Spider-Man 3

"Oh Spidey...Why!?"

Another year, another big movie is turned into a video game. 2007 is host to ten major blockbusters (including, but not limited to, Pirates of the Caribbean: At Worlds End, The Simpsons Movie, Transformers, Shrek the Third, Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer, Die Hard 4.0). But this sea of blockbusters kicked off with easily one of the more anticipated films ever, Spider-Man 3. While the reaction to the film is very mixed, the game doesn't follow this trend. It either ranges from mediocre or decent (for the Xbox 360 and Playstation 3 versions, anyway), or from decent to horrible (every other version). This is really disappointing, as this game had a lot of potential.

Gameplay wise, there isn't very much different from Spiderman 2. This is a great thing, because that game was an excellent example of some originality in a movie-based game. For those who didn't play it, the game cast let you swing around New York City, initiating missions crucial to the games story, as well as side-missions. Inheritantly, that part of the game is still somewhat fun. Swinging around New York City is as simple as holding down the R2 button, and moving Spidey around. You can jump at the height of your swing for a boost, or zip around the city.

New inclusions to the game include ‘cineractives' (the games definition for a Quick Time Event – think God of War or Shenmue), and a new combat system that forces more dodging and vaulting over enemies than simply mashing the Attack button and occasionally pressing the web button. A gang mechanic is also present where you (with the ‘aid' of the NYPD) attempt to take down the four gangs present in the city. These take the form of mini-missions where after initiating them, you need to go to a location, do something, go to another location, do something else, and so-on until the missions over. Beating the mission takes back that area for the police. However, the biggest addition (and present exclusively to this version of the game), is the ability to toggle between using the Symbiote suit (once you get it). While taking it on and off is as easy as pressing a button, if you're taking it off, you need to do a mini-game where all time stops just for you. Unfortunately, that's where all the highlights end.

The first major problem stems from the lack of content present. In comparison to the newer gen (PS3 and 360) versions of the game, there are five additional storylines that aren't present in the current gen (PS2/PSP/Wii) version, as well a different gang in each game and a series of missions where you Mary-Jane Watson on a thrill ride throughout NYC. For the current gen, there are only five storylines (one of which is exclusive to this game). That's it. Nothing more. While this is understandable given the limitations of the DVD format, but when the full size of the DVD isn't used (the PS2 version is only around 3.83GB, a far cry from a possible 9GB), there's something wrong.

The second biggest problem with the game is the storylines themselves. Whilist there are five of them, you don't actually get to choose what storyline you want to focus on. Four of these storylines see Spidey fight off against famous Spiderman villains as Morbius the vampire, and the Lizard, while the last storyline sees you play the plotline of the movie. The issue with this is that the movie storyline, where the game gets the TITLE from, and is based on, is only five missions long. The thing is that while you start off with the movie storyline, but then you get the other storylines, before finally concluding with the movie storyline. It makes sense, as the much more highly anticipated fights (such as against Venom) should be towards the end of the game, but to hold it out for as long as this game does, it becomes almost ludicrous.

The third and final problem with the game is that there's an unfinished vibe to the game. Like, that because Activision wanted the game to be released with the movie, development was hurried and most of the proposed content was either not implemented or abandoned half-way through development. For example, in Spider-Man 2, you had the ability to hang people, using your webbing, from light poles. Unfortunately, this move doesn't return. Why though? As well as something like this, there are plenty of glitches where either Spidey or your opponents get stuck in the scenario, allowing for easy (and cheap) attack. Another major problem in the game is with the camera mode. Here, you take photos of villains (or henchmen), for no apparent reason or reward. The problem continues with two major facts. The first is that the game doesn't fully register when you take a photo, even if you've quite clearly taken an obvious picture of the character. The second is that the speed of Spidey moving the camera is so painfully slow, that because you're standing completely still when you're taking the picture, you leave yourself completely vulnerable to any attacks. As well as this, there's no reward other than satisfaction, so each time you're taking photos, you put yourself at risk with no reward.

Graphically, the game isn't all that great to look at. Sure, the game doesn't set the visual standard for the PS2 like God of War II, but more effort could've been used to visualize it. Despite New York being one of the most heavily populated Metropolis's in the world, Spider-Man 3's New York looks pretty bare. As well as this, the game just looks bland. There isn't anything that makes you want to draw attention to anything in the world or anything other than Spiderman.

Unfortunately, the game shares the same fate aurally. The voice acting, despite featuring almost the entire major cast of the film (with the exception of Kirsten Dunst), is pretty dire. However, the saving point of the game's audio comes in the form of long time associate of the games, Bruce Campbell, who does a great job providing being the narrator to the game. Sadly, his role isn't used as much as it should've been. The same goes with the dialogue for the common people that Spidey saves, which can unfortunately be messed up at time (it's weird to hear a clearly Caucasian male speak like a old Asian woman). The music or the sound-effects are also nothing that you can talk about. They're decidedly average.

Overall, Spider-Man 3's a major disappointment that could've been avoided. While everything was in place for a decent game, Vicarious Visions squandered their chances by not even trying with the port of the game. This is due to the fact that the main storyline of the game is extremely short and sparse, and to pad it out, boring and overly long storylines involving Spider-Man villains are used. Then couple that with a boring presentation, pointless game mechanics (such as the Camera mode) and an overall lacking feeling. While the game is saved by the swinging around the massive New York, it's let down by far too many factors. Best give it a rental, if you really want to experience it.

Reviewer's Score: 5/10, Originally Posted: 07/02/07