Summary
Over the years,the DC Comics brandhas been adapted into multiple mediums. It dominated animation in the 1990s and 2000s, as well as numerous feature films and television shows. And when it comes to video games, DC has also translated their iconic heroes into playable format.Supermanappears in titles dating all the way back to the Atari 2600, and his home turf of Metropolis has been showcased in a variety of different ways.
Whether it’s a fully explorable 3D map as seen in games likeSuperman ReturnsorShadow of Apokolips, or 2D adventures such asThe Death and Return of Supermanon the SNES, the iconic DC Comics city has seen its fair share of representations in the industry. Some of them have captured Metropolis in a more futuristic setting inspired by contemporary comics, while others have keyed off on different animated and live-action properties.
Although the 2006 filmSuperman Returnswas unable to launch the Man of Steel into a successful movie franchise, it did come with a tie-in video game that featured an open-world Metropolis for players to fly around in. Power launching from the ground, soaring into the air and seeing Metropolis at the player’s discretion was truly fantastic for the time.
Superman Returnsfeatures a wide-open Metropolis, one teeming with random crimes and a sense of scale that would be unmatched in superhero gamesuntil 2011’sArkham City. It also featured a unique mechanic where the city itself had a health bar, while Superman did not. Fail states relied on players not protecting the city.
In spite ofSuicide Squad: Kill The Justice League’slukewarm performance, the open world of Metropolis is still one of the most incredible translations of the city. It is a sprawling, meticulously detailed playground that is one of the best aspects of the game.
Roaming Metropolis shows off the artistry of Rocksteady, as they packed it to the brim with Easter eggs and lore from the comics and other media adaptations. Landmarks like the Hall of Justice, LexCorp and Kord Industries really sell the conceptof a larger DC worldand establish Metropolis as one of the key components of the universe.
Superman: The Man of Steelwas an Xbox exclusive developed by Circus Freak. It drew direct influencefrom the comic bookstory that introduced Brainiac 13, as well as a futuristic, highly advanced version of Metropolis. Utilizing a mix of classic Superman concepts with a more contemporary take on the city,The Man of Steelfeatures one of the character’s strongest versions of Metropolis.
The Metropolis inThe Man of Steelis decidedly different from the others. Citizens travel via flying cars, traversing the infinite high-rise buildings and floating train platforms. Due to Brainiac 13’s influence and infection of the city with a tech virus, the city is also infested with robots and other baddies, lending some stakes to the story.
2The Death And Return Of Superman
Fight Through The Darkest Corners Of Metropolis
Based heavily on the comic book story of the same name,The Death and Return of Supermansees the Man of Steel engaged in combat with the villain Doomsday. Controlling four playable Supermen, this terrific beat ‘em up showcases a Metropolis influenced by the darker, more complex comic books of the era.
Heading into the seedy underbelly of Metropolis,The Death and Return of Supermanshowcases the more dangerous areas of the city. While most Superman media tends to focus on bright colors and sunlight, this beat ‘em up classic is dependent on nighttime battles and trips through dark alleyways.
Superman: Shadow of Apokolipsis based on the wildly popular animated TV show of the time, and features the entire voice cast from the series reprising their roles. Drawing from the stylized art of Bruce Timm andthe DC Animated Universe,Shadow of Apokolipsfeatures a Metropolis that is the finest iteration of Superman’s home city in a video game to date.
The sharp, angular architecture relies on direct art deco influences, and feels like a retro-futuristic version of Superman come to life. The city feels every bit as alive and unique as it does in the animated series. Soaring through it reveals bridges, tunnels and arches that give the city a sense of verticality. It is easily the best version of Metropolis to exist in a video game, and is just as delightful to explore now as it was back in the day.
