Spider-Man has had a tangled web in the past, but this game shows hope for Spider-Man after all!
- Four Spider-Men offer diverse gameplay and mechanics
- The graphical design is Superb!
- Voice Acting is some of the best I've heard, with great Spidey-like personalities
- Challenges and Upgrades offer more to the game
- Great Bosses and Level designs.
The Bad
- Camera gets wacky when crawling or when aiming where to web zip, or do a Noir takedown
- Varied repetitiveness creeps
- Story is average
Review
I've been watching for SM:SD for a while now, looking forward to its release. Got it a few days after it came out, and I must say, it's not the king of all video games or a top notch award winner, but it satisfies, and is undoubtedly great fun!
Each Dimension really varies the game. It actually does feel like four different games in one with a core combat system. Speaking of which, was well done. The game has in game challenges which you NEED to complete in order to gain access to more upgrades, not only combat upgrades, but health, rage, and time acceleration regeneration and alternate costumes.
When it comes down to gameplay and graphics, this is where the game really shines. The four Spider-Men are VERY unique in their attacks, personality, level, and art design. It's pleasing to know that there is a company willing to work hard to give us a great Spider-Man game (Beenox, not Activision) While Amazing, Ulitmate, and 2099 all share the same beat em up linear levels, but add in a Noir stealth lenghtly level (which not comparing to other stealth games, is actually pretty good) and its a very diverse game. The Noir level splits up the action that you experience in the game.
However, like most games, there are always something you will find wrong with a game. I usually like to stick to the positive (unless I'm reviewing a SEGA game) but this really stands out. The camera, yup, I'm sure ya'll saw that coming. the web zip feature is really nice addition to spider-man games, however, its hard to aim where you want it to go, and sometimes you end up swinging off and jumping out where you don't want to go. This can get frustrating in boss fights.
Overall, SM:SD is a solid video game that will please comic book fans and action gamers, however, this game will not appeal to some other non-fans of activision games. Rent it then, and give it a chance, though, odds you will enjoy something here!
Presentation - 8 - four Spider-Man and art styles and voices and dimensions and four of everything. The menus are slick and the story is your average comic book story.
Gameplay - 8 - the combat is cool, and the game really stands out in this category, too bad 2099, known for combat, doesn't stand out as much. Noir adds diversity.
Graphics - 9 - the four art styles look really great, from feeling like your in a comic book to a 1930's movie!
Sound - 9 - The acting is a big plus to this game, gathering four different spider-man voices from the past. the soundtrack isn't anything special, but even Steve Blum for Hobgoblin is a plus!
Lasting Appeal - 8 - the challenges and ratings add for good replayability, and I'm sure you'll want to try out those cool costumes of yours!
Overall Score - 8.5