#NationalVideoGamesDay was observed this past Wednesday as many developers and publishers celebrated the many joys that gaming has brought to many people around the world.
From its arcade days to the glory days of PC gaming to the evolution of console and mobile gaming to the introduction of esports, we have seen vast developments and positive strides in the gaming and esports industries, it’s quite hard to ignore just how diverse and evocative gaming has become. Now, we’ve entered the age of the superhero as seen since with the recent successes in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) and the reemergence of the DC Extended Universe (DCEU), it has now spilled into gaming from Marvel vs. Capcom Infinite to the upcoming LEGO DC Super-Villains and the recent Spider-Man video game release.
We, at XBPSA Media have decided to put the spotlight on superheroes and other comic book characters that should deserve to get their own video game or another crack at it. Here’s what we have to say:
Ashleigh Klein’s pick: Hellboy (Dark Horse Comics)
Firstly, for starters, he’s not affiliated with either Marvel or DC Comics so this would the perfect criteria for any developer to jump on board in creating an awesome game. And secondly, Hellboy is currently receiving a rebooted film which would ir could make even more sense for a game to be developed.
With that aside, it all boils down to this: many have been asking, pleading for another crack at a Hellboy video game for years since Hellboy: The Science of Evil, a Hellboy tie-in game released in 2008 by Konami. However, the game didn’t fair well with critics and players alike and aforementioned earlier, a rebooted film is currently in the works, scheduled for a 2019 release. Whomever decides to give this character another run in video games will need to consult source material and not so much in what the audiences have seen thus far in the films.
Will Hellboy rememerge from the shadows back into video games? Source: Nerdist/online
The Hellboy character has quite a lot to offer with an array of incredible magical abilities at his disposal. While the comics are screaming fantasy noir and brimming with a narrative goldmine, its still surprising that no studio yet has picked it up. However, I can see this character video game developed by Telltale Games, who have been mastering their craft at episodic titles that beautifully tells engaging and heartwrenching narratives as seen in The Walking Dead, The Wolf Amongst Us, Batman: A Telltale Series and Minecraft: Story Mode just to name.
The name, the setting of the comic and its fantasy noir element are yearning for a proper video game treatment but the question remains, will Hellboy finally see the light of day once again on console?
Greg Cawood’s pick: The Fantastic Four (Marvel Comics)
With specific capabilities which can create some interesting gameplay mechanics, the Fantastic Four would make for a rather interesting yet complex video game to play. Source: Marvel/online
When asked the question of “Which Superhero(es) would you like to see made into a game”, I had to ask myself two questions:
Firstly, and crucially, the superhero(es) needed to have an interesting backstory. Their world needed to be filled with interesting characters, from villains to heroes, humans to mutants. Immersion is crucial, so having well-developed characters to interact with will really allow players to lose themselves in the world, not just the main story.
Secondly, and also crucially, the superhero(es) need to have powers that can translate well into fun and unique gaming mechanics. It is for this reason that I have never thought Superman translates will into video games – he is essentially invulnerable, has the power of flight, and has incredibly powerful weaponry. Batman, on the other hand, is a human who can be broken, travels using his batmobile, grappling hooks and cloak, and has an array of gadgets, all of which bring interesting mechanics into gameplay.
After much deliberation, I decided that I would most like to see a Fantastic Four video game adaptation. Now before I receive any hate, hear me out : They are far from my favourite comic book. Their movies are terrible, and we all know their backstories by now. But their powers are very specific and clearly defined, and in a videogame, can be combined in creative ways to create interesting gaming mechanics.
All four main characters can be switched between at any stage, ala GTA V, allowing various methods of approaching a mission or challenge – will you take the sneaky, stealth approach with The Invisible Woman, or go the destruction-oriented approach with The Thing, the flying, more long-range approach with The Human Torch, or the flexible, creative approach with Mr Fantastic. Or combine them all, using all of their various abilities in various combinations to complete a mission.
Puzzles can also either require a specific power from one character, or allow multiple approaches depending on which character is being used. The possibility for a highly replayable, varied gaming experience is very strong.
The Fantastic Four takes to the skies. Can it take flight onto video game? Source: Marvel/online
The Fantastic Four also exist in a very populated world, full of popular villains and heroes, from members of the current The Avengers movie roster, to the various X-Men heroes and villains, the possibilities for fascinating storylines are endless. Whether true to comic book arcs or completely original for the game, interacting with characters that have never existed on screen with the Fantastic Four would be an amazing development and would certainly be a drawcard.
The Fantastic Four tick both of the boxes I set for myself. They have clearly identified powers that can translate well into videogame mechanics and have an abundance of famous characters that can populate their game world.
With a development team that feels as passionately for the characters as Rocksteady did for Batman when they made the Arkham series, a Fantastic Four videogame could end up being incredibly good, and probably better than any of the movies!
Gaby Ferreira’s pick: Captain America (Marvel Comics)
I’ve never really been the biggest fan of Captain America. Yeah sure, he’s had some stellar entries into the Marvel Cinematic Universe but as far as actual comic books go (and I’ve read loads), I’ve always been more interested in other characters (other than Civil War because, you know, you always have to read the crossovers.)
So, why would I pick this character to be on this list if I’m not such a huge fan?
Well, the simple answer is his shield and the gameplay dynamics it could present. A few months ago, I played God of War and part of the reason that game is so loved and praised is the gameplay surrounding Kratos’ throwable axe. Quite simply, engaging in combat situations with it just feels so damn fulfilling.
Back to Captain America; I feel that if a game about him were ever made, the same sort of concepts could be applied to his shield. So many people have already seen some epic moments with that shield in films. Can you imagine if you had a game that let you exactly the same thing? Coupled with a great story, this would be an absolutely insane game that I just wouldn’t be able to stop playing (much like the Batman Arkham series and now Marvel’s Spider-Man).
Best of friends, Captain America/Steve Rogers and Bucky Barnes. How will their friendship unfold if were given a video game? Source: Comic Vine/online
Yes, there probably are a few other characters these concepts could be applied to. (I mean, technically, the first one I thought of was Thor). But, there’s just something about Captain America that seems so fitting. I don’t know if it’s because he isn’t ridiculously powerful when compared to other characters, or the fact that Marvel’s made a few good films about him, but, damn, if I don’t want me some amazing shield combat.
Perhaps, with all the Marvel content being churned out as of late, we’ll see it. However, I think with a few other characters being somewhat more popular, we probably won’t see it for a long time (if it ever happens that is).
