While the announcement ofDeadpool VRat this year’s Summer Games Fest marks the character’s first solo game in over a decade, its inclusion of a highly sought-after villain may have also one-upped the Marvel Cinematic Universe in the process. With the superhero genre of gaming still going strong despite the potential fatigue of its movie counterparts, Marvel has succeeded in diversifying its games with the likes ofMarvel Rivals,Marvel’s Midnight Suns, andMarvel’sGuardians of the Galaxy.Now, in addition to other projects, likeMarvel 1943: Rise of Hydra andMarvel’s Wolverine, the Meta Quest-exclusiveMarvel’s Deadpool VRis set to continue this trend.
Despite arguably being as popular as Marvel’s own Spider-Man, Deadpool has only featured as the sole lead protagonist once before, with High Moon Studios’Deadpoolin 2013. Yet whileDeadpool VRmight have broken the moldand given the titular character a second chance to lead, the upcoming VR game has simultaneously broken a long-running trend within the MCU. After years of fan theories, unofficial rumors, and even a few close calls,Deadpool VRjoins an ever-growing list of games that beat the MCU to the punch by featuring the iconic Marvel supervillain, Mephisto.
Deadpool VR Might Do Right By Marvel’s Characters
Though their roles have typically been small, superficial, or secondary, both Deadpool and Mephisto have appeared in a significant number of games over the years, such as those listed below.
As a result, except for High Moon Studios’Deadpool, the two characters appear to have ultimately been sidelined in favor of Marvel’s more marketable gaming IPs, likeInsomniac Games’Marvel’s Spider-Manseriesor Crystal Dynamics’Marvel’s Avengers. However, while the MCU has since welcomed Deadpool due to his big-screen success and fan demand, the same can’t be said for Mephisto.
Unlike the fan-driven lucky break Deadpool got when test footage leaked online, the same demand hasn’t helped Mephisto make his MCU debut despite ongoing rumors of thecharacter’s involvement inAgatha All Alongor the nextSpider-Manfilm. Even as recently asDeadpool & Wolverine, the character’s third movie and his first officially within the MCU, director Shawn Levy claimed that Mephisto had been considered as the film’s main antagonist before Cassandra Nova. But while Deadpool’s and Mephisto’s positions might be uncertain within the MCU,Deadpool VRdoesn’t seem to hold back with these characters.
Exploring How Mephisto Might Fit Into Deadpool VR
As one of Marvel’s most notable and powerful villains, Mephisto could be likened to theMCU’s Avengers-level threats, such as Ultron, Thanos, or Doctor Doom. Therefore, given that the trailer provided only a small insight into the upcoming game, it seems likely that Mephisto will play a key role inDeadpool VRas one of its main antagonists. However, with the likes of Hydra, the Hand, and Omega Red also confirmed to be inDeadpool VR, there is a risk that Mephisto’s role will be scaled back alongside these other villains, regardless of how notorious, powerful, or popular he is as a character.
With the added context that VR is still a niche for gaming and Deadpool’s comics focus on dark humor and breaking the fourth wall, it does seem more likely thatDeadpool VRmight take a lighter approach to characters like Mephisto. Moreover, as the only available comparison,Camouflaj’sIron Man VRincluded a range of prominent Marvel villains in smaller roles, such as Ghost, Living Laser, and AIM. Provided it can learn the lessons from the originalDeadpoolgame,Iron Man VR, and even the MCU itself,Deadpool VRhas the opportunity to give Mephisto a chance to shine as its antagonist.
