A lot of people take issue with over the top designs in games, particularly hyper-masculine or hyper-feminine ones, since these generally go hand in hand with sexualized and objectified depictions of characters. In many games, I agree that characters look like models just for the sake of it, and the game wouldn't be impacted at all if they were designed in a more "average" way.
However, in superhero games, I think over the top and sexualized designs is ok and even necessary to some extent.
Comic book characters are supposed to be larger than life heroes and villains, and thus they are supposed to exude power & charisma. With heroes specifically, you're supposed to think of them as the pinnacle of human potential, not just morally, but physically as well. Despite the fact that Superman's powers don't come from his bulging muscles, you can't just have him be some average Joe with laser-vision and super strength. Poison Ivy is a character who is supposed to have almost godlike control over men, so it makes sense that she has nearly unrealistic curves and beauty, even though she could technically just be an average looking woman with pheromone powers.
I also think that sexualized designs in superhero games is justified moreso than in other types of games, because, for the most part, it is an even playing field. Both men and women are depicted with their attractive features cranked to 11, and both men and women are given body-tight suits (or very skimpy suits). The fact that both sides are being viewed through the same lens keeps things level.
The reason I was thinking about this is because I've noticed more retroactive backlash against Rocksteady's Arkham designs for being so over the top, coupled with the fact that in Spider-Man and Avengers it's almost like they're deliberately trying to make the characters look more like average people who just happen to wear costumes and have crazy powers. I personally think it detracts something from the overall superhero fantasy if the characters just have plain looks.
Anyways, I was curious to see how you all feel on the matter?
However, in superhero games, I think over the top and sexualized designs is ok and even necessary to some extent.
Comic book characters are supposed to be larger than life heroes and villains, and thus they are supposed to exude power & charisma. With heroes specifically, you're supposed to think of them as the pinnacle of human potential, not just morally, but physically as well. Despite the fact that Superman's powers don't come from his bulging muscles, you can't just have him be some average Joe with laser-vision and super strength. Poison Ivy is a character who is supposed to have almost godlike control over men, so it makes sense that she has nearly unrealistic curves and beauty, even though she could technically just be an average looking woman with pheromone powers.
I also think that sexualized designs in superhero games is justified moreso than in other types of games, because, for the most part, it is an even playing field. Both men and women are depicted with their attractive features cranked to 11, and both men and women are given body-tight suits (or very skimpy suits). The fact that both sides are being viewed through the same lens keeps things level.
The reason I was thinking about this is because I've noticed more retroactive backlash against Rocksteady's Arkham designs for being so over the top, coupled with the fact that in Spider-Man and Avengers it's almost like they're deliberately trying to make the characters look more like average people who just happen to wear costumes and have crazy powers. I personally think it detracts something from the overall superhero fantasy if the characters just have plain looks.
Anyways, I was curious to see how you all feel on the matter?
