Sony’s recent State of Play just announced a remaster of Marvel’s Spiderman, and the reaction has been incredibly positive. That a nearly five-year-old game is getting all the hype is proof that the superhero genre excites gamers.
After all, most kids who used to play superheroes on the playground can now do so in video games. As more and more superheroes are coming to gaming franchises, the past decade has shown a lot of innovation in this genre of games. From superhero sandbox adventures to fast-paced fighting games, superheroes are an incredibly fun premise for video games. Ranker showed that the 2010s had some of the best superhero video games ever made.
Batman: The Reveal Series – 72
Batman: The Reveal Series (2016) is a point-and-click adventure game where your choices dictate how the story unfolds. This game is set in its unique continuity and puts a new spin on several iconic Batman characters.
The game is also early in Batman’s career, so the player can fashion any dark knight they want. Will he be a righteous hero, giving criminals a second chance at life, or a ruthless vigilante, willing to do whatever it takes to save Gotham? This is the question that Batman: The Reveal Series poses to his players.
Saints Row IV (2013) – 75
Saints Row IV, Developed by High Voltage Software, take a step away from the classic gang warfare the series was known for. Now, with the boss being the President of the United States, the scale has reached truly ridiculous levels. Now the Saints are the only thing standing against a conquering alien race.
Saints Row IV places the player in a Matrix-like simulation the aliens have placed them in. In this simulation, they are given a host of incredible superpowers. Super speed, super strength, flight, power over the elements, all the classic standbys are there.
Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3 (2011) – 76
Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3 is an entrance into the beloved Marvel vs. Capcom franchise. In this game, two worlds collide, as iconic Capcom characters face off against legendary Marvel heroes and villains. Nowadays, Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3 is one of the best fighting games ever made.
The 3v3 action ensures players don’t have a second to breathe. Reflexes need to be quick and fingers even quicker to advance in this fighting game. As for the aesthetic, it’s heavily inspired by comics, with dark shading and exaggerated typing effects.
South Park: The Fractured But Whole (2017) – 81
South Park: The Fractured But Whole is the humorously named RPG adventure game (developed by Ubisoft San Francisco) that parodies the superhero genre. Now, the New Kid joins Coon and his friends, as they roam the city “solving” crimes and beating up the other naughty kids.
The game manages to incorporate the aesthetics and humor of South Park perfectly with the mechanics of a video game. Although it’s basically a standard RPG, the humorous takes on superhero reboots, resurrection in the comics, grand conspiracies and good old fart jokes, make it a favorite among South Park Fans.
infamous 2 (2011) – 83
infamous 2 is a sandbox superhero action game (developed by Sucker Punch Studios) that once again focuses on Cole McGrath. As the ghosts of his past threaten him once again, Cole develops new powers. It is up to the player to decide if he will choose the path of good or evil.
infamous 2 is praised for its quick mobility and action. The morality system also dictates what player powers Cole McGrath gets in the story. Renegade Coles has a more sinister aura around them, while Paragon Coles looks a lot more heroic.
The Marvelous 101 (2013) – 84
The Wonderful 101 is a hack-and-slash action game from Platinum Games, the same studio that gave gamers action games like Metal Gear Rising: Revenge. With that kind of development force behind the game, incredibly creative action sequences are to be expected.
The Wonderful 101The gimmick of is that it gives players the ability to take control of over 100 different heroes at the same time. The controls will take some getting used to, as this is a very ambitious game. However, once players get past that, they are rewarded with one of the most unique superhero action games ever made.
Lego Marvel Superheroes (2013) – 79
Lego Marvel Superheroes take Lego sets into the world of Marvel. Just like all classic lego games, the player has hundreds of Marvel roster heroes to choose from to play with. For anyone who has ever wanted to build their dream superhero team, this game is a fantastic playground for that.
Like all Lego games, Lego Marvel Superheroes take a very light-hearted approach to the superhero genre. Even cosmic threats such as Galactus are heartily mocked. For comic book fans who have always wanted to see Galactus “nom nom” a planet, then this is their kind of game.
Injustice 2 (2017) – 81
Injustice 2 is a superhero fighting game developed by NetherRealm Studios and focuses on a world recovering from Superman’s dictatorship. But when Brainiac arrives on Earth to conquer it for his research, Batman is forced to ally himself with Superman to fight off this alien threat.
Injustice 2 takes place in its unique continuity, and it gives them a lot of freedom on what to do with the characters. The Injustice Universe is the poster child for modern Evil Superman stories. Players can also battle iconic DC characters, so that’s a big part of the appeal.
Batman: Arkham City (2011) – 87
Batman: Arkham City is a semi-open-world action-exploration game developed by Rocksteady Studios. After a section of Gotham City is transformed into a gigantic “Escape from New York” style prison city. Bruce Wayne protests a bad idea. However, Hugo Strange kidnaps him and puts him inside as well. Now Bruce must survive against the psychopathic townspeople and uncover Strange’s villainous plans.
Batman: Arkham City allows players to finally experience Batman in a truly urban setting. Unlike the cramped spaces of Arkham Asylum, Arkham City is an urban hive of scum and villainy. Perfect for vigilantes prowling the night to explore.
Marvel’s Spider-Man (2018) – 88
Marvel’s Spiderman is an open-world superhero sandbox game developed by Insomniac Games. The player can take control of the amazing Spider-Man himself. After putting Kingpin in jail, Spider-Man must contend with a host of new villains seeking to fill the power vacuum.
The game draws inspiration from all the superhero games that came before it. Fast combos, online parkour and a host of fun gadgets await new players. With the sequel releasing surprisingly soon, the 2020s might have another classic on its hands.
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