Summary
There was a time when most people assumed that any form of media depicting superheroes had to appeal to all ages. While the simple and positive storylines of the past were well-received by many, comic books were in a slump until writers started tackling mature themes and nuanced topics. Their audience had aged, so the material needed to appeal to their newfound interests too.
Superhero games are no exception here, and developers realized that grittier games featuring everyone’s beloved heroes would be more sensible. As a result, more mature games featuring superpowered characters became the norm. From original games with unique spins on this concept to established characters that played a central role in these mature games, it’s easy to see why so many players would love playing through mature superhero games that are developed with great finesse.
Deadpool’s appeal as a wacky fourth wall-breaking hero who engaged in his fair share of wanton violence makes it clear as day why a video game about this controversial character would seem like a ton of fun. 2013’sDeadpoolnailed the superhero’s attitude and how goofy the entire experience was. Players remember the dialogue and certain interactions more than the core gameplay loop, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing.
Players who love Deadpooland don’t mind enduring by-the-numbers combat will find this game to be right up their alley. The jokes are certainly not for the faint of heart, and kids should give this title a wide berth until they’re old enough to be subjected to such crudeness. As one would expect, the game features its fair share of violence too, with enemies being turned into chunks of meat and dismembered regularly.
Given how beloved Wolverine’s character is, it was only a matter of time before anX-Menmovie would be made with this character at the helm. Why the movie wasn’t a hit, fans were surprised to see just how engaging theX-Men Origins: Wolverinevideo game was when it came out. Most people expect aWolverinegame to be as brutal as they come, and this title certainly didn’t disappoint.
The visceral combat and gory gameplay ofX-Men Origins: Wolverinehelped it stand out as one of the best mature superhero video games.Lunging at enemies and ripping them upnever ceases to be engaging, and Wolverine’s vulnerability ties into the story and makes his healing factor more valuable than ever. Hopefully, Insomniac will take a page out of this game’s book and make Logan one of the most brutal superheroes when it comes to his gameplay, which would be a far cry from the palatable violence present inMarvel’s Spider-Man.
PrototypeandInfamouscame around the same time, with the former being vastly gorier. The sheer amount of bloody destruction players could cause in the game world was incredible and did an amazing job of showing just how monstrous Alex Mercer’s powers were. From impersonating other characters to manifesting blades that could cut down enemies,Prototypelets players enjoy a dark, brooding power fantasy as Mercer tries to understand where his powers came from.
Even after all the years that have passed since this title’s release, there’s something about Alex Mercer’s adventures that feel as fresh as ever. There are so many moves players can unlock that the controller itself can’t keep up, and players seeking out a game with lots of brutality where the main character has superpowers will find this title to be right up their alley.
Saints Row 3took the series in a bold direction that established the dark comedic tone that these games would be known for. Expectations were through the roof for the next game in the series, andSaints Row 4decided to up the ante in every way. Ramping up the silliness and letting players enjoy more of the crude adult humor present in the previous title was a great decision that helpedSaints Row 4stand out as one of the most unique and interesting video games players could get lost in.
For starters, the game gives players incredible superpowers that let them interact with the game world in ways they never have before. This means that players can unleash ridiculous amounts of violence with their powers. The 3rd Street Saints is a gang that engages in copious amounts of drug use, and most players are already familiar with the lewd weapon that has become a staple of the series. These elements, along with many others, make it clear whySaints Row 4is a game marketed solely towards mature audiences.
TheBatman Arkhamgames are some of the best superhero titles in gaming history. The first few games in the series definitely had some mature elements, but the game’s ESRB rating never strayed far from a Teen rating. This changed with the advent ofArkham Knightwhen Rocksteady was comfortable with the fact that a higher age rating wouldn’t hamper their sales. Given the dark tones present in the finalArkhamgame, this was a wise decision.
Gotham’s dark and broody atmosphere didn’t have to be shackled by its age rating anymore, even if most people would argue thatArkham Knightdidn’t need to be edgy to appeal to fans of the series. Instead, the M rating helped Rocksteady tell the story they wanted with no compromises. Jason Todd’s brutal beating at the hands of the Joker is something that can be hard to digest, and a T rating may have prevented this title fromcommunicating the brutality of this storyline.
