Review: 

It’s a bird.  It’s a plane.  It’s that guy who we all know is able to leap tall buildings and lift more than any normal being can.   It’s Superman.  And saying that means more than it ever has in Superman Returns: The videogame.  It’s the first time out with any Superman game that I actually felt like the Man of Steel.  But does that mean it’s the perfect Superman game and that you should run out and buy it right now?  What does the old X-ray vision show when you look into the meat of this game?  Let’s find out.

Gameplay, Graphics, and Sound

Superman Returns: The Videogame is based on the movie of the same name about everyone’s favorite flying guy in blue tights.  The one saving grace in that regard is that it doesn’t completely follow the movie so you’re not stuck simply replaying the movie scene by scene.  You take on the role of Superman to save the city of Metropolis from near disaster each time trouble pokes its head out.  All of your super powers are there from the start so you don’t have to unlock them.  You do though have the option of upgrading those powers as the game progresses to make them stronger and more effective.  Heat vision, Super breath and Freeze breath are all at your disposal and each have levels of upgrade you can obtain.  They’re each mapped to the D-pad.  Once upgraded, you’ll experience some great use of those powers.  A completely leveled up Heat vision is a sight to see.

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Hello Unscripted 360 land.  I have here for your listening pleasure Episode #21.  This episode features another special guest from Electronic Arts, Jeff Peters.  Jeff is the Supervising Producer on Superman Returns.  He stopped by to talk a bit about the game and hopefully get you all ready for the Man of Steel.

You’ve played the demo to get yourselves familiar with the game.  Now get ready to experience Metropolis in its entirety for the first time ever next week November 22 when Superman Returns hits store shelves.  Before you put on the red cape, take a seat and listen to the show.

Enjoy!

Format:
37:13, 17.0MB, mp3

Show files:
mp3 - Listen to the show in mp3 format

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Show outline:
Gears of War Idol - 00:01
Jeff Peters - 05:20
Mad World - 33:50 

Look.  In the sky.  It’s a bird.  It’s a plane.  Nope.  It’s the Superman Returns Xbox 360 demo flying to the Xbox Live Marketplace this week.  The tentative date is Wednesday, November 15 but you know how these things can change.  I haven’t gotten word on what the demo will include, but be prepared to get a taste of Superman next-gen style when this demo emerges.

I know everyone is ready to finally get in flight with the Man of Steel.  I sure am.  The Superman Returns community day event with EA Tiburon had me really impressed with what I read.

Superman Returns ships next week, November 22, so be sure to grab the demo before then for some early action and impressions.

If all goes to plan, I’ll have something special for everyone the same day the demo hits.  So you’ll have some Superman as well as a ’super’ Unscripted special.  Stay tuned for both!

Edit.  Demo is available now in the Xbox Live Marketplace.

The holiday season is fast approaching as well as the end of the year so I thought I’d unveil Unscripted’s Starting Lineup.  My ‘Starting Lineup’ in the Games category are the five titles that I think should be in everyone’s starting lineup of games this holiday season…your must-buy games.

I’ll be introducing more of my ‘Starting Lineup’ categories soon.  Look for categories dealing with the hottest stories, community shine and others.  But first to debut is the Games category.  (yes you know I’ll design a fancy image to represent the ‘Starting Lineup’)

Viva Piñata - Is there any surprise that this has made its way to my lineup?  You know my mission is to turn you all into Piñatatans!  The Xbox 360 has been in need of a solid title to appeal to the young adults and parents alike.  I think this is it.  Viva Piñata mixes some very colorful environments and characters with a fun theme.  It sizzles for sure! 

Star Trek: Legacy - I have a mission.  To boldly go where no gamer has gone before.  This title is ambitious.  It combines every Star Trek saga you can think of from TV to film.  It has my favorite captains, Picard and Kirk, in it so I’m set for its release.  I’ll be in the skies commanding the Enterprise and any of the other ships I can manage to navigate.  The only question is, who will I be dominating?

Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Vegas - I’ve never been into the Rainbow Six series but having seen what I’ve seen from this game…I’ll be into it now.  The squad feel is seemingly back and to top it off, this game features the DigiMask technology so you all will be receiving head shots from the real DeaconBlade and not some default character.  What more can I say or ask for?

Gears of War - Does this game need any reason?  I didn’t think so.  The way that this game has been displayed visually alone warrants an entry into the Starting Lineup.

Fuzion Frenzy 2 - If you were like me with Fuzion Frenzy on the original Xbox, then you know how much fun it was to play the first Fuzion Frenzy with family and friends.  I anticipate that Fuzion Frenzy 2 will be just as much fun.

I wanted to round out my Stating Lineup with some quality reserves who are key coming off the bench to add to your holiday lists.  Every Starting Lineup needs key players coming off the bench to fill in for the starters from time to time.  They include Superman Returns, Call of Duty 3, Marvel Ultimate Alliance and FIFA Soccer 07.

There you have it.  Unscripted’s Starting Lineup and a few bench players as well to hopefully give you an enjoyable holiday season.  Stay tuned for more!

For those who listened to Episode #16, you heard about the Superman Returns Community Day event with Electronic Arts in Orlando, FL.  I mentioned that I’d have the report wrap up on Wednesday and well today is Wednesday…for most of us at least.  I sent one of my guys, Rob Martini, down to cover the event and I’d like to share his report with you.

The game is set to release in stores November 20th so be sure to read up and see if this game will be ’super’.  Thanks Rob for doing a great job filling in for me.

Read Rob’s preview and experience with Superman Returns