Top 8 Superhero games

By Stephen Hyland

Games Video Games based on comic books or movies tend to be a bit naff (Iron Man, Spiderman 3 etc.) Most see them as a basic way to milk a franchise for extra cash. However, the occasional superhero game rocks up and blows everybody’s minds. Today I will be focussing on these games, as the worst are a list for another time. So here we go with the Top 8 superhero games in recent(ish) memory

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8. X-Men Origins: Wolverine

Let’s be honest here, hardly anybody enjoyed the movie. It was dull, slightly depressing and had some back-stories in which you just didn’t care for. So you’d come out of the 12/PG-13 rated Wolverine film disappointed, and just wanting more of the rage-induced Wolverine that we all know and love from the comics. Then, you go walking down the street and something catches your eye from within a video game store: a Wolverine game. You think “Oh, probably just another crappy game based on a movie that isn’t worth my time nor money”. Then it starts to make you curious, “exactly how violent is this game” you wonder. So you walk in and behold, the glorious “18 rating” you’ve been craving for a Wolverine product to be labelled with. You buy it, stick it in your console and you think to yourself “Wow, this is actually pretty darn good”. This leads me onto my point that this game is brilliant. You get to play as a bloodthirsty Wolverine who hacks and slashes his way through each level, taking on villain after villain. I mean sure, it gets a little repetitive, but I’m certain you’ll forget that once you realize you can dismember people’s limbs. 

I'm sure he doesn't need ALL of his limbs

Overall, it’s a game definitely worth the money (especially now, seeing as it’s really cheap). 



7. Lego Marvel Superheroes

Games with the name “Lego” pinned to its title seem to be spewing out left right and centre. Some are good, some are bad and some are simply “meh”. Obviously, this addition to the list is one of the better ones. Lego Marvel Superheroes is imaginative, creative and above all else, fun. LMS is the game that you dreamt of as a kid, a game where you could play as almost any Marvel character and kick some butt in the process. With many iconic heroes such as Spider-Man, Captain America and Iron Man to choose from, it’s no wonder that this game is beautiful and so diverse. Where it may not have too much violence due to it’s “7” age rating, it makes up for in comedy and many, many references. It’s perfect for anybody of any age, of any gender and of any race. Just put it this way, it’s perfect for everyone. 


6. Deadpool

Now this is a game that surprised everybody. Originally appearing on it’s trailers as something you’d enjoy when you were 10, it’s actually really charming with some hilarious dialogue. Following fan favourite Marvel anti-hero Deadpool, you take on a video game studio, yep that’s right, a video game studio (but that’s only the beginning). You see, Deadpool kidnaps employees of High Moon Studios for them to make the best game ever created, and he even goes to the extent of hiring Nolan North for the voice work. So, now we’re in some sort of Inception, a game within a game. The actual story shows Deadpool accept an assassination mission to take the life of “Chance White”, a corrupt fellow involved in the Media Industry. After tackling him out of a window, Chance is saved by Mr Sinister, who then later kills him. P*ssed off at the fact his contract is now gone, Deadpool goes on to hunt down Mr Sinister, not letting anybody stand in his way. But as well as just following the story, there are loads of easter eggs to find and a lot of interaction to take place with people throughout. Deadpool redeemed itself from its once prejudged look.


5. Injustice: Gods Among Us

Set within the DC universe, this game allows you to play as some of your favourite superhero characters. Made by the same guys who gave us the Mortal Kombat games, Injustice begins with Superman being tricked by the Joker into accidentally killing Lois Lane and his unborn child. In retaliation, Superman kills the Joker and creates a new order amongst the world, naming himself the “High Counsellor” with many followers backing him. Batman also creates an insurgency, in which many also follow. War breaks out as the 2 sides clash in deadly combat (EN: Kombat). Injustice gives us the good old feeling of Mortal Kombat 9 and its fighting system, while also being inventive in its character development and story. With the main aspect of the game being the fighting, I can gladly say the system is almost perfect (not to mention some superb graphics). You can completely immerse yourself within the experience as you pit Superman and Batman off against each other, or at that, any superhero/villain you want. None of the game feels at all clunky or unfinished; it’s nicely polished and definitely worth the money to get it.


4. InFAMOUS 2

Following the story of the first Infamous game, Infamous 2 is set a short while after as we follow Cole McGrath, a conduit (somebody with powers) who takes matters into his own hands after the government proves to be useless against the plague and gang violence. Cole is faced with his biggest challenge yet, a creature foretold in the first game by Kessler, The Beast. The Beast is a massive form engulfed in fire and magma who is determined on causing havoc throughout the world. After a fierce and rather epic battle between Cole and the Beast, old Beasty boy comes out on top, severely injuring and weakening Cole. After being evacuated to safety, Cole must build his powers and prepare for another bout with the Beast, but this time, with some new friends… Infamous 2 is an amazing game full of twists and turns within the plot, some great character development and perhaps one of the saddest moments of gaming history (depending on choices within the game). Improving on its predecessor, Infamous 2 delivers players a completely new set of powers, with one involving an electrified tornado (awesome right?). Fans of the first game will adore this addition to the franchise and with that said, so will the newcomers. BUY THIS GAME.


3. The Punisher

Punisher Not your typical hero, Frank Castle, or rather The Punisher is a murderous anti-hero who will stop at nothing to get revenge on those who killed his family. You follow him through this extremely violent game, using the environment around you to find new ways of slaughtering his enemies. Some of these ways including bashing somebody’s brains in with a piano, using a piranha-filled tank and drown a guy in a toilet, so it comes as no real surprise that many countries requested for there to be cuts and edits within the game at the time of its release (2005). The Punisher truly is a unique superhero game as it gives the player the chance to unload some serious damage to villains, whereas in most other hero games you tend to play a really righteous protagonist. Where its graphics may not live up to today’s, it makes up for it in its fun gameplay and interaction (EN: Not to mention the amazing comic book style of the game.)


2. Batman: Arkham City

Improving on Asylum, Arkham City shows Batman as something even more awesome than he was before (which is almost impossible). Equipped with some fresh, new gadgets, the Batman takes on his biggest challenge yet, with the Joker and his friends in a brand new story, set in Arkham City in appose to the Asylum. Mark Hamill once again reprises his role as the Joker alongside Kevin Conroy as Batman. The genius, playboy, billionaire philanthropist (sorry Tony) must discover the secrets behind the mysterious “Protocol 10” after being stuck inside Arkham with the aid of Alfred and Catwoman. Featuring amazing voice work, graphics and gameplay, Batman Arkham City still proves to be one of the best superhero games to date. 


1. Spider-Man 2: Enter Electro

Electro I don’t think you were expecting this entry. For the number 1 spot on this list, I decided to go back quite a few years to one of my favourite childhood games, Enter Electro. Taking place in New York (where else?) Spidey witnesses a robbery, conducted by one of the Sinister Six: Electro. This robbery involved the taking of a device named the “Bio-Nexus”, which has the ability to amplify power. Of course, Electro hopes to use this in order to improve his power. Recruiting other famous Supervillains, Spidey must take them head on before finally coming face to face with the man himself, Electro. I chose this game for Number 1 due to the vast amount of fun you can have with it. The game engine, while not the most advanced of its time, is still great for combat and web abilities. For example, you could use Spidey’s webs to pull a henchman towards you and then uppercut him in the chin, followed by webbing him down to the ground, all in one brisk movement. By featuring a massive amount of villains, awesome web abilities, a great story and OH YEAH, STAN LEE, Spider-Man 2: Enter Electro is by far the best superhero game to date.