Spider-Man

• Release Date: April 17, 2002
• Genre: Action
• Style: Third-Person 3D Action
• Similar Games: Batman: Vengeance (PlayStation 2), Superman: Shadow of Apokolips (PlayStation 2), Spider-Man 2 (PlayStation 2)

Game Description

Based on the 2002 movie starring Tobey Maguire as the comic book superhero, the video game version of Spider-Man: The Movie has players swinging through the streets of New York City on the lookout for arch-nemesis Green Goblin. Though based on the 3D engine used in previous Spider-Man titles, this version features a number of new enhancements to take advantage of next-generation systems.

Instead of fighting characters on the ground, players can now confront enemies in sky as the hero has more control over the use of his webbing. Spider-Man can rise or descend while swinging from building to building as well as cut and then reattach lines at any time to quickly escape from potential threats. He can also bank around buildings instead of traveling directly in a straight line.

Spidey will encounter Shocker, Vulture, and various robotic threats from Oscorp Industries based on situations from the movie as well as original encounters created specifically for the game. Spider-Man will once again be able to use his webbing, fists, and legs to subdue enemies, but the web-slinger has all-new combination attacks to help him survive long enough to face Green Goblin.

Review: Overall

Unlike so many of his superhero brethren, Spider-Man has fared reasonably well in his video game exploits, with previous standouts being Sega's home versions on the Genesis and Sega CD, both of which were successful because they featured a healthy balance of web-swinging and hand-to-hand combat, not to mention the ability to snap pictures. Yet it wasn't until 2000's Spider-Man where Stan Lee's web-slinger finally found its legs as a video game, with a more realistic environment that made better use of Spidey's distinct abilities. The result helped establish a viable series for Activision, which brings us to their first Spider-Man game on the PlayStation 2.

Spider-Man doesn't fall prey to the usual sequel formula, which typically calls for a fresh coat of new levels atop the same weathered engine. Despite the title being the third consecutive Spider-Man game by a different developer, the end-result includes many of the enjoyable aspects of the 32-bit original but with a greater emphasis on diversity. The graphics have also been dramatically enhanced, with a 3D city devoid of the thick fog shrouding the buildings as in the first two titles. While it follows the movie's main story arc, delving into the circumstances that transformed Peter Parker into Spider-Man as well as his subsequent relationship with Norman Osborn, aka Green Goblin, new scenes involving Vulture, Scorpion, and Shocker were added specifically for the game.

The outdoor sequences are a vast improvement over previous versions, with a surprisingly detailed cityscape complete with helicopters, blimps, traffic, and plenty of buildings to cling to while swinging through the air. Later stages have Spider-Man sailing through rain and at night, adding to the variety. Navigation is simplified by a combined compass and height meter, allowing players to quickly see how high or low the potential target is by glancing at the corner of the screen. The smooth movement during the outdoor scenes is impressive, as players will be able to swing around buildings and quickly snap the web to either change directions or to land on a rooftop.

Most of the outdoor stages require aerial combat, made bearable thanks to a lock-on camera that centers in on a specific enemy, so you can focus on switching directions, breaking the web to land a punch or kick, and then reattaching the webbing to increase altitude and to prepare for another hit-and-run attack. Players can also fire web fluid at the target, and in the case of the Green Goblin, land on his sled for some fisticuffs at close range. You sometimes wonder what exactly Spidey is attaching his webbing to at certain points, but the rhythmic nature of the swinging offers an exciting break from the indoor levels.

The only real negative to the outdoor sequences, which represent nine of the game's 21 levels, is that you aren't given complete freedom of movement. There is an invisible barrier or wall surrounding the city, which destroys the illusion and automatically turns you around if you get too close. You also can't go lower than a certain height, which is unfortunate. It would have been nice to swoop down to the streets and interact with the pedestrians, traffic, and perhaps save a few lives in the process. Though some of the chase sequences involve quickly repairing damage caused by Green Goblin or Vulture, such as using webbing to reattach a loose billboard or collapsing tower, you don't have direct contact with the population in the outdoor levels other than rescuing your beloved Mary Jane.

While all of this movement seems complicated, it becomes almost second nature after some practice, which is encouraged by the game's training missions. These lessons may very well be the funniest practice sessions yet seen in a game, thanks to the dialogue and voice-over work of narrator Bruce Campbell, who never forgets this is a video game and seems hip to the clichés found in traditional 3D platform games as he "instructs." A welcome surprise that actually makes players want to play the training modes if only to hear what Campbell has to say next. Lessons include combat exercises, swinging techniques, and general use of the webbing.

The rest of the levels take place indoors, which are more frustrating due to some significant camera issues resulting from the closed-in environment. It rarely stays in a fixed position behind the character, so crawling on walls, zipping down from the ceiling, performing combos, and so forth can often be hazardous to your health as the camera refuses to catch up to Spidey's nimble movement. Factor in the large groups of enemies you have to confront, some toting deadly guns, and the battles can get quite hairy if you don't carefully plan a basic strategy. Fortunately there are health and web pick-ups placed at key locations in each area, since the indoor fighting can be draining in more ways than one.

The camera becomes less an issue during the stealth missions (though it's still a problem), where Spidey infiltrates the maze-like halls of Oscorp in a manner similar to Metal Gear Solid. Players must crawl along ceilings to avoid detection from patrolling guards; if they see you, they'll sound the alarms and security robots will come clanking through the doors until you're squashed. The strategy involves carefully watching the patrol routes, dropping down to access computers, and then zipping back up to the ceiling to avoid capture. Certain parts of the ceiling allow Spidey to hide behind shadows, making him virtually invisible to would-be captors. There are also roving security cameras to deal with and electrical hazards to shut down by finding the appropriate terminals.

While Spider-Man is technologically the best game in the series to date, the camera issues will frustrate more than a few players. The variety of missions is a plus, but the casualty is a lack of cohesiveness. You are jumping around from level to level doing different things without really getting a sense of accomplishment or progression. A more open-ended structure with the same swinging throughout a seamlessly interconnected city -- but with the ability to respond to various crises, missions, or boss encounters (using Spider Sense) -- would be more exciting. As an action game, Spider-Man is at its best when the hero is outdoors, and these sequences alone are worth experiencing for fans of the web-crawler.

Review: Enjoyment

The best sequences involve the outdoor levels, but there are some fun indoor stages against bosses Shocker (in a subway tunnel) and Vulture (while climbing up a clock tower). Few of the levels seem repetitive, which is great, but the camera often hinders your view during the indoor action.

Review: Graphics

Animation is smooth and the city is well detailed with mirrored buildings, flying objects, and various signs and billboards. Players can once again pick up and throw objects in the indoor sequences, and the action rarely slows down if at all.

Review: Sound

The game features the voices of Tobey Maguire and Willem Dafoe as Spider-Man and Green Goblin, respectively. Banter between Spider-Man and his enemies is level-specific, often situation specific, which is a nice touch. Many of the lines are funny, though Tobey Maguire's almost lethargic delivery doesn't always fit.

Review: Replay Value

Replay value is encouraged by the game's scoring system, which rewards players for performing a variety of combos, finishing a level on a certain difficulty setting, or possibly using stealth on a level instead of beating up the thugs from the get-go. The points are then used to unlock things like movies sequences, artwork, an extra mini-game in the Training menu, additional costumes, and the ability to play as a different character. Players can also try to unlock more combos for {%Spider-Man} to perform during the game by finding one of the hidden spider icons.

Review: Documentation

The manual offers brief character bios and an explanation of the game's controls and options, but players will learn more from the training exercises.

Production Credits

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