• Publisher: Atari
  • Release Date: Sep 25, 2002
Metascore
64

Mixed or average reviews - based on 22 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 22
  2. Negative: 2 out of 22
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  1. Everything from X-ray vision, super breath, act of flight, laser beam vision, and even posing as the mild mannered Clark Kent are done exceptionally well.
  2. The pacing of this game feels very natural, the stylish and varied missions are a breath of fresh air, and the graphical presentation makes it seem like you are participating in an impressively detailed animated cartoon.
  3. Other than some weak fighting action and extremely obscure objectives, it is a game worth playing.
  4. Short length and repetitive gameplay take a little away from it, but action fans should be pleased.
  5. Game Informer
    70
    Sheffield tried too much and didn't focus enough on the gameplay necessities. [Nov 2002, p.113]
  6. 70
    It's a decent superhero game that any DC might like and it's a slightly better than average videogame, but sadly, it's nothing terribly special.
  7. Official U.S. Playstation Magazine
    70
    Easily the best-ever portrayal of the Man of Steel in a video game. [Dec 2002, p.174]
  8. To be fair this game does succeed in making the cartoon come to life, and is fun to play, while it lasts.
  9. Electronic Gaming Monthly
    68
    My biggest gripe is with Apokolips' level design, which usually involves beating up the same enemies over and over again. [Dec 2002, p.218]
  10. GameNow
    67
    You'll probably even appreciate its tight gameplay, too, but just be prepared to get real sick of waiting on robots and tanks. [Dec 2002, p.64]
  11. 67
    The major problem with Shadow of Apokolips is its lackluster level design.
  12. A reasonably good game that could have been great with better control, and handling the boss/supervillian fights better.
  13. Just an average action game...The game is also quite short--it will only take you a little under four hours, if even that, to complete the game.
  14. 60
    It’s disappointing when a game finally nails the hard parts of reproducing Superman (the powers) but blows it with ho-hum missions and repetitive gameplay.
  15. 60
    An average title, with just enough charm to make it worth recommending.
  16. TotalGames.net
    59
    Sadly, Shadow Of Apokolips just isn’t adventurous enough and offers little new or fun to both the Superman fan and game fan alike. More games like this and he could find himself back in the grave.
  17. Play Magazine
    50
    Can be summed up rather easily: great in the air, bad on the ground. [Nov 2002, p.94]
  18. It's certainly much better than the awful Nintendo 64 Superman game, and it looks and feels like an interactive episode of the cartoon series. However, its gameplay is less than super.
  19. I am sure if I was much younger or a weak gamer, I would take more enjoyment in the game, but I was left with a challenge-less adventure.
  20. The plainness of its visuals, the flatness of its dialogue and the linearity of its gameplay, however, leave Shadow of Apokolips near the bottom of the PS2 superhero pack.
  21. Entertainment Weekly
    42
    What keeps the game from taking off is the overly simplistic episodic nature of the missions set before you...The wacky control configuration also makes your heat vision, ice breath, X-ray vision, and superspeed incredibly difficult to use on the fly. [4 Oct 2002, p.157]
  22. PSM Magazine
    40
    Repetitive missions, bad flight controls, and too many robots make this game quite non-super. [Dec 2002, p.60]

Awards & Rankings

20
#20 Most Shared PS2 Game of 2002
User Score
5.0

Mixed or average reviews- based on 9 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 9
  2. Negative: 3 out of 9
  1. JimG.
    Oct 13, 2005
    8
    There are some vague objectives, some repetitive actions and the story is tailor made for the under ten age group. Yay Superan, what did you There are some vague objectives, some repetitive actions and the story is tailor made for the under ten age group. Yay Superan, what did you all expect Bryan SInger's soap opera? I like it, and the flight controls are just fine. Full Review »
  2. AndrewJ.
    Aug 1, 2003
    5
    I'm starting to think a good superhero game isn't possible. The controls are awkward, the missions are boring and Metropolis seems I'm starting to think a good superhero game isn't possible. The controls are awkward, the missions are boring and Metropolis seems painfully small. Full Review »
  3. ByronD.
    Oct 5, 2002
    4
    It sucks when you can finish a game in an afternoon. Better than the previous version, though.