Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensions Review (PS3)

Story

You will play as four Spider-Man. Amazing Spider-Man, Ultimate Spider-Man, Spider-Man Noir, and Spider-Man 2099. Each Spider-Man needs to recover a fragment of a magical tablet to restore order in every dimensions.​

The story is quite simple. Mysterio wants to steal a tablet called Tablet of Order and Chaos, to get some money. However, Amazing Spider-Man founds him, and attempts to get it back from Mysterio. During a fight however, Amazing Spider-Man accidentally breaks the tablet into pieces, scattering it around different Spider-Man universes, causing havoc. Madame Web contacts all 4 Spider-Men to retrieve each pieces back before the villains get it.

I like every character's characterisation in this game. Simply perfect, authentic, and awesome. Every Spider-Men have nearly same personalities, but with great jokes and stuff. All villains in this game are great, with memorable personalities, designs, etc. I have to say that great characterisation in this game is due to every voice actors great performance.

The story, however, is a hit and miss. It is very simple to comprehend for everyone, without much surprises and plot twists. Good guys retrieve a stolen item, fights villains, etc. The usual. Although each Spider-Man's storyline is carried out in different universe, the formula is nearly the same for each levels. Fortunately, the writers do not come up bad story.

Gameplay

Each Spider-Man have their own unique abilities. Amazing Spider-Man has no special abilities, but his attacks are wide range and much more durable than Spider-Man Noir.​

The game is a combination of action, adventure, stealth, and platformer. True to Spider-Man, you can travel great distances using your web techniques, namely Web Sling, Web Zip, and Web Jump. You'll be relying on both to travel in each levels. All Spider-Men can double jump, wall crawling, and evade as well. They can use Defensive Stance which allows them to dodge most incoming melee attacks as well as gunfire. Some attacks cannot be dodge using the stance and must be evaded using Dodge Roll or Jumping. The Defensive Stance also acts as a lock-on feature, allows you to focus on one enemy at a time.​

The wall crawling however, is quite confusing when used as the camera system will not stay at one place. Thus, it is quite hard to use it except in certain levels.​

There are 14 levels in this game. One is a tutorial level, and the last one is a the final level. In order to proceed in the game, you need to complete 4 levels for each Spider-Men, and then unlock another set, and repeat. You can complete any 4 levels in any order as long as you complete it.​

Every Spider-Men has access to Spider Sense, which allows them to detect any enemies behind obstacles, traps, civilians, Spider Emblems, etc. It is essential to use it to complete objectives in every level.​

Amazing Spider-Man's levels requires you to beat up enemies, save civilians, etc. He has no special abilities unlike the others, however, he has wide ranged attacks as well as stronger than Spider-Man Noir in terms of durability.​

Ultimate Spider-Man uses his symbiote suit to fight his enemies. His symbiote attacks are very devastating, especially used in Rage mode.​

Ultimate Spider-Man also have the same gameplay elements like Amazing Spider-Man, except one differences. Ultimate Spider-Man has access to Rage mode, which allows him to attack multiple enemies at the same time with increased strength. Rage mode's gauge must be filled by attacking, and it is vital to use it to fight multiple enemies or bosses.​

Spider-Man 2099 has the cool freefalling sections, as well as access to Accelerated Vision mode that slows down time itself.​

Like Ultimate Spider-Man, Spider-Man 2099 has an access to a special ability called Accelerated Vision. By using this, everything will be slowed down while Spider-Man himself moves at normal speed. This allows you to defeat enemies faster, traverses freefalling sections easier, as well as to escape from a dangerous situation.​

Spider-Man 2099 levels have some freefalling sections involving him to escape, chasing a boss, and etc. The freefalling sections are fun, and extremely exhilarating to do.​

Spider-Man Noir has low endurance, and must rely on stealth takedowns to take out enemies.​

Spider-Man Noir is different than other Spider-Men. As he has lower endurance than other Spider-Man, and he must rely on stealth takedowns to take out enemies. Most of the time in Spider-Man Noir's levels, you need to be stealthy as if you are being discovered, enemies will shoot at you mercilessly until you hide in the shadows. In his levels, shadows are his best friend as it allows him to blend to avoid being seen. When you see the game's screen in total black and white, that means Spider-Man Noir is blended in the shadows and can't be detected. However, some enemies have flashlights attached to their guns, so be careful.​

Some sections in his levels though, requires him to fight enemies hand to hand. In this case, you have to defeat them like you play other Spider-Men.​

Every bosses in this game are interestingly unique with their own battle styles, designs, and personality.​

In most levels, you have to fight bosses several times. Each boss have their own unique fighting style that requires you to think on how to defeat them. In most boss fights, you can just beat them up without thinking, but some don't. For example, Juggernaut has high health, endurance, and high attack power, making attacking him head on a poor strategy. Also, Sandman cannot be damaged while in sand form, and requires you to throw water barrels at him in order to damage him.​

You have to beat up bosses and dodge their attacks in first person mode in some levels.​

An interesting feature in this game is you are required to punch bosses and dodge their attacks in first person mode in certain levels. This is quite an interesting idea, and it works well in this game. These sequences are mandatory in order to progress, so get ready to move both of your analog sticks to punch them!​

The regular enemies in this game have unique designs and different attack patterns. However, there are heavy enemies, regular enemies, and non-human enemies. Heavy enemies have high health and attack power. Regular enemies are normal humans that uses weapons and fists, to attack you. Some may use shields to prevent Spider-Men's frontal attack, requires you to jump at their back to take them out. Some levels also feature non-human enemies like mini Scorpions, which are quite tough and dangerous.​

The objectives in this game are varied, like saving civilians to progress, defeating enemies to proceed, fighting bosses in certain areas, and etc. However, this can be repetitive as most levels use this kind of formula gameplay.​

By defeating enemies, collecting Spider Emblems, completing Web of Destiny challenges, and clearing a level, the game will rewards you Spider Essence. Spider Essence are points needed to unlock new combat moves and character upgrades. For example, you need 4000 points to get a health upgrade. It is essential to upgrade constantly, as each levels are different and will gets harder after you progress in the game.​

The gameplay for this game are good, simple, and effective. However, the objectives in this game are quite repetitive, which dampens the experience of playing it. However, this game has an extremely fun gameplay that makes you to replay each levels with diversity of Spider-Man in the game.​
Graphics​

Great graphics, but several technical issues dampening it's graphics capabilities.​

The graphics are great. Each Spider-Man's universe have unique and distinct visuals separating from the rest. For example, Spider-Man 2099's universe is set in the future, with modern and futuristic setting. Beenox did a great job in this, as each Spider-Man's universe have their own distinct and unique visuals.​

The character designs have great graphics, with detailed looking. Personally, I prefer if Amazing Spider-Man have more detailed design like the Spider-Man movies, as his design is my least favourite of all Spider-Men.​

However, several technical problems are present in the game, especially the glitchy camera in certain areas in certain playthrough. Although it is are gamebreaking, but it is to be noted as you need to quit the game in order to avoid this glitch again. I hope Beenox will release a patch to fix it.​

Sound​

Excellent voice cast with epic music.​

Previous Spider-Man cartoon voice actors voice a Spider-Man in this game. Neil Patrick Harris (Spider-Man: The New Animated Series) voices the Amazing Spider-Man, Josh Keaton (The Spectacular Spider-Man) voices the Ultimate Spider-Man, Christoper Daniel Barnes (Spider-Man: The Animated Series) voices Spider-Man Noir, and Dan Gilzevan (Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends) as Spider-Man 2099.

Each Spider-Men's voice actors are awesome, voicing their Spider-Man role with great personality. Every Spider-Man have great jokes, which I laugh constantly in the game whenever they joke about the villains like Electro.

The villains voice actors are great as well, like Nolan North's role as Ultimate Deadpool, Thomas Wilson as Ultimate Electro, John DiMaggio as Hammerhead Noir, and etc. They did great job in voicing the characters, giving them evil yet distinct personality that are similar to the comics itself.

The music in this game are composed by Jim Dooley. The music used in this game are great. I like music used during boss fights, as they sound epic. Also, music used when chasing Goblin 2099 in freefalling section is awesome as well, with great choral work.

Replay Value

Moderate replay value.​

The replay value in this game is only moderate, as there is no online multiplayer, co-op play, and etc. However, you can replay this game in harder difficulties like Hard mode, or completing Web of Destiny challenges, or replaying levels with bonus costumes. Thus, this game has moderate replay value.​

Conclusion​

The best Spider-Man game I have ever played.​

Despite it's moderate storyline, glitchy camera, repetitive fighting and levels, this game offers great action, stealth and platforming values to both non-Spider-Man fans and Spider-Man fans. I personally enjoy this game compared with last year's Enslaved: Odyssey to the West. So far, this is the second best superhero game, which Batman: Arkham Asylum is the first. Personally, Batman: Arkham Asylum is the better game compared with Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensions. One thing I prefer in this game compared with Batman: Arkham Asylum is the more challenging and greater final boss fight. Despite it's flaws, this game provides great fun, and it is worth playing for everyone who wants fun gameplay and action. Thanks to this game, I am looking forward to Beenox next Spider-Man game, Spider-Man: Edge of Time this year.​

Score​

Story - 7/10​
Gameplay - 8/10​
Graphics - 9/10​
Sound - 10/10​

Final Score: 34/40 or 8.5/10.0.​

Pros and Cons​

Pros​

- All 4 Spider-Mans are awesome, with great fighting styles and personality.​
- Great memorable characters, especially all 4 Spider-Mans and all villains​
- Easy to learn gameplay with fun combat and platforming.​
- Great voice acting by every voice actors.​
- Unique and distinct visuals for each Spider-Man universe.​
- Great soundtrack.​
- Provides great Spider-Man experience when playing it.​
- Each Spider-Man have their own unique levels and gameplay, such as stealth for Noir.​

Cons​

- Occasionally glitchy camera when playing the game.​
- Repetitive objectives in levels.​
- Moderate storyline, and it is a hit and miss to some people.
- Moderate replay value.