Superman has been in five films, a cartoon series, comic books and a live-action TV series and is set to be remade in 2013 by director Zach Snyder and producer Christopher Nolan. As a metaphor for immigration, Superman exists as a timeless classic hero, always doing the right thing and always at the right time. He is an empowering character with his laser vision, super strength, super speed, ice breath and more. So it begs the question, why is he such an impossible character to translate into video games.
Superman has had no faithful adaptation of his character in any video game. In fact, one of the worst games ever -- on several different Top 10 Worst Games Ever lists -- is Superman 64 released on the Nintendo 64 in 1999. It tasked Superman, alien god from a destroyed planet, to fly through rings. Like some trained dog, Superman had to fly through these floating rings to advance to the next stage. And to make things even worse, you’re timed, which can lead to some frustrating moments when you are trying to hurry up. Many people who have dared to play it note that the controls are simply too loose and the slightest move of the analog stick sends Superman in a completely different direction than the one you were trying to go. Not too many people wanted to try making a Superman game after the travesty that was Superman 64.
But in 2006, Electronic Arts took a whack at the Superman license with Superman Returns. Based on the movie of the same name (those who read last week’s blog will already know where this is going), Superman Returns had an interesting spin on the Superman game mechanics: Superman could not die. Instead, Metropolis had this massive health bar that was always depleting when something bad was happening to it whether it was a Superman villain or a selection of giant robots. The problem with Superman Returns was that there was nothing else to do in the game other than fight robots and fly around. Reviewers noted that it would have been nice to take Lois Lane on a flight through the city or stop an average bank robber with your god-like powers.
Since 2006, Batman has faired better in, not only films, but also in video game adaptations. The Batman Arkham franchise is separate from the films and thus gives the developer, Rocksteady Studios, complete creative freedom to do with the character and license whatever they want. So if Batman: Arkham City sold 2 million units in its first week, coming from this mindset and development, then why not give Superman the same treatment Batman got? Not under Rocksteady Studios but perhaps another developer passionate for the subject matter could. Geoff Johns, chief creative officer for DC Comics, said that a good Superman game needs a studio like Rocksteady Studios. “I think all games come down to gameplay and the right studio. I’m sure the right studio could crack it. Rocksteady has a real passion for Batman, and I think that’s why they make a great game.”
Perhaps there is no possible way to make the Man of Steel into a proper video game character. There needs to be some threat of death or failure for a game to have challenge and a sense of accomplishment. It seems to me that Electronic Arts was the closest to having a practical depiction of Superman.
Submit your comments below or send me an email at shfawcet@asu.edu with your comments, opinions or complaints of the Man of Steel.
