My Thoughts on Superman video games

My Thoughts on Superman video games

Since this is Superman’s 80^th anniversary, I decided to talk about why it’s hard to make a good Superman video game? Before I give my two cents on the subject, we need to know what do you need in order for a game to function. First, you need a character for the player to control, second, an objective that the player can complete, and make that task hard for him or her to complete just enough for the player to feel satisfied. You don’t want the player to rage quit and throw the controller at the TV. This may sound simple, but it can be hard to execute because what is or isn’t hard in video games can be subjective. Just because I consider the Mega Man games hard, that doesn’t mean everyone else will feel that way.

This is where the Superman is overpowered argument has some value. How can you make a Superman game challenging if almost nothing can stop him? When you play a Batman or Spider-Man game, getting shot won’t kill you, but it can; that's not the case for Superman. The developers feel like if they give the player all of Superman’s powers, it would make the game too easy and boring. Well, it’s possible to create a game without giving us all of Superman’s powers, I mean, no one complained that Superman didn’t have his ice breath in the animated series, as far as I know, but I digress. 

The only way around this issue that I can think of is if the Superman game took place in space, and the only allies he’ll have are Kara and Dr. Hamilton. Also, the creators can design a game around his powers to make things difficult. Like have Superman search for a bomb in Metropolis, but that'll be hard for him because it's covered in lead and he can't see through lead. The Superman Returns video game did something like this, as far as if you fail to save the city, you lose. Since were on the Subject of Metropolis, it needs to be an open world or sandbox where you feel like you're flying around it.   

They kind of did that with the Superman Returns video game, but the game feels empty. I wish game developers would apply how they did the Arkham games to Superman without making the same game, as far as making the player feel like Superman. The only way I can see a Superman game can work is if it’s an RPG, you start off as Superman in a weak state, then you build up your powers as you progress through the game. That’s another downside to making a Superman game. How can you make them better than the last one without making Superman stronger than he already is? 

Another thing that can hurt making a Superman game is the story, and how it will affect the gameplay? What kind of story can you tell with a character that represents the best of humanity? Going back to the RPG idea, tell a story of Superman trying to gain experience by working to gain the people of Metropolis trust and doing reporter work as Clark Kent. Doing that would justify you playing as Clark Kent. I don’t see how to make the gameplay work beyond if you fail, you start over, or game over. Another way you can do this is Telltales where combat and gameplay don't matter that much, then again your producing an interactive movie. I like how Superman was handled in Lego Batman 2 because it captured what Superman is without going in-depth with it.   

Heck Developers can make a Superman game similar to this, as far as having Lex Luthor work with the Army to take down Superman. However, this game will feel like a beat em up. 

Finally, how will this game sell the villains? Another reason why the Arkham games are popular is because it introduce us to Batman’s rogues gallery in a way that makes sense. A lot of people are not going to know Superman villains like Metallo, Mr. Mxyzptlk, Toyman, etc. ( Unless they grew up watching the animated series and Smallville.) The game should introduce these characters in a way that feels like world-building and have the baddies challenge Superman in different ways. These are my reasons why making a Superman game is hard. Do you think it's possible to make a good Superman game?