Superhero sandbox games

[NoSnowman]

In the past few years, there have been a slew of superhero sandbox games, with Crackdown, inFamous and Prototype standing out as remarkable. What would you say makes a better superhero sandbox:
Playing as a superhero with actual mutagenic/magical powers, similar to Cole McGrath from inFamous or Spiderman
Playing as a superhero who uses technology to enforce vigelantte justice, similar to Batman.

I'm unsure of which would be better. The first option seems to favor random events and fooling around, while the second would have a greater emphasis on set-pieces.

Your opinion?

 

[Souplex]

It doesn't matter. It's all up to how it's executed.

 

[CoverYourHead]

I like the more magical type, technology is okay, but the super powers make everything more fun.

Oh and welcome to the Escapist.

 

[xHipaboo420x]

Much prefer the first option. Despite how dated it's become, I still go back to Spiderman 2 every other month - probably the first true Superhero Sandbox game.

Also, welcome to The Escapist, enjoy your stay! Don't worry about Furburt, he doesn't bite :3

 

[The_root_of_all_evil]

Why not do both and play City of Heroes?

 

[Hiphophippo]

In my dreams there exists a sandbox game set in the Freedom Force universe.

Then I wake up and cry.

 

[Amnestic]

Spiderman 2 was one of the better superhero sandbox games. Prototype was decent as well, though once you could hijack choppers I mostly found myself using those for quick travel around the city rather than the run/jump/glide.

Not played inFamous so I don't know how that plays. Crackdown annoyed me at times because the orb system could get a bit tedious.

Especially agility orbs.

 

[Meggiepants]

It really depends more on the story and setting than the powers of the superhero to me. I like both types of heroes, though it is a little easier to relate to a superhero who uses gadgetry, like Batman.

Also, hello and welcome!

 

[jamesj223]

spiderman 2 the movie game was the best.. i played that for hours upon hours...

 

[TheRundownRabbit]

to me, it all boils down to how well the gameplay is

 

[Irridium]

Why not do both and play City of Heroes?

Why must you be a ninja?

Wait, I CAN STIlL ADD SOMETHING!

Or you can be a badass villain in City of Villains!

Granted I haven't played Villains... so no idea how that works out.

As for the topic at hand, Spider-Man 2 and Crackdown are my favorites. With Infamous a close second.

 

[Marter]

I prefer the magical powers myself, as they tend to make a more fun game.

 

[Vrex360]

I like the crazy superpower stuff for the most part, sprouting claw arms and morping into a giant monster and such, but I also like the idea of shooting grappling hooks to reach the top of buildings then using infa red bionoculars to see my targets.

I guess either one just as long as they are well made.

 

[diablo523]

How about a superhero sandbox game where the protagonist has insane powers and access to crazy high-tech gadgets? That would be sweet.

Personally, I prefer actual powers, at least theoretically. I like Crackdown the most out of those games, but I loved Prototype just because you could sprout giant claws out of your hands and turn your arm into a big whippy-death-a-ma-gig. That was cool. In terms of actual mechanics and gameplay, people with gadgets tend to make better games.

 

[cornmancer]

Much prefer the first option. Despite how dated it's become, I still go back to Spiderman 2 every other month - probably the first true Superhero Sandbox game.

Also, welcome to The Escapist, enjoy your stay! Don't worry about Furburt, he doesn't bite :3

A demon possessed me and made me sell my copy a few months back, but still a fucking great game. I agree with Yahtzee, the combat, story, voice acting, and great deal of random events, sucked ass, but the web swinging was so great it made up for the rest.

On topic: I don't know it depends I guess. I like super hero stuff, but I'm in a TPS mood right now, so it depends on mood I guess.

 

[spikeyjoey]

well, just to be a geek for a moment, technically spidermans websliging (and what makes the game fun) is technology.. its only in the films he can do it naturally, in the comics he uses web canisters..

also, batmans batarang ftw

I think its a lot more satisfying taking people out when your not uber powerful

 

[Miumaru]

Not really superhero games. Crackdown is super cops, Prototype is sentient virus monster, and inFamous, well, I gueeees maybe, but whatever.
I thought this was gonna be about City of Heroes or that new one coming out thats similar to it.

Id prefer both since both always exist in such universes. Batman and Superman solve both for DC, Iron Man and Spider-man solve both for Marvel. And thats just two each for the thousands of characters each has.

 

[Jandau]

Personally, I'd put up Assassin's Creed 2 as one of those games, since you basically play Reneissance Batman...

 

[The_root_of_all_evil]

Why not do both and play City of Heroes?

no. that place is dead. hell, even the big clans died when aion and CO showed its face.

Morelike when GDN and DE hit, amirite?

And there is still life on Union, I was there a few weeks ago.

 

[NoSnowman]

It's not the powers, it's how you use them, how their use is incorporated into the environment around you.

Powers should be the last thing on the developers minds, first they need to figure out what they want the hero to do, and then tailor their powers to that, not the other way around, making powers first, and then struggling to find reasons to use them.

I think this response makes alot of sense, combined with most everyone's input of how either format can work.
Thanx everyone.