Spider-Man

• Release Date: April 17, 2002
• Genre: Action
• Style: Side-Scrolling Platform
• Similar Games: Batman: Vengeance (Game Boy Advance), Superman: Countdown to Apokolips (Game Boy Advance)

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. 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

Spider-Man for the Game Boy Advance is supposedly a tie-in with the 2002 movie, but if not for superficial elements like fonts and a few video clips, you'd be hard-pressed to make the connection between the two. The game's plot doesn't follow the movie's, and those expecting a realistic, polished look to the visuals will be let down.

Instead, developer Digital Eclipse has taken a cartoonish, comic book-oriented approach that more resembles Spidey's adventures on the Game Boy Color than 2001's Spider-Man: Mysterio's Menace on the GBA. Aside from a cool full-motion video introduction and some pseudo-3D bonus sequences, Spider-Man stays strictly in familiar territory throughout its 11 levels, doing little to separate itself from the Spidey games that have come before it.

You control the webslinger as he runs, jumps, swings, and fights his way through customary areas like a cityscape, dock, and office building. While there's only so much that can be done with the Spider-Man concept, one would have hoped that having the movie to work with could have inspired fresher gameplay. One notable feature not seen since the Genesis/Sega CD game is the ability to take photos, but only when you're prompted. If you manage to take three photos in a level, you unlock secret items like movie stills.

One of the strong points of previous Spider-Man games has been the controls, but those found in this rendition are not quite as tight. The timing of Spidey's movements, especially webswinging, feels just a little off. It's a minor complaint, but it's enough to keep you from really getting into the game.

The inconsistent graphics aim for a comic book style, complete with "thwacks" and "pows," but some of the backgrounds exhibit a more realistic look, while others are clearly cartoonish. Spidey himself is well animated, but the black outline that surrounds his figure sets him apart from the environments and his enemies. The overall visual package is attractive enough, but not overtly impressive.

In the end, Spider-Man hits all the expected notes, and in the process creates a passable gameplay experience. It's a decent choice for Spider-Man fans, but as a movie tie-in, it's a disappointment. Most gamers would be better off playing Spider-Man: Mysterio's Menace instead.

Review: Enjoyment

The gameplay is strictly middle-of-the-road and will be familiar to anyone who's ever played a Spider-Man game.

Review: Graphics

Apart from the fact that it doesn't attempt to follow the visual style of the movie, Spider-Man is above average in its attempt to achieve the look of a comic book.

Review: Sound

The game features unobtrusive music and a standard array of punching and grunting sound effects.

Review: Replay Value

Tracking down the secret photo-taking opportunities adds replay value to an otherwise short-lived experience.

Review: Documentation

The color instruction manual goes into a lot of detail about the gameplay power-ups, enemies, and levels.

Production Credits

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