Batman: Arkham City
The Batman: Arkham series has done a fantastic job of recreating Gotham’s bleak setting and terrifyingly dark characters. Arkham Asylum famously held the Guinness World Record as the most critically acclaimed superhero game ever, only to be outdone by its sequel, Arkham City. Rocksteady Studios’ second installment delivered a more polished approach to combat and allowed players to counter multiple blows simultaneously, catch projectiles, attack aerially, and administer a succession of consecutive strikes. In addition, gadgets were given a more involved role in combat, adding variety to the methods you applied when dealing with the game’s many villains. It also happens to have some brilliant voice acting from Kevin Conroy (Batman) and Mark Hamill (the Joker), making our experience as the Dark Knight all the more special.
Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3
While the Marvel vs. Capcom games have all delivered plenty of hero-heavy action, the third installment rectified the previous X-Men-less roster. Wolverine could once again beat the living snot out of Ryu, while the original 36 characters also made a fond return. 12 new fighters joined an already immense roster, with heroes like Doctor Strange, Hawkeye, Iron Fist, Nova, and Rocket Raccoon all playable. Each character felt just like their comic book counterpart and both Capcom and Eighting worked hard to deliver a hero fighter that emanates fan services. Grab a few mates round and boot up MvC3 to enjoy recreating some of your favourite superhero fights.
South Park: The Fractured But Whole
It feels rather strange putting a South Park game on this list, but The Fractured But Whole does a fantastic job of parodying the superhero genre. If you enjoy Matt Stone and Trey Parker’s crude humor, then you’ll definitely love what their latest game has to offer. You can pick from ten different hero classes – all of which share similarities to Marvel and DC’s most beloved characters. There are a lot of archetypes on offer and you’ll need to use your new-found powers to rid South Park of supervillains, genetically engineered monsters, crime families, and the ultimate kingpin of crime. The latest game isn’t only a hilarious portrayal of the various superhero media, it also happens to go above and beyond its predecessor in every way.
