'Superman: Shadow of Apokolips' Video Game Talkback (Spoilers)

[James Harvey]

Superman: Shadow of Apokolips



Platform(s): PlayStation 2, GameCube
Release date(s): PlayStation 2 - September 25, 2002, GameCube - March 25, 2003

Synopsis: Darkseid has joined forces with Lex Luthor, unleashing an army of robotic warriors on the city of Metropolis, and the world. So once again it is up to Superman to save the day. Based on the recent animated TV series, Superman will travel around with all powers intact through 14 levels in order to defeat the robots and the many other bad guys that are out to take over the world. Superman's powers once again include freeze breath, x-ray vision, heat vision and super strength. The new 1st person mode also allows even stronger attacks at a far more accurate rate. In between levels are fully animated cut scenes that tell the story, as Superman goes head on with Livewire, Parasite, Metallo, Luthor and Darkseid.

Comments?

[Caped Crusader]

Does anyone know if the Superman: Shadow of Apokolips game for the PS2 came out yet? I heard that it was supposed to come out yesterday, but I haven't heard much news about it lately, so I'm not sure if it did or not. Thanks for any help.

[Bird Boy]

well..

http://www.gamestop.com/product.asp?product%5Fid=280563

says it's in-stock and ready to ship, so I'm guessing it is indeed out. I'd called the store you're getting it at first though....don't wanna waste a trip..

-BB

[Commish Gordon]

I saw it for sale at my local Electronics Boutique (in western Pennsylvania) for $39.99; but, I went to my local Wal-Mart and they didn't have it. I'm just going to wait until it unveils itself at Wal-Mart before I head to Metropolis - but, if this game is half as cool as "Batman: Vengeance," I'll really enjoy it.

[Verdiboy]

I would say it is pretty cool. It has a pretty nice useage of supermans powers with few limitations. One complaint that I beleive people are gonna have, is that there are a few levels that seemed extremely hard. There are levels where you have to tap "X" with basically super speed to complete the level. Luckilly my roommate is a videogame freak so i just had him do it. But personally it was way too hard for me. Otherwise its a fun game, and I havent got stuck in any walls like on the N64.


Brian

[cartoonboy]

I stopped at one of the EB's in Toronto and said it was held up at the warehouse. Should be in today.

[Harvey Dent]

Well, I've gotten to the level with the dam under attack. While I'm having something of a hard time completing that section, it's still a good game overall. Superman's powers and abilities were successfully translated from the animated series to the PS2.

• Super Strength
• Near Invulnerability (It takes something really strong or powerful to hurt you, as it should be)
• Super Speed (In the form of dodging attacks and flying at ramming speed)
• Telescopic Vision (really just a first person zoom in/out)
• X-Ray Vision
• Heat Vision (Can be used as a continuous beam or a quick blast ala Cyclops' Optic Blast)
• Super Breath (For putting out fires or creating distance between yourself and enemies)
• Super Hearing (It's really the blue compass in the corner that tells you where stuff is)

And unlike previous games, you don't have to hunt for stupid icons to use your powers.

The game looks well, and I absolutely love to fly. Takes a while to get used to, but it's great. You can fly the classic way, or you can vertically hover to where you want to go. Supes can also do barrel rolls and loops. And nothing is more gratifying than when you fly by people (whether they're walking or in their cars) and they stop to look at you and call out to you.

"Oh my gosh, it's Superman!"
"Way to go, Supes!"

I gotta say, this game met every one of my expectations. I'm so .

[cartoonboy]

Is it a title to rent for the weekend or a title to buy?

[Bird Boy]

Originally posted by cartoonboy
Is it a title to rent for the weekend or a title to buy?

According to IGN's review, it's a rental. It got a 7.0 because it's so short..but hey, I'll probably end up buying it anyway, but not till it's around $20-$25 (used)..

-BB

[Livewire]

Ooo, SOA sounds so cool! I can't wait to try it sometime. ~sigh~ If only I had a PS2 so I could play it right now. (Patient, aren't I? )

[SuperChris]

OK, I'm cheap & lazy so I haven't upgraded from the PS1 yet. Can anyone tell me if there was a Superman game released for the original PlayStation? If so, I might just have to track that down.

I've heard people tell me that they've HEARD there was one (though never seen it), and I've even seen listings for it at online stores (though it's never been in-stock). However, I've never actually seen or heard proof that this is a real game that actually exists.

I know the N64 version of the game got horrible reviews, but you would be amazed by how low my standards are.

Thanks,
Chris

[Ordinary Guy]

I just bought it today, and I must say I'm not too impressed with the animated movie scenes. I was expecting something like the animated movie scens in Batman:Vengeance, but this looks too cartoonish looking. Other than that it is a fun game so far.

[Bird Boy]

Originally posted by Ordinary Guy
I just bought it today, and I must say I'm not too impressed with the animated movie scenes. I was expecting something like the animated movie scens in Batman:Vengeance, but this looks too cartoonish looking. Other than that it is a fun game so far.

Uhh..the games based on a cartoon, so that could be why..

I for one am glad they went the cel-shaded route. Vengeance was awesome, but because it wasn't cartoony enough like the TNBA styles they resembled, it was weird...

-BB

[MattL.]

Whats so awful about "cartoony" anyway? Especially in a game based on the animated series?

I tend to like cartoony artstyles better anyway. They're more intresting and arent limited by the constraints of photo realism.

[Caped Crusader]

Thanks for the info, Bird Boy. I’ve seen some commercials, and the game looks great. It looks like this game is a lot better than its N64 predecessor was. Speaking of the N64 game, the same Superman game was released on the PS format as well, SuperChris.

[The Penguin]

I've heard different things from different places, but I got my new issue of Nintendo Power today and Shadow of Apokolips will be on the Cube in March!!

I love Batman Vengeance and I'm pretty excited that now the animated Superman game is coming to my system!

If anyone who's played it for PS2 wants to share some thoughts or GC owners want to share in my excitement now would be a good time!

[Stu]

I bought this game a few weeks ago. I was impressed. The voice work souded a bit weird but it is the cast from the show. (Yes Tim Daly is back as Superman)

Some of the levels where damn hard though. The number of times I was tempted to give up. But I didn't. Now for the story of the game.

Spoiler:

It was ok while it lasted but I felt this game finsihed 3/4 of the way thru the story. Lex Luthor gets weapins from Apokolips (robots to be specific) and you fight these. Over and Over again. You beat these and for some reason they just go away. After they have released villians from Strykers. So you fight the villains (Livewire, Parasite and Metallo) and after you've beat them the game finishes. No fight with Luthor or Darksedi, the 2 main villians in the game (it hypes them and doesn't deleiver it). You beat Metallo and Maggie thanks you and it ends!

Overall this game was fun while it lasted. It took me a while to complete and some of the levels reminded me of th dreaded Gasworks level in Vengance. So basically, I compare your liking of this game to your liking of Batman Vengeance. Superman fans will like it, while others will probably give it a miss. DEFINATTLY worth a rent.

[Buddy Lee]

I have the game and completed it pretty quickly. The scene that I had the hardest time with was getting the three coolant boxes into the reactor before it blew.

But, I was surprised at where the game ends...no trip to Apokolips?? Maybe, they are setting up for a sequel. Anyway, I loved the gameplay and the controls...finally, Superman done right in video games.

[Robin2099]

finally, Superman done right in video games

And on that note, make sure that you avoid the Superman X-Box game like the plague.

[Silly McGooses]

I wish this would come to Xbox; I played it at my cousins' house. The cutscenes were AWESOME, the control was INCREDIBLE (we finally get a Superman that moves like he should), the graphics are GREAT, and the missions are...hopelessly repetitive and don't really go anywhere. It was still much better than that crappy XBox Superman game, which I bought for some reason which is beyond me.