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Superman is arguably one of the most iconic and recognizable superheroes ever introduced. The character has been part of several popular comic book stories and has appeared in animation, live-action films, and television series for the past few decades; however, some fans are still waiting for a game developer brave enough to bring the Man of Steel into a much more interactive universe.
Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster wanted to introduce a superhero that could do everything while being immune to everything else. It can be challenging from a gameplay perspective to bring a character into a world where rarely anything can harm him apart from Kryptonite and magic, and that rare mineral is in short supply.
Unlike Spider-Man and Batman, Superman is almost impervious to anything thrown at him. Game developers like Insomniac Games had little to worry about working with Marvel’s Spider-Man since Peter Parker is a human mutate that can still be harmed and is burdened with great power and greater responsibility. Spider-Man’s gameplay is easily translated into a video game, sometimes the games are much more cinematic than his live-action counterparts to a certain degree, and fans hold this franchise with high regard despite the lack of any story expansions for Marvel’s Spider-Man 2.
On the other hand, Bruce Wayne is no superhuman and his wealth and brain are his greatest superpower, Rocksteady Studios struck gold with the original Batman Arkham trilogy and some would argue it paved the way for the golden age for modern superhero games and pushed the fear factor like the infamous game crash scene that taught the gaming community the true definition of fear. Batman and his background are a match made in heaven for a perfect superhero video game with basic combat that highlights his strength and skill.
Superman is at a massive disadvantage when it comes to gameplay and it is an open secret. Kal-El is born on Krypton right before it is destroyed earning him the title of the last son of Krypton. Many of his arch nemesis like Lex Luthor made it his life mission to acquire Kryptonite that could be used as a silver bullet or a deterrent when the day comes when Superman decides he will no longer bow down to the rules of humanity.
In his civilian life, Clark Kent is a humble journalist for the Daily Planet and he gave it his all to look timid, weak, and not much of a threat. Kent is everything Superman is not, a direct contrast to his superhero persona, where he has everything from the ability to fly, super strength, heat vision, and impenetrable skin. Impenetrable skin alone will cause game developers trouble figuring out how enemies can harm a player in combat.
Despite the poor reception, Rocksteady Studios managed to kill the overpowered superhero in Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League with a fair few plot holes, and bullet holes. At one point in the story, Wonder Woman thought it would be best to end her friend’s life under the control of Brainiac by stabbing him with pure Kryptonite; however, he walked out mortally wounded until the Suicide Squad riddled with him smaller bullets made from Kryptonite killing the Kryptonian on the spot.
This massive plot hole raised some eyebrows and got players scratching their heads when Wonder Woman’s attempt should have killed him immediately. Nevertheless, that is the only way Superman can be harmed and killed in a video game. Game developers must think of a clever and creative way to integrate their weaknesses into enemy attacks without making them too overpowered.
Superpowers can give heroes an edge against evil villains and other wrongdoers; however, it is the biggest villain for a game developer. Superman can take a punch from a regular man and will feel nothing and his immunity from bullets, and other incoming projectiles will not leave any damage per second unless they are made out of Kryptonite.
DC made one of the most powerful heroes giving game developers a problem. Perhaps under the new rule of James Gunn, a Superman video game will be made in earnest.
Would you like an open-world Superman video game? Let us know in the comments section below!
“}]] Game developers could make a Superman game work if they find a way to perfectly balance his overpowered abilities. Read More