Factor 5 was a studio that had plenty of fans, with its Rogue Squadron titles in particular being standouts for Nintendo fans. Unfortunately its later years were punctuated by aborted projects and difficult generational transitions, an example being an attempt to produce a Kid Icarus game for Wii.
Now occasional Nintendo Life contributor Liam Robertson - via Did You Know Gaming - has researched and reported on the project that would prove to be the last for Factor 5, a Superman title for PS3, Xbox 360 and Wii. The developer partnered up with a publisher new to gaming at the time, Brash Entertainment, and began work on an ambitious open-world game. There were some bold ideas, but Brash Entertainment's inexperience and external issues related to the movie series eventually saw the project - and Factor 5 - fall through.
It's an interesting chain of events, and is tinged with sadness as it shows how a talented team of developers could do little in the face of poor business decisions above their heads.
Comments 19
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I wonder if there will ever be a good Superman game.
This is truly shocking and the way Brash Entertainment screwed Factor 5 was appalling.
Does anyone know what happened to the Factor 5 employees?Would be nice if there was somewhat a happy ending even setting up a new studio.
@FragRed I read a comment from Liam on one of his videoed that some former F5 employees started a company that would serve as a "spiritual successor" to F5, but then the game they were working on was canceled and the company closed down.
The SUPERMAN CURSE continues!!
@Operationgamer17 Oh wow that really is harsh. Feel really bad for the company and it's employees.
Superman games just forever redirect my mind to Superman 64
fix the damn comments already, doubles.
Hey guys, I just found some footage of the exclusive Wii version: https://youtu.be/PVM2i9Bmn6o
Looks like it had potential...
@Mr_Zurkon Superman Returns on the 360 is the closest in my opinion. It isn't perfect but you have most of the powers (x-ray doesn't really feature and super hearing and telescopic vision is basically the game HUD), you can not be hurt (you have stamina which is accurate as Kal does have limits) and your success is determined by how well you protect the city. The flight controls are decent even now (I'm currently replaying so that's not nostalgia talking) as well as the speed and strength. They even have bizarro challenges where you blow stuff up (I do wish you could actually demolish the city during that though). Is it perfect? No, the combat is too floaty somewhat slow even when you aren't flying but when I look for a supes game to play that is it.
Honestly if someone would use the super speed in that game along with some aspects of the recent spiderman games I think a good studio could make a good (The) Flash game. The xbox game based on the animated show (which I'm a fan of because superman is still getting the hang of his powers in the context of saving people and his villains feel dangerous) was pretty decent as well. Haven't played it in a while but I remember feeling pretty good about it. Are they Batman: Arkham (A/C/K)? No, but they are much better than what came before. If only someone would keep trying. But it seems that superhero games are dying if they aren't mmo's or mobile. I'd love to see another marvel ultimate alliance/xmen legends game.
See, it's funny. Because now-a-days the blocky prototypes show frequently in the video would be perfectly acceptable as graphics for a game, in the vein of indie games such as the recently released SUPERHOT. It's sad that such a great studio had to close, especially because the reason they closed was their undying dedication to creating a great Superman game.
Sadly Superman and video games don't go together. And to think that Batman never had such problems in the first place!!
Superman is the most iconic of superheroes, but really he's such a boring superhero that a lot media (if not most) he appears in doesn't seem escape mediocrity. Even in the comics, I've always felt he's better off making only cameo appearances
I'd be interested in a new attempt at Superman: blue steel. Or a Superman:Le tigre for that matter.
yeah, it really sucks when designers fall victim of "executives" who have no idea what they are doing but believe they can make a quick buck on a industry they know nothing about…
@koelboel there are not nearly enough Zoolander references in this comment section, so your contribution is greatly appreciated
@Ryu_Niiyama that's sounds like a good system they used on 360 game since Superman is so OPed. Most games ruin him by the nerfing the heck out out him.
I'm optimistic too that someone will figure out the right formula for superman the way Rocksteady did for Batman.
If only Rocksteady would make a Supes game!
The 2600 Superman was fun for what it is.
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