The Death and Return of Superman is a video game that is based on the best-selling graphic novel, "The Death of Superman". But this game however has many flaws such as the sound that I'm about to talk about later on in the music and sound. This game is hard, but fun to play, that will plunge you into the world of the Man of Steel, and his most epic battle against the hulking menace, Doomsday.
Plot. A hulking creature of chaos and destruction named Doomsday has arrived and begins to wreak havoc across the country, destroying anyone and anything in sight. He is so unstoppable that the Justice League (Fire, Ice, Guy Gardner, Blue Beetle, and others) cannot stop him. Superman arrives to their aid, and begins a epic, yet brutal fight against the titanic menace, beginning from the farms to the city of Metropolis. Superman manages to defeat Doomsday, but at the cost of his life. With Superman dead, the world mourns it's fallen hero, and crime rises in Metropolis. Team Luthor, Supergirl, and Gangbuster tried to decrease the crime, but were not enough. Some time later, there are reports of Superman sightings: One man who lethally deals with criminals, he is the Eradicator, others reported a man of steel wearing Superman's symbol, another one is a resemblance of Superman with robotic enhancements, and another one is a teen clone of Superman. But who is the real Superman?
Concept. The game follows the same story to that of the graphic novel "The Death of Superman". It starts just like in the comic book, where Superman fights against the Underworlders led by Clawster. In some stages, flying is mandatory as you have to shoot your way throughout the enemies. After the epic fight against Doomsday, you get to play as the four men who claim to be Superman, and then you'll see what happens as you progress.
Design. The game is rendered in sprites, and it's a 2D sidescrolling beat-em-up game. The design of the game reminds me to those of Batman Returns and Final Fight. The narration sequences are cool, because it bears resemblance to the comics. The flying stages were fun to play with, though fast and hard, it was still enjoyable to play at.
Music and Sound. Sound effects in fighting were good, but one thing I did not like is the techno-like music of the game. Because I found the music very stupid and bad. They should have put heroic themes instead of that stupid techno music that's played in the game. If this was a video review, I would add Superman themes such as: Superman movie themes, the 1996 cartoon theme, Lois and Clark, Smallville, and even Superman Doomsday.
History. Death and Return of Superman is based on the best-selling graphic novel "The Death of Superman". The Death of Superman was released in 1993, becoming a best-seller since it's release, and it shocked the world of comic books and their fans as well. Most critics gave the story a very positive review, as well as fans of the Man of Steel. Though I'm not much of a Superman guy, I really enjoyed reading the graphic novel and it was great. The Death of Superman was adapted in the 2007 animated DVD film "Superman: Doomsday", which was created by Bruce Timm, the man behind the Batman, Superman, Batman Beyond, and Justice League cartoons. There were also references to the novel in the Justice League Season 2 episode, Hereafter.
Rantings. As I said earlier, I hated the music because it was really stupid. What were the developers thinking about adding techno-like music? I mean that was just stupid, they should have put heroic and grim themes as well. Also, this game happens to be one of the hardest beat-em-up games ever made, that will truly piss you off to your very core. Also, each Superman has the same melee and flying moves.
Good Aspects. I really enjoyed the conclusion of the game that stays true to the comic book, and also playing as Eradicator was really cool. This game is good and all, but the replay value is average. It was great to be supes and all, but I'm not a Superman type of guy, I'm more of a Batman type of guy. Batman is more realistic and darker, but Superman he's just too nice.
Overall. The game is not too bad, not too good, but average. My final score is a 5 out of 10.