There is no denying that superheroes are a cultural phenomenon that goes way beyond pop culture circles. The slightly dull, spandex-wearing, all-powerful beings of days gone by have gradually morphed into modern and endearing characters that appeal to a wider demographic than ever before. Even B-listers known only to a handful of comic books enthusiasts have drawn millions to the movies or caught a second wind on TV. Superhero fatigue is arguably kicking in among movie-goers, with Marvel being on a slippery slope with its cinematic phase 4 and Warner Bros failing to reinvent its DCU successfully.
Yet superheroism is very much still the moment in the gaming industry. Sequels like Marvel’s Spiderman 2 are getting gamers hyped up, while exciting fresh titles like a new Iron Game by EA Motive are reportedly in the works. Gamers need to wait a little while longer, though. But in the meantime, the superhero catalogue on PlayStation 5 is already worth looking into. So, we bring you three top superhero games to try out or revisit on PS5.
Marvel’s Midnight Suns
We kick off our list with one of the most recent iterations of the Marvel Universe on PS5. Released by Firaxis in early 2022, Marvel’s Midnight Suns is a bold crossover that features characters from multiple properties. Taking the role of a unique customisable superhero called The Hunter, players get to come across legendary Avengers, X-Men, and even Runaways.
Whether you embark on a mission alongside Wolverine or Scarlett Witch is up to you, thus. You may as well befriend your favourite heroes and get to know them inside out in a way comic books and movies could only dream of.
Marvel’s Midnight Suns remains a tactical RPG foremost, though, combining rich lore with the standard progression of an action role-playing game. Yet this hybrid entry also forays into card-based territory with elements of deckbuilding and turn-based strategy.
Marvel’s Avengers
Published by Square Enix in 2020, Marvel’s Avengers was first released on PS4 before hitting the PS5 in early 2021. And this action-adventure brawler title was every bit as epic as its cinematic counterpart. Largely inspired by the movie versions of the characters, the game focuses on Inhuman teenager Kamala Khan – aka Miss Marvel – and her quest to reassemble the Avengers after they disbanded in the wake of a disaster wrongly pinned on them.
With so many iconic characters to play, and their unique abilities to leverage, the game felt like a wet dream for fans of the genre. Lacklustre content in the base game and repetitive gameplay quickly toned down the enthusiasm, however.
But later DLCs like the Kate Bishop expansion and the War for Wakanda expansion added much-needed depth to the overall story. The roster of characters was also improved upon, introducing the likes of Hawkeye and the Winter Soldier.
Credit: Alvaro Campos – Flickr
Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales
Miles Morales flew solo for the first time on PS5 with this action-adventure game that effectively launched Sony’s new next-gen console in 2020. And the combination of crisp graphics, brilliant combat, and BAFTA-winning soundtrack, took audiences by storm.
A direct sequel and spin-off to Marvel’s Spider-Man, Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales did not outclass the sales of its predecessor. But both these critically-acclaimed games took advantage of the PS5’s technological prowess to revitalise the superhero genre, introducing immersive features like haptic feedback and adaptative triggers. And for PS5 owners, the third instalment in the series already looks out to be one of the most ground-breaking titles to come out in 2023.
Meanwhile, anxious fans can always go back to one of three Spider-Man movie franchises. Additionally, vintage games await retro players, while even Spider-Man-themed machine slots have spawned online. Indeed, top online casinos such as Vegas Slots Online boast pokies like Playtech’s Spider-Man. DC fans can also relish in Batman and Superman-centric games. And the good news is, players can enjoy top-quality slots for free. Mobile-optimised websites also allow users to play around – and perhaps land a hefty jackpot – on the go.
Superhero games have been popping up left, right, and centre on PS5. And other projects are on the horizon, such as an intriguing Wolverine entry courtesy of Insomniac Games. Better yet, classic games like Batman: Arkham Collection and inFAMOUS: Second Son haven’t aged a day on PS4. So, what are you waiting for? Gamers, assemble!