It has been quite some time since Superman, the iconic Man of Steel, headlined his own video game. While he has popped up in countless titles, including appearances in games like Injustice, the LEGO Batman series, and MultiVersus, he hasn’t been the star of a solo adventure since the 2006 release of Superman Returns.
With Batman fronting his own successful game series and Wonder Woman getting ready to shine in her own standalone game thanks to Monolith, it’s high time Superman soared into a major AAA project of his own. Especially considering the buzz around James Gunn’s upcoming Superman, fans are eager. While some are unsure about how a Superman game would turn out, there’s a particular DC villain that could lay down the perfect foundation for an action-packed Superman experience.
### Brainiac Would Be the Perfect Villain for a Superman Game
Going back to his first appearance in 1958’s Action Comics #242, Brainiac stands as one of the age-old foes in Superman’s rogues’ gallery. Despite evolving storylines that have seen his personality, origins, and powers shift and transform over time, two key elements persistently feature in his arsenal through all iterations.
Firstly, Brainiac is equipped with a personal force field that’s practically unbreakable. Secondly, he wields a formidable shrinking ray capable of miniaturizing entire cities. These cities are then displayed in glass jars, and Brainiac, believing the knowledge within these captive cities is for him alone, obliterates the rest of the corresponding planet. In several versions, he’s even depicted as the harbinger of Krypton’s demise, snatching the city of Kandor before laying waste to Superman’s home world.
These shrunken cities could solve a perennial problem that has haunted the idea of a standalone Superman game. The challenge lies in accommodating Superman’s vast powers in a conventional game world, especially one filled with NPCs. Brainiac’s miniaturized environments could offer players a playground free from real-world consequences. Imagine a cityscape where Superman can unleash all his abilities without fear of civilian casualties—flying through skyscrapers, manipulating the environment, and tearing apart structures as he pleases.
The concept is reminiscent of the notorious Superman Nintendo 64 game, although that game featured civilians within its virtual Metropolis that required Superman’s protection.
### There’s One Downside to Using Brainiac Right Now
Despite Brainiac’s strong candidacy as a stellar villain for future Superman games, there might be a snag. His involvement in the DC universe might soon get a boost in visibility with James Gunn’s DCU projects. However, the release of Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League might have temporarily dampened his appeal for gamers.
Brainiac technically plays the villain role in Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League, and although his presence is minimal until the game’s climax, his portrayal might not sit well with fans. Rocksteady’s title, unfortunately marred with issues, might have left players with a less-than-glowing impression of the villain. Even though the voice performance behind their version of Brainiac was commendable, the lackluster story implementation and an underwhelming boss fight could put players off.
Players engaging with the post-launch content of Suicide Squad might have grown weary of Brainiac, especially as the game repeatedly recycles his boss battle with only slight tweaks.
In conclusion, while Brainiac could be Superman’s next thrilling adversary in gaming, strategic timing and execution are paramount to ensuring this iconic matchup receives the justice it deserves.
