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Superman Returns demo debuts on Xbox 360

Sample of Electronic Arts film-to-game adaptation leads rush of new content on Xbox Live Marketplace; Gears of War boss strategy, Need for Speed Carbon cars also for sale.

While the Xbox 360 edition of Defender didn't arrive in the traditional early-morning time frame of Xbox Live Arcade Wednesday releases, things are by no means quiet on the console's Marketplace today. A host of new content hit the downloadable service today, starting with a demo for Electronic Arts' Superman Returns.

Weighing in at more than 905MB, the Superman Returns demo gives gamers a taste of the open-world adventure set to ship to retail next week. Xbox Live Gold members can now download the demo for free, while Xbox Live director of programming Larry "Major Nelson" Hryb said on his blog that Xbox Live Silver subscribers will be able to take the Man of Steel for a spin on November 22. A "Man of Steel" theme is also available to download for 150 points ($1.88).

Backing up the Superman content is a slate of other offerings from Electronic Arts. First, there are three new cars up for Need for Speed Carbon, with each one running customers 80 points ($1), and a pack of FIFA 07 Pitch Crests for 100 points ($1.25) that will let gamers put their favorite team logos on their in-game practice arenas.

There's also new downloadable content for Epic Games' shooter Gears of War, but not in the form fans might have hoped for. For 100 Microsoft Points ($1.25), gamers can download BradyGames' Angry Titan Strategy to defeat the game's Corpser boss.

133 Comments

  • rezpatriot

    Posted Feb 14, 2009 6:19 pm GMT

    how exactly do i use the dlc for fifa 07 pitch crest. Do I need to email EA to find out or something? I downloaded it and paid 100 points and now I have no clue how to get my crest on the pitch, a little more information on some of these downloads would be great.

  • _Sam_

    Posted Nov 23, 2006 1:36 pm GMT

    The movie seems more enjoyable IMO

  • jlwalker1007

    Posted Nov 20, 2006 12:59 pm GMT

    wow, they never should've put out the demo. I was expecting a game like spiderman for the xbox. I cancelled my preorder as soon as I played it. Looks like a launch game, and the gameplay is terrible and oh so boring.

  • Comedyco

    Posted Nov 20, 2006 12:19 pm GMT

    I expected this game to be crap...... I was right on.

  • spidermanc2k

    Posted Nov 20, 2006 11:07 am GMT

    The gameplay was pretty fun, and the demo actually makes me want to play the full game. The trailer that is shown after beating the demo shows much prettier graphics and and interesting variety of missions and locations other than metropolis. I'll definitely give this game at least a rental, but I'm not sure its worth a purchase for anyone but the Superman faithful.

  • UrbanSquirel

    Posted Nov 20, 2006 8:19 am GMT

    The demo was not what i expected. I wanted to be able to get to top speed then fly through a building. ripping a whole in it. But ill wait an see

  • cspiffo

    Posted Nov 19, 2006 7:05 pm GMT

    Yah know, when I originally commented on this article I hadn't played the demo. It's not terrible. Considering this is a demo I have to say this game has potential. The controls are a little wonky, especially the flight controls, yuk. I could enjoy this game though. It gets my two year old's approval, who kept saying superman, superman, over and over again. Give it a chance. This could be the superman to break the streak!
    P.S. Smacking around the people of Metropolis while playing Superman is disturbing yet...Strangely enjoyable. Screw the ambulances. Fly up to the sun and just piledrive their pixelated a$$es!

  • xtremeg4m3r

    Posted Nov 19, 2006 5:38 pm GMT

    This game most likey will be stupid. If it gets above an 8 i will be impressed.

  • PSP360Gamr83

    Posted Nov 19, 2006 1:03 pm GMT

    im really not that impressed with the demo, the controls were a little odd and didnt feel natural, the environment visuals look equivalent to an original Xbox game. I think tis just another cookie-cutter superhero game. It's things liek this that make me stray away from buying their games.

  • ftdn2006

    Posted Nov 19, 2006 11:07 am GMT

    what a usless piece of garbage, you guys should be ashamed of yourselves! bad EA! no money for you! jerks

  • merlin321

    Posted Nov 19, 2006 10:17 am GMT

    this demo sucks lol haha the devolpers should hang their heads in shame

  • ewmgreendawg

    Posted Nov 19, 2006 6:18 am GMT

    man this demo sucked bad. i think they probably bought the rights to a ps1 superman game that was never finished and then ported it to 360.

  • -HCMF-

    Posted Nov 19, 2006 4:57 am GMT

    and it sucks.... but compared to every other superman game, well this one could be the best - but thats like saying the slime at the bottom of my fish tank is tasty...

  • Headbanger88

    Posted Nov 18, 2006 12:55 pm GMT

    It's a Superman game, my expectations were low to begin with and still are.

  • jimbo6923

    Posted Nov 18, 2006 9:14 am GMT

    Wow.... EA managed to take potential and throw it out the window. I was expecting something next-gen but instead they give us a shotty clone of SpiderMan 2.... DC should really give the Superman liscence to a company that has actually completed some good games, activision comes to mind.. hell, even Sega would do a better job than this... in other words, I'm unimpressed. *shakes fist at EA*

  • blazio

    Posted Nov 18, 2006 8:59 am GMT

    Hey, if you guys really want to see what the game has in store for us, after you load up the demo don't press start.

    There's a samplilng video of the things you can do and see in the game that you can watch. OMG it looks INCREDIBLE! You go after meteors showering down onto the city, exploding zepplins, you even go up against a TORNADO! ...plus the sheer size of metroplolis is astounding. the clip also shows some of Superman's 'upgraded' powers.

    Not to mention the clips they show playing as Bizarro! I am SUPER excited about this game! (no pun intended...lol).

    Fantastic!

  • Duminakan89

    Posted Nov 17, 2006 9:24 pm GMT

    this demo seems fun, the flying especially, but its not a huge amazing departure from anything...

  • damned_beast

    Posted Nov 17, 2006 8:26 pm GMT

    Demo was alright... nothing to special

  • Kazu86

    Posted Nov 17, 2006 11:04 am GMT

    Ok i loved the demo, but i dont quite understand the superspeed boosts..like you fly kinda fast, then you boost up and fly even faster..but when you boost again, you are kinda slowing down..but mabye shaking more, and the last boost you are flying even slower. My thoughts about this is, mabye if you were to fly faster and faster for each boost..you wouldnt be able to control superman..so when reaching suuuuper speed, it's slowed down so you can control superman better?

  • Chefjase

    Posted Nov 17, 2006 10:14 am GMT

    I decided to fire up the demo for a few minutes before going to work today. I still need to get a feel for the controls...but did anyone think that flying at top speed was slow. Maybe I was missing something. Does anyone else feel that way? I haven't tried the fighting or other powers, yet, I just flew around.

  • V-Pirate

    Posted Nov 17, 2006 2:16 am GMT

    Man, if only they made City of Heroes with action-style controls like this. That'd be awesome!

    yeah but then again dont be silly if they did that then they wouldn't be able to make any other games anymore....

    ps. because it would be the best game ever.....ever....seriously... ever....e-v-e-r

  • soupboy76

    Posted Nov 17, 2006 12:56 am GMT

    Great demo!! Never in my life have I played a Superman game that was actually fun.

  • buzzguy

    Posted Nov 16, 2006 7:09 pm GMT

    I liked the demo. And I'm on a bit of a superhero kick, which enhanced the experience for me. Looking forward to reading the reviews.

  • Riptide572

    Posted Nov 16, 2006 5:12 pm GMT

    Man, if only they made City of Heroes with action-style controls like this. That'd be awesome!

  • ultrazone

    Posted Nov 16, 2006 4:29 pm GMT

    good demo...feels like Spider-Man for the XBOX (mainly due to the sandbox freedom). controls are great, flying is simple and fun...worth getting I think.

  • RedThanos

    Posted Nov 16, 2006 4:19 pm GMT

    the demo's pretty good it convinced me to buy the game

  • gagan21

    Posted Nov 16, 2006 2:27 pm GMT

    wow , i ll try the demo

  • mynameisshmoe

    Posted Nov 16, 2006 1:58 pm GMT

    is there anyway to breakthrough the barrier like the saints row demo?

  • chuckymyster

    Posted Nov 16, 2006 1:52 pm GMT

    i stuck in my usb with the theme song on it..set the demo up and it was fantastic..great game..im definately getting it..

  • dandoc2

    Posted Nov 16, 2006 12:57 pm GMT

    i didnt like the demo the camera angle was shoddy and i knew if i bought the game i wudnt play it i wud jus fly around the very small area of the game -- its no spiderman 2 put it like that at least with spidey jumping from building ans swinging from them was actually fun this game is pretty boring id rent but not buy

  • mrdelriego

    Posted Nov 16, 2006 12:10 pm GMT

    I liked it! but it doesn't have the origigal music!!! wtf!

  • manolobrown2

    Posted Nov 16, 2006 11:55 am GMT

    Who needs a strategy to defeat Corpser boss! He was a piece of cake! mmmmmm.

  • SugarDaddie

    Posted Nov 16, 2006 11:45 am GMT

    Incredible fun! I just hope you wont be doing the same repetitive stuff like spiderman 2.
    This game is a must have for me. If you haven't got the demo yet, get it now.

  • GIF

    Posted Nov 16, 2006 11:08 am GMT

    The demo was not so bad, I'm actually surprised how fun it is. I will definetly be renting it.

  • ashuncc2

    Posted Nov 16, 2006 11:01 am GMT

    That is too funny. Selling strategy of XBL! If you are having that much trouble, look to the internet.

    I heard the Superman demo wasn't ver good. I will have to check it out for myself, this evening.

  • SpazH3d

    Posted Nov 16, 2006 10:58 am GMT

    Superman is a cheap hero.

  • mastermind89

    Posted Nov 16, 2006 10:55 am GMT

    yah umm whoever needs to pay for a strat on the corpser in GoW shouldn't b playing that game. that boss is so easy!

  • NinjaFoot

    Posted Nov 16, 2006 10:29 am GMT

    Davidahughes, just because someone doesnt choose to pay to download something that isnt worth it doesnt make them tight. It makes them intelligent. If you choose to NOT be intelligent and insult people with your childish comments, then there is always System Wars forums.

  • evangelion80

    Posted Nov 16, 2006 10:11 am GMT

    wow....supes is an impressive game. graphically and gameplay wise. th econtrols are spot on, and flying at supersonic speeds is sweet. my only problem with thegame is...I hope there will be more to fight than just some stupid robots.

  • arsy130

    Posted Nov 16, 2006 10:05 am GMT

    "frogman666
    what a joke only suckers at EA would charge for a demo "

    nobody is is charging for a demo you idiot... they're charging for the "man of Steel" theme... learn how to read....

  • ocdog45

    Posted Nov 16, 2006 10:04 am GMT

    wow. i didn't expect it to be that fun. glad its on my rent list.

  • frogman666

    Posted Nov 16, 2006 9:19 am GMT

    what a joke only suckers at EA would charge for a demo

  • qiwihead

    Posted Nov 16, 2006 9:15 am GMT

    I'm of two minds about microtransactions. On the one hand, if paying $2-5 or even up to $10 extends your enjoyment of a game, then why not get it? I'm thinking of the extra quests for Oblivion or new mp maps for a few other games. Yes, back in the day devs would release new mp maps for free in an effort to keep the community going for an aging game. However, the map packs I've seen seem to me to be fairly priced. And as others have said, it does take the devs time and money to make these new maps. As for things like new cars or clothes, these are clearly not necessary for gameplay, but if they would keep the game fresh for you so that you play it for longer, then it's a good investment. If you would normally have played a game for 10 hours, but buying that extra car or outfit for $1.50 would entice you to play for a couple more hours, then that item was definitely worth the money. Also, having been a big PGR2 player, I can tell you that there were sometimes cars that others had unlocked in the sp that I hadn't, so I would have a substandard car in mp races. If I could have bought those individual cars for a buck or so, I would gladly have done so. Yes, I eventually unlocked most of the cars myself, but in the meantime I could enjoy racing with friends who had been playing the game for longer. Otoh, I worry that microtransactions will cause devs to leave out content that in the past they would have included in the retail game, just so that they can sell it to us later piece-by-piece. This has already started to happen--just look at the gimped version of Lumines on Xbox Live Arcade. And of course we'll never really know if publishers have made the decision to leave something out in order to sell it later, or if they created new content later to sell as microtransactions. Did Bethesda make those extra quests for the retail version but leave them out so they could sell them on Marketplace? Who knows? But do you think the 100+ hours you can get out of the retail version of Oblivion is worth the retail price? I sure think so. And when I'm done with the retail content, I know I can pick up some extra content to keep me going. The important thing is that I don't have to buy the extra content in order to complete the game.

  • lozkoz00

    Posted Nov 16, 2006 8:33 am GMT

    Great Article...thanks!

  • reckeweg

    Posted Nov 16, 2006 8:14 am GMT

    I see a lot of people complaining on here about the fact that MS and Epic have the audacity to charge points for a how to vid. SO WHAT? P.T. Barnum once said there is a sucker born every minute. Let the suckers download the video if they want. There is way more free content on XBL than stuff you have to pay for. There are way too many whiners out there.

  • Young_Taizy

    Posted Nov 16, 2006 8:09 am GMT

    It can't be any worst then Superman 64

  • ericcvt

    Posted Nov 16, 2006 7:57 am GMT

    It seems like a pretty good superhero game. At least one really does get a feel of what it is like to be Superman. He isn't so limited like in other games. He has all of his most recognizable powers; there are many others, but they are subtle ones, x-ray vision, microscopic vision, etc. This game seems better than the Spiderman 2 game. I got tired of doing the same lame rescue jobs over and over. I think this game may keep me interested. It was fun to run around the city at superspeed. I'm just a casual gamer, but I don't recall any game that gives one the true feel of what it is like to fly. This game delivers in that department. One can land on any surface. One can tell that EA did put great care into the game. In all its years of existence DC comics has no layout of Metropolis, EA had to create its own vast sections of Metropolis.
    As a comic book collector I would recommend this game to a Superman fan.
    If 2/3 fans like the game. I'm sure EA would create another one with greater AI effects. It would be fun to fly Supes into space-to view the Earth- or to go to places other than Metropolis.

  • amritdeepm

    Posted Nov 16, 2006 7:52 am GMT

    it would be alot better if the fighting and flying mechanics were alot better, they feel dull

  • SPANNER-MAN

    Posted Nov 16, 2006 7:10 am GMT

    My goodness. All i can say is you all are such spoil brats, no wonder this place is falling apart. Stop being soo judgemental peeps. Then again, it all depends on what type of games you all are interested in playing. So what ever makes you all happy.

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