HeroClix TabApp Preview From Gen Con 2012

In the midst of all the things happening at Gen Con last weekend I was able to squeeze in at the Wiz Kids booth and check out something brand new on their lineup. For a long while now Wiz Kids has taken their HeroClix line and pushed it to the digital market with HeroClix Online, but now they’ve taken that one step further with their recent game – HeroClix TabApp.

HeroClix TabApp is a mobile game for the iPad that integrates physical Clix with a digital game. Players can pick up one of the starter sets, each of which includes three Clix and their power cards, and download the game from the App Store once it releases later this September. These starter sets will offer Marvel Heroes such as Wolverine, Thor, Captain America, Ironman, Cyclops and Iceman.

Each of these specialized Clix figures has a set of risers placed in specific positions underneath their base. This is how the app recognizes which figure you are using. When you start the game you’ll choose a character and a scenario. The cool thing about the game is that it’s story-based. You’ll be following a set story that offers some cool background about each character. Once you’ve chosen your Clix you’ll place them on the designated spot on the pad and the game picks up who you’ve selected. You’ll then make your scenario decision and start.

For the duration of each scenario your figure doesn’t move – it’s everything else that does. The scenery and enemies will all move around you. As enemies appear on the screen you can tap at them to fire ranged attacks, and when an enemy gets close tap on them for melee attacks. Each Clix has special abilities that can be used to help them throughout their scenario, and they take time to recharge.

For my demo I chose Captain America. He could throw his shield at enemies for a long-range attack, and he’d give them the good old red, white, and blue uppercut if they got too close. Cap’s special abilities allowed him to immobilize enemies and for defense he could throw up a shield around him to prevent damage for a certain period of time. I played through the first level, beating guys as they showed up. Before I knew it I made it to the end of the first level and got a cutscene. The story played out a bit and the next level started.

So the game is very straightforward, which isn’t a bad thing. The TabApp is designed for younger kid players in mind, and I think it’ll hit right on the mark. One thing I will say, however, is that the more I played it, the more I wanted to. The game is fun and addicting, and I’m sure any fan of HeroClix will enjoy it. The starter packs will offer players plenty of options to choose from, and the Clix within can be used in the tabletop version of the game.

The HeroClix TabApp will release next month, and it’s something I think will be well received. The app itself is free, and you’ll need only pay for the starter packs, for which we don’t have a price yet. From what I’ve seen so far with the game it was one that surprised me this year, and I’m sure it’ll have that effect on many other players.