Spider-Man

UPC: 047875803299

Platform: Xbox

Publisher: Activision, Inc.

Developer: Treyarch Invention, LLC

Category: Action

Style(s): Third-Person 3D Action

Synopsis: 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. ~ Scott Alan Marriott, All Game Guide

Package Contents: Registration Card

Controls: Joystick/Gamepad

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. ~ Scott Alan Marriott, All Game Guide

The best visuals of the three console games. 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. ~ Scott Alan Marriott, All Game Guide

Xbox owners get a special treat with this release of Spider-Man, as the game not only offers the cleanest visuals of the three versions, but also features two exclusive levels featuring villain Kraven the Hunter. The rest of the game is identical, from the location of health and web icons to the level objectives and number of acrobatic moves the web-head can perform. While the crisp graphics and bonus levels put the Xbox Spider-Man game slightly ahead of the PS2 and GameCube versions, indoor sequences are still problematic with an uncooperative camera that rarely stays behind the web-slinger as he flits across the room. Despite niggling problems with the camera, two elements make Spider-Man work as a game: the variety of stages and the number of control options. No two levels play exactly the same thanks to the sheer number of moves under your power, and there's even more to take notice of in the Xbox version with the additional levels. Rather than release a carbon copy of the game, the development team at Treyarch Invention spent a little extra time with this title, going so far as to create a separate cinema sequence featuring a CGI-rendered Peter Parker, Norman Osborn, and Kraven. The first of the bonus levels takes place inside an animal hospital slowly filling up with toxic gas. Spidey has to quickly find the correct route out of the building or he'll succumb to the poison and die. Then he'll have to literally run a gauntlet filled with every conceivable trap you can think of, from blowtorches to steel claws to spiked pendulums. If Spidey makes it to the exit in one piece, he'll have to avoid Kraven's sniper scope while running across a hallway. Then it's off to another series of trap-filled rooms and deadly hallways until he finds the exit. There are no goons or even animals to deal with -- it's just you against the environment. What makes this level particularly tricky is that if you die, you have to start the whole sequence over again in the hospital. But most of the traps are easily detectable -- there aren't any cheap surprises -- and after timing them players should be able to run or web-zip past the obstacles quickly enough to earn a bonus at the end of a level. The second stage is the expected boss encounter, where Spidey finds himself trapped inside a burning dome-like arena that makes swinging and climbing ill-advised. Another interesting aspect is Spidey still being under the influence of the poison gas, so players have to act quickly or else they'll lose health as the poison takes control of his system. Kraven isn't too difficult to defeat as long as players stay close to him as much as possible, punching and kicking in fast bursts rather than using hit-and-run tactics. Once defeated, Spidey will resume the rest of the missions focusing on Green Goblin and infiltrating a well-guarded OsCorp Industries. As with the other versions, Spider-Man impresses the most when you're swinging through the city. The amount of detail is wonderful (cars race across the streets below while helicopters, parade floats, or other objects drift by overhead), and the aerial combat is engaging. Spidey can generally move wherever he wants to, but a slight drawback is the city being enclosed within an invisible wall, forcing him to turn around if he moves too close to the "edge." More action than adventure, Spider-Man could have benefited from more role-playing aspects, more citizen interaction and rescue attempts, and a greater sense of freedom to explore a seamlessly connected city. Yet it still remains a fast-paced, often thrilling game hampered slightly by the poor camera and relatively short levels. While PlayStation 2 and GameCube owners aren't shortchanged much, the Xbox version is unquestionably the way to go for those having the luxury of owning all three systems. ~ Scott Alan Marriott, All Game Guide

Repeated play 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. ~ Scott Alan Marriott, All Game Guide

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. ~ Scott Alan Marriott, All Game Guide

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

the game requires Joystick/Gamepad.