I’ve been playing Spider-Man videogames for a long time. The first Spider-Man game I played was for the Mega Drive. But for most Spider-Man aficionados, the high-water mark for Spider-Man games was probably the Playstation classic, “Spider-Man”. This would be exceeded by movie-based “Spider-Man 2”.
Unfortunately, the series grounded to a halt with subsequent installments “Spider-Man 3” and “Ultimate Spider-Man”. Even though I enjoyed “Ultimate Spider-Man”, the game lacked the personality of “Spider-Man” or the innovativeness of “Spider-Man 2”.
Even though “Spider-Man Web of Shadows” lacks the personality of “Spider-Man”, the improved camera and spectacular combat system redeems this stale videogame franchise.
Overview
Spider-Man Web of Shadows features a plot heavily inspired by the Mighty Avengers’ story arc where New York becomes infested with symbiotes. Like the comic book, in Web of Shadows, Spider-Man finds himself battling with regular citizens and superheroes and supervillains who have been infected by the symbiote.
But there’s a catch. Spider-Man has also been infected by the symbiote, thus granting him his back suit powers once again. This plot device allows the player to switch between the red-and-blue suite, and the black suit by pressing on the left stick.
The red-and-blue suit offers faster attacks, whereas the black suite offers more powerful attacks. And the difference between the two is heavily emphasized by the new and improved combat system. 16 years since his videogame debut, Spider-Man finally has a combat system to be proud of.
Gameplay
The combat could be easily dismissed as glorified button mashing, but upon further examination, it reveals a surprising amount of depth. Combat is comprised of regular attacks, webbing, webstrikes and special attacks. Aerial and wall-based combat adds further depth to this dramatic overhaul.
Regular attacks are conducted on the ground, and certain moves and combos will allow you to launch enemies in the air. Webbing, though not an attack per se, allows Spider-Man to subdue enemies. Webstrikes involves Spider-Man firing a webline onto a target and pulling himself forward in order to deal out some damage.
Webstrikes are excellent attacks that allow you to close in the distance to your enemies, and you’ll probably be using them the most. To perform a successful webstrike, the player has to time the attack carefully. The camera slows down slightly, aiding the player while creating a spectacular effect that is impressive to watch.
Web of shadows features some exciting set pieces and boss battles that require extensive webstriking and these pieces are as enjoyable to watch as they are to play. Spider-Man finally features combat pieces that are as spectacular as its namesake.
To tie up the combat, there’s a combo system that determines how much experience points you get. You can use experience points to purchase upgrades for either the red-and-blue or black suit.
Performing combos will also fill your special gauge. Your special gauge allows you to perform powerful attacks. These range from 1-on-1 special attacks, to area-of-effect attacks.
If you start to feel lonely, you can choose to summon an ally with your special gauge instead.
Previous Spider-Man games have been hindered by poor camera work. Web of Shadows finally reverses this trend with able camera that keeps pace with our nimble arachnid superhero.
The camera can be fixed upon a target by pressing and holding the left trigger. The camera is then focuses on the target, and rarely malfunctions during combat. If you prefer, you can also manually adjust the camera with the right stick.
Fast action sequences that require precise button presses are slowed down in a beautiful tandem of the new camera work and improved combat system. Timing based moves or countermoves finally work flawlessly in this Spider-Man installment.
Though the series has taken 2 big steps forward, it seems to have taken several smaller steps back. Web of Shadows offers a free-roam style of gameplay. Players are free to roam the city of New York, and it’s exhilarating to web swing through the city and stop random crimes.
The Bad
Unfortunately, the variety previously found in Spider-Man 2 is notably absent here. You won’t be saving civilians dangling from tall buildings, or retrieving errant balloons for little girls. Instead, you’ll be retrieving civilians from burning cars, or civilians who have been abducted by symbiotes.
Though it seems like previous free-roams elements have been compensated for, it should be noted that the original free-roam elements were in place to breakup the monotony of combat; the new elements are now part of the combat.
The voiceover work is also lacking compared to its original Playstation brethren. Mike Vaughn is certainly an improvement over dull-as-toast Tobey Maguire, but he’s not as animated as Rino Romano. Tricia Helfer is also particularly dull as Black Cat.
Summary
Despite its forgettable story, reduced free-roam variety and lackluster voiceover work, Web of Shadows still manages to succeed due to its improved camera and new combat system. If you’ve been steadily losing your faith over this sagging franchise, this 8 hour adventure will make you a True Believer once again. 7.5/10
