Superman Could Succeed in Gaming By Following One Great Batman Venture

Superman Could Succeed in Gaming By Following One Great Batman Venture

As a seasoned gamer with over two decades of gaming under my belt, I must say that Batman has had quite the reign in the video game world, while Superman, the other iconic DC superhero, hasn’t quite managed to keep pace. Don’t get me wrong, Superman has had his moments, but compared to Batman’s 42 games and counting, it feels like he’s been left out to dry.


As a dedicated gamer, I’ve noticed over the years that the gaming world has been brimming with games centered around or showcasing DC Comics’ Batman. From leading roles in the “Batman: Arkham” series to cameos in games like “MultiVersus”, the Dark Knight is a constant presence across modern gaming eras. However, it seems that Superman, the other iconic half of the world’s greatest heroes, hasn’t had the same level of spotlight. DC Comics could balance this out by creating a narrative-driven game akin to “Batman: The Telltale Series” for Superman, giving him the solo limelight he deserves in the gaming realm.

Common Issues With Superman-Focused Games

As a gamer, it’s no secret that Batman has a vast array of titles under his cowl, while Superman, on the other hand, has fewer dedicated games. The ones dedicated to the Last Son of Krypton are often mediocre at best or downright broken and monotonous. Games like Superman: The New Superman Adventures, for instance, were essentially flying simulators that had us more often than not soaring through rings instead of engaging in combat or saving civilians. Superman Returns, based on the 2006 film, felt more like a Hulk game, offering a less-than-ideal representation of the Man of Steel for gamers to embody.

The biggest issue with creating a Superman video game is how to properly adapt Superman’s powers into balanced gameplay. Superman is often claimed to be an overpowered hero since he has near impenetrable skin, heat vision, x-ray vision, freezing breath, super strength, super speed, a genius-level intelligence (depending on who’s writing him), a solar flare explosion ability, and he can fly. Allowing players to be practically invincible with all of these powers could make Superman’s gameplay dull very quickly if not executed properly. Due to this concern, Superman is hardly ever able to use his powers to their full extent in his various game appearances.

Over the years, Superman has only been featured in 17 individual games, whereas by October 2024, when “Batman: Arkham Shadow” is set to launch on the Meta Quest 3, Batman will have a grand total of 42 games featuring him as the main character.

A Telltale-like Superman Game Could Be a Knockout

The Telltale Series”. Just like the Telltale games, including “Batman: The Telltale Series” and its sequel, players would control Superman through a point-and-click and quick-time event interface. During action sequences, players need to stay alert or risk missing button prompts, requiring them to redo a scenario or face consequences in future events. Between action scenes, players could explore environments searching for items or hints that could trigger dialogue opportunities. In dialogues, players can make decisions that shape their relationships with other characters and influence the unfolding storylines.

As a passionate gamer, I adore games that resemble those developed by Telltale Studios. Unlike traditional games, these aren’t about mastering complex gameplay mechanics. Instead, they captivate me with engaging narratives and the power to influence the story through my choices. For instance, in ‘Batman: The Enemy Within’, I was faced with a crucial decision – should I trust John Doe (the Joker) or try to apprehend him? My choice determined the game’s outcome drastically.

Potential Story Influences for a Telltale-like Superman Game

In creating their games, Telltale often crafts original narratives while incorporating elements from well-known Batman tales like “Batman: The Long Halloween.” Similarly, a game featuring Superman could be developed around an original narrative or based on one of his famous comic book stories. To appeal to a wider audience with a Superman game, DC might draw inspiration from Peter J. Tomasi’s run of Superman and Lois Lane raising their son Jon Kent as Superboy. For a more traditional DC Comics story, they could adapt Geoff Johns’ “Superman: Secret Origin” and incorporate parts from his later works on Superman, such as the New Krypton saga.

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2024-09-15 21:05