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It’s been quite some time since Superman has headlined his own video game. Although the Man of Steel has made numerous appearances as a playable character in a slew of games, such as Injustice, LEGO Batman games, and MultiVersus, he hasn’t taken center stage in a solo adventure since 2006’s Superman Returns.
While Batman has become synonymous with his own dedicated series of games and Wonder Woman is slated to get her own solo outing from Monolith, it feels overdue for Superman to soar into a full-blown AAA title. With James Gunn’s take on Superman-fueled buzz, the timing seems perfect. Yet, some fans worry whether a solo Superman game is feasible, largely due to his immense powers. However, there exists a villain in the DC universe whose menacing presence could set the stage perfectly for an unrestricted Superman game.
### Brainiac as the Ideal Foe for a Superman Game
Brainiac, introduced way back in 1958’s Action Comics #242, has maintained his status as one of Superman’s most enduring adversaries. Despite Brainiac’s evolving personality, origin, and abilities across comic continuities, two gadgets have stayed consistent: his nearly impenetrable force field and his powerful shrinking ray, capable of miniaturizing entire cities. After miniaturizing them, Brainiac bottles these cities in glass jars, and then often obliterates their original planets, believing the knowledge of these places is his to safeguard. In some instances, he’s the one responsible for Krypton’s destruction by shrinking Kandor, a Kryptonian city, before wiping out the planet.
The concept of Brainiac’s shrinking cities could very well tackle one of the primary skepticisms surrounding a solo Superman game. Many are convinced that creating a comprehensive Superman game is unachievable, largely due to the challenge of fitting his vast array of powers into a conventional game sandbox filled with civilian NPCs.
This is where Brainiac’s bottled cities offer a solution. Superman could find himself in a miniaturized city completely devoid of life, freeing players to unleash his full range of powers without limitations. Players could zoom through buildings, smash environmental elements, and virtually lay waste to the city guilt-free, without harming a single civilian.
This scenario echoes the controversial Superman Nintendo 64 game where Lex Luthor devised a virtual Metropolis. However, in that game, civilians were part of the equation, requiring Superman to swoop in for rescues.
### A Bit of a Hurdle Using Brainiac Right Now
There’s no question Brainiac is one of Superman’s fiercest foes, and his appeal might even skyrocket with the upcoming James Gunn’s DCU projects. But, the recent release of Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League may have slightly tarnished Brainiac’s image in the gaming realm.
Although Brainiac technically stands as the main antagonist in Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League—despite his appearance relegated to the game’s final segments—his portrayal in the well-criticized looter-shooter has possibly left a lackluster impression on fans. While his performance is sound, the character’s role in the narrative is minimal, and the culminating boss fight is less than thrilling.
As a result, players who have dealt with Suicide Squad’s additional content might find themselves quite jaded with Brainiac, given the repeatable and only slightly varied boss battle that caps off each episode.
In summary, while Brainiac’s presence in a Superman game offers limitless potential for gameplay innovations, his recent portrayal might necessitate some time or creative ingenuity before he can make a triumphant return in a game focused on the Man of Steel.
