Storm, the Thing, Hawkeye, Daredevil and the Scarlet Witch. Obviously, the best among the bunch in ranged fighting is Hawkeye while Scarlet Witch casts spells to inflict damage on opponents. As you go along the game, you can collect skills points which can help upgrade your character's current capabilities or unlock new powers. You can also use stamina or spirit points to unleash the heroes' special attack. Once the spirit points are used up, you have to wait until it is totally filled before you can use it again.

Marvel Heroes also allows each superhero to take on various combat tactics that can spike a gamer's attention especially when defeating unknown villains has become boring. However, you must not spare these ordinary henchmen for they might carry combat equipment that may help you in the long run. But on the downside, the items can be reserved for superheroes that you may not use or may not unlock. When defeated, the ordinary villains leave you with a clutter of weapons that you cannot use unless you throw in real money to unlock the right characters.

But in all honesty, the story does not call for a gamer to unlock more characters. This is where the game falters because the main goal of defeating Dr. Doom makes the story too linear. It would have been better if the gameplay required you to unlock another character in order to proceed. Otherwise, the quest to defeat Dr. Doom looks like a Hollywood action movie wherein you can't reach the boss without going through the subordinates.

Because of this, it is best to not play the game in one seating. To keep the game fresh, play until you have finished one or two missions and call it a day. You can also try patching up with other gamers online. This option can save you from spending your own money to buy game items that you may not necessarily need. With crisp graphics and superb game music, Marvel Heroes can use some improvement in variation of enemies and the reduction of character-specific weapons.