Don’t Call Ben Stiller, We Have 88 Better Heros to Call First

What do you do when you have a super villain problem, and the regular superheros are busy? Well you don’t call Ben Stiller…that’s for sure, but you could call the guys at Bitmap Bureau, after all, they do have 88 heroes to spare.

The number 88 is the recurring theme in this side-scrolling platformer. You have 88 seconds to complete each of the 88 levels of Dr H8’s lair. There are also 88 nuclear missiles primed to launch should (or when) you fail to get to the heart of Dr H8’s lair before the 88 minute launch timer runs out.

You do have 88 heroes to call on for this titanic task, but, the order which you can use them is randomized each game, so you better cross all eight fingers and hope you’re skillful enough to keep these second rate heroes alive through all 88 levels.

Which of the #88Heroes are you?! pic.twitter.com/dK22VoMneJ

— RSG Team (@RisingStarGames) March 24, 2017

With 88 (or more) unique abilities to master, and four different worlds to fight through, 88 Heroes also offers additional game modes, such as; Magnificent 8 (select 8 specific heroes to complete the whole game) and Solo mode ( same thing, but with just one hero).

However, some extra features have been made platform exclusives, 88 Heroes is available on PlayStation 4, PC, Mac, Linux and Xbox One, but the PlayStation 4 version is also available as a physical boxed game, with 2 additional heroes (Cath Letics and Mime), as well the H8 game mode that includes 8 exclusive levels too. Available for £12.99 (or your regional equivalent) from multiple vendors, including: Steam, GoG and the Humble Store.

Obviously some PC gamer’s may be a little put out that a console is, once again, getting platform exclusive content, but the fact that the extra content is limited to the boxed edition is not so bad. As a fan of boxed computer games (yes, we have a club) I’m actually all for keeping the physical medium for computer games alive and well.

Official Press Release

The chaotic 2D action platform game from acclaimed development studio Bitmap Bureau, will release in March. The frantic, funny and crowd-pleasing platformer releases on PlayStation®4, PC, Mac, Linux and Xbox One. 88 Heroes will also be released as a physical boxed edition on PlayStation®4, featuring additional exclusive content.

The physical boxed edition of 88 Heroes for PlayStation®4 includes two exclusive additional heroes and the exclusive new H8 Mode, which features eight brand new levels offering a super-charged hardcore challenge.

Joining the crew and taking the number of nonsensical heroes to ninety are:

Cath Letics – her super-sprint and long jump skills are activated by hammering the action button just like in an athletics videogame of yesteryear;
The Mime – push the action button and The Mime will perform the classic “trapped in a glass box” mime action, confusing and befuddling enemies and making them turn away.

Regardless of the gaming platform of choice, 88 Heroes is packed with content and challenge. The game is a chaotic 2D platformer that is as fun to watch as it is to play, where each level completed or untimely death brings a new uniquely skilled hero into the action. With just 88 minutes to complete all 88 levels, you’ll need every one of the 88 heroes to stop the dastardly Dr. H8 destroying the Earth! Are you up to the challenge?

“We’re really pleased that gamers across so many formats will be able to play 88 Heroes in March”, said Martin Defries, Managing Director of Rising Star Games. “We have such belief in the game that we’re proud to be adding a boxed physical PS4™ version of the game, with exciting additional content, to our jam-packed existing catalogue, continuing our dedication to fans of physical releases”.

“At Bitmap Bureau, words cannot describe just how excited we are to finally release 88 Heroes!”, said Matt Cope, Managing Director at Bitmap Bureau. “Teaming up with Rising Star Games has been fantastic. We’ve had creative freedom to explore our crazy ideas, and genuine support whenever needed. We can’t wait for people to start downloading our game or get their hands on the exclusive PS4™ boxed version!”

88 Heroes Key Features:

88 unique and original playable characters, each with their own skills and abilities that may help – or hinder! – the player
Hero order is randomly selected with each play, meaning players will always face a fresh and varied challenge
88 levels across 4 zones to conquer, each with its own unique boss encounter
Multiple game modes including: Magnificent 8 mode – choose a team of just 8 heroes to tackle the entire game with; Solo mode – pick just one hero and master their skills in order to survive as long as you can
2 additional heroes and 8 new levels in H8 Mode, exclusive to the physical boxed edition
Watch the action from Dr. H8’s lair as he tries to thwart your plans, drinks coffee, takes bathroom breaks and berates his accident-prone henchmen
More heroes incoming with DLC!