Who Adapted Their Superhero IP Better – Rocksteady or Insomniac? Gamers Stir Up a New Debate

Insomniac Games’ Marvel’s Spider-Man 2  is proof that successful video game adaptions of the superhero genre are possible. Superhero games have been around for a very long time, dating back to Spider-Man which was released in 2000, 2004’s X-Men Legends, and many more. However, while the Insomniac Games Spider-Man franchise is hugely successful, it was Rocksteady that truly paved the way for such games.

Rocksteady Studios’ Batman: Arkham Asylum was released in 2009 to kick off the Arkham franchise. And it is widely considered one of the best superhero games along with Arkham City. Both Spider-Man and Batman are two of the most popular and influential superheroes known to fans. And now, both characters have massive video game franchises. This brings up the question; who did it better? Rocksteady Studios or Insomniac Games?

Batman vs Spider-Man: Who did it better?

The new superhero game has sparked the long-expected question on the Resetera forums. The forum post stated, “Who’s done a better job adapting their superhero IP – Rocksteady or Insomniac?” This question has led to many fans sharing their opinion on the two games.

Comparing Arkham Asylum and City to Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 isn’t entirely fair, considering graphical advancements and the implementation of mechanics, which is important to note. While Spider-Man 2 has received a Metascore of 90, Batman Arkham City hit a whopping 94.

Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 is yet too new to receive any awards, but it seems like the game is on its way to being nominated for the Game of the Year award. On the other hand, back in 2011, Arkham City bagged several awards that go including the VGX Award for Game of the Year, Best Adapted Game, and Character of the Year to name a few.  Alongside the VGX accolades, Arkham City also won 2 BAFTA awards for Performer and Best Action Game in 2012.

Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 has many advantages in this situation considering that the game used the latest technology of the PlayStation 5 to develop and optimize the game. But considering Batman Arkham City’s impact on the gaming scene back in 2011, many believe the game remains relevant.

Resetera users on the better Superhero IP

When the question was asked on Resetera, the first user to reply said, “feel like the deciding factor will be suicide squad and Wolverine.” Wolverine was recently confirmed to be in the same universe as Spider-Man. Meanwhile, Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League will take place after the events of Arkham Knight.

Another user stated, “Rocksteady did the superhero thing so well that a copy/paste of their system applies really good to other super hero.” By this, they meant that Rocksteady has done such a good job with making games, that they now just need to copy and paste settings to other superheroes.

One Batman fan said “Batman: Arkham Asylum and Batman: Arkham City are some of the best video games of all time. That, to me, is enough to put them above Insomniac despite how fantastic the Spider-Man games have been.” Arkham Origins did not perform to the level of Asylum and City. And though Arkham Knight was bigger and even gave players the batmobile, couldn’t match up to Asylum and City.

While most fans were rooting for Batman, some found it almost impossible to choose. One user commented, “Don’t make me choose. I love both.”

Read More: Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales Sequel Confirmed? Insomniac Writers Drop a Massive Hint

Meanwhile, many players genuinely enjoyed Spider-Man 2 more. One user said “Insomniac. The Arkham series may be the blueprint but the stories in those games are straight-up not good and aspects of their gameplay haven’t aged well at all IMO. The only Arkham game I like is Asylum; I played City this year and found it to be a chore, and felt the same about Knight when that released.” 

It’s hard to disagree that the Spider-Man franchise nailed the storytelling aspect. With many jaw-dropping scenes like the sinister six taking on Spidey at the Raft, Venom’s introduction, Certain scenes with Kraven (no spoilers), and tear-jerker moments, the franchise slayed with its story.

While the Arkham Series put the superhero genre on the map, Insomniac Games has replicated that success with the Spider-Man franchise. The debate for which studio did it better probably won’t end, but either way, it’s a big win for gamers.

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