Comics and Manga

Making Superheroes Work In Videogames: Superman

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Someone on twitter said you couldn't make a good Superman videogame. Analyzing that statement, I felt they were wrong, and it led to the last two columns you've read, speculating on superheroes and video games.

As noted earlier in this series, I believe there are two elements to super her video games–and indeed all videogames–that have to be done right. These are the the thematic and the mechanical. These elements have to be done right, and sync up well, or your game is going to get mocked in reviews because it's lousy and misuses the property.

And I've explored how various superhero properties could be implemented with specific videogame mechanics. Now it's time for the big it's time for Superman–the videogame that doesn't suck. Hopefully. I'm trying here.

So let's start with a detailed analysis, namely what is Superman about?

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Making Superheroes Work In Videogames: Implementations

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Last column, I discussed superhero videogames, why they often don't work, and the two elements that would come together to make them work, or at least not suck.

Those two elements? The “thematic" elements (look, story, writing, acting) and the “mechanical” elements of gameplay and game system.

I've come to the conclusion that the big problem superhero games is that the mechanical elements are often done wrong, poorly, or use inappropriate elements from common gaming systems and tropes. Thematic element problems can usually be cured with the right graphics, writer, and self-respect. Mechanical elements on the other hand, seem to be harder.

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Making Superheroes Work In Videogames: The Two Elements

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So there I was, checking my Twitter feeds, when someone simply stated “no one can make a Superman videogame.”

I immediately took this simple statement is a challenge. It let me to speculate on superheroes, their use in video games, their more epic mismade video games, and what makes a good superhero videogame. It was a fascinating mental journey (and for the record, I do think a good Superman videogame is possible, but that is coming later in this series of columns).

Speculating on video games and superheroes is interesting, because the record of superhero videogames being good is highly inconsistent. There are games there praised quite rightfully, such as Arkham Asylum. There are games that are lambasted quite properly, such as . . . Okay, a lot of them, but Superman on Nintendo 64 does come to mind as kind of the iconic bad superhero videogame. Why such an erratic, and at times incredibly shameful and stupid record?

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