What has every Superman fan always wanted to do? To fly, fight, and feel like the last son of Krypton. And what a superhero games needs to do more than anything else is to re-create those abilities on a system, and to replicate them in that character's universe without giving up any of his or personality, charm or unique characteristics. Shadow of Apokalips does a good job at handling the controls, and it delivers a very respectable performance in making sure all of the best Superman powers are within the grasp of your hands. It even mixes in a little stealth and arcade-style button mashing for good measure. What Shadow of Apokalips doesn't do so well is to tell a good story or to deliver a high-level production game. But we'll get there later.
Players take on the role of Daily Planet Reporter Clark Kent, A.K.A. Superman. Scientists have been stolen across the city, and Superman has confronted a swarm of mysterious high-powered Inter-Bot robots, who have indicated to him that the city may be headed toward serious trouble. In the beginning, the Inter-Bots even have some heavy fusion-style guns that knock him unconscious for a spell. What's happening behind the scenes is that Darkseid, though his assassin Kanto, has gifted LexCorp R&D with powerful Apokoliptian technology, and as the Inter-Bots cause havoc and scour the city for scientists to fulfill their great quest, you must return order to the city and stop the madness, as it were. You'll meet up with a massive Inter-Bot army and Metallo during the course of action.
Shadow of Apokalips is a straight-up action game, based around Superman's powers. Sheffield's grasp of Superman's controls is nearly 99% on target. Players need a little bit of time to get it all under control, but within about 15 minutes or so, employing Superman's many powers becomes second nature. Players can walk, run, fly, punch, throw, pull pipes off walls to attack enemies, pick up huge objects, such as buses or tanks and throw them and more.
He can use two kinds of heat blasts -- a thin single laser shot that slowly lights enemies on fire, or the more energy-sapping blasts that usually take the enemy out with two shots. Superman can use his super breath to cool overheated containers or fires, or he can use it to blow enemies off their feet. He can see through walls using his X-ray vision, though unfortunately he can't see through Lois' skirt. (Ah well, maybe next time...) He can hover, fly slow, fly super fast, and perform air attacks -- by landing with a clear-out stomp or by using a speeding-bullet punch. He can even perform a spin attack for clearing out purposes, too.
All of Superman's controls are well handled. In fact, they're deceivingly simple to handle. Press triangle to use eyes beams; circle to use super breath. Press R2 to engage in soaring fly; or the right analog stick to ascend or descend. X is attack; press it a few times repeatedly and Superman unwinds a series of pre-animated jabs, uppercuts and hooks. He can even knock an enemy into a daze and then perform a super punch, sending the enemy soaring across the room.
While it takes about 10-15 minutes to get used to the controls, Shadow of Apokalips controls with a near simplistic genius. Sheffield House has animated Superman well too, supporting the feel and better yet the look of the Man of Steel. When he soars quickly through the air, one hand stretches outward while the other is tucked neatly at his side. Transitioning from the ground to air is seamless. Using L1, players can target enemies or objects, an even strafe in mid-air around them, an excellent notion. Combing all of Superman's powers throughout the game is a real kick. Finally, we get to play as Superman right. Thank you Sheffield House.
Shown from the third-person perspective, Superman's movement captured with respectable camera work. The camera rarely transitions into odd positions, and when in a smaller room, it automatically lowers. Occasionally it does stick on objects and every so often you can see mistakenly through the wall to another room. In some cases Superman turns invisible to continue seeing the action while he fights.
All in All this game is decent but still above average
Players take on the role of Daily Planet Reporter Clark Kent, A.K.A. Superman. Scientists have been stolen across the city, and Superman has confronted a swarm of mysterious high-powered Inter-Bot robots, who have indicated to him that the city may be headed toward serious trouble. In the beginning, the Inter-Bots even have some heavy fusion-style guns that knock him unconscious for a spell. What's happening behind the scenes is that Darkseid, though his assassin Kanto, has gifted LexCorp R&D with powerful Apokoliptian technology, and as the Inter-Bots cause havoc and scour the city for scientists to fulfill their great quest, you must return order to the city and stop the madness, as it were. You'll meet up with a massive Inter-Bot army and Metallo during the course of action.
Shadow of Apokalips is a straight-up action game, based around Superman's powers. Sheffield's grasp of Superman's controls is nearly 99% on target. Players need a little bit of time to get it all under control, but within about 15 minutes or so, employing Superman's many powers becomes second nature. Players can walk, run, fly, punch, throw, pull pipes off walls to attack enemies, pick up huge objects, such as buses or tanks and throw them and more.
He can use two kinds of heat blasts -- a thin single laser shot that slowly lights enemies on fire, or the more energy-sapping blasts that usually take the enemy out with two shots. Superman can use his super breath to cool overheated containers or fires, or he can use it to blow enemies off their feet. He can see through walls using his X-ray vision, though unfortunately he can't see through Lois' skirt. (Ah well, maybe next time...) He can hover, fly slow, fly super fast, and perform air attacks -- by landing with a clear-out stomp or by using a speeding-bullet punch. He can even perform a spin attack for clearing out purposes, too.
All of Superman's controls are well handled. In fact, they're deceivingly simple to handle. Press triangle to use eyes beams; circle to use super breath. Press R2 to engage in soaring fly; or the right analog stick to ascend or descend. X is attack; press it a few times repeatedly and Superman unwinds a series of pre-animated jabs, uppercuts and hooks. He can even knock an enemy into a daze and then perform a super punch, sending the enemy soaring across the room.
While it takes about 10-15 minutes to get used to the controls, Shadow of Apokalips controls with a near simplistic genius. Sheffield House has animated Superman well too, supporting the feel and better yet the look of the Man of Steel. When he soars quickly through the air, one hand stretches outward while the other is tucked neatly at his side. Transitioning from the ground to air is seamless. Using L1, players can target enemies or objects, an even strafe in mid-air around them, an excellent notion. Combing all of Superman's powers throughout the game is a real kick. Finally, we get to play as Superman right. Thank you Sheffield House.
Shown from the third-person perspective, Superman's movement captured with respectable camera work. The camera rarely transitions into odd positions, and when in a smaller room, it automatically lowers. Occasionally it does stick on objects and every so often you can see mistakenly through the wall to another room. In some cases Superman turns invisible to continue seeing the action while he fights.
All in All this game is decent but still above average
