Here’s a weird fact about my process for writing. I will spend hours coming up with an idea that’s worth discussing, sometimes racking my brains for an entire day. Then, just as I’ve settled on an idea, I’ll go to type the title in and completely change my mind about what I was going to write about. This does have the small downside that I have no idea what I’m going to write about when I actually start but it’s more fun this way. This part of my writing process is exactly what happened today and that is why we’re going to talk about superheroes.
Everyone loves superheroes right? Even if you don’t like comic books there’s some kind of hero that resonates with almost everyone on some level. You might love the simple purity of Superman, the wise cracking antics of Spider-Man, the anti-hero attitude of Wolverine or maybe the insane violence of less traditional ‘heroes’ like Haunt or the Boys appeals to you. Not everyone has an incredibly deep knowledge of these characters, but I would imagine that a very high number of people in the Western world can at least identify cultural touchstones like the Superman or Batman logos.
What I’m not going to say to everyone is go read comics. Sure, comics are where most superheroes are born, but their franchises are so much bigger than any one medium now. Look at the success of films like Iron Man or The Dark Knight to see just how big they are. In fact superheroes are so huge now that Mark Millar, the writer behind Kick Ass, already had film studios bidding on his next project, Nemesis, before the first issue had been released.
Sadly superheroes have always kinda tanked when it comes to games. Sure we’ve had the odd success like Batman: Arkham Asylum or Spider-Man 2 but for the most part they haven’t exactly set the world on fire. I’ve got high hopes for Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensions as well, perhaps we’re moving into some kind of renaissance for superhero games but I seriously doubt it.
It’s hard to understand just why superhero games are generally so bad. We already know the characters, even if it’s only in a vague sense for a lot of people. Given that pre-existing relationship you’d think the games would be better rather than worse but perhaps that’s the issue. When games take a pre-established character we already know what they’re capable of and how they act, so if the game gets it wrong we notice instantly. It’s similar to the issue faced by a lot of sporting games, the in-game sports stars don’t quite match up to their real world counterparts.
What’s your take on superheroes? Would you rather they stayed in comics, or do you like the expansion into films and games? More importantly do you have a favourite?
double-o-dave
Never really cared for super heroes, especially in games but I could be persuaded to purchase one if they made one starring a tight leather clad Cat Woman similar to a dark themed Assassins Creed style game jumping and climbing around buildings. In fact I think I may have stumbled across a winner right there!
BrendanCalls
I am a huge Superman fan, Im not a comic book fan but I do read the occasional series. I have Superman artwork, a Superman wallet, filmcells and books galore but the one thing i really want is a good Superman Video game.
I have discussed my idea on TSA before, I think a Heavy Rain-esque Superman game is the only way to bring him to consoles. I believe this stands for all Superheroes too, not just Superman.
Personally, I would use the game mechanics of Heavy Rain, but the graphics would be as close to a comic book as possible. You could even go as far as interactively storyboarding it across the screen.
Its the only way I can see of bringing Superheroes into gaming culture, because this way you can more effectively portray and emphasise the characters emotions and struggles rather than the brute force and invulnerability.
Severn2j
I was always a fan of Zenith (from 2000AD) myself.. I could never really get into the Superman-style of hero, it was just too black and white for my liking, whereas Zenith was a bit of a cock, but still grudgingly saved the day.
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As for games, one of the best ones imo was Infamous, which wasn’t even a comic book.. Maybe you’re onto something Raen, when you said that we expect pre-existing characters to act a certain way.
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I don’t think they need to stay with comic books tho, just because they started there doesn’t mean another medium couldn’t do the same, its just that most of the time when something is crossed over, its done in a very half-assed, profit-maximising way where the focus is on milking a franchise, rather than making a decent movie/game/whatever..
mrfodder
Looking back over the last couple of years, very few superhero games were not film tie-ins. All the film tie-ins were crap, but the made to be a game ones both Batman and Infamous stand out. Prototype was reviewed well, but Punisher didn’t. If it’s made to be a game they is a good chance it will be decent, if a film’s involved it’ll be crud.
3shirts
One reason Batman works so well is because of the fact that he isn’t a superhero but an action hero. He doesn’t have any superhuman powers so he is fallible and can, in theory, be beaten by realistic human opponents. That means you can set games in a recognisable pseudo-reality and feel like you can win but it’s a challenge.
Superman can’t be hurt, he can move faster than the eye can see, lift anything, freeze things, see through things etc. It’s hard to make a game like that any kind of challenge without taking it into a fantasy world which is not where we want to see Superman.
BrendanCalls
Which is why I think the focus should shift in such a game to the emotional failings of such a character. Best portrayed on consoles through a Heavy Rain style mechanic.
Superman is a story of isolation, alienation and heroism in the face of those issues. Its not a story of a muscly superhero beating up bad guys, as has so often been portrayed in poor quality games, cartoons, adverts and worst of all musicals.
adamguest1985
I think the majority of superhero games turn out naff because they’re rushed, low-budget, film tie-in’s.
Arkham Asylum is the recent notable exception for me, but, IMO, if the character’s had different skins, the game would have very little “superhero” appeal, and just be another game on the shelf. A great one none the less.
– The gameplay was excellent, and although the story was borrowed from the comic books, it was still generic enough, in the most part, to pass off with a few tweaks as a huge success.
Roynaldo
Best superhero game I played is Wolverine. With his abilities it was easy to make a goodhack n slash game which i thoroughly enjoyed.
Fav superhero is Superman. I doubt it is possible to do him justice in a game.
cc_star
Ooh yeah, forgot about Wolverine
trollmonster
Coincidentally, I just set my wallpaper to a collection of Marvel characters. Personally I think a few of the movie games have been fun (although a little repetitive). I’ll definitely be buying DC Universe when it comes out.