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62 of 69 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Wall crawling success, April 22, 2002
Nothing bothers me more than people who write a review on something they've never played or seen just because they like the franchise or they "think" it will be cool. At least wait untill you experience it before you go hyping it up to levels it can't possibly reach and leaves others dissappointed because "all these people were raving that it was going to be the best thing since sliced bread." Sorry. had to get that out. Now, on with the review:You play the role of Peter Parker/Spider-Man, the hyphen is there because this game is based on the upcomming May 3 theatrical release of Spider-Man. Being as how the movie is in the future and I don't want to pretend that I can see that far, I don't know how close the game sticks to the movie plot. However, from what I can tell the voice actors are the same as the movie. ie William DeFoe portrays Harry Osborne aka the Green Goblin, Kirsten Dunst portrays Mary Jane, Peter/Spidey's love interest, (although it's hard to tell if it's actually her because her voice is not all that distinctive, no offence Kirsten.) And what sounds like Tobey MacGuire playing the webhead himself. One of the cool aspects of this game is that if you played the previous Playstation 1 version of the game, you can opt to use the same control style. Or you can used the advanced control style which I'd recommend. (but why should you listen to me? It's your world- Bob Ross) The controls take some time to get used to mainly due to the frustrating camera. You have control of the camera using the right analog stick but sometimes it's frustrating if you need to turn around and all you see is Spidey's face, not what's actually behind you until you tap the stick down to recenter the camera behind you. I'm going to take this time to delve into something that I thought was the games best selling point and made it the most fun. Aerial combat. While it was possible to swing around and attack in the air in the first game, this game takes it to an all new level. There are a few levels based solely on attacking spider hunters that fly through the air high above the city and you must flip and twist and swing through the air to defeat them. In one level, you are battling with the green goblin through the air as he zips along hurling pumpkin bombs at you. At one point, and I don't know how I did it but it was the coolest thing I've ever seen, I landed on Goblins air rider thing and started hamering him with my fists in the head until he got upset and took a sharp turn while flinging me off. Now, during these aerial battles, you can land on any one of the numerous buildings if you need a break and there are helth icons all over the place. But these environments definitely upped the replay value of this game for me. There are tons of secrets throughout this game and I refuse to use any cheats until I've at least beaten the game once. However, I did come accross something and I don't know if it's true or not that once you beat the game on hero, you can play through as the goblin. Don't quote me but it might be pretty cool. The nitty gritty- Graphics: 4.5 The graphics were a little overplayed by those people who hype things up and say that there will be nothing better but they are nonetheless pretty cool. You can see the cars moving around down on the streets from 70 stories up. Spideys new outfit based on the movie has metalic web outlines which shine in certain lighting. The FMV (full motion video ie Final Fantasy) looks very good and the characters look like the actors who portray them in the movie. Nice touch. Sound: 4.5 The sound is good don't get me wrong but there are a couple of times when (Tobey?) sounds bored. He could have used a little more inflection in his voice but that's nothing to get too upset over. The guy who narrates the training is a hoot. At one point he says he's going to get a ham sandwhich and the next time you hear him he's definitly chewing on something. Controls: 5 It's hard to argue with a game that allows you to customize your control issues. If you prefer the old style, use em. But the advanced allows for many of the new improved actions to be performed easily once you get the hang of it. Gameplay: 5++ Definitly the selling point of the game. (after the movie, the franchise, all those people hyping it up, and the fact that it is a cool game) You really feel as though you are granted great powers and responsibility yada yada. Seriously, you feel as though you are actually Spider-Man. If you enjoyed the first game, you will not be let down in the least. BTW, for those of you who thought the first game was a little too cartoony or childish, this game isn't. It starts off telling about ****SMALL SPOILER**** Uncle Bens death and you must track down his killer to avenge him. That cheesy repairte that made it into the first game didn't make the cut here. Just some witty banter between heros and thugs. If you've ever wanted to experience being Spider-Man, go get the game. Or you could work with radiation and spiders and hope that one will bite you with the correct resutlts but I don't recommend that.
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