Superman Returns Video Game

If you enjoyed the Hollywood movie of the same name, then you may want to take a look at the Superman Returns video game. The Man of Steel has once again invaded your living room with some superhero action and it could be one of the best Superman video games to date.

Capitalizing on the same kind of interest as films like Batman Begins, we have a video game that features one of the most treasured characters from the DC Comics Universe. The Superman Returns video game was developed by EA Tiburon and published by Electronic Arts.

Although the video game is not a direct one-to-one recreation of the Hollywood movie from 2006, it is loosely based on the same universe and collection of characters. The story arc from the film serves as the main structure for the video game, but this action title also draws inspiration from more than 60 years of comic book content.

The characters in the game mirror those in the movie, so Lex Luthor has the likeness and voice of Kevin Spacey, Kitty Kowalski is voiced by Parker Posey, and Kate Bosworth provides the look for love interest Lois Lane.

Not surprisingly, you take control of Clark Kent and Superman for the duration of this game, which is said to offer between six and 10 hours of gameplay in the single-player story mode.

Instead of limiting players to a linear set of missions, the Superman Returns video game offers a more open-ended environment, not unlike the one popularized in the Grand Theft Auto franchise. Players are free to roam Metropolis, including the ability to fly into the stratosphere. The total gaming area consists of about 80 square miles.

As Superman, players can fly throughout the city at speeds as high as 800mph. While cruising through the town, gamers will be able to fight a series of crimes and help the citizens of Metropolis. The key is to minimize the level of social unrest in the town, fighting criminals and returning cats to their owners.

Interestingly, the player cannot lose in the Superman Returns video game by receiving too much damage from the villains. Instead, a player loses if the villains inflict too much damage to the city. Superman must also prevent disasters, like burning buildings and the crashing arrival of meteors. Superman has a series of powers at his disposal, including a freeze breath and x-ray vision.

How good is Superman Returns? The overall response has not been incredibly positive, though there are some elements that could make the game worthwhile for fans of the Superman series.

• Armchair Empire says that this is the "best Superman adventure yet," but the action quickly gets "too repetitively stale."

• AceGamez feels that Superman Returns is too simple for experienced gamers. Those "looking for a challenge" should look elsewhere.

• Games Radar is not pleased with the targeting system, saying that it often sticks "to the enemy you just knocked down (and therefore can't attack until he gets up again) while another is bashing you in the back."

To enjoy the gaming action of Superman Returns, you will need to have the appropriate video game console. The game was released on the Xbox 360, Xbox (original), and PlayStation 2 on November 22, 2006, about six months after the release of the movie of the same name.

There is also a version of the Superman Returns video game available for the Nintendo DS, but this is a wholly different game from the one available on the home consoles. The handheld version is much more puzzle-based in nature.

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