Games

Non-Marvel and DC Superhero Franchises Shouldn’t Face the Reaper

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30 seconds ago

January 20, 2025

Thanks to the likes of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, superheroes are practically everywhere these days. The franchise may be faltering a bit, but successes like Deadpool and Wolverine and Marvel Rivals show that Marvel‘s expansive catalog of characters will not be going anywhere anytime soon. Even though DC has not had a massive hit in a while, it too is showing no signs of slowing down as the DCU has kicked off. While that is great for fans of these IPs, it also seems to be coming at the expense of original superhero tales.

For years, the video game industry had its own superhero franchises alongside Marvel and DC titles. But recently, it seems like said titles have taken a backseat to new adventures with Marvel or DC’s titular characters. That means that instead of getting to explore a world like Infamous, players are being put into the shoes of Spider-Man. Even though those experiences are a lot of fun, those original stories should still get their chance to shine.

Marvel Rivals’ Insomniac Spider-Man Crossover is Only Scratching the Surface

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While fans are understandably excited about Marvel Rivals’ Insomniac Spider-Man crossover skin, this team-up should only be the tip of the iceberg.

Non-Marvel and DC Superheroes Deserve Their Time in the Spotlight

The Industry Used to Have a Couple Original Superhero Tales

There was a time when many studios were attempting to craft their own superhero franchises within the video game space. Radical Entertainment had the Prototype series, Sucker Punch was taking players on wild adventures through Infamous, and Xbox Game Studios gave players immense power through its Crackdown franchise. Alongside those came all sorts of online experiences, including City of Heroes and Champions Online and other franchises such as Saints Row even tapped into the market with Saints Row 4.

It seemed like wherever players looked, there was a superhero game waiting for them. While not every game was fantastic, there was a lot of fun to be had here. Many players still consider the Infamous series to be the best superhero titles on the market, there really has not been a game like Prototype, and that first Crackdown will forever be fondly remembered. However, even with that success, the days of said franchises seem to be over.

Those Tales Seem to be Getting Phased Out for Marvel and DC Characters

Most of these series have not had a new entry in a little while now, with most feeling like they will never see the light of day again. The Prototype series has not been heard from since 2012, Sucker Punch has not touched Infamous since Infamous First Light in 2014, and Crackdown 3 seemingly killed that franchise back in 2019. Additionally, City of Heroes and Champions Online have shut their doors while the Saints Row franchise tried completely reinventing itself in 2022, which resulted in the studio closing down.

Instead of getting those original tales, players are being treated to Marvel and DC titles. Sony has set aside Infamous in favor of Marvel’s Spider-Man, Arkane is hard at work on Marvel’s Blade, and online titles such as Marvel Rivals have seemingly cornered the shooter market. DC also has a plethora of adventures in the works, with the likes of Monolith’s Wonder Woman looming on the horizon. While that all sounds like a lot of fun, it should not come at the expense of the other franchises.

Those original superhero franchises could still shine alongside the bigger Marvel and DC brands. Of course, they will likely not get as much attention since they are not from the big comic book companies. Those franchises could still give players something special; not only were they able to deliver fantastic superhero experiences, but they also did things that these other titles have not done.