As many of you probably know, Grand Theft Auto V came out this week and has a massive world to explore. It's yet another video game which offers a promising open world experience, yet when it comes to comic book characters, we haven't had too many of these. Batman, Spider-Man, and even Hulk have all had the luxury of great video game worlds to explore, but there's so much potential with countless other characters. Because of that, we started wondering what an open world experience would be like for some of the characters we adore. Here's just a few of the ones we'd love to see created one day.
Superman
"But making a good Superman game is impossible!" Is it really? Why should difficult equate to impossible? Yes, creating a good Superman game would be quite a chore, but given the right team and proper backing, it could be a brilliant time, too.
When it comes to his variety of powers -- heat vision, freeze breath, x-ray vision, etc -- you should be able to quickly switch between them in a tab on the HUD or open up a small menu, momentarily pausing the game and allowing you to scroll through them (like Bioshock and its plasmids). Each can be used for entirely different scenarios and teaching the player how to use them can be delivered in an organic manner as the game progresses.
As for his challenges, there are more than plenty which have been presented in the comics, aren't there? Aside from stopping petty robbers, putting out fires or saving people from terrible accidents, there should be a wealthy amount of villains populating the world. As for fodder, Lex Luthor can have a formidable robotic army protecting the city. Meanwhile, an encounter with someone like Metallo or Parasite could force you to use your powers and avoid close combat, where-as a slugfest with Doomsday could utilize quick time events, therefore avoiding any awkward melee combat. Luthor could also have various plans set in place across the city which would force you from spot to spot, providing different obstacles each time. So on and so on.
It wouldn't be an easy game to make -- not by any measure -- but there's no reason to believe it's impossible, either. Given tight controls, a large environment, and a sharp and passionate team, Superman holds the potential to blow us away just like Batman: Arkham Asylum did when it first came out.
I believe I can play as a man who can fly... just keep flying rings out of it.
Deadpool
Think the mobility and madness of Crackdown meets the smooth controls and smile-inducing script of Uncharted. Yes, Deadpool already had his own game, but let's be honest, a character like this shouldn't be limited to a linear experience.
This could essentially be a wackier take on the open world genre, offering tons of absurd and hilarious side missions throughout the city. The desire to avoid the redundant would hopefully get the team's creative juices flowing. This also gives a chance to show off Wade's supporting cast. Yes, believe it or not, Wade does have his own cast and doesn't need to rely on cameos -- though they certainly are appreciated. And do you know what would make this especially great? A mission or two where you have to steal some HYDRA tech as Bob and then run for your life. And then when you're safe, you switch to Deadpool and save him from the sea of HYDRA forces.
Remember running around rooftops in one of the Arkham games and then jumping down into the street and beating up a bunch of goons? Now imagine that... but with swords and simplistic yet effective third-person gunplay (basic lock on mechanics, of course). Furthermore, navigating great distances and potential backtracking can be simplified by using a teleporting device (would serve as the game's version of fast traveling).
Wade absolutely has the potential for a game that can be both badass and funny.
Judge Dredd
Don't you want to walk around Mega-City One as the law? Unlike many open world games, one inspired by Judge Dredd would work best as a first-person shooter. This way it allows the development team to fully immerse us in all of the technology Dredd uses as he engages in shootouts and chasing after criminals. Naturally, being a FPS means melee combat runs the risk of being a bit awkward, but plenty of games have been able to implement serviceable melee attacks in the genre. Plus, it opens the door to jaw-dropping executions while in the heat of combat.
Traveling city blocks and buildings on foot would be perfectly fine, but to offer variety, the Hall of Justice can inform you of crime taking place in other areas. If they aren't too close to your current location, you can hop on the Lawmaster (his bike) and drive around with a third-person view. This would also introduce the possibility of vehicular combat.
If we can't get a Dredd sequel, can we at least get a good Dredd video game?
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
Man, just put Rocksteady on this project and it's sure to be magnificent. Their work with Batman proves they can craft amazing melee combat and gritty city environments, and those are the two key elements for a modern TMNT game. The only real challenge for them would be implementing co-op and possibly AI teammates. Considering all they've accomplished, it's safe to say that's something they could tackle masterfully, no? Additionally, having everyone with you at once runs the risk of making matters too crowded in certain environments, so when the time comes, each Turtle can instead have their own variety of solo missions.
Honestly, giving TMNT the Arkham treatment seems like the most logical choice ever.
Silver Surfer
Okay, it's fair to say this won't happen and is totally far-fetched, but what if instead of an open world... it was an open galaxy? The Milky Way is your playground and you'll encounter all kinds of high level threats as you soar through the cosmos.
Flying aimlessly in such a beautiful location would be tempting, but the game could be given a sense of direction by having it take place when Norrin served Galactus. This way the Devourer of Worlds could call upon you to scout locations and eliminate various threats across the galaxy. This would also give the opportunity for Marvel to fill the game with its variety of alien races and cosmic characters -- characters who tend to not get a lot of focus.
The Power Cosmic offers an absurd amount of powers, but again, this could be reduced to ten or so unique abilities and they can be scrolled through in a tab or selected in a quick pop up menu. As for exploring specific worlds, that could be handled like side-missions in the Mass Effect franchise.
A game like this doesn't seem probable, but a man can dream, right?
Which character or team would you love to see in an open world video game? Share your thoughts below.