cjmelendez_Venom has to be one of the most interesting Marvel characters ever created. Since I was a kid, he’s been my favorite. Eddie Brock and the black alien symbiote used to give me child hood envy and I wished I could have a cool alien costume just like him. Being a huge Spider-Man fan, I found Venom to be my favorite character in the series. Since Venom branched off from Spider-Man and has had several independent series, I think the guy deserves some much needed attention.
After finishing the first comic in the new Venom series this week, a sudden re-interest in the character hit me. Venom needs his own game. Not just another comic game adaptation. Venom is a creature that inspires fear. His image and abilities have the potential (and have) to scare the crap out of people. Originally just a buff guy in a blue-black costume, over time, Venom’s appearance changed into something monstrous. Razor teeth, claws and brute feral strength have become a part of the character over the years. Venom’s character and history has the potential to be one brutal M-rated action horror title.
Eddie Brock and his alien pal have had harsh, scary moments together. Venom, once an evil creature became a lethal protector over time. His nobility may have involved eating some brains and slaughtering criminals, but his heart was in the right place. It would be unfair of me to not mention Mac Gargon, or any other of the Venom hosts. While they all had their own unique experiences as Venom, Eddie Brock holds the most potential for a riveting tale. The time between Lethal Protector and Eddie’s rebirth as Anti-Venom holds a great opportunity for a dark tale to be told. Whether new, or based on one of the other mini-series.
Perhaps even a game as Eddie Brock and his newly formed Anti-Venom symbiote against an evil threat would be amazing. Spider-Man: Web of Shadow had a good story to give, but it’s presentation was lacking. Nor was it a horror game. The time after Venom created a truce with Spider-Man holds the best opportunity for riveting tale.
Eddie Brock is a disturbed individual and his weak mental state combined with the alien symbiote host gave way for a good dramatic tale over the years. Brock’s sanity was in question during his independent series. His time gone may not have been fully covered. Here lies a empty spot for a game to take place. Perhaps even the mini series called The Hunger can be used.
Making Venom a deep dramatic horror tale would require the game to be severely brutal. I’m not talking of any game rated below an M for Mature. Venom, as a character, is a monster. There is no need to sugar coat his horrifying appearance. But what kind of game would benefit him? What comes to mind is a mixture of The Darkness -in terms of brutal comic style- and Prototype -brutal as well, but similar in combat style-. The Darkness is a game about a character enduring a bonding with a demonic being. Eddie Brock co-exists with the alien symbiote. Here lies potential to create a narrative driven story with a battle for control, sanity and free will. Prototype has Alex Mercer as a guy infected with a virus that allows him to transform and use his tentacle appendages to kill foes in brutal ways. I am hesitant to think of an open-world Venom game, but perhaps it could work. Getting the lack-luster Spider-Man games from Activision out of my mind will require some time.
Venom to me is a Marvel character that is worth exploring in a videogame. His dark past, and weak sanity has driven him to do horrible things. He is literally the victim and the perpetrator in one. A dark story that delves into his and Eddie’s mind accompanied with brutal gameplay could create a great psychological action horror title. I only ask to keep Topher Grace away from Venom.
