Superman is a three-dimensional action-adventure platform game in which the player takes on the role of the titular hero, saving the citizens of Metropolis, including Lois Lane, Jimmy Olsen, and Professor Hamilton, from a virtual reality version of the city created by Lex Luthor.[5] This virtual Metropolis is filled with "Kryptonite fog", an apparent attempt by Luthor to diminish Superman's abilities. However, this is actually distance fog, a technique used to mask the game's draw distance.[6]
In the main single-player mode, the player assumes the role of Superman, who is challenged by Luthor to complete various tasks and puzzles. Superman can fly, punch enemies, and use his super-strength to lift and carry large objects.[7] Other superpowers, including heat vision, freeze breath, X-ray vision, super speed, and reprogramming (where Superman reprograms an enemy to help fight off other enemies), are accessible only through the collection of power-ups found in certain levels and have limited reserves.[8] If Superman is attacked by enemies, hazards, or comes too close to Kryptonite, his health will decrease. The game ends if Superman loses all his health, requiring the player to restart the current mission. The player also faces game over if a civilian character is attacked or if the time limits imposed on various missions expire before completion.