Highlights
- Superman has struggled to find success in video games despite his huge reputation as the world's greatest superhero.
- Lego could provide a much-needed rehabilitation for Superman in gaming, offering a fun and diverse gameplay experience.
- Superman's friendly and optimistic nature makes him a perfect fit for Lego's family-friendly tone, and players would not need to worry about destruction or other potential pitfalls of a more serious Superman game.
Superheroes have skyrocketed in popularity over the last 20 years, with Marvel films, DC TV series, and more nuanced properties like The Boys and Invincible getting their time in the spotlight. Gaming has seen a similar trend, as Batman: Arkham, Spider-Man, and Guardians of the Galaxy have all been met with critical success over the last decade and beyond. Even the most obscure personalities from the pages of comics have received some kind of adaptation, but while Superman is as popular as it gets, he hasn't enjoyed as much public appreciation as his name would suggest, especially in the virtual medium, and Lego could help him out with that.
Lego is seeing a similar upward trajectory to superheroes, be it the video games or the physical sets. It’s an entity that has been around for years, and thanks to Indiana Jones, Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter and Batman, the accompanying games have found a steady foothold in most players’ libraries. Most Lego offerings adapt something pre-existing, and though it has extensively covered the superhero genre, a Lego title could be the perfect rehabilitation that Superman needs after such a long time spent in gaming purgatory.
Superman’s Gaming History Has Proven to be Turbulent
Though he’s revered across the globe and holds the title of the world’s greatest superhero, Superman has struggled to find his footing in the games space. His overwhelming list of abilities makes crafting a well-balanced offering near-impossible despite titles like InFamous and Spider-Man doing well to show that superhuman abilities can be implemented successfully into a game. Superman’s history is vast, and the stories he’s been at the center of have been engaging enough to be replicated in a big-budget title, but finding the right mechanics to carry such a tale has proven a task too difficult for any developer to take on. Instead, projects like Injustice, DC Universe Online and the upcoming Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League have reduced him to a secondary role.
In the aforementioned games he has an essential role to play, but the side characters, settings, and storylines unique to Superman are rarely utilized in such offerings, which is a big source of the character’s charm. Traveller's Tales could use Metropolis as a fun playground, much like New York City in Lego Marvel Superheroes, and have personalities like Lois Lane, Jimmy Olsen, and even Krypto the Superdog feature to add diversity to the gameplay mechanics and character interactions. Far more than Batman and Gotham, Superman and Metropolis fits the Lego developer’s style like a glove.
Superman’s Friendliness is Perfect for Lego
Though Batman has had a well-liked run in Lego form, the darker setting of Gotham City and more mature themes made the tone feel inconsistent. As the Arkham games showed, he’s a character that is best served with a serious atmosphere and gothic presentation instead of a comedic, whimsical, family-friendly experience. Superman is different, as his nature is far more friendly and welcoming. Clark Kent is a bumbling, humble man, and his heroics as the Man of Steel are always done with the greater good in mind. Metropolis is light, the side characters are more upbeat, and Superman’s villains are more stereotypical than Batman’s, so utilizing the character with his own Lego series could be a match made in heaven. Plus, players would not have to worry about Superman feeling overpowered, environmental damage, or civilian casualties in a LEGO setting.
Between adaptations of the Avengers and Indiana Jones, among so many others, the Lego games have shown that they can recreate beloved characters both authentically and with care. Superman is the most hopeful and uplifting hero ever made, but his recent appearances in media have given him a gloomy edge that has to be balanced with something more optimistic, and Lego could be that catalyst. Given his lofty reputation, Superman’s luck in gaming has been bad, and instead of the character taking a huge risk with a new AAA title, leaning on Lego’s obvious quality and positive tone could give the Man of Steel the game he deserves.