It’s been quite some time since Superman, the iconic Man of Steel, starred in his own video game. He’s certainly made appearances in numerous titles as a playable character, like the Injustice series, the LEGO Batman games, and more recently in MultiVersus. However, he hasn’t embarked on a solo gaming adventure since 2006’s Superman Returns.
While Batman has a whole video game series devoted to him and Wonder Woman is set to star in her upcoming game from Monolith, it’s high time that Superman also gets the spotlight in a major AAA game. With the anticipation building for James Gunn’s new Superman film, fans are beginning to feel it’s overdue. Although some remain skeptical about whether a Superman solo game could succeed, there’s one iconic DC villain who could perfectly set the stage for an epic Man of Steel game.
### Brainiac Would Be the Perfect Villain for a Superman Game
Since his introduction in 1958’s Action Comics #242, Brainiac has firmly established himself as one of Superman’s most formidable foes. Across the years, despite changes in his backstory and abilities throughout different comic continuities, two of Brainiac’s gadgets have consistently stood the test of time.
First up is his impenetrable personal force field, and then there’s his infamous shrinking ray, which he uses to miniaturize entire cities. These captured cities are stored in glass jars, and in many continuities, Brainiac has gone so far as to destroy the planets these cities originated from. For instance, in certain storylines, Brainiac is responsible for the destruction of Superman’s home, Krypton, after snatching and shrinking the city of Kandor.
The concept of shrunken cities provides a clever solution to a challenge that often arises in discussions about a potential Superman game. A popular concern is the difficulty of implementing Superman’s vast powers in a standard game environment, especially one populated with civilian NPCs.
Brainiac’s shrunken cities could address this perfectly. By setting the game in one of these isolated, life-free cities, Superman could unleash his full array of powers without any moral constraints. Players would have the freedom to fly through skyscrapers, demolish structures, and essentially lay waste to the environment as they see fit—without the risk of endangering civilians.
This concept feels reminiscent of the notorious Superman Nintendo 64 game, where Lex Luthor crafted a virtual Metropolis. Yet, unlike that setting, this one would allow totally uninhibited gameplay.
### There’s One Downside to Using Brainiac Right Now
As appealing as Brainiac is as a Superman adversary, his bloom might have been somewhat tarnished thanks to his portrayal in the gaming world. The recent game Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League could pose an issue.
Brainiac takes the role of the main antagonist in the game, but doesn’t really make his presence felt until the very end, which might have left players with a less favorable view of the villain. Despite a strong performance, his lackluster role and underwhelming boss fight left fans wanting more.
Players entrenched in the game’s post-launch content might already feel a bit weary of Brainiac, as his boss battle gets recycled with minor tweaks at the end of each episode, potentially diminishing his allure as a future game villain.
Ultimately, while Brainiac currently might not be in the ideal place for a starring role in a new Superman game, the intriguing potential for creative storytelling and gameplay mechanics could see him soar back into favor with a fresh take.
