DCUO is a game with Superman in it, not a Superman game.
I do think some of their systems/mechanics are worth stealing for a Superman game though.
"We all know the truth: more connects us than separates us. But in times of crisis the wise build bridges, while the foolish build barriers. We must find a way to look after one another, as if we were one single tribe."
~ Black Panther.
For when my rants on the forums just aren’t enough: https://thevindicativevordan.tumblr.com/
Twelve years now, I think. And for eleven and a half years the internet has been saying the game is a step away from shutting down.
Their flight system isn't bad. A little stiff, yeah, but better than some others, including much newer games too. It's better than their super speed, which is crazy fun but super annoying if you run yourself into a corner.
One of the things I like about their system that I wouldn't mind seeing carry into a proper Super game is the way they blend combat. Physical/regular attacks (like martial arts, two-handed weapons, guns, etc) are handled with a "smash/combo/block/block breaker" system vaguely akin to fighting games, while you have a more MMO style loadout for your actual powers. Gives your playstyle flexibility, and I found it was an easy system to learn, so good for beginners and casuals, but there's surprising depth to it if you care to look too.
I wouldn't want the exact same system and set-up carried over, but the basic idea is a good one.
"We all know the truth: more connects us than separates us. But in times of crisis the wise build bridges, while the foolish build barriers. We must find a way to look after one another, as if we were one single tribe."
~ Black Panther.
So guys how can we make this happen? Vordan didn’t you have like a outline for this ?
You see, I'm going to disagree here. Kratos literally goes around killing GODS. There plenty of characters in video games who are powerful and fast as Superman. Just don't give Clark his full range of powers or strength. You can let the player select which "power level" they want for the game. Regardless of the fact, Clark is still overpowered and hard to kill no matter what incarnation you pick. I'd actually say the original "power levels" is probably the best way to go. He's still stupidly strong. Nothing less than a bursting shell can penetrate his skin. He can be killed, for those who didn't know. He wasn't completely impervious to pain. He can outrace an any vehicle on Earth. Most of all, he still have enhanced sight and hearing.
Sure, but you're talking story. I'm talking mechanics, hard/software limitations, and data size.
You can call any character in a video game a "god" and then have them defeated with a blue shell or a boomerang or chain-sword or Ultima spell or whatever. But capturing the full scope of Clark's abilities and accurately translating that into a player's experience, with room left over to make the game fun and challenging? That's a relatively recent advancement.
And if you ask me, if you can't give a player the full scope of Clark's powers there's not much point in doing the game at all. I'd happily accept a Golden Age Superman game (which would be easy to do, by today's standards), but if you want the "classic" fully powered version? All or nothing baby.
"We all know the truth: more connects us than separates us. But in times of crisis the wise build bridges, while the foolish build barriers. We must find a way to look after one another, as if we were one single tribe."
~ Black Panther.
Yeah, you can read my pitch here.
I don’t quite agree because the Arkham games didn’t give you the “full” experience right off the bat either. You couldn’t drive the Batmobile until Knight. The Batfamily didn’t show up until City. The core of Superman is that he’s strong, fast, and can fly. Long as he has some measure of those abilities, and I don’t buy that Clark can’t be around Spider-Man tier strong and fast to feel legit in a game, then the public will accept him.
But if it is a problem then just put him in a setting where Superman starting off depowered and having to unlock his abilities makes sense. My pitch is the Phantom Zone but you could easily copy the Warworld Saga and mandate Clark has to collect Genesis fragments from foes to reempower himself, and that’s basically his XP to “level up”.
For when my rants on the forums just aren’t enough: https://thevindicativevordan.tumblr.com/