Comic Book Games are on the Rise

Video Games Inspired by Comics and Improved by New Consoles

Apr 6, 2007

Historically, there wasn't much to anticipate about comic book-based video games. A recent rise in popularity coupled with new, powerful consoles are changing this trend

Games based on comic books can be risky games to buy. In the past these game types have often been terrible. It has only been in the last few years that games capture what we think it must feel like to be a superhero. Games like Spider-man, Spider-man 2, Hulk: Ultimate Destruction, Justice League Heroes, Marvel Ultimate Alliance, and others are giving new life to comic-inspired games.

As the “next”-generation consoles quickly become the standard, the capabilities and potential for new video games is skyrocketing. Older game systems simply couldn’t handle the physics, graphics, sheer size that is required to accurately portray most superheroes. Some heroes, such as Batman and Spider-man, operate mostly in one locale, but to accurately portray even a part of New York City was far beyond the capabilities of any system in the past. Superman often explores space, other planets, and other, less ordinary, places. This has finally changed: the next-gen systems have the power to portray the sheer enormity of super heroics.

Typically, games of this type have been restricted in locale, powers, and size. Today, many comic-book games are moving to a free-roam style game, inspired by the Grand Theft Auto series, which opens up a great number of possibilities. Large, load-free zones to move through, many side-missions that can be completed over and over again, and interactive environments are just some of the new features we can expect to become accustomed to.

While this is becoming the new standard in comic-game adaptations, it isn’t quite universal. The recently released Ghost Rider game for the PSP is a perfect example of the old style of comic-games. Repetitive environments and enemies embody everything that can be done wrong in a game. Even the games combat engine, obviously modeled after the God of War series, is agonizing and highly derivative. Thankfully, it appears that comic-games this poorly made are on the way out.

It seems likely that, with the current success of comic-inspired movies, comic book video games will continue improve and evolve to keep up with the public interest. Better and better games are becoming the standard. Free-roam environments, high-definition graphics, impressive use of superpowers with the new physics engines in the next-generation consoles, and excellent programming studios are beginning to reach a broader group of people than every before.

The copyright of the article Comic Book Games are on the Rise in Music Video Games is owned by James E. Murray. Permission to republish Comic Book Games are on the Rise in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.