Themedium of comic booksis full to the brim with some of the most imaginative and iconic stories that fans can’t get enough of. Given how popular some comics are, it’s easy to see why video games try to capitalize on their hype with stellar adaptations that let players enjoy action-packed romps as their favorite fictional characters.
Sometimes, even the most polarizing comic book video games are perfect for fans to check out if they love the source material in question. These games do great justice to the comic books they’re inspired by or adapting, even if some facets of the gameplay or story are questionable.
Marvel’s Midnight Sunsis a tactical action gamethat flew under the radar for many, leading to many players missing out on a worthwhile superhero game. While the writing of the game was painful to get through at times, the tactical turn-based battles more than made up for it.
Given that Firaxis also developed theXCOMgames, it’s easy to see why the battle system is incredible in this title as well. It’s a shame that the game was a commercial flop since diehard Marvel fans will be enraptured by the game’s combat. Forgive the occasional stumbling blocks this story experiences as the player tries to bond with their team.
A lot of people aren’t huge fans ofDeadpoolbecause of its phoned-in hack-and-slash combat that doesn’t bring anything new to the table. However, where this game excels is the portrayal of the titular character, even if it’s a tad too dated.
Players who want to enjoy the shenanigans ofa smart-mouthed Deadpoolwho loves to break the fourth wall and kill enemies in explosions of gore will love what the game brings to the table. It may be flawed in several departments, butDeadpoolshows a ton of heart in its writing that redeems the experience in the eyes of many.
Web of Shadowsis a game that splits fans down the middle, with some people loving the decisions that let players decide whether Peter gave in to the aggression of the Black Suit or stuck to his guns. However, there’s no denying that Web Strikes can get rather old after a point, even if they’re an integral part of the combat system.
However, fans of the web-head who want to witness a darker tale featuring this superhero with Venom and the Symbiotes will lovewhatSpider-Man: Web of Shadowsbrings to the table. It helps that the swinging is fun and combat is quite cathartic, especially when players unlock upgrades for both suits to enhance their repertoire of moves.
X-Men Origins: Wolverineisa controversial superhero movie, and most people didn’t expect a lot from the video game tie-in. However, fans were left pleasantly surprised when they gave this game a shot and loved how cathartic the action-packed combat was.
Lunging at players and tearing them apart as Wolverine in this gory game never became tiring, and it’s a shame that the game is so short that most fans will blaze through it in no time. Insomniac’s take on Wolverine will take some time, but fans of this mutant will love playing throughX-Men Origins: Wolverineto enjoy a faithful take on this character, given how brutally he can tear his foes apart.
It’s a shame thatMarvel’s Avengersfailed to capture the mainstream with its disappointing live-service gameplay. Fan interest crawled to a stop before the game was eventually dead, which is a shame since the game’s story was genuinely captivating.
The story of the Avengers reuniting as Ms. Marvel helped these superheroes team up once again is a joy to witness, but the game’s poor marketing, uninspiring superhero outfits, and live-service design prevented many people from checking out a story that fans of the comic books will have a great time with.
Given the high standards set byRocksteady’sArkhamgames, it’s easy to see whyArkham Originsdisappointed many fans. The game served as a prequel, but Batman felt stronger and the game lacked the sinister edge that fans loved in Rocksteady’s games, especially since the city itself felt like a repurposedArkham City.
As a result, some fans might forgetArkham Originsin the Caped Crusader’s virtual adventures. However, players who want to explore Gotham on Christmas Eve and participate in some of the best boss fights this series has to offer will love what this underrated title brings to the table.
For all the hype thatMarvel Ultimate Alliance 3generated, fans were left disappointed by the lack of development in the series' gameplay. For many people, it was unacceptable that this title’s combat felt similar to its predecessors, which arrived more than a decade before this third entry.
It’s a huge sin, but one that players can ignore if they love good storytelling and faithful takes on their favorite Marvel superheroes. Fans of the comic books will love howMarvel Ultimate Alliance 3does the most of its ambitious crossover plot, letting players experience an epic adventure with a massive roster of superheroes.
Batman Beginssuffered because of its reputation as a movie tie-in, with its use of movie footage compelling many people to feel that this title was just lazily cashing in on the movie’s hype. This couldn’t be further from the truth, withBatman Beginssetting the foundation that’d held theArkhamgames become a household name.
The game’s stealth rewarded players for maximizing an enemy group’s fear, forcing the final foe to gaze upona horrifying visage of Batmanas he beat them to a pulp. Guns were a liability and needed to be neutralized if players didn’t want Batman to die in seconds, making encounters more tactical. All of this combined to helpBatman Beginsstand out as a game that was ahead of its time, even if the game’s level design felt barebones at times.
