"Superman Returns" (Nintendo DS) Review

The Good
Advanced graphics, good unlockables.

The Bad
Sensative controls, repetative gameplay, easy bosses, frustrating mini games, continuity problems.

The Review
As any superhero video game enthusiast knows, Superman has never had a good track record with video games. "Superman Returns" boasted a true-to-fiction storyline and an amazing Superman experience- the best so far.

Whilst the Playstation 2 version had a difficult control system, but did deliver a good gameplay experience, the Nintendo DS version fails in almost every way imaginable. I wouldn't even call it a game. Like the GBA version, it is simply a badly put together collection of mini games.

The object of the game is to protect Metropolis from constant supervillain threats, and these include brainwashing devices to cars filled with contraband. The story is way to simple. The story is all told through the cutscenes, and all these cutscenes are used for are introducing supervillains. There is also continuity problems with the game. In one such cutscene, Metallo is portrayed as a huge, 60 ft. tall robot that destroys buildings, but in the boss battle, he is a normal, 6 ft. size human. Another such problem is that in some of the boss mini games, you can battle the boss even after you have defeated him.

Each mini game has different controls, so it's not like you get bored quickly- just frustrated. The controls on the DS are really quite sensitive with this game. Superman runs really fast when you use the D Pad to control him. I can't say much for the combat system, as it changes with each video game, but I can talk about the boss battles, as these are probably the only mildly fun part of the video game.

These battles are highly repatative, as the bosses are all the same, with the same attacks. The only thing that is different about these battles is the fact that there are different skins for different bosses. Also, the way you fight is similar to "Guitar Hero"- buttons fall down the screen, and you have to press the right button at the right time.

The only real challenges you will face in the video game is when you select the boss/mini game, and also when you face the Bizarro levels. When you select the mini games, you are looking at a map of Metropolis. To select a level, you move around on an enemy icon. Each boss has their own icon, as well as three additional mini game icons per boss. Each mini game icon deletes 1 from the Metropolis health line, and the boss deletes three. Because you can build up to four bosses or more and their additional waves of hazards, the Metropolis health bar quickly dissapears, and the only way you can build it's health is by defeating bosses. With the ratio of activities, however, it is difficult to keep the Metropolis health bar high.

Also, the Bizarro mini games are nigh impossible. As in the comics, the Bizarro levels are all opposite to the other boss mini games/boss levels. Metropolis is now upside down, and the controls have been reversed! Whatever control you previously had over the game is gone, and these levels aren't even fun- just very frustrating.

Believe it or not, there are highlights to the video game. The highlights come in the form of the graphics. The sharp graphics and great character designs and skins are constantly impressive, and whilst buildings don't have the greatest textures you've ever seen, it strangely reminds you of the early DC comic books. There are also unlockable comic book covers, all of which come with a descriptor to tell you about that issue. Theres also A Man Of Steel mode (multiplayer) in which, via wi fi connection, you can play as one of nine versions of Superman to fight others. Also, there is the same feature, renamed Action Comics, available for DS Download Play.

Overall, this game is really only for Superman enthusiasts, but if you do get it it could entertain you for a few minutes of play before you become stressed out. Somehow, this video game reminds me of another, named "Superman 64"...

Overall

Combat System: 4/10

Locomotion System: 4/10

Maps: 6/10

Music: 8/10

Story: 5/10

Graphics: 9/10

Extras: 8/10

Overall: 6.3/10