Superhero Video Games Need to Be More Common Than They Are

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It appears that the number of top-tier superhero video games is quite limited. For instance, the Spider-Man series by Insomniac, particularly the latest installment, stands out as a contemporary example. Additionally, the Batman: Arkham games are worth mentioning, although it’s been about a decade since a mainline release from that franchise (excluding Suicide Squad). Given these examples, there are relatively few superhero games available in today’s market.

It appears that Insomniac Games has exclusive rights to develop Spider-Man games, leaving them as the sole team capable of working with this character. On the other hand, Rocksteady Studios has previously developed games featuring DC characters, such as the Arkham series and Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League. However, there’s a need for more projects involving these characters than what is currently being produced.

Superhero Games Need to be Much More Prominent

The comic book hero experienced their peak in cinema, so discussing this topic might be a tad behind. Even though comic book and superhero films continue to flood the cinemas, the audience seems to be growing weary over the past few years. Potential movies such as Superman, Thunderbolts*, and potentially Fantastic Four: First Steps could possibly revive the genre, and there should also be an increase in related video games.

*Note: In this context, “Thunderbolts” refers to a fictional superhero team that appears in American comic books published by Marvel Comics.

Today, it’s rare to see video games being directly tied to movies like the old days, such as a Spider-Man 3 game would not be produced nowadays. There are no modern equivalents of Iron Man games across various platforms. This isn’t necessarily a negative development, particularly since many of those licensed games tended to be average at best.

The titles featuring Spider-Man battling insomnia are widely praised and adored due to their self-contained narratives and separate universe. It’s reasonable to assume that the forthcoming Wolverine game by Insomniac, being the sole significant upcoming title in this genre, will follow a similar pattern.

It’s troubling that among the few notable upcoming superhero video games, Wolverine, who’s currently grappling with numerous challenges, stands out. Unfortunately, the Wonder Woman game from Monolith Productions and EA’s Black Panther game were both scrapped. Marvel 1943: The Rise of Hydra has been postponed and seems uncertain, much like Wolverine. While there are others on the horizon, none appear to be in a secure position at this moment.

The road seems rocky for this genre, which is unfortunate, as the potential is vast. Video games frequently draw from characters with superpowers, making comic books an abundant source of character choices. Characters like Superman, Batman, Spider-Man, Captain America, Thor, and numerous others would excel in video game adaptations.

As a gaming enthusiast, I’d venture to say that not every comic book superhero could make a great video game character – take Daredevil or The Flash for instance. But the truth is, the overwhelming majority of these heroes would be fantastic in the gaming world, and it’s their unique powersets that make them so appealing for game development.

Superhero characters like Superman, Captain America, and The Punisher have distinct power sets that could make excellent video games. Superman’s superhuman abilities would create an exciting, fantastical gaming experience. On the other hand, Captain America offers a more grounded approach, with his human-like abilities making for a realistic gameplay experience. Similarly, The Punisher, who is essentially a man armed with weapons, could provide a thrilling action-packed video game due to his deadly arsenal.

Iron Man would be an ideal role-playing game (RPG), where progression involves leveling up, granting access to additional abilities and equipment for your suit. On the other hand, Doctor Strange could headline a game that seamlessly transitions between 2D and 3D visuals, as his magical abilities align perfectly with this unique mechanic.

In a hypothetical scenario, Green Lantern’s abilities could mirror those of Link from “The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom,” allowing him to combine and create a vast array of objects. The potential uses are virtually endless, yet there seems to be a lack of extensive exploration or application of these capabilities.

Based on the choices provided and some popular superhero games, developers have a vast array of genres to explore. They can create platformers, fighting games, role-playing games, action, adventure, and many other types – all of which are readily available. In essence, there is no restriction, making it an exciting prospect for any development team aiming to innovate.

Regardless of other factors, there’s definitely room for expansion. The popularity of superhero narratives is evident, so game developers should pay attention and cater to their audience’s demands. This could be an opportune moment to do so, as the success of comic book movies might ignite curiosity that could lead to increased involvement with hypothetical games.

It’s possible that comic book adaptations may no longer be viable, leading fans towards video games where their favorite characters and narratives reside instead. Gaming has shed its negative image and is now recognized as a legitimate platform for storytelling. Consequently, it seems logical to focus more on video games when it comes to superhero stories in the future.

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2025-07-20 23:41