Marvel's Spider-Man Review (PS4)
Introduction
This is an open-world action game featuring Spider-Man, developed by Insomniac Games. This game features a seasoned Spider-Man who is used to take down super villains and thugs, so there is no origin story for the character.
Story
This game takes place in New York City. Peter Parker has been a Spider-Man for quite some time now, and has been actively taking down thugs as well as solving crimes. After Wilson Fisk's arrest thanks to Spider-Man, a new faction called Demons who try to attack Wilson Fisk's properties. Peter has to juggle between his life as Spider-Man and life as Peter Parker, as he uncover the sinister plot looming in New York City.
The game's story is great. Simple and interesting storyline, some good twists, many likable characters, and meaningful ending. This game also has many Easter Eggs, as well as good sequel baits for the next Spider-Man game. However, the character relationships are the major highlights of this game, such as Peter Parker interactions with Otto Octavius, Aunt May, and Martin Li.
There are also many great characters in this game, but I will highlight Peter Parker, Aunt May, Martin Li, Otto Octavius, Norman Osborn, and Yuri as the best characters in this game. Others also receive reasonable exposure in the game. However, I think some super villains in this game are underpowered slightly, but probably it was done due to their minimal roles.
Gameplay
The exploration is similar as other open-world games, where you can free-roam in a big map, do side-activities, and play Story Missions. As Spider-Man however, you can use web swinging abilities for a very fast traversal from one location to another. You may run on buildings and walls, zipline on ledges, and do other cool actions.
You progress the game by completing Story Missions. Story Missions are marked on your map, but you can explore other parts of New York City before doing the Story Missions. Each Story Mission may have different objectives, such as solving certain puzzles, fight enemy waves, stealth sections, and etc. As you progress in the game, you will unlock new Side Missions as well as side-activities, such as new collectibles, new Bases, and etc.
The leveling system is simple. You gain experience points by defeating enemies, completing side activities such as Crimes, and completing Story Missions. As you gain a level with enough experience points, you will get a minor stat boost, and you may be allowed to get new Suit Modes, Gadget upgrades, and new Suits. You will also gain an Ability Point per level up, where you can use it to unlock new abilities for Spider-Man.
Customisation is simple. Each new Suit has a special Suit Power that is unique to it. However, once you have created the suit, you can use that Suit Power even when you equip a different Suit. However, to create a Suit, you need to use special tokens to create them, and you need to be at a specific level to unlock the requirements for it. The special tokens can be obtained by completing side activities such as collecting Backpacks, clearing out enemy faction Bases, complete research activities, and complete Challenges. You may also spend the special tokens on unlocking Suit Mods as passive effects for Spider-Man, or new Gadget upgrades. Some of them can be very vital in fighting against a large amount of enemies.
The combat system is similar to Batman: Arkham games' combat system. As Spider-Man, you can attack enemies using the melee attack, use Web Strike to attack enemies from a distance, dodge attacks, and use Gadgets against them. This game also allows you to use air combos, where you can strike enemies mid-air, pull them up into the air, and then smash them down to the ground. As you build up your combo, you will gain Focus bar, which you can use to defeat an enemy instantly with a finisher, or to heal Spider-Man. There are also few good combat techniques in this game that can be used to defeat enemies faster, but you need to spend your Ability Points to learn them.
Enemies come in a variety, such as unarmed enemies, rifle enemies, Demon enemies, Sable enemies and Brutes. Unlike Batman: Arkham games, I notice that enemies in this game are way more aggressive than enemies in Batman: Arkham games, which may increase the challenge a bit. Not to mention, enemies can deal high damage if they manage to land a hit on you, with a rocket or gunfire.
There are boss fights in this game where you fight against the super villains. All of the bosses have their own unique attacks, capabilities, and appearances. Once you have beaten them enough, you may need to complete a few Quick Time Events to finish the battles.
The overall gameplay is very good, but not perfect. Great exploration, decent variety of story mission objectives, good gameplay controls, decent amount of side activities, great story mission pacing, good implementation of air combat, and good combat system.
However, the gameplay could use some improvements, such as better boss fight designs and enemy variety. The boss fights in this game feel too easy, and they don't require many strategy variety to beat them, and the regular enemies could use more variety. I also don't think that the stealth missions that focus on two other playable characters are necessary, but at least they can be completed quickly. The abilities tree also could use more work, such as more branching out on different abilities instead of linear unlocks. Some of the side-activities feel repetitive, especially regarding Crimes and Hideouts. Regardless, the gameplay is very good, and they may be improved in a possible sequel for this game.
Graphics
This game has insanely great graphics. Excellent character models, great environment designs, and smooth performance. The New York City feels a very lively city, with the tall buildings and people populating the city.
Surprisingly, the game runs smooth on the base PS4, which is a great thing. No bugs and glitches encountered while playing the game so far.
Sound
This game has excellent voice acting performances by all voice actors. They did amazing work, especially Yuri Lowenthal as Peter Parker/Spider-Man and William Salyers as Dr. Octavius.
The soundtrack is appropriately good and fitting. There are some decent themes, such as Spider-Man's freeroam theme during Act 1. I wish the music played more frequently in the game.
Replay Value
This game has moderate replay value. You can attempt to complete all side-activities such as clearing out Bases/Hideouts, complete Crimes by different factions, collect Backpacks, complete all Secret Photos activities, and etc.
There is an upcoming update for the game that will include New Game Plus mode, which may increase the replay value considerably, as you can play the game again with your unlocked Suits.
Conclusion
This game is an excellent start for a new Spider-Man video game series. Intriguing story, great use of characters from Spider-Man media, great graphics, fast paced combat system, and especially good gameplay makes this game a treat for all superhero fans, as well as open world action game fans. It is not without faults, but it is a great start. May rival Batman: Arkham game series in terms of greatness in the future. Extremely recommended game.
Score
Story: 9/10
Gameplay: 8/10
Graphics: 10/10
Sound: 9/10
Final Score: 9.0/10 or 36/40.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Spider-Man is awesome in this game.
- Great and intriguing storyline.
- Many likable characters.
- Good overall gameplay.
- Great story mission pacing.
- Good and fast paced combat system.
- Superb graphics.
- Great voice acting.
Cons
- Some underpowered super villains in the game.
- Simplistic learning procedure of new abilities.
- Stealth sections could be improved.
- Too simplistic boss fights.
- Lack of regular enemy variety.
- Repetitive side-activities.
**Screenshots are from Insomniac Games' site.
This is an open-world action game featuring Spider-Man, developed by Insomniac Games. This game features a seasoned Spider-Man who is used to take down super villains and thugs, so there is no origin story for the character.
Story
Become the Spider-Man!
The game's story is great. Simple and interesting storyline, some good twists, many likable characters, and meaningful ending. This game also has many Easter Eggs, as well as good sequel baits for the next Spider-Man game. However, the character relationships are the major highlights of this game, such as Peter Parker interactions with Otto Octavius, Aunt May, and Martin Li.
There are also many great characters in this game, but I will highlight Peter Parker, Aunt May, Martin Li, Otto Octavius, Norman Osborn, and Yuri as the best characters in this game. Others also receive reasonable exposure in the game. However, I think some super villains in this game are underpowered slightly, but probably it was done due to their minimal roles.
Gameplay
Swing your way in New York City.
You progress the game by completing Story Missions. Story Missions are marked on your map, but you can explore other parts of New York City before doing the Story Missions. Each Story Mission may have different objectives, such as solving certain puzzles, fight enemy waves, stealth sections, and etc. As you progress in the game, you will unlock new Side Missions as well as side-activities, such as new collectibles, new Bases, and etc.
The leveling system is simple. You gain experience points by defeating enemies, completing side activities such as Crimes, and completing Story Missions. As you gain a level with enough experience points, you will get a minor stat boost, and you may be allowed to get new Suit Modes, Gadget upgrades, and new Suits. You will also gain an Ability Point per level up, where you can use it to unlock new abilities for Spider-Man.
Customisation is simple. Each new Suit has a special Suit Power that is unique to it. However, once you have created the suit, you can use that Suit Power even when you equip a different Suit. However, to create a Suit, you need to use special tokens to create them, and you need to be at a specific level to unlock the requirements for it. The special tokens can be obtained by completing side activities such as collecting Backpacks, clearing out enemy faction Bases, complete research activities, and complete Challenges. You may also spend the special tokens on unlocking Suit Mods as passive effects for Spider-Man, or new Gadget upgrades. Some of them can be very vital in fighting against a large amount of enemies.
Beat up thugs and super villains.
Enemies come in a variety, such as unarmed enemies, rifle enemies, Demon enemies, Sable enemies and Brutes. Unlike Batman: Arkham games, I notice that enemies in this game are way more aggressive than enemies in Batman: Arkham games, which may increase the challenge a bit. Not to mention, enemies can deal high damage if they manage to land a hit on you, with a rocket or gunfire.
There are boss fights in this game where you fight against the super villains. All of the bosses have their own unique attacks, capabilities, and appearances. Once you have beaten them enough, you may need to complete a few Quick Time Events to finish the battles.
The overall gameplay is very good, but not perfect. Great exploration, decent variety of story mission objectives, good gameplay controls, decent amount of side activities, great story mission pacing, good implementation of air combat, and good combat system.
However, the gameplay could use some improvements, such as better boss fight designs and enemy variety. The boss fights in this game feel too easy, and they don't require many strategy variety to beat them, and the regular enemies could use more variety. I also don't think that the stealth missions that focus on two other playable characters are necessary, but at least they can be completed quickly. The abilities tree also could use more work, such as more branching out on different abilities instead of linear unlocks. Some of the side-activities feel repetitive, especially regarding Crimes and Hideouts. Regardless, the gameplay is very good, and they may be improved in a possible sequel for this game.
Graphics
Superb graphics.
Surprisingly, the game runs smooth on the base PS4, which is a great thing. No bugs and glitches encountered while playing the game so far.
Sound
Excellent voice acting and fitting soundtrack.
The soundtrack is appropriately good and fitting. There are some decent themes, such as Spider-Man's freeroam theme during Act 1. I wish the music played more frequently in the game.
Replay Value
Moderate replay value.
There is an upcoming update for the game that will include New Game Plus mode, which may increase the replay value considerably, as you can play the game again with your unlocked Suits.
Conclusion
An excellent game that can be further improved on a possible sequel.
Score
Story: 9/10
Gameplay: 8/10
Graphics: 10/10
Sound: 9/10
Final Score: 9.0/10 or 36/40.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Spider-Man is awesome in this game.
- Great and intriguing storyline.
- Many likable characters.
- Good overall gameplay.
- Great story mission pacing.
- Good and fast paced combat system.
- Superb graphics.
- Great voice acting.
Cons
- Some underpowered super villains in the game.
- Simplistic learning procedure of new abilities.
- Stealth sections could be improved.
- Too simplistic boss fights.
- Lack of regular enemy variety.
- Repetitive side-activities.
**Screenshots are from Insomniac Games' site.
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