A first look at Superman Returns (XBOX360)

[Everlost_MI]

TeamXbox (http://www.teamxbox.com/) has posted their first look (http://previews.teamxbox.com/xbox-360/1216/Superman-Returns-The-Videogame/p1/) at the new Superman game, Superman Returns, that is being developed to coincide with the release of the new movie in 2006.

Here's a bit from the article:
After seeing a few animation tests, showing the amount of detail in every aspect of Superman’s movement (cape fluidity, turns in the air, etc.), we were amazed to see the scope of Metropolis. The city will encompass 80 square miles, including thousands of buildings; everything from mom & pop shops to towering skyscrapers. Metropolis will be broken up into nine districts that will each have their own distinct flavor. For example, you’ll know the difference when flying through the business district as opposed to the industrial sector. All of the environment is completely destructible and will utilize the Havok engine. Obviously, it will be your job as Superman to ensure that city damage is kept to a minimum. Still, things do happen, and you’ll be able to use rubble for attacks. We watched as Superman hurled a large building chunk at the 60 ft. hulking robot, Metallo. For those that know Superman villains, Metallo absorbs metal to become stronger, and early on, he is no bigger than a few feet. In this demo, he looked to be at his peak, towering over most of Metropolis.

The game is currently slated for the Xbox 360 and will probably see PS2 and Xbox versions as well, yet in different capacities.
It's a damn shame there wasn't any screenshots or shaky footage taken/provided.

[KamaItachi]

And yet flying is cut out of Saint's Row?

let's hope that with a large enough city and enough freedom comes the chance to actually enjoy it. Also, huge city crushing fights between superman and various villains would be awesome, it seemed a massive plus point for the latest hulk game.

[Evil Avatar]

Metallo (http://www.dccomics.com/secret_files/dc_character.php?sc_dc_itemCode=metallo), the man with the Kryptonite heart, 60ft tall and has the ability to absorb metal??? Why screw with a classic character. I know those changes come from the new Superman/Batman comic, but I think he was a good enough villian as he was.

[Deadend]

Metallo had that power for the last few years I think. I am sure he had it during the Superman Red/Blue crap.

I think a Super-man game could be good, odds are this one will not be. It will be dumbed down I am certain.

I never get why EA does that, dumb down the action games, yet make the sports games super-complex. Don't they realize that a comic superhero SIM would sell like mad?

[The Iron Weasel]

And yet flying is cut out of Saint's Row?

let's hope that with a large enough city and enough freedom comes the chance to actually enjoy it. Also, huge city crushing fights between superman and various villains would be awesome, it seemed a massive plus point for the latest hulk game.

I think they just cant do it and they are trying to shift the blame. Seriously what the fuck is their problem, i highly doubt that is the reason, they could just push back the release date like every other developer?

[carneconcarne]

80 square miles, full of thousands of buildings, that collapse into even more individual persistent objects in the game world. Hmmm, sounds awesome, and impossible.

[sTubbs]

I am glad to hear that all of the superpowers are useable from the start, but what the fuck is up with a stamina metre? This game will suck hard if that stamina metre is anything short of infinite. I do not understand why developers can not simply let us be superheroes without throwing in bullshit limitations.

[thecrazyd]

If there wasn't a limit, it would be boring like crazy. Seriously. Might as well play with god mode on.

[sTubbs]

If there wasn't a limit, it would be boring like crazy. Seriously. Might as well play with god mode on.

But on the other hand, when the fuck did Superman ever get tired? The guy can fly around in space just because he feels like it - I mean, the fucker does not even need to breathe. How the fuck does stamina apply to someone who does not even need to breathe? I understand what you are saying, but I just wish that EA did something else besides making the guy tired. Perhaps by featuring kryptonite in some creative ways? I am not too familiar with the Superman lore, but I am getting tired of superhero games that nerf the superhero stuff right out the equation.

[Nessus]

I have to admit, this is the kind of thing that makes me interested in the next gen consoles.

I don't really care about vastly updated graphics, but larger worlds and more interactivity really interest me.

I just hope it doesn't end up being like GTA. I don't want a city full of what might as well be empty boxes. That really kills the immersion for me.

Similarly, watching trailers for the new Capcom games, the one that interested me the most was that zombie one set in a mall (obvious Dawn Of The Dead homage). It has the worst graphics, but they use the additional horsepower to render hundreds of zombies at the same time.

A prettier Devil May Cry or Resident Evil doesn't interest me as much (though coming off the intertia of RE4 there's a good chance RE5 will be good).

[nonchalance]

I just wish that EA did something else besides making the guy tired. Perhaps by featuring kryptonite in some creative ways? I am not too familiar with the Superman lore, but I am getting tired of superhero games that nerf the superhero stuff right out the equation.

Totally agree. What's the point of a Superman game where you fight thugs?

Acutally, I'd be interested in one where goals involved other people not being hurt. Time limits before a bomb goes off. Catching falling people. Even if there are villains that can actually hurt Superman himself, they should be rare - and then they catch you off guard when they do turn up.

[Chagrinful]

Maybe it'll even be better than Superman 64? rofl!

[Royal Fool]

80 square miles, full of thousands of buildings, that collapse into even more individual persistent objects in the game world. Hmmm, sounds awesome, and impossible.

Keyword here being 'impossible'.

Not that the press would care... they like EA's big throbbing monoliths.

[Scaryboy]

80 square miles!!?
How big was GTA:San Andreas? 10 maybe?

[Murtaug]

San Andreas had to be larger then 10 square miles, I really do not know though. It felt bigger then that, three cities.. plus all that 'back' country in between.

Here is hoping a good Superman game will come out of this though.. it sounds like they have the right idea.

[Thenetcase]

80 square miles!!?
How big was GTA:San Andreas? 10 maybe?

Over 70sq miles. If you count all the cities and the country areas, that is.

Just the city you started in was around 10-12sq miles. :)

-TNC-

[Xerxes]

I would have rather activision or something taking a crack at it. All super hero games should be in the vein of Spidey 2 and the Hulk Smash everything game. Now a Batman game sounds even more perfect for the free reign city. All those gadgets and stuff. :rolleyes:

[Scaryboy]

Oops, my bad. I thought they meant 80 * 80 miles. :eek:

[ArkMan]

Maybe it'll even be better than Superman 64? rofl!

Haha, yeah dude, they've got nowhere to go but up! (http://www.gamerankings.com/htmlpages2/198862.asp)


And seconded about an open ended Batman, that would just fucking rock.

[Xerxes]

Let's raise the bar just a little. That where they need to do better than. 21% is bad but so is these scores. Beating 85% is sign of more people giving it a chance. I mean hell, if that aquaman game had a 85% I'd give it a shot. It somehow got a 31% on xbox on gamerankings.
http://www.gamerankings.com/htmlpages2/554412.asp?q=Superman (Xbox)
http://www.gamerankings.com/htmlpages2/553880.asp?q=Superman (Ps2)

I agree with nonchalance. Not about superman not fighting thugs. That can be done correct too, like on the cartoon show. Thugs in metropolis always had some bad ass weapons somehow (Lex's weapon dealings). Lex also commissioned alot of Superman villians to cause problems. BUT nonchalance is right about how you could use superman to stop alot of the shit that goes down in Metropolis. Villians should represent boss fights. I'd also throw in other kryponites to have time issued effects on the player.

[mister_slim]

I find it hard to care about Superman anymore, and my cynicism toward EA makes me pessimistic, but I'd love to see a really well done Superman game.

[S1n1star]

C'mon, what have we got to worry about? Just look at EA's recent track record with superheroes! Catwoman, Marvel: Nemesis, even Batman Begins! I can't wait to don my red cape and fly up, up, and away into a game world utterly full of clichéd and tired gameplay conventions, lackluster plot, and inspirationally crushing mediocrity!!!

[ThadDeus]

Man... Batman Begins really needed to be a good game.
It's not like people don't know how to make a good stealth game. It's hardly an unexplored genre. Throw some detective elements in there. Maybe get crazy and hire some real writers? Who knows...

Game designers are just in a rut. They want to put limits on Superman himself because that's the way they always do game characters. But with Superman, it's all about how he feels responsible for the safety of all the people around him... the ones that aren't invulnerable.

Superman games should be all about timing and skill... and some massively destructive boss fights against superpowered enemies (plus that great feeling of exploration and freedom that flying should offer, much like web-swinging of Hulk-jumping).

...

And there is no excuse for Marvel Nemesis.

[Xerxes]

Whoa thad came out of nowhere and hit me over the head... See, Batman free roam would be great fighting thugs protecting Gotham, but you toss in some good if not atleast decent stealth play. Throw in some interrogations. Tracking someone from roof top to roof top. You throw in a few of his super baddies. I'm more about excited about good batman than superman, although both aren't without their charm and potential. Well imagine a World's Finest videogame. O_o

Correction to the last line: Done right.

[Deadend]

Holy shit... I just thought of something for Superman!

The insanity meter from Indigo Prophecy!

Super-man feels bad about not saving people, and various other things!
You have your Stamina/Solar bar, for stamina, that is always full in daylight, and near infinite at night... and your guilt meter which is based on how Superman does at saving people and destruction.

[Xerxes]

I never knew superman to be waited down by guilt that much. I know him as a dust yourself off and jump on the horse guy.