H.E.R.O. Full or Budget
Here is a new coverage on this site where we compare the original release cover of a game with the later on licensed release to a budget label. We want to explore if the cover becomes as budget as the label points to? First out is H.E.R.O compared (released by Activision) to its budget version from the Firebird Silver Range.
The cover should symbolize our super-hero Roderick. He stands infront of us with all equipment in hand. Ready to rescue all the trapped miners in the labyrinth shafts – all surrounded by lava?
Who would you want to help you? Who fits the description?
H.E.R.O. – Full from Activision
In my opinion the Activision breathes a more ready-to-action hero about to propeller down the shafts. Its a much better drawing than the budget version below. Roderick on the Activision cover is my Roderick, my real hero.
The position of the hero makes us look up to him – he has a background that is clean. In red/brown colour scheme. So very clean, giving us the possibility to lean our eyes on the hero with no distractions.
H.E.R.O. – Budget from Firebird
Just to say some specific words about our hero on the Firebird Silver Range cover. He is definitely not ready, he looks more like a tourist. Looks like he is having his cigarr after a three meal dinner. No, a little more effort could have been put into the illustration of the cover in my humble opinion
I also believe that the logo takes to much of the illustration. I suggest that it should have been smaller and should have taken less protagonism on the front. It actually distorts our perception of the Roderick.
The Winner is
With no doubts at all, the full-price version from Activision beats the competition. Firbird does it well but doesn’t reach the target based on the poor design of text and image together.