10 Game Franchises That Would Make Great Hero Shooters

As a seasoned gamer with over three decades under my belt, I must say that the list presented here is nothing short of a treasure trove for those who crave the thrill of hero shooters. Each of these suggestions offers a unique twist on the genre, drawing from different sources of inspiration and delivering something fresh and exciting to players.

Pondering over the extraordinary achievement of Marvel Rivals, the latest sensation in hero shooters, we find ourselves wondering: if Marvel, with their extensive roster of heroes and villains, can craft a well-balanced and immersive game, then what prevents other prominent gaming franchises from doing the same?

Many big franchises struggle because they lack a diverse and engaging ensemble of characters needed to execute such projects effectively.

In order to effectively play the game, you often require various options such as multiple abilities, weaponry, and settings. However, having these doesn’t guarantee victory, as demonstrated by Ubisoft’s XDefiant.

On the other hand, we believe that only a limited number of franchises have the potential to introduce a hero shooter game successfully and enjoy substantial profits.

Let’s daydream together about a scenario where these giant franchise giants grant our desires by creating a hero-shooter video game instead.

10. Final Fantasy

Picturing Life As A Sephiroth Main

Getting started enthusiastically, we possess a collection comprising sixteen primary installments, numerous successful spin-offs, and an array of memorable characters at our disposal.

While it doesn’t always ensure success in creating a great hero shooter blueprint, having an array of iconic characters on the scale of those found in Final Fantasy provides ample material for developing a winning design.

You’ve got distinctive spots such as The Gold Saucer, The Hideaway, and Salikawood that would be fantastic for mapping out. Moreover, you’ve got a rich diversity of character classes, including shooters like Squall and Garrett, melee fighters like Cloud and Sephiroth, and evasive characters such as Cait Sith and Noctis.

With such a rich array of iconic characters from Final Fantasy, it feels almost inevitable that a roster featuring tanks, supports, and healers will eventually be released. Here’s hoping for the best!

9. Mortal Kombat

Finish Them!

One word. Fatality. It just has more of a zing to it than ‘Ultimate.’

Mortal Kombat is a game primarily focused on intense violence, leading many in the 90s to push for its ban due to its graphic, exaggerated finishing moves. Despite this, the game has endured over the decades. Now, I believe it’s high time for it to venture beyond its traditional fighter genre and explore something fresh.

Granted, past attempts at spin-offs have received a mixed reception, to say the least, but I remain hopeful here in this wish-fulfillment-fueled fantasy in crafting.

Here’s a suggestion for paraphrasing:

Transforming this game into something more than a simple brawler could prove challenging, given its current structure. However, considering the rich cast of characters the series boasts, crafting a deeper experience is certainly achievable.

8. Super Mario

Just Think Of The Power-Ups

For any individual, regardless of their familiarity with video games, it’s immediately clear that when discussing enduring and victorious franchise series, Mario stands out as the most apparent choice.

I’ve been a fan of this incredible series that consistently delivers one smash hit after another, managing to captivate generations by skillfully merging classic platforming with cutting-edge innovation. It’s quite astonishing to think that, given its penchant for occasional spin-offs, we haven’t yet experienced a Mario hero shooter game – it seems like such a natural fit!

Reflect on this, you’ve got various Mario Kart-like power-ups that can be transformed into abilities, a rich collection of levels and games to design the landscapes, not forgetting Laiku who can manage the camera so you can focus on the action.

One potential challenge could lie in the fact that it’s a series designed for all ages, featuring little or no violent content and no depiction of firearms. However, given Nintendo’s history of innovative problem-solving, I believe they can manage to adapt it successfully.

7. Kingdom Hearts

Donald, As A Healer, Obviously

Before you roll your eyes, I don’t include Kingdom Hearts on this list in the hope that it would come as a package deal with all the licensed Sony IPs. Although, a Disney hero shooter would undoubtedly be cool.

Yes, I’m including KH (Kingdom Hearts) in our project as the original cast is rich and versatile. Beyond the Keyblade wielders who could excel as melee combatants, there are many more layers to explore.

Instead of ordinary soldiers, you might assign roles to Organization XIII members such as Xigbar serving as a marksman, Lexaeus acting as a heavy-duty combatant, and Demyx specializing in summoning abilities.

Not only that, but consider the various driving modes and exciting variations of each character you can switch between. I’d choose the edgy, Chakram-carrying Axel over his human form anytime.

You could even make some iconic Heartless playable, too. It’s a nailed-on hit in my eyes, but one thing needs to happen. For the sake of irony, they need to make Donald a healer.

6. Borderlands

Guns Galore

Many items on this list might require significant adjustments to conform to the typical structure of a hero shooter, as they lack prominent gun elements in their gameplay.

In contrast to some issues, Borderlands doesn’t encounter this particular problem since fans of the series are well aware that there are an overwhelming number of unique gun types, making it impossible to memorize them all.

Besides the vibrant band of Vault Hunters, intriguing NPCs, and formidable adversaries encountered in Pandora, it’s clear that this game could deliver an extraordinary experience as a hero shooter, offering an irresistible appeal.

Berserkers can function as tanks, snipers serve their purpose as sharpshooters, and Sirens provide support. If needed, you could add a few Psychos or Claptraps to your team if you find yourself lacking in numbers.

For me, it’s a no-brainer with the batch of iconic locations, weapons, and much more. But if it ever does happen, dibs on playing as Handsome Jack.

5. Sonic The Hedgehog

Green Light This One, Fast

If you’ve ever wanted a group of characters boasting an incredibly varied array of abilities, the Sonic The Hedgehog series might be just what you’re seeking.

It’s clear that you have individuals with powerful resources at their disposal, such as Dr Eggman and Shadow the Hedgehog. However, your team also includes speedy characters like Sonic, hand-to-hand fighters like Knuckles, aerial combatants like Tails, and heavyweight tanks like Big The Cat.

This concept offers a multitude of possibilities for playful disorder, and envisioning a hero shooter disruption in the Green Hill Zone or the Chemical Plant brings an ear-to-ear grin.

The eventual hiccup might be that the character roster is more or less set and limits the ability to throw in new playable characters, but I’m not a how guy; I’m the ideas guy. Maybe the chaos emeralds hold the answer.

4. Pokemon

Forget Heroes, Give Me Monsters!

A good hero shooter is only as good as the roster of heroes you can play, and this roster, when working with a license, is dependent on what the game in question has to work with.

As a devoted enthusiast, I’m absolutely thrilled about the diverse array of Pokémon we’ve got in this department – over a thousand of them! Each one possesses extraordinary abilities that could be finely tuned to create engaging playable characters. Of course, there’s always an exception, like poor Magikarp, but you catch my drift.

As a devoted fan, I can’t help but marvel at the incredible versatility of this franchise. From the diverse movesets and types to the numerous regions and items, it’s no wonder that the series has managed to explore such a vast array of genres over time, thanks to its countless spin-offs.

Well, why not toss another item onto the stack? If I could role-play as a tiny Cubone, whirling a bone boomerang about, then it’s a done deal for me!

3. Dragon Ball

Give Me Your Power

It could be argued that Dragonball fits into the category of a gaming franchise due to its frequent appearance in fighting games throughout various gamers’ collections over time.

This game harks back to classics such as Budokai Tenkaichi 3 and extends up to current hits like Sparking! Zero. However, in my opinion, the franchise has the potential to offer so much more than just an anime-based fighting game.

Rather than a solo adventure, it could transform into a team-oriented saga similar to Marvel’s Rivals, leveraging the unique abilities of each character. For instance, Goku could utilize his Kamehameha wave, Cell could employ regeneration, and Bulma could showcase her tech-savvy talents. There’s plenty of potential for character development in this setting.

Granted, I don’t know what they would do to make Yamcha a viable character, but that aside, Dragonball would make for an interesting option.

2. Hades

Overwatch Meets Olympus

Why make a hero shooter with heroes when you could make one with literal gods instead?

I acknowledge your point that we’re essentially discussing a hero shooter with a roster inspired by the powers of Greek gods from mythology. Personally, I believe that Supergiant Games’ interpretation of these myths could result in a fantastic game within this particular genre.

Apart from its stylish appeal, Hades is also captivating due to the diverse talents and powers associated with the gods of Olympus, as well as additional characters you meet during your journey, such as Meg, Cerberus, and Big Daddy Hades.

Transitioning this project from 2D to 3D would undoubtedly pose a challenge should they choose that route, but if they manage to clear that obstacle, it could seamlessly transform into a hero shooter series.

1. League of Legends

A Stone’s Throw Away Already

To conclude our discussion, how about we engage with a popular game that has gone beyond the realm of gaming due to its highly successful series called Arcane?

It’s evident that this series can venture beyond its original MOBA boundaries, given its versatility, and it has indeed spawned numerous spinoffs – ranging from deck builders to relaxing Yordle-themed games. Consequently, a hero shooter seems more like an expected evolution rather than a significant jump.

As a dedicated fan, I can’t help but marvel at the diverse and captivating cast of champions in League of Legends. Their unique abilities seem so finely balanced that it’s hard not to imagine them seamlessly transitioning into a hero shooter setting with minimal adjustments.

Additionally, there are numerous well-known champions who already have detailed sets of equipment. Consequently, it seems like all you’d need to do is plug in the pieces, making everything feel almost too easy. It’s undoubtedly the most suitable choice for this hero shooter adaptation, and with Arcane gaining popularity, it might actually become a reality.

2024-12-18 14:09