Marvel's Spider-Man 2 is not only everything fans have come to expect from Insomniac Games' superhero video game series, it's also a triumphant technical achievement that demonstrates the power and technological potential of the PlayStation 5. On the Fortress of Solitude Facebook page, a recent truth bomb made waves (when don't they, right?). The post implied that Insomniac's Spider-Man video games were better than Warner Bros.' Batman: Arkham series. Games. As expected, fans have debated both sides of the argument, with many rightly pointing out that without the Dark Knight's efforts in the gaming world, there would be no Spider-Man 2 to celebrate today.
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Without a shadow of a doubt, Batman: Arkham was the granddaddy of comic book video games for a long time. From Batman: Arkham Asylum to Batman: Arkham Knight, games developed by Rocksteady Studios have set a new standard for superheroes in the gaming world. Just as Marvel's Spider-Man 2 became a flagship game for the PlayStation 5, Arkham Knight did the same for the PlayStation 4 in 2015. Although many fans hated the Batmobile combat portions of the game, there's no denying that it ended the series on a satisfying and engaging note, drawing inspiration from all aspects of the Caped Crusader mythology and respecting the narrative arc of previous titles. Still, the series could – and should – have continued, because there's a major hole in WB Games' superhero strategy that Injustice can't fill on its own.
Why did Batman: Arkham stop?
Speaking to Game Informer, Batman: Arkham Knight director Sefton Hill said it made sense to end the story because Rocksteady had worked on the series for eight years and it was of a finale in the form of a big bang. To be honest, it's understandable that the studio would want to spread its wings and move away from a single character, as it can become creatively stifling. Rocksteady will return to Arkhamverse for the VR effort and the upcoming Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League.
Despite claims that the series would come to a natural conclusion, the move is somewhat baffling in purely business terms. Why would WB Games decide to end one of its most popular franchises when there is still money on the table? It is true that this period coincides with all the turmoil that was about to occur around DC and Warner Bros., a debacle that has never ended since then and proves that some people hate money. Like the studios, DC games are in disarray and have no real strategy. Gotham Knights was supposed to kick off a new era, but it lasted about as long as Joss Whedon in the DC Extended Universe.
After dominating the superhero video game landscape with the critically acclaimed Batman: Arkham series, WB Games has seemingly given up. While Injustice somewhat filled a void, it's more of a challenge to Mortal Kombat, Tekken, and Street Fighter than other single-player adventures. Since then, bizarre decisions have followed one another. The creation of DC Studios is supposed to remedy this situation, since everything will be grouped under the same brand. Still, it's likely that WB Games is cringing at the success of Insomniac's Spider-Man series, while hard copies of Gotham Knights are gathering dust on the shelves.
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Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 shows what Batman: Arkham could have been on next-gen consoles
Batman: Arkham introduced the ability to switch between Batman, Nightwing, Robin and Catwoman in the game. Today, Marvel's Spider-Man 2 moves up a gear by offering a narrative adapted to the two protagonists: Peter Parker and Miles Morales. The game presents a prototype of the potential Batman and Robin-centric story that could have unfolded if there had been another installment of the Arkham series, with Bruce and Damian Wayne taking turns to take down the most famous thugs from Gotham City. Plus, an intertwined story centered around two main characters goes a long way towards eliminating complaints that DC is only focused on Batman – which it is, but hey, give us Robin every once in a while too.
At the same time, Marvel's Spider-Man 2 takes the technical aspect of the game to the next level. For Batsy, it must hurt to see how complex Spidey's technology has become for missions, especially since he loves gadgets and loves nothing more than updating his costumes and s have fun with the improvements. So imagine the number of futuristic toys and devices that could be added to a Batman: Arkham Beyond game, for example, or even the super-powered vehicles that could be part of the missions.
Insomniac's video game also brings its environment to life: New York City, which becomes a character in its own right. While it's true that the open world of the Arkham games was sensational in its own right, it was limited by the technology of the time. So it's mind-blowing to think about what could be possible in a Gotham City of 2023. From cooler graphics to faster movement to a more responsive and interactive environment, the Dark Knight would have a lot more to explore than just a simple hunt for the Riddler's million trophies.
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WB Games must be planning something big – they must
Once sales numbers for Marvel's Spider-Man 2 come in, DC Studios co-CEOs James Gunn and Peter Safran are expected to call Warner Bros. officials. Games in their office and ask them, “Okay. What is the plan to compete with Insomniac's Spider-Man series? » After being the leader in superhero video games for almost a decade, DC is now trailing the Webhead in monumental ways. Everyone knows that the video game industry is a gold mine that brings in figures that would make movie studios pale, so it is impossible for Safran and Gunn not to place video games at the top of their priorities right now. moment.
At the same time, it is too late for the Batman: Arkham series to continue. It's unlikely that the Arkhamverse will continue after Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League, since Gunn and Safran have been very clear about the need to create unity across all divisions, which means a reboot to find a singular vision. All things considered, WB Games must be cooking something up in the background, or at least making serious plans. For now, Spider-Man has spun a web as a crown to celebrate his becoming king of the video game industry, and he dares anyone to come and take it from him.
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