Superhero games that have better writing than the MCU

Iron Man started MCU 2008, but even though that movie was a success, that didn't mean the idea of ​​the expanded universe would work. The 2012s Avengers was the real testing ground, and it did overwhelmingly well at the box office and among critics. Finally, the MCU really felt like “a thing”. Today, everyone watches or engages with superhero content of some sort, on the same level that viewers can watch Friends or The office.

While the MCU movies can be engaging, they are sometimes more like spectacle than grand art with sweeping narratives. In the video game space, there are at least five examples of games that have better writing than MCU movies in specific ways. Without spoilers, let's check out those games.

Marvel's Spider-Man

A complete Peter Parker epic

Marvel's Spider-Man is the first adaptation of the iconic character that Insomniac Games worked on. Thankfully, it's not yet another made-up origin story, as Peter Parker is already a well-established adult in New York City, and as a superhero, he wears the guise of his red and blue jumpsuit. He tangles with some familiar villains, such as the Kingpin, but other villains emerge that had not yet been established. The main villain is Doc Ock, who is also a big reason why the story works so well. Like many stories involving Doc Ock, he becomes a father figure to Peter – after he loses Uncle Ben – before becoming a villain.

Eventually, Ock's inventions take over and Peter, as Spider-Man, must stop him, which tugs at his heartstrings. Beyond the typical superhero stuff, this game is all about Peter himself. He helps MJ and Aunt May when he can, working to feed the homeless, which also leads to the appearance of another, lesser-known villain: Mister Negative. Miles Morales, pre-transformation, is also involved in a supporting role. It may seem like a lot, but Insomniac manages to weave together several narrative webs to provide Marvel's Spider-Man one of the best modern Spider-Man stories to date, from comics to movies, with plenty of heart, laughs and action along the way.

Batman: Arkham City

The Dark Knight returns

Batman is not a Marvel character, but the story told in Batman: Arkham City is still one worth praising over some MCU movies. After the first match, Batman: Arkham Asylumthe villains escape into a section of Gotham City, leading to the area being quarantined. Now Arkham Asylum is in a city where villains of all kinds are free to roam; at least until Batman can help put them back behind bars. Set mainly during a long, dark night, players must tangle with the best of the best from Batman's rogues gallery. Two-Face, The Penguin, The Joker, Mr. Freeze and many others thrive in the city.

It may seem like too much of a good thing, but every villain has a great side story that ultimately affects the overall story. It's well played, from recurring voices from the 90s Batman: The Animated Series cartoon to new additions, which helps sell the appeal of these villains. Batman: Arkham City is a good example of how to handle multiple villains in a story without it feeling bloated, unlike some of the bigger MCU movies with villains that tend to get the short end of the stick in collaborations (Spider-Man: No Way Home is an example). It's also just a fun and brutal action game where it's satisfying to play as Batman, who is well represented thanks to the golden voice of Kevin Conroy, may he rest in peace.

Marvel's Avengers

A better origin for Kamala Khan

Marvel's Avengers is not just a game where players can choose to be Earth's mightiest heroes; it's also an origin story for Kamala Khan, but one where she gets to help The Avengers rebuild after a devastating incident that led to Captain America's death. Her character and powers are better represented in this game than any MCU TV series or movie Kamala has appeared in. The only thing the MCU does better is showcase the Khan family, but in Marvel's Avengersthe family dynamic is more about Kamala fitting into her superhero role.

In this story, Kamala learns about her elastic powers, while trying to convince The Avengers that their time is not yet over. It's a loot-based live-service game at its core and isn't the best example of the genre among others out there, but there's no denying how fun the story is with all the solid gameplay that players get to experience. Aside from Kamala, the other portrayals of The Avengers are solid, with Nolan North standing out as a good version of Tony Stark who doesn't need to be directly compared to Robert Downey Jr. in the MCU. While the overall package may not have lived up to the expectations of Marvel gaming fans, the story is certainly worth experiencing.

South Park: The Fractured But Whole

Silly, but meaningful

South Park: The Fractured But Whole is not affiliated with Marvel or DC. Instead, it is a direct sequel to South Park: The Stick of Truth. In the first game, the South Park kids and a new kid (representing the player) pretend to be in a fantasy land and fight over a magic stick. In this sequel, the fantasy theme is replaced by superheroes, with players choosing their build at the beginning. Like the first game, the fourth wall-breaking comedy is alive and well, attracting DC, the MCU, and video games.

Fans of superhero themes South Park episode will see plenty of returning characters and references, from The Coon to Mintberry Crunch. Fans of Deadpool movies and She-Hulk TV shows will appreciate the pieces in South Park: The Fractured But Wholebecause Matt Stone, Trey Parker and the other writers didn't hold back on getting risky. Although it lacks heart and anything that really engages from a mystery angle, this game's story and comedy are sure to entertain players from minute one.

Dispatch

A down-to-earth superhero story

Through several films, viewers learn more about the heroes of the MCU, but the pace is slow. In a game that Dispatchplayers will bond with their heroes in just eight hours. By the end, players will feel more attached to their squad due to their active role in their development and their redemption. The game stars a former hero, Robert, who joins a superhero agency to help guide a newly formed team of reformed villains. They are dysfunctional and rarely listen, but thoughtful responses help ensure cooler heads prevail.

Like Telltale's games or Supermassive's horror stories, Dispatch is first and foremost a story-based narrative adventure game where choices matter. However, there is more gameplay than a typical adventure game, as players will go through a hacking mini-game and a light management sim where they must send the right heroes for each job as it appears. Right decisions can lead to these heroes leveling up and thus liking Robert more, while bad decisions lead to teamwork issues. It's compelling and stressful in the best possible way, showcasing the more human side of both superheroes and villains without being too grotesque or over the top like other non-MCU shows, from The boys to Invincible. Dispatch is a completely different taste, and that makes it very special.