Superhero Games With The Best Stories
Highlights
- Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 elevated the gameplay experience with an exciting story featuring Venom’s menacing role.
- Injustice: Gods Among Us offers an alternate timeline where heroes and villains swap roles in dynamic battles.
- Infamous uses player decisions to shape Cole’s hero or anti-hero journey in a gritty world waiting to be explored.
In a world where fans often find themselves captivated by the extraordinary feats of superheroes, video games have emerged as an immersive medium to explore their rich and dynamic narratives. These interactive experiences allow players to step into the shoes of iconic characters, experiencing their triumphs and tribulations firsthand.
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As the gaming industry continues to evolve, fans bear witness to the rise of superhero games that not only deliver adrenaline-pumping action but also boast compelling, emotionally charged storylines that rival those found in blockbuster films and comic books. From the streets of Gotham to the cosmic reaches of distant galaxies, these games have transcended their mere gameplay mechanics and transformed into captivating storytelling masterpieces.
Updated on February 24, 2024 by Ritwik Mitra: There was a time when most players scoffed at the idea of a serious superhero game. A once-great studio turned this notion around, letting players enjoy a new era where games with superheroes were actually coveted by players instead of frowned upon. Most of these titles feature excellent scripts, amazing voice performances, and engrossing stories that will keep players engaged till the very end of an unforgettable experience. That’s without mentioning the revolutions in superhero combat systems that make taking on waves of bad guys feel fantastic. With that in mind, we’ve updated this list with a few more titels to keep those superhero fans well fed.
13 Marvel’s Spider-Man 2
A Sequel That’s Bigger And Better In The Best Ways Possible
Marvel’s Spider-Man 2
- Released
- October 20, 2023
After Insomniac’s efforts to make the best Spider-Man game around reaped significant results, it was only a given that the sequel would take things in a bigger and bolder direction. This was the case with Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, which was a blast to play through in every way.
Unlike most Spider-Man media that has introduced Venom, Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 avoided the curse and let players enjoy a great story where Venom played a major role as an antagonist and came across as menacing and powerful as he does in the comics. The game’s story took things in a bold direction, with fans loving what this title had to offer.
12 Injustice: Gods Among Us
DC’s Heroes And Villains Take Center Stage In A Universe-Spanning Narrative
Injustice: Gods Among Us
- Released
- April 16, 2013
- Genre(s)
- Fighting
NetherRealm Studios have become masters of developing fighting games with fun stories, and Injustice: Gods Among Us is no exception here. The storyline focuses on alternate timelines where heroes and villains swap roles, making for some fun matchups in the game’s fighting showdowns.
The story mode is pretty accessible, and players can always lower the difficulty if a particular fight is posing some problems. The cinematics are impressive, with the narrative of Injustice being engaging enough to warrant a sequel and a comic book which further fleshed out the world and narrative.
11 Infamous
Cole MacGrath’s Story Is A Riveting One With A Mind-Blowing Conclusion
Infamous
- Released
- May 26, 2009
- Genre(s)
- Action-Adventure
One of the PlayStation 3’s more popular titles, Infamous is an excellent superhero game made by Sucker Punch Studios. The story focuses on Cole MacGrath, a courier who gets electrical powers after a delivery goes wrong during a city-wide cataclysm.
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The story takies some wild twists and turns, with Cole’s electrical powers mixing perfectly with the world Sucker Punch designed, and changing depending on the player’s decisions to play Cole as a true hero or an anti-hero. It’s a shame that this game hasn’t been ported to modern platforms, since many people would love to explore the gritty world of Infamous once again.
10 Marvel’s Spider-Man
A Well-Written Story That Focuses On A Mature Spider-Man
Marvel’s Spider-Man
- Released
- September 7, 2018
Marvel’s Spider-Man is already one of the most critically acclaimed video games of all time, especially when it comes to the PlayStation console. Originally released in 2018, Marvel’s Spider-Man quickly became one of the most hefty competitors for Game of the Year; many features, including its excellent narrative, make Marvel’s Spider-Man such a beloved game.
In Marvel’s Spider-Man, fans immediately are thrown in the shoes of Peter Parker, who has been swinging around New York City as Spider-Man for about eight years. Being a superhero for so long, Peter has a wide array of abilities, moves, and other features that help players to take on the Sinister Six, who are brutal in this take on the Web-Crawler. The game focuses on a new adaptation of the hero that doesn’t sway too far from the character’s source.
9 Saints Row 4
The Craziness Of Saints Row Is Cranked Up To The Max By Adding Superpowers
Saints Row 4 is a unique take on the Saints Row franchise, and, upon release in 2013, instantly became the most popular title in the series. Saints Row 4 allows players to create their own character, who ends up becoming President of the United States. Quickly enough in this comedic and action-packed game, fans will have to fend off an alien invasion, known as the Zin.
As players progress, they’ll unlock extraordinary abilities, discover fresh powers, and enhance their existing ones. This unique take on the superhero genre still remains one of the greatest, along with directing a narrative that drives a particular sense of captivation.
8 Marvel’s Guardians Of The Galaxy
Fans Were Taken Aback By An Amazing Script And Emotionally-Charged Plot
Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy
- Released
- October 26, 2021
- Genre(s)
- Action-Adventure
Guardians of the Galaxy became a big hit for the MCU with the release of the first live-action movie featuring the unlikely group of heroes. That said, it was only a matter of time before the team was handed their own video game. Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy comes in, bringing the same sense of comedy, love, action, and narrative that the movies did. In Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy, players will play as Star-Lord while using his leadership skills to command the other Guardians.
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In this eventful plot, Star-Lord and the Guardians have to save the galaxy against a growing threat known as the Church of the Promise. Many familiar faces, such as Adam Warlock, Cosmo, and even Mantis are all colorful characters that add even more to that game’s immersive story.
7 Batman: Arkham Series
Paved The Way For Serious Superhero Games To Become The Norm
Batman: Arkham Trilogy
- Released
- December 1, 2023
- Genre(s)
- Action-Adventure
The Batman: Arkham games pull along a story that spans over eight games (nine including Suicide Squad: Kill The Justice League). The primary games in the series include:
- Batman: Arkham Asylum
- Batman: Arkham City
- Batman: Arkham Origins
- Batman: Arkham Knight
The portrayal of Batman in this comic book series is one of the best portrayals of the bat-themed hero and withholds the best superhero games of the 2010s. Players follow along as Bruce Wayne’s Batman fights crime in a city called Arkham City. Throughout each game, many popular villains will test their might against the caped vigilante. From fighting the Joker to dealing with Red Hood, many stories are crafted with care and characters that are developed wonderfully.
6 InFamous: Second Son
A Fun Game That Expands On The World-Building Of Infamous
InFamous: Second Son stands as a shining example of a superhero game with a captivating storyline that leaves players immersed in a world of moral dilemmas and superhuman powers. As Delsin Rowe, players navigate a beautifully crafted open-world rendition of Seattle, harnessing a variety of elemental abilities like Smoke, Neon, Video, and Concrete.
The game’s dynamic narrative unfolds through meaningful choices, allowing players to shape Delsin’s journey and determine the path of heroism or villainy. With such a complex nature navigated throughout Infamous: Second Son, the game has become known for its tantalizing story accompanied by its addictive gameplay.
5 Marvel’s Midnight Suns
Fun Story, Engaging Combat, And Great Character Moments
Midnight Suns
- Released
- December 2, 2022
- Genre(s)
- Tactical
Though Marvel’s Midnight Suns is a specific type of game for fans of the tactical RPG genre, Midnight Suns is a wonderful experience through its strategic gameplay and incredible story. In Midnight Suns, players create a custom character known as The Hunter, who is the offspring of Lilith, a dark sorceress.
The plot takes The Hunter on a journey with choices to be made, and enemies to overcome. In between tactical gameplay though, Midnight Suns has great cutscenes, along with lore that can be found throughout The Abbey; these features add to the incredible, and lesser-known, account of the Midnight Suns team.
4 Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales
Shows How Miles Matures To Become A Competent Spider-Man
Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales
- Released
- November 12, 2020
Just like Marvel’s Spider-Man, which introduced Miles Morales’ character about halfway into the game, Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales stands to be one of the best superhero games today. It’s not too different from Marvel’s Spider-Man, but different enough to be a new experience that engages gamers in a different Spider-Man origin story.
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In this adaptation, Miles Morales has to look after New York City while Peter is off on vacation. Though Miles struggles at first, the new Spider-Man of New York City is able to overcome plenty of challenges, and eventually take on some of the most well-developed villains of the franchise.
3 Deadpool
A Hilarious And Well-Written Superhero Game That Understood Deadpool’s Character
Deadpool
- Released
- June 25, 2013
- Genre(s)
- Action , Hack and Slash
There has never been a superhero game that twists the genre like Deadpool has, and there may never be one (unless a sequel to Deadpool reaches light). In Deadpool, players are immediately met with Wade Wilson, who is already the Merc with a Mouth from the beginning, meaning there is no origin story to tread. True to the character, Deadpool writes up an idea for his own video game and sends it off to High Noon Studios (who developed the game).
When his idea is rejected, he bombs the studio, forcing them to comply. What leads next is an incredible parade of easter eggs, incredible action, faces ripped out of comic books, and a narrative that plays out supremely well with the first act.
2 Control
Remedy’s Return To Form With Some Fun Powers And An SCP-Inspired Story
Developed by Remedy Entertainment, this action-adventure introduces players to the enigmatic world of the Federal Bureau of Control. Taking on the role of Jesse Faden, gamers embark on a quest to uncover the truth behind her missing brother’s disappearance and the mysterious Oldest House—a shape-shifting structure housing the secretive agency.
Control is an unforgettable journey through intrigue and enigma, showcasing how a superhero game can truly stand out with an extraordinary narrative that keeps players on the edge of their seats. Concerning that, Control is a powerful experience with an even more powerful story that any fan of superhero games will want to check out.
1 Gravity Rush 2
A Unique Game With Gravity Powers That Make Flying A Blast
Gravity Rush 2
- Released
- January 20, 2017
Gravity Rush 2 is easily regarded as one of the most distinctive games in the superhero genre. Gravity Rush 2 thrusts players into the gravity-defying world of Kat, a young girl wielding the power to manipulate gravity. Beyond the awe-inspiring gameplay, the heart of the game lies in its compelling story, filled with mystery, self-discovery, and the bonds of friendship.
As Kat faces new challenges, uncovers hidden truths, and encounters a diverse cast of characters, players are immersed in a tale that explores the essence of heroism and the quest for identity. Gravity Rush 2 is truly one of the most heartfelt experiences within its genre.
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