Superman Returns
SCORE: 66
The WMG was totally stoked about the real deal man of steel returning. Although the WMG did not even know Supes had left, with television shows like Smallville, and Justice League Unlimited on the air when this game was released. Electronic Arts created this Nintendo DS game based on the recent movie of the same name. The game is an interesting twist between action, button pressing, and strategy. Superman must defend Metropolis against his most fearsome foes. The city is spread out in a rather large grid, and the player (who plays the Man of Steel) moves to where the bad guys are (or have left their minions behind). When one of these action squares is hit, then a specific level is played. Boss battles are fought by pressing specific buttons when they reach the circles near the bottom of the screen (like a dance game).
The graphics in Superman Returns are done in a 3D manner that is decent, but seems to be lacking in many regards. Electronic Arts included quite a few different costumes of Superman from different eras for the player to choose from. There are images of saving people in need, and images of super hero styled violence. Superman uses his heat vision, and freezing breath to take out certain enemies. All of the characters are cartoon renditions of their comic and/or movie persona's. The camera also has some looseness issues.
Superman has some of the best sounds of any comic book character. Sadly Electronic Arts could not get all of these right. Quite a few of the levels do not feel like Superman to the WMG. The sounds are crisp, and clear, but many of the levels do not have enough of them for the WMG. The one ray of shining light in the musical department of Superman Returns is the sounds that are done to congratulate the player on successfully completing a mission.
Electronic Arts included a ton of unlockables in Superman Returns. Once the player completes the game there really is little reason to replay it, which is strange because Electronic Arts usually gets the replay value correct. More than one player can play this game via the DS to DS wireless connectivity. In the WMG’s opinion this game is not worth your hard earned dollars. The game play is rather varied, and unique, bit not all of it works well.
While the WMG has been talking about the game play in Superman Returns, it has some variety to it, but also some major issues. Some of the levels are way too simple, similar, repetitive, and boring. The controls usual work well, except for the Bizarro levels which are more irritating than complicated. The designs of the levels are also simplistic. It pains the WMG to admit that there was little to no fun found in playing Superman Returns.
The really cool thing about Superman
is he is there to save people in need. In fact a lot of similarities can
be made between Superman and Jesus Christ. Unfortunately in Superman
Returns the movie writers took Superman down some really dark paths. The
WMG really looked forward to this game, but the reality is a major
disappointment. Thankfully Electronic Arts kept the violence to a
minimum. Especially considering how boring violence is in video games to
the WMG, and us at Family Friendly Gaming.
- Working Man Gamer
Graphics: 64%
Sound: 69%
Replay/Extras: 72%
Gameplay: 58%
Family Friendly Factor: 68%
System: Nintendo DS
Publisher: EA
Rating: 'E' for Everyone
{Cartoon Violence}
Want more info on this
product,
or the company that made this product?
Set web browser to:
Link
Got a question, comment,
or a concern regarding this
review?
Email them to:
WorkingManGamer@familyfriendlygaming.com