Top 5 DC Entertainment Videogames

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Warner Brother’s DC Entertainment has been known for putting out (mostly) consistent properties for years, and that includes forays into videogames. Given that DC focuses a lot more on their solo characters than Marvel does, it’s no wonder that DC has had an easier time adapting their IP’s to other trans-media proprieties . While Marvel’s team movies - such The Avengers and Guardians of the Galaxy - have proven to be more successful at the box office, Nolan’s Dark Knight trilogy, last year’s Man of Steel film and the entire animated universe helmed by DC animation veteran Bruce Timm have defined an era of solo superhero films, superhero cartoons and direct-to-dvd animated features.

Plus, as everyone knows, Batman is far cooler than Wolverine.

So, without further ado, here are the top five DC Entertainment video games that you should check out. Enjoy!

5. Gotham City Impostors

A downloadable first-person shooter, Gotham City Impostors is inspired by the conflict between Batman and the Joker in the comics storyline Batman: Imposters. There are also elements taken from other iconic Batman vs. Joker storylines, including The Dark Knight Returns. Gotham City Impostors features two playable teams of six - the Batman team and the Joker team.

Each character is heavily customizable, from their gear and weapon loadout to their physical appearance, and although the game takes several cues from Activison’s iconic Call of Duty franchise, the game is wacky and chaotic enough to stand up on its own. While it was originally released with a modest price tag, Gotham City Impostors has since gone free-to-play on PC, Xbox 360 and PS3, so there’s no harm to your wallet in checking it out.

4. DC Universe Online

Originally requiring a $15/month subscription. DC Universe Online recently went free-to-play recently, which is definitely a reason to check it out. The majority of the universe is written by DC’s Chief Creative Officer Geoff Johns, with Co-Publisher of DC Comics Jim Lee serving as Executive Creative Director. DC Universe Online allows players to create their own heroes, which fit a certain heroic or villainous archetype. Rather than following the World of Warcraft mold of MMORPG, DC Universe Online takes great pains to define itself within the genre by focusing way more on the super-heroic action.

Players have the option of joining the hero or villain faction, which defines the players gameplay experience. Given its free-to-play status, there’s no reason (except time) to not make an account for yourself and see what DC Universe Online has to offer.

3. Injustice: Gods Among Us

The only legitimately good purely-superhero fighting game to date (sorry, Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe), Injustice: Gods Among Us creates a gritty alternative universe that takes several cues from the DC Comics alternative universe Earth-Three. Besides a solid combat system and a much-welcome list of frame rates for character special moves, Injustice: Gods Among Us features a compelling roster of characters both iconic and obscure, ranging from Batman and Aquaman to Cyborg and Wonder Woman villain, Ares.

Violent, inspired and visceral, Injustice: Gods Among Us presents a legitimate challenge to other mainstream fighting games, and is a great follow-up by developer NetherRealm Studios to the Mortal Kombat reboot.

2. Fables: The Wolf Among Us

The only DC videogame to be created based on a Vertigo property, The Wolf Among Us serves as an official prequel to Fables, an ongoing series by Bill Willingham that re-imagines classic fairy tale living displaced in New York City after losing their lands to the Adversary. Injecting a large dose of humanity into its larger than life characters, The Wolf Among Us plays with our knowledge and expectations of fairy tales, putting us in the role of town sheriff Bigby Wolf, the reformed Big Bad Wolf, as he investigates a murder that runs a lot deeper than it first seems.

With solid writing and an engaging story that gives real player agency, The Wolf Among Us is one of the most memorable Telltale Games titles to date and is only rivaled by their The Walking Dead series in terms of depth and the feeling like your actions really do matter.

1. Batman: Arkham Asylum

The definitive Batman videogame, Batman: Arkham Asylum recreated the Batman as a powerful and serious force among the industry and players alike. The game involves Batman going into Arkham Asylum to stop a hostile takeover of the insane asylum by none other than the Joker. The game forces Batman to deal with his inner psyche as he fights many of his most dangerous villains who are locked in Arkham with him. The game brings back Batman: The Animated series veteran voice actors Kevin Conroy, Mark Hamill, and Arleen Sorkin as Batman, the Joker, and Harley Quinn respectively.

The story, penned by Batman: The Animated series writer Paul Dini, turns to Frank Miller titles for a feel for Batman, but ultimately uses Grant Morrison’s Arkham Asylum: A Serious House on Serious Earth as its primary inspiration. With inspired gameplay, a wonderful plot and great characterization of Batman and his rouges gallery, Batman: Arkham Asylum represents the definitive Batman video game to date - at least until Batman takes on an all new villain and the rest of his rogues gallery in Batman: Arkham Knight.

Did we miss any off the list that you think should have been there? Is there something there which you think doesn’t deserve to be? Feel free to kapow our choices to Apokalips and back!

Daniel Horowitz

Daniel Horowitz

Contributor
Daniel doesn't just play and write about games, but he also writes his own comics. He can usually be found arguing with Dale about who the best member of the X-Men is (it's Jamie Madrox, obviously)
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