Summary
- Mature themes and nuanced topics revitalized comic books and superhero games.
- Deadpool and X-Men Origins: Wolverine exemplifies successful mature superhero games.
- Titles like Prototype, Saints Row 4, and Batman: Arkham Knight pushed boundaries with adult content.
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.
8 Superhero Games You Can No Longer Buy
This list explores a number of superhero games that can no longer be purchased, having been delisted and stripped from vendor shelves.
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.
5 Deadpool
Content Warning: Blood And Gore, Intense Violence, Mature Humor, Sexual Content, Strong Language
.jpg?q=49&fit=crop&w=500&dpr=2)
Deadpool
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's Deadpool nailed 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 Deadpool and 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.
4 X-Men Origins: Wolverine
Content Warning: Blood And Gore, Intense Violence, Language
X-Men Origins: Wolverine - Uncaged Edition
- Released
- May 1, 2009
- Developer(s)
- Raven Software
- Genre(s)
- Hack and Slash, Action-Adventure
Given how beloved Wolverine's character is, it was only a matter of time before an X-Men movie would be made with this character at the helm. Why the movie wasn't a hit, fans were surprised to see just how engaging the X-Men Origins: Wolverine video game was when it came out. Most people expect a Wolverine game to be as brutal as they come, and this title certainly didn't disappoint.
The visceral combat and gory gameplay of X-Men Origins: Wolverine helped it stand out as one of the best mature superhero video games. Lunging at enemies and ripping them up never 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 in Marvel's Spider-Man.
3 Prototype
Content Warning: Blood And Gore, Intense Violence, Strong Language
Prototype
Prototype and Infamous came 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, Prototype lets players enjoy a dark, brooding power fantasy as Mercer tries to understand where his powers came from.
5 Games With Japanese Super Heroes
Superheroes are traditionally considered as Western character types. However, Japan has taken superhero stories and adapted them in their own way.
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.
2 Saints Row 4
Content Warning: Blood, Intense Violence, Partial Nudity, Sexual Content, Strong Language, Use Of Drugs
Saints Row 4
Saints Row 3 took 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, and Saints Row 4 decided 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 helped Saints Row 4 stand 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 why Saints Row 4 is a game marketed solely towards mature audiences.
1 Batman: Arkham Knight
Content Warning: Blood, Language, Suggestive Themes, Violence
Batman: Arkham Knight
- Released
- June 23, 2015
- Developer(s)
- Rocksteady Studios
- Genre(s)
- Action
The Batman Arkham games 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 of Arkham Knight when Rocksteady was comfortable with the fact that a higher age rating wouldn't hamper their sales. Given the dark tones present in the final Arkham game, 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 that Arkham Knight didn'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 from communicating the brutality of this storyline.
6 90s Superhero Games That Need A Collection
Superhero games were huge in the 90s, and the stars of these titles deserve collections to make those games accessible now.