Many accuse Captain America: Super Soldier of ripping off the Batman: Arkham series, but the game tweaks the formula to perfectly fit Marvel's star-studded Avenger. The 2011 game, released as a tie-in to the Marvel Cinematic Universe film Captain America: The First Avenger, sees the patriotic hero fight through a small open-world Hydra base using a free-flowing combat system. While a Marvel's Avengers glitch lets Captain America fly, Captain America: Super Soldier uses Batman: Arkham elements to deliver a truly authentic and interactive Captain America adventure.
When it launched in 2009, Batman: Arkham Asylum changed the public perception of comic book-inspired action games. While past attempts at third-person superhero adventures were regarded as cheap cash-grabs, Arkham Asylum delivered an authentic and exciting adaptation of the Dark Knight and the world of Gotham. Through fast-paced Freeflow combat and intense Predator stealth encounters, the title managed to make players feel like the Caped Crusader. Flipping around a room to strike, dodge and counter foes helped Batman: Arkham Asylum deliver a superhero power fantasy, and this system was expanded in the game's sequels. Batman: Arkham's combat system has appeared in many other games, like Assassin's Creed and Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor, that want to deliver rhythmic and easy-to-learn combat.
In many ways, Captain America: Super Soldier follows in the footsteps of the Batman: Arkham series. The title ties into the 2011 film Captain America: The First Avenger, with stars like Chris Evans and Hayley Atwell reprising their on-screen roles through voice work. The action game sees Steve Rogers infiltrate a Hydra castle to confront Red Skull and stop the nefarious Project: Master Man. Using a combat system highly reminiscent of Batman: Arkham, players take down Hydra forces using agile melee attacks, long-range shield throws and special moves. Some platforming and puzzle solving is also needed to reach new areas of the Hydra base, and boss battles against villains like Madame Hydra and Red Skull make the game even more exciting than a Captain America Fortnite skin.
Captain America: Super Soldier Is More Than An Arkham Ripoff
Despite the similarities between Captain America: Super Soldier and the Batman: Arkham games, the Marvel tie-in title still manages to capture the character's essence. Freeflow combat fits perfectly with the super-soldier's skillset, and a plethora of different attacks take advantage of his unique attributes and iconic weapon. The setting of a Hydra base during World War II is also unique, helping the project stand out next to Batman: Arkham and other superhero games. Captain America's most notable allies and rogues all show up in Super Soldier, and the game even brings fan-favorite concepts into the MCU like a robotic Arnim Zola and the nefarious Madame Hydra.
While there are rumors of a Captain America crossover into CoD: Vanguard, Super Soldier still remains the flag-waving hero's greatest video game. While it borrows heavily from Batman: Arkham, the game is able to take familiar elements and fit them into Captain America's unique world. The game's fast and powerful combat, and its open Hydra base, lets Captain America show off his most impressive moves and patriotic achievements.