5 Reasons Rocksteady Needs to Make a GREEN ARROW Video Game


Archers have been gaining popularity in the last few years. From Katniss in The Hunger Games to Hawkeye in The Avengers, people are realizing how bad-ass being a bowslinger can be. The latest archer up is Oliver Queen aka Green Arrow. With the second season of Arrow debuting in a few days, I thought about how this might be a good time for him to gain a little more popularity in the form of a video game. And while there are a few game developers that have done admirable work, I feel Roksteady Games would be the optimal choice to make this happen and here’s why:

#1 – HE’S VERY POPULAR RIGHT NOW

The many faces of Green Arrow
Credit: Aaronpanda of Photobucket

As DC Comic’s resident archer, Green Arrow has been taking down bad guys since his debut in 1941. Originally an archery-themed analogue of Batman (he actually had an ‘Arrow-Cave’), he eventually was remade into the crusading, heroic, and sometimes political adventurer he is now. But despite his long tenure in comics, he was always seen as only part of a group, namely the Justice League. That slowly changed as he became one of the breakout stars of Justice League Unlimited, Batman: The Brave and the Bold, and Smallville. He eventually got his own series in the form of Arrow, which became the CW’s highest rated show last season. I don’t think he’ll get another chance at this level of popularity for a long time since DC usually sticks to just making products that focus on Superman and Batman so they need to strike now while they have some momentum going.

#2 – GAMEPLAY WOULD BE EASY TO TRANSFER

Since Batman and Green Arrow share many similarities (did I mention he used to have an ‘Arrow-Cave’), it wouldn’t be that difficult to use what they’ve created as a template for another one of DC’s non-super powered heroes. Rocksteady did a phenomenal job in capturing the fluid use of Batman’s combat skills and gadgets, which in itself was the best aspect of their games. I know Green Arrow is nowhere near his level, but he knows how to handle himself in combat. The gadgets and combat style of Arkham City‘s Robin could fit, since archers have historically used their bows as melee weapons, giving Ollie a unique long range weapon. Using their hot-key system, a player could swap out between using a bow or your fists and even assign different arrows to commands. Think about punching a few bad guys in the face, then jumping off one of them and firing a well-placed trick arrow at another. If that is possible, I’d pre-order a game like that.

#3 – BOTH NEW AND OLD ENEMIES COULD BE USED

Green Arrow vs. Deathstroke

Anyone who reads comics will attest to the saying “A hero is only as good as his villains”. Well until around 2001, Green Arrow had no major rogues gallery (or at least not a good one) but that has slowly changed. Rocksteady could truly shine here by either creating new enemies for the game, remaking villains like Duke of Oil, Constantine Drakon, and Brick into more sinister foes, or even use Arkham series villains like Deadshot and Deathstroke who have been slowly become Green Arrow villains in the last few years. If Rocksteady could make the Penguin, Mad Hatter, and even Robin more bad-ass, just think what they could do with these characters.

 

#4 – EXPAND THE ‘ARKHAMVERSE’

Shown in Batman: Arkham Origins

What really made me think about a Green Arrow was when I watched a preview of Arkham Origins and saw bad guys carrying a case from Queen Industries. The game series is famous for always putting in tidbits and nods to things comic fans would understand, but why not just expand that universe. If they’re going to keep dropping subtle (and not so subtle) hints to people outside of Gotham City, then why not just give them their own game?

#5 – IT’S A WILDCARD

Green Arrow doesn’t have the name recognition of Batman or Superman, but that could actually work in DC’s favor. Right now, Marvel Comics is dominating in both the movie and television genre, but have yet to produce any really good video games. DC Comics can quickly claim this particular market off the momentum of the Arkkham game series and an award-winning development company  that you’ve already worked with would be a great place for continued success. If Rocksteady were to continue making games of their heroes, I’d love to see Oliver Queen make the cut. He’s been part of the Justice League for a reason. I think it’s time people knew why.