Since We finally Have a Great Batman Game it's time for that great Superman Game

I think Superman will be a lot harder to pull off as a great game though.

But let's think about why Batman Arkham Asylum is such a success:

From what I know so far, the game is more Bioshock than GTA. Instead of controlling Batman through a gigantic open-ended Gotham City world, the developers went with a more concise approach and focused on one area to exlore. I think this was a great way to do Batman. Having Arkham Asylum as the game world, the developers did so many cool things like creating freaky moments, amazing atmosphere, and claustrophic areas. This really fits perfectly with Batman's tone.

I can't wait to play Batman Arkham Asylum and I'm sure everyone here is stoked about this game! I know I am. :D

But let's talk about Batman's rival, who we all know, who also had his fair share of bad games...even worse games than the Dark Knight:

You know who!

"THIS" says it all! :P

"Da-da-da--DAH!!!"

Do you think game developers can finally give Superman some justice? What do you think can make a good Superman game?

Should Supes be more Bioshock than GTA? But than that would rule out one of the most important things about Superman, which is flying. What if "flying" is the reason why Superman games have been so bad? Maybe they focus too much on flying and his crazy powers?

Maybe they should strip away Superman's powers and the whole objective of the game is to empower Superman throughout the game by beating bosses or getting new special items. Than for the grand finale, Superman gets his flying powers back to defeat, whoever he's supposed to defeat. Maybe it can be kind of like Metroid and how Samus loses all her powers and she has to get them back. I don't know. I think Superman is just way too powerful to be compelling as a video game. He needs more than just beating evil dudes across a giant Metropolis. He needs some serious dire conflicts that he must face, almost cathartic moments, where he can feel vulnerable. This may sound funny but he needs to be more like Batman!

And MOST OF ALL, and I mean most of all...the Superman game should be a original game like Arkham Asylum, and not a movie tie-in game.

I wonder how Superman can be made into a good game. But seeing how Batman was finally made into a great game, even becoming a GOTY potential, anything is possible. Also, I always believed Batman was great material to be a awesome video game, but Superman is different. And I think it'd be more difficult to make a good game with the Man of Steel.

Personally, I hate Superman and the games you mentioned above.

But I would definitely play a Superman game if it was anything like Astro Boy: Omega Factor,

Put Superman in a beat em' up/shoot em' up and I would definitely buy it.

Some thoughts:

1.) Superman is seen by the people of Metropolis as a guardian, which is one of his primary differences with Batman. While Bats hides behind a mask, Supes isn't afraid to show his face. This is also the reason for the contrast between dark Gotham and bright and sunny Metropolis. His guardian role should be reflected in the game.

2.) Flight is his most defining power, so it should be available from the start (you could have a tutorial level set in the Kent Farm where he first learns to fly.)

3.) I think a Crysis / GTA setup would work best with Superman. The Superman Returns game had some decent ideas that were poorly executed.

4.) I hear people complain about Superman being too powerful but I never heard complaints about Alex Mercer in Prototype being too powerful.

But let's talk about Batman's rivalASK_Story

The thing is, Superman is not so overpowered that he wouldn't make for a compelling game. The Hulk showed that. But I'm not saying that Superman should be placed in another sandbox environment like Hulk Ultimate Destruction as we've already seen with Superman Returns. It doesn't fit well with his character.

I think what would make for a great Superman game is to create set pieces that work well for Superman. For instance, one scenario could take him to the skies Panzer Dragoon style fighting parademons or what not. Maybe in another scenario Superman could go one on one against Mongul in a Warworld Colosseum. Something that has a more solid foundation for gameplay without keeping Superman so restricted.

Personally, I hate Superman and the games you mentioned above.

But I would definitely play a Superman game if it was anything like Astro Boy: Omega Factor,

Put Superman in a beat em' up/shoot em' up and I would definitely buy it.

i think the only reason batman works in a game is because he is just a normal person. unlike every other super hero who has powers batman relies on his own skill and intelligence and the fact he is only human and can die (he got killed off in the comics) it translates into a game well.

i would find it hard to get into a superman game due to who he is he is the best at everything and virtually immortal so where is the challenge.

I could go for another good spider-man game. I thought Web Of Shadows was pretty good

i think the only reason batman works in a game is because he is just a normal person. unlike every other super hero who has powers batman relies on his own skill and intelligence and the fact he is only human and can die (he got killed off in the comics) it translates into a game well.

i would find it hard to get into a superman game due to who he is he is the best at everything and virtually immortal so where is the challenge.

AGMing

Superman does get hurt, just not by your normal run-of-the-mill thugs. Parasite, Metallo, Darkseid and even Brainiac can stand toe-to-toe with Supes. That idea of Superman fighting in the Warworld arena sounds good. Maybe set a part of the Superman game in another planet?

On a side note, I think the "Riddler" style of item collection could work in a new Superman game with Mr. Mxyzptlk standing in as the pseudo-villain who hides the stuff.

Superman already has a great 80's arcade game.

superman does not seem like it would make for a great game since superman is invincible! There is no stopping him for the most part it just doesn't seem fun! the new batman game is awesome though!fla4m3b0y

[QUOTE="fla4m3b0y"]superman does not seem like it would make for a great game since superman is invincible! There is no stopping him for the most part it just doesn't seem fun! the new batman game is awesome though!Skylock00

The red kryptonite episiodes of Smallville always stand out in my mind, Clark was a bad ass then. That could work will in the game because he had no problems robbing banks and trying to bang Lana.

superman does not seem like it would make for a great game since superman is invincible! There is no stopping him for the most part it just doesn't seem fun! the new batman game is awesome though!fla4m3b0y

Nobody complained when Alex Mercer was virtually invincible. I believe that the Superman Returns game had the right idea for Superman's health bar. Too bad the execution was poor.

And remember, when Darkseid throws down with Superman I'd be surprised if you still consider Superman as "invincible".

My suggestions for a great Superman game.

Follow Spider-man 2 style (Like earning hero points to upgrade your superpowers.

Should have trust meter. (Successes in missions: People love you, Failures: People distrust you/fear you)

Metropolis/other areas should be your playground. (Can do anything you want, like messing with criminals/supervillians after defeating them, carrying people or vehicles anywhere and they shouldn't disappear if you fly too far from them)

Take in the x-ray vision mode from Batman: Arkham Asylum and Spider-man Web of Shadows to allow you to see criminals and people in danger all around the city. (Should be color coded, for example criminals could be red and innocents could be green or blue)

Sensory powers should be exchangeable in the pause menu, aka Superman from the NES. (Like freezing breathe to super-breathe)

There should be hostages for Superman to rescue and the challenge is not to hurt them while fighting criminals/supervillians.

Game developers should learn what EA have done wrong and correct it.

Unlockables like costumes, characters, mini-games, etc.

If game developers use those ideas well, this game would be a success.

What's with you people? Is Superman 64 not enough? :P Superman wouldn't be as interesting because he's too powerful.Travo_basic

i think the only reason batman works in a game is because he is just a normal person. unlike every other super hero who has powers batman relies on his own skill and intelligence and the fact he is only human and can die (he got killed off in the comics) it translates into a game well.

i would find it hard to get into a superman game due to who he is he is the best at everything and virtually immortal so where is the challenge.

AGMing

I like Skylocks idea actually. This way you earn his powers over time. Start the game off by still having some super strength, toughness and maybe one other ability then as he accomplishes certain missions by destrying some of the devices that block out the sun he gains more powers back. Hell instead of just Superman and his villians, have it run across the DC universe. Maybe the same person (Lex Luthor?) who is blocking out the sun has the rest of the Justice league under mind control, and you have to fight some of them as bosses. Maybe his ultimate goal is to somehow duplicate supermans powers into himself to become like him, and as a final boss you get to fight a super powered luthor in the skys of metropolis, throwing each other through buildings and crazy stuff. Make it a third person action/adventure for sure, a la arkham asylum and it could be good.GodModeEnabled

Hey, that's my idea! Read my first post! Skylock is taking credit for my idea! :o

I demand royalty and half the profits, alright Skylock?! :P

Batman: Arkham Asylum is a superb game, and as you say, it has a Bioshock-esque influence. There are a few reasons for this, as you pointed out: it's not a movie tie-in (important), it is more focused, it is also filled with fan service. Batman is really one of the few heroes who has the potentialfor a game like AA, though. Firstly, he isn't a superhero in the sense that he has no superpowers. This means that it is easier to calibrate the power of the hero. Secondly, AA makes you feel like Batman, stealthy, powerful, smart. This is mostly because of all of his gadgets and other stuff. The problem is that Superman is a totally different thing. Firstly, he is immortal in nature. To make the game difficult to any degree, either all of the enemies have to have kryptonite or Superman has to lose all his powers, two very hard things to pull off (and the former is just ridiculous). If Superman would lose some of his powers, there would still have to be limits even in the end. Superman can also fly, throws punches like atomic bombs and runs at the speed of light (approximately). Making Superman overpowered is only too easy, and making him lose any powers at all will damage the image of Superman as a near immortal paragon of justice. The risk is simply too great.

Some thoughts:

1.) Superman is seen by the people of Metropolis as a guardian, which is one of his primary differences with Batman. While Bats hides behind a mask, Supes isn't afraid to show his face. This is also the reason for the contrast between dark Gotham and bright and sunny Metropolis. His guardian role should be reflected in the game.

2.) Flight is his most defining power, so it should be available from the start (you could have a tutorial level set in the Kent Farm where he first learns to fly.)

3.) I think a Crysis / GTA setup would work best with Superman. The Superman Returns game had some decent ideas that were poorly executed.

4.) I hear people complain about Superman being too powerful but I never heard complaints about Alex Mercer in Prototype being too powerful.

kimkim01

What is up with people's ideas to weaken or suppress Superman's powers to make for an interesting Superman game? :? :evil: It's sheer blasphemy!

I don't see game devs doing that with Hulk >__> Doing so wouldn't seem like an interesting game to me and it wouldn't be a true Superman experience at all. I could definitely see weakening Superman in a certain scenario of a game, but not for the entire or the majority of a game.

What Rocksteady did right with BAA was that you really felt like Batman. Although technically in Superman Returns it did give that feeling you were Superman (mostly the flying) if sort of a clunky, shallow feeling. Like I said in my eariler post, the game should be done in varied levels and set pieces where's theres mostly a controlled space but something that would work well for Supes and would allow him to make good use of his abilities.

There are plenty of enemies that equal or even surpasses Superman's strength so what's really the use of weakening Superman at all?

I think Superman is too cheesy to make a a serious game out of. Arkham Asylum works very well not only because of its killer atmosphere, but also because it treats its source material with respect and aims to create a believable experience. Batman has always been a realistic character, relying on gadgets, physical strength and wits to defeat foes rather than using superpowers - the simple fact that Superman can fly and shoot lasers destroys the idea of an Arkham Asylum-esque game before it's even begun.

yes definitely they should make a new and good superman game with all if not most of the big villians in it.

I think Superman is too cheesy to make a a serious game out of. Arkham Asylum works very well not only because of its killer atmosphere, but also because it treats its source material with respect and aims to create a believable experience. Batman has always been a realistic character, relying on gadgets, physical strength and wits to defeat foes rather than using superpowers - the simple fact that Superman can fly and shoot lasers destroys the idea of an Arkham Asylum-esque game before it's even begun.

CAPGOD

Superman is too Cheesy, but Batman isn't? Adam West would like to have a word with you. :P Skylock00

Well all franchises have their low points. :P

Maybe I have not read enough comics, but generally I feel that Superman is tailored to a completely different audience. To me he just comes off as a relic of a bygone era. The brightly coloured red and blue costume, the corny all-American persona of his alter ego Clark Kent, the wartime shenanigans in the earlier comics - all things that as a non-American are hard to take seriously, and make me view Superman as just another piece of overly patriotic guff.

Whereas with Batman, he's a dark individual who more people can relate to, and a complete opposite to Superman. He's more focused on staying in Gotham and tackling its own problems rather than entering the world stage like Superman. It's difficult to describe, perhaps I would say that Batman is a far more like-able series because the world of Gotham City is far more intimate, compared to Superman which at times feels like some strange interplanetary space opera. An example - Batman is taking on the Joker, a seemingly normal villain who occasionally hatches a huge scale plan, in a complex narrative spread over a few days... meanwhile Superman is defeating a fascist regime, stopping a giant comet and going back to running a day job... all within one hour.

I would love a level where sups has to explore the inside of the phantum zone, I think it could add a dark edge to the game.

[QUOTE="GodModeEnabled"]I like Skylocks idea actually. This way you earn his powers over time. Start the game off by still having some super strength, toughness and maybe one other ability then as he accomplishes certain missions by destrying some of the devices that block out the sun he gains more powers back. Hell instead of just Superman and his villians, have it run across the DC universe. Maybe the same person (Lex Luthor?) who is blocking out the sun has the rest of the Justice league under mind control, and you have to fight some of them as bosses. Maybe his ultimate goal is to somehow duplicate supermans powers into himself to become like him, and as a final boss you get to fight a super powered luthor in the skys of metropolis, throwing each other through buildings and crazy stuff. Make it a third person action/adventure for sure, a la arkham asylum and it could be good.ASK_Story

Hey, that's my idea! Read my first post! Skylock is taking credit for my idea! :o

I demand royalty and half the profits, alright Skylock?! :P