Kotaku recently ran a handful of images for a pitch that would have turned the 1989 classic Batman Elseworlds, “Gotham by Gaslight”, into a video game. And they’re beautiful. Really, seeing this makes us imagine just what could have been with this game, especially considering the superb job Rocksteady Studios handed in creating two of the best Batman games in the franchise’s history.
But it got us thinking: there are a lot of Elseworlds comics, and some of them deserve a tribute or two, and would also happen to make a killer game. So, DC, if you’re paying attention, here are five worth putting into game form.
#5) Robin 3000
This was a fun, bright, and engaging SF comic that actually got a lot of mileage out of Robin without being lame for once. It could make for a more lighthearted version of “Deus Ex”, what with the lockpicking hands and other fun stuff.
#4) Superman: War of the Worlds
OK, OK, Superman doesn’t exactly have many great games in his stable. Done properly, though, this could change that. Make it an open-world game, with destructible environments, and just feature Superman crushing giant robots. There’s no way that can’t be fun.
#3) Wonder Woman: The Blue Amazon
Imagine “God of War” with “Bioshock”‘s tone and graphics. Done right, that’s pretty much exactly what this game would be. Besides, the mash-up of German Expressionist film and superhero comics this was part of deserves more love.
#2) Lobo: A Fist Full of Bastitches
Because the only way to improve “Red Dead Redemption” is to turn the hero into a homicidal drunken alien.
#1) JSA: The Golden Age
This has it all: a deep mystery, rich and complex characters, lots of action, and potentially lots of gameplay variety. OK, so you’d probably have to cut out Hourman’s acid trip, but beyond that, there’s a lot here, a chance for an “L.A. Noir”-esque look at superheroes and the dangers of witch hunts.
image courtesy Julie Farrell