5 Superhero Licenses That Deserve the Insomniac Treatment

5 Superhero Licenses That Deserve the Insomniac Treatment

Wolverine

If there’s anything that Insomniac’s recent hit based on the Spider-Man franchise proves, it’s that there’s plenty of potential for superhero games to be great with the right studio behind them. Whether they take the form of a hack and slash action game or a cooperative multiplayer title, most any superhero could make the jump from comics to games and receive an even wider audience as a result. Of the many different options out there though, these five are the most deserving of a proper video game adaptation.

While there are examples of good X-Men and Wolverine games out there – see the classic arcade game or the movie tie-in game X-Men Origins: Wolverine – there’s still never been a title which fully realized the potential of the fowl-mouthed, claw wielding mutant. Which is a shame, because there’s so much that can be utilized from the comics and films for an action title like no other. Not only could players rend their way through waves of enemies with different combos, attacks and finishers, but they could also use his different abilities to solve puzzles and overcome obstacles in a variety of ways. Does a massive wall stand between you and an objective? Climb it using your claws, and jump between surfaces for an extra element of exploration. Stalled by a wall of flames? Walk right through it, and then watch as Logan’s flesh regenerates at record speed.

5 Superhero Licenses That Deserve the Insomniac Treatment

The Incredible Hulk

It’s been a long time since The Incredible Hulk received a video game adaptation, let alone a good one. Which is a shame: In the years since his last notable release, video games have come a long way in terms of environmental destructibility, particle effects and the scope of game worlds, all of which would lend themselves well to a game featuring the big green bruiser.

If a game were made today by a proper AAA developer, it could utilize all of these elements for a title the likes of which players have never seen before. They could soar through the air with massive leaps, smash their way through buildings and enemies alike, and revel in the beautiful carnage they’d leave in their wake. It could be a title that finally lets players run wild with no regard to collateral damage, and be even more memorable as a result.

5 Superhero Licenses That Deserve the Insomniac Treatment

Teen Titans

Among the many superhero teams in gaming, the Teen Titans hold a special place in many a fan’s heart. Comprised of some of the best and brightest the DC universe has to offer, the team has seen many an adaptation from the early 2000s animated series to the upcoming live action show. In all this time though, there’s never been a standout video game adaptation despite all of the potential the series has for a great title.

From the gadget-equipped tactician Robin to the multi-formed Beast Boy, players could take the role of their Titan of choice, using their unique skill sets to overcome villains and criminals en masse in a sprawling open world environment. Not only that, but they could play alongside others through a cooperative multiplayer experience like the one seen in Marvel: Ultimate Alliance, with each player taking the role of a different Titan and executing special moves based on which characters are paired up.

5 Superhero Licenses That Deserve the Insomniac Treatment

Hellboy

The Hellboy franchise has enjoyed a strong cult following for years now, and the two films helmed by Guillermo del Toro are still held in high regard by many. In the realm of video games though, the snarky red devil has only managed to make a cameo in Injustice 2 as a DLC fighter, albeit a fairly powerful one. This is an unfortunate waste of the character, and his mythos’ potential. Not only could Hellboy and his allies make for an intriguing cast of characters, but their abilities, arsenal of supernatural gadgets and adventures into the dark corners of the world would all make for a stellar video game experience.

Either as a linear experience or an open world one, players could delve into an action horror title dripping with the comics’ style and emotion, exposed to untold horrors one moment and then punching them in the face with a stone gauntlet the next.

5 Superhero Licenses That Deserve the Insomniac Treatment

Iron Man

The hero responsible for sparking the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Iron Man is a series that has never quite seen the video game adaptation it deserves. Sure, there were some movie tie-in titles released in years passed, but none of them felt polished enough, or well developed enough, to truly capture the feel of being a genius decked out in state of the art armor and technology.

With how far games have come since then though, it would be the perfect time for a AAA studio to take a shot at developing an open world title for fans of the hero to explore. Not only could they soar above the sky in a rocket propelled suit of their choosing, but they could also customize it to their liking for the exact color, gadget and weapon loudest that best fit their play style. With the number of Iron Man fans only growing with each new appearance he makes in Marvel’s films, there would most certainly be an audience waiting eagerly for its arrival.

What superhero properties do you want a top notch video game adaptation of? Let us know in the comments, and check out our list of the top 10 superhero games of all time.