Snowblind's masterpiece engine has now been powered up. This is simply great.
Both the "Baldur's Gate Dark Alliance" and "Champions" games have done an increible job at providing us with great action with terribly addictive gameplay, unveliebably detailed graphics, and compelling storylines.
I've always thought of various franchises being implemented in the BG: Dark Alliance engine. And Justice League Heroes will soar through your PS2 like never before.
Have you ever played Baldur's Gate Dark Alliance I or II? or even Champions of Norrath? If you have, you must remember how greatly detailed and exquisitely designed those games were, and how incredible the sound FX and sountrack was. Well, Justice League Heroes is very very similar to those titles, and a little better (and different) as well. The only gripe one may have is the lack of that infinite amount of helmets, weapons, armor and boots that the previous games had, but luckily I dont really care about that, give that we're dealing with Superheroes here, and great ones as well. Even the loading screens are interactively great. The cape physics is simply beautiful and very well done. The action is exactly like the previous snowblind diablo-ish titles, only with more depth. What gives the gameplay more depth is the second hit button, and the fly/ jump combos which provide really great looking and powerful combinations, specially in Superman's case.
Did I mention every single object can be picked up, thrown, and destroyed to tiny weenie bits? Well... it can. From park benchs, lighting poles, signals, office desks, hotdog posts, through thick and fat trees, EVERY friggin thing is destroyable, and leave debris when it's broken. Amazing.
Lets talk about the sound in JLH.
The music is simply colossal and gives a sense of awe and heroism, specially in the main screen and final levels. If you wait long enough in the main screen, you'll see Superman flying towards the camera, passing through the JLH moon station headquarters. These are little things that make a game great, and a gamer go "heck yeah...this is great...".
In-game, the music is fast-paced and catchy (the same music that's featured in the JLH homepage) but not TOO eclectic to give you epileptic attacks (ala techno music); It just fits the overall feeling of the game.
The FX sounds are simply exquisite, just as it was in Champions and Dark Alliance games. Clinching and shrieking metal sounds, rock-hitting sounds when your character hits a building wall, etc... The list is neverending, and beautifully brought to life. Now, some players are complaining about the lack of character choices throughout the first levels, which forces you to play as specific heroes from the JL team. While this is disheartening to many, it was decided that way to show you the various powers and gameplay options your various characters have, and for the player to scroll through the main JL members (according to dc/warner/snowblind).
I find the power-up "item" system to be really enticing and entertaining, while keeping it simple and direct. Another good point goes to the hidden characters/alternate costume unlockables, which can be purchased at any time via JLH shields you'll find throughout the various battlegrounds.
To sum it up, JLH is a newer, fresher Champions of Norrath (on steroids), a more polished version of the acclaimed Snowblind engine, and enhanced by the various superheroes' symbolism and flair.
A great game to enjoy for many, many months.