The chance to play as a superhero in game form is nothing new, with games based on superhero properties dating back to the Atari 2600. What has changed over the years is that now fans have the opportunity to experience superheroes in an open world as technology advanced.
Whether it is a game based on Marvel or DC properties or an original game that allows players control of a superpowered being, there have been many games that gave fans that feeling of feeling superhuman. That means that even though the many Batman: Arkham games are stellar, they will not count since Batman has no superpowers.
South Park: The Fractured But Whole (2017)
It may not be the largest open world to explore but South Park: The Fractured But Whole allows fans to explore nearly all of the titular town as superheroes. The Fractured But Whole has a plethora of side missions and activities across South Park, Colorado and they are usually references from across the many seasons of the South Park series.
The player controls the New Kid once again who is now imbued with superpowers (other than their powerful flatulence) to parody the superheroes from Marvel and DC alike. It manages to have surprisingly deep combat and RPG system for a parody and these powers are effective in the open world.
InFamous: Second Son (2014)
The third chapter of the InFamous series; InFamous: Second Son focuses on Delsin, voiced by the talented Troy Baker, a young rebel who becomes a Conduit. Unlike previous games where the player was stuck with one powerset, Delsin can obtain and use multiple powers including Smoke, Neon, and Video.
Using those powers, the player can explore Seattle, Washington to fight the Department Of Unified Protection. Playing with those multiple powers is satisfying but combined with the morality system, InFamous: Second Son has tons of possibilities when it comes to upgrades and story progression.
The Incredible Hulk: Ultimate Destruction (2005)
The Incredible Hulk: Ultimate Destruction was ahead of its time in many ways. As the Hulk, players can destroy anything, even bring down entire buildings across the massive explorable city. Simply put, The Incredible Hulk: Ultimate Destruction was the first time fans felt like they were in control of the raw strength and rage of this character.
As a result, the game was even homaged in the MCU via certain moves in The Incredible Hulk movie. It has become a classic for many gamers which is why it is one of several superhero games that would benefit from a remake, especially since remakes and remasters have become quite a fad.
Saints Row IV: Re-Elected (2013)
Most can agree that Saints Row IV: Re-Elected is when the franchise felt like a completely different game series. With that said, the Boss acquiring superpowers to fight aliens in a virtual reality prison is still a lot of fun. It’s pure mindless popcorn fun but Saints Row IV is self-aware of its absurdity.
From different types of blasts to powerful leaps to even telekinesis, Saints Row IV does well in making the player feel like a one-person superhero team. With a massive open-world city as a playground, players can still have some fun despite the game’s multiple setbacks as a Saints Row sequel.
Control (2019)
Technically this is cheating since the player does not have an expansive map to explore. However, the Bureau Of Control is an open-ended location that the player can roam and explore as Jesse Faden. The labyrinth-like structure is reminiscent of locations seen in Resident Evil, with areas that can be returned to later with the right abilities.
Speaking of whom, Jesse herself mixes shooter combat with superpowers that make her feel akin to a superhero created by Stephen King with horror elements. Control heavily focuses on psychic abilities. Jesse can launch objects at her opponents, create a force field, and even fly.
DC Universe Online (2011)
In recent years, the fad of MMORPGs has slowly faded away with only certain titles continuing to expand and provide new content. One of those is DC Universe Online, a game that allows players to create a new superhero (or villain) and be mentored by famous DC characters.
Running or flying around the DC universe with a custom character is nothing but fun, especially if someone has full access. Unfortunately, like most MMORPGs, it suffers from forcing players to have a monthly subscription, or else the free-to-play version is rather limiting. Plus, DCUO does not reinvent the MMORPG genre and anybody who doesn’t care for them probably won’t have their minds changed by it.
Prototype 2 (2012)
This is probably the closest thing fans will ever get to having a true-to-character open-world Venom game. James Heller’s abilities that stem from his virus allow him to create powerful claws, tendrils, and other various weapons that are strangely similar to the symbiote from Marvel.
Similar to the InFamous series, Prototype 2 allowed players to embrace an anti-hero role as well with Heller providing a dark hero that’s more sympathetic than his predecessor. Despite some repetitive gameplay, Prototype 2 continued to improve upon the original, feeling like a spiritual successor to The Incredible Hulk: Ultimate Destruction in many ways.
LEGO DC Super-Villains (2018)
Somehow the LEGO DC games continued to improve since the start with LEGO Batman. LEGO DC Super-Villains is the fourth game in the series that swapped the focus to DCs many villains. Now players could explore iconic locations such as Gotham City, Metropolis, Apokolips, and various other worlds.
Even though it is mostly about villains, fans could unlock dozens of superheroes to play as well. That’s not even getting into the player’s main custom character that the story centers around. They have their own unique abilities and/or weapons to create the anti-hero or villain of their dreams in LEGO form.
Marvel’s Spider-Man (2018)
There is no denying that Spider-Man 2 based on the Sam Raimi movie was ahead of its time. However, Insomniac Games overthrew that original game by creating a nearly perfect Spider-Man simulator. Taking notes from the Batman: Arkham games, Marvel’s Spider-Man is a fresh new take on the Spider-Man mythos with Peter Parker as a veteran after eight years as the web-slinger.
As a result, not only do fans experience a world filled with many Spider-Man villains but having an experienced Peter Parker made for ideal traversal. The entirety of Manhattan is explorable with numerous side missions and activities combined with a compelling original story.
Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales (2020)
After getting his introduction in Marvel’s Spider-Man, it was no surprise that Miles Morales would get his own spin-off. What many were not expecting was that Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales managed to improve on some things from the first game.
The free-flowing traversal of Miles’ parkour is even better, the glitches have been improved, and Miles’ unique abilities of cloaking and bio-electricity made the combat even more complex. With the same map as the first game but with a wintery twist, Miles Morales may be a shorter game but it is equally as satisfying to play.
