Batman is one of the most notable heroes in DC Comics. Billionaire Bruce Wayne takes on the role of vigilante in an attempt to protect the crime-riddled streets of Gotham City. Because of his brooding nature and arsenal of impressive high-tech gadgets, Batman resonates with a large audience. From film adaptations to a variety of television spin-offs, both animated and live-action, Batman has become the main spokeshero for the DC brand.
Even in gaming, Batman has reigned supreme. Franchises like Arkham and Batman: The Tellale Series have served as strong adaptations of the hero and his various villains. However, Batman isn’t the only character Warner Bros. Games has tried to showcase. Entries like Gotham Knights and Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice tried, and ultimately failed, to capture the same hype. The latter tried to bring the Justice League into the spotlight, which proved controversial. Future games featuring the Justice League could work, but Batman highlights a major problem with the superhero team in video game adaptations.
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Batman’s Popularity and Abilities Make Him Easier to Adapt Than Other Justice League Members
Justice League Members and Their Powers
|
Superhero |
Powers |
|
Batman |
Instead of powers, Batman boasts intelligence, advanced fighting skills, and tech. |
|
Superman |
Superhuman strength and durability, flying, heat vision, cold breath, speed |
|
Wonder Woman |
As a demigod, she possesses increased strength and durability, immortality, and speed. She also utilizes her Bracelets of Submission and Lasso of Truth. |
|
Green Lantern |
His Power Ring gives him the ability to project weapons, fly, and use the device as a shield. |
|
The Flash |
He can move faster than the speed of light, which also gives him the ability to time travel. |
|
Martian Manhunter |
Telepathy, telekinesis, and regeneration are his main powers, although he has been depicted with many others. |
|
Hawkgirl |
Flight, super strength, enhanced vision, and regeneration. |
|
Aquaman |
Breathing underwater, controlling sea creatures, and the Trident of Neptune, which manipulates water and the weather. |
The Justice League has seen various lineups, but the above listed are the most common set of heroes featured. While they all possess incredibly compelling powers, Batman stands out as just an ordinary human who simply has the means to afford powerful tech and training. This makes adapting such a character far more simple than his fellow Justice League members.
Unique Powers Create Gameplay Hurdles
Flying heroes, like Superman and the Green Lantern, present development challenges. It would be incredibly fun to zip through the skies of Metropolis as Superman, but flying mechanics also run the risk of being clunky and difficult to handle in a satisfying way. It’s a lot easier to craft a grappling system. In the case of Aquaman, a game mostly based underwater requires a completely different set of mechanics and physics that can feel just as strange if not pulled off properly. Also, many of these heroes may simply feel overpowered.
Gotham Knights attempted a spiritual successor of the Arkham series without Batman being present. This was a compelling route, but the lack of a playable Batman didn’t have quite the same charm. Ultimately, the character’s popularity may be getting in the way of other DC heroes having a chance in the spotlight. Gotham Knights‘ four protagonists had the same benefit of being normal humans, but it’s hard to step out of Batman’s shadow.
Rumors have suggested Rocksteady may be working on another single-player Batman game, but this has yet to be confirmed.
The Next DC Game May Be the Ultimate Test
Monolith’s Wonder Woman project has been back in the news lately, with many having questions about its progress. Since Wonder Woman may be set in Themyscira, the mythical creatures the hero would theoretically face could prevent her from feeling overpowered, but only time will tell.
DC game adaptations are in a tough situation. Another Batman-focused game may bring a fresh hit, but that remains to be seen, since it also risks feeling stale. Whatever the future holds, the Justice League and their various powers make the prospect of future games easier said than done.
- Released
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October 21, 2024
- ESRB
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T For Teen // Violence, Mild Blood, Language
- Developer(s)
-
Camouflaj