Web-slinging Never Looked So Bad
“Twip, twip, twip”
OK I’m going to say this right off the bat. Vicarious Vision’s “Alchemy” engine is normally used for less detailed environments most commonly found on handheld platforms like the PSP and NDS. That being said why VV decided to use it for this game is really beyond me. Everything that is done “in-engine” looks absolutely retched. Models have incorrect geometry and textures look like they were done by a High School student instead of a reputable developer. I will say that the pre-rendered CG cut scenes look really good.
Now that I have that off my chest I can talk about how this game is fun. This is the first (movie-based) Spider-man game for the Nintendo Wii. The controls are implemented well and the combat is reminiscent of Twilight Princess. Once you get the hang of the combo system you should be able to take out large groups of baddies in no time with or without the use of a certain black suit. Web-slinging is done by pressing the left or right triggers (Z and B respectively) and flicking your wrist in the direction you would like to shoot your web. It’s all very intuitive and is very fun since you actually feel and look like you’re web-slinging around the city.
Enough about the controls lets talk story. For a game based on a movie with almost no story I was surprised to find even less here. They throw a couple of extra villains like the Lizard and Morbius in there but with a complete lack of any reason whatsoever. The villains are present just for the sake of being present. Even the scenes right from the movie were altered for no reason. No Harry or Venom death here folks they simply disappear and are never mentioned again.
Even with the extra villains this game tops out at about 6 hours to complete the main story, I was even playing on “Super-Hero” difficulty and came in under the 6 hour mark with 51% completion. Sure I can go back and defeat all the gangs that populate NYC but since they all have the same 3 enemies I think the cops can handel it.
If you love Spider-man give this one a rent. If you hate Spider-man you’re just not very nice. If you bought this title than you obviously didn’t learn anything from shelling out 11.75$ for that movie ticket opening day.
P.S.
Thanks to Brad who bought this game and was kind enough to lend it to me so I could save all of you the trouble of making the same mistake.
May 27th, 2007 at 4:02 am
That review blows, but if its the truth, its the truth.
I do want to use my little brother’s Blockbuster account to rent it anyways though just to pretend I can web sling with my wiimote
May 28th, 2007 at 10:22 am
@ PacoDG, Sorry man I think this review is really good. How can you say something blows but it’s the truth? I don’t really understand that myself but I’ld love an explenation. And I respect Tim’s Video Game opinions highly, we usually have similar taste in games and I’ll be renting Spiderman 3 from Blockbuster when It’s actually in stock. If the games off the shelves for that long it’s either good or the gamers just plain old lazy…it’s most likly the ladder.
May 30th, 2007 at 4:55 am
haha, you misunderstand (however now I just re-read my post, and now im on your side), I don’t mean the review itself blows but the sad news it delivers about the game.