(Editor’s Note: A�I know that I promised a video for Fallout 1 and 2 and haven’t delivered. A�Marvel Puzzle Quest is running a video contest, though, so I am planning a video for that game soon.)
We are recording episode 5 this weekend. A�The show is about Heroclix and Lego video games. A�We are going to concentrate on Marvel Super Heroes and Batman. A�I mentioned both Marvel Heroes and Marvel Puzzle Quest on last month’s show. A�They are both games that I play daily. A�I’ve planned to writeA�about them several times, but haven’t featured them on the page yet. A�I thought this would be a perfect time to finally focus on comic book themed games on the website. A�All of these forces have conspired to come together as this article.
Let’s start with Marvel Puzzle Quest. A�In case you don’t know, the Puzzle Quest games are of the match three variety like Bejeweled or Candy Crush. A�Unlike either of those games, Puzzle Quest has a storyline that accompanies the sometimes tedious gameplay. A�Sure, Candy Crush has a story, but it is mostly an afterthought. A�The stories of Puzzle Quest are actually good and worth playing through the games to advance. A�I would say complete, but the Marvel version constantly adds new chapters.
The first Puzzle Quest story involved a typical fantasy setting with all of the usual cast of characters and plotlines. A�I’m a sucker for most fantasy, even the cheesy kind, so it was enough junk food for the brain to keep me entertained for about a year of playing a half an hour per day. A�It helped that the game is kid friendly at a time when we had two young children in the house. A�Liam enjoyed watching the game as I played and even asked me to make him a Steam account to play Marvel Puzzle Quest after he saw me playing it. A�He has done pretty well in the game. A�Aiden has an account, too, and we have made a clan in the game with a friend. A�It is an excellent family game.
In addition, as one of the match three games, it has been ported to mobile devices. A�I have only tried it a few times on mobile because I don’t know of a way to move my account data and I don’t want to start over again. A�I already lost my account once and it sucked to go back to the beginning. A�Luckily, they were able to retrieve my data, but I haven’t been able to find a way to transfer from PC to mobile. A�Just be warned if you decide to get started that you need to choose one or the other.
I’ve talked about Marvel Heroes on the podcast before and IA�have mentioned it on the web site, too. A�In case you missed it, Marvel Heroes is an ARPG like the Diablo or Torchlight games. A�The game stumbled out of the gate and people hated it with good reason. A�You could only choose from two free characters and there was no end game. A�The story was decent, but not enough to encourage replay. A�I stopped playing after defeating Dr. Doom (the end boss at the time) and I suspect that many others did, too, if they even made it that far.
Luckily, the designers of the game listened to player feedback and worked to improve the game. A�As I mentioned in my previous article on Diablo III, it was voted as most improved MMO in 2014 or 2015. A�They have added many new heroes, opened all heroes as free to play to level 10, implemented several end game options,A�buffedA�loot drops via weekly events, and many other improvements. A�The game is much more fun to play now. A�I play it on a daily basis and have even spent money on the game even though it is free to play. A�I want to encourage them to continue to develop and improve the game.
Liam and Aiden both started an account for this game, too. A�Liam and I even got a few chances to play the game together. A�The game isn’t quite as kid friendly and they’ve been more interested in Pokemon recently, so they haven’t played much of either this or Marvel Puzzle Quest. A�It is nice to know that we will have two more games to enjoy as a family that aren’t just Dance or Mario. A�Sure, those games are fun, but variety is the spice of life and such.
Both games are free to play, as mentioned. A�Marvel Heroes is constantly being improved. A�Marvel Puzzle Quest also updates regularly, but it is often unclear whether those changes are for the better. A�Most recently, they altered one of my favorite powers and made it decidedly weaker. A�I’m not going to be one of those guys that threatens to quit the game over such a minor adjustment. A�Still, I don’t quite understand what they’re trying to accomplish and it is frustrating to have to deal with something like that. A�(Side Note: A�I looked at the patch notes and I now understand, but it still makes little sense from a player point of view. A�Oh well, might be time to find another combo to abuse.)
If my children are any indication, then the games are relatively kid friendly. A�There is some questionable material in Marvel Heroes (mostly from Deadpool, of course) but it is easily avoidable. A�You should be aware. A�Puzzle Quest is simply a match 3 game, so it is much tamer and better for kids if you don’t want to take the chance. A�You could do worse than trying out both games. A�If you played Marvel Heroes and didn’t enjoy it, then give it another chance. A�It is a much better game and you won’t be disappointed. A�If you do try either game, let me know. A�I would be glad to play a round or two or let you get started in our clan on Marvel Puzzle Quest. A�At the risk of being sued, Excelsior!