Hero Complex: Scribblenauts Unmasked Review
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As a child, I used to pretend to be a superhero by tucking a towel underneath my collar as a makeshift cape and jumping down from eight-foot walls. Not the smartest decision, I know, but at least I made each jump with a large open umbrella to be extra safe. That, my friends, is what separates me from being dirt dumb to just passably sentient.
This brings us to Scribblenauts Unmasked for the 3DS and Wii U.
Based on the Scribblenauts interactive puzzle series, the game allows you to solve puzzles by creating or modifying objects with hero Maxwell’s magic notebook plus your active imagination. This includes conjuring a giant frog to stamp out a giant bug, for example, or adding the word “brave” to an onscreen character to give him the courage to fight enemies. Then there’s my go-to mode of aerial transportation in every Scribblenauts game, the “Pink Winged Thong.” I honestly wish I was kidding but sadly, I’m not.
Keep in mind that your creations can also backfire on you, like my not-so-great idea to create a giant man-eating kitten that ended up eating Maxwell instead. This, ladies and gents, is what people call being sharp as a marble.
What truly separates the latest incarnation of Scribblenauts from its predecessors, however, is its decision to add extra novelty to its classic formula by throwing in DC heroes such as Superman and Batman to the mix. Certainly, we can debate the merits of casting Ben Affleck as the newest Dark Knight in the big screen.
I’m sure most Scribblenauts fans will agree, however, that adding superheroes to this game is — to steal a line from Martha Stewart — a good thing.
Thanks to the addition of heroes and villains as well as random events for you to partake in, Scribblenauts Unmasked has a refreshing new feel compared to its predecessors. The addition of superhero lore also brings a new element to puzzles as you can now tap your inner comic book nerd to come up with ways to deal with items such as kryptonite for example or exploit the weakness of a Yellow Lantern. You can even access an extensive encyclopedia filled with DC character bios through the Batcomputer, which should provide lots of fun trivia for comic book nerds.
Meanwhile, challenges by Superman villain Mxyzptlk add bonuses as well as an extra layer of difficulty to stages by placing handicaps that limit you to only conjuring items that start with the letter “D,” for example. By clearing puzzles and missions, you earn points for unlocking new DC areas as well as origin stories for certain key heroes. Clearing main quests also let you earn Starites, which allow you to progress the story.
Adding to the fun is the ability to create custom objects and characters, including those from other intellectual properties. These include heroes from DC rival Marvel, for example, or even characters such as Kratos from “God of War.” Fiddling around with the custom editor can lead to hours of enjoyment long after the main story is done.
Admittedly, the story mode itself is a bit short while puzzles as a whole also don’t feel quite as robust as those from older Scribblenauts games. Although the story missions are entertaining, for example, many of the random instanced missions feel shallow in comparison and also can’t be instantly replayed should you fail. With the exception of the DC heroes, Scribblenauts Unmasked also doesn’t really add anything dramatically different to the game’s classic formula, which may disappoint some die-hard fans eager for some new ideas.
Although it won’t be for everybody, though, a large selection of heroes plus a robust character creator makes Unmasked a fun romp for kids and kids at heart. This is especially ideal for parents looking for something fun to play with their kids that also happens to be educational at the same time. It’s certainly better than letting them, say, jump from high places with an umbrella and a towel around their neck.
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