Superherogames continue to be a major genre, and as media juggernauts like Marvel and DC continue to take over pop culture, it’s only natural for more games to be made under these brand umbrellas. A large offering of superhero games has been made, but when it comes to the apex of the genre, developers Rocksteady andInsomniachave been hailed as some of the best at adapting beloved characters.
Rocksteady made waves with theArkhamseries, showcasing a wonderfully dark version of Batman, while Insomniac proved that it had serious superhero chops withMarvel’s Spider-Man. The latter now hasMarvel’s Wolverineon the horizon, too, expanding the developer’s hero roster. While both studios have seen success in this genre, Rocksteady has been caught in a rough patch lately.The failure of last year’sSuicide Squad: Kill the Justice Leaguewas a big departure from the developer’s heyday. It hasn’t been completely smooth sailing for Insomniac, either, but Rocksteady may want to look to the former for inspiration on how to bounce back from such lows.
Despite Developing Different Superhero Brands, Rocksteady and Insomniac’s Roads Have Mirrored One Another
Rocksteady and Insomniac Aren’t So Different
BetweentheArkhamuniverseandMarvel’s Spider-Man, Rocksteady and Insomniac have been applauded for creating some of the best narrative-driven superhero titles in the industry. These two game franchises hold a level of depth and understanding of their respective protagonists that even the movies sometimes struggle to capture.
In regard to the live-service debacle, Rocksteady has been hit harder in the long run.Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice Leaguemissed the mark with both critics and gamers. In contrast, theMarvel’s Spider-Mandeveloper canceleda live-service Spider-verse projectthat never got to see the light of day. Rocksteady may have taken the harder blow, since its project resulted in a much larger monetary loss, but both studios still have the shared connection of ill-fated live-service projects.
Past leaks have claimed that Insomniac has been working on a Venom spin-off, but nothing official from the studio has surfaced.
Rocksteady and Insomniac Have to Be Careful With Their Next Projects
After the success ofMarvel’s Spider-Man, a Wolverine-focused game may be tricky to pull off. Peter Parker and Miles Morals have the benefit of web-slinging their way through sprawling New York City, which lends itself to some thrilling gameplay mechanics. However, Wolverine doesn’t boast these same powers, so traversal may feel lackluster in comparison. Of course, only time will tell, but Insomniac is taking a big leap by putting Wolverine front and center after the fun thatMarvel’s Spider-Manoffered. Similarly,anything Rocksteady does next could prove tricky. It may be difficult to regain its once solid reputation, but taking note of Insomniac and playing it safe with a beloved, easily-adaptable superhero could do the trick.
James Gunn has confirmed that he has been in talks with Rocksteady regarding the DCU, which could hint at more DC-based games.
Spider-Man is a dynamic and fun superhero for Insomniac to adapt, and Rocksteady already has plenty of experience withbringing Batman to life. Returning to the caped crusader may be the obvious safe route, but that’s what Rocksteady needs right now. Rocksteady may not be able to survive anotherSuicide Squadsituation, so following Insomniac’s lead and opting for a safe superhero before experimenting again might be the best path forward.
Both studios may be facing uncertainty right now, but Insomniac is on a more successful run than Rocksteady at the moment. It may not be this forever, but right now, Rocksteady embracingthe Batman franchiseone more time may be necessary.
