SWING TO YOUR NEAREST RENTAL PLACE AND GET THIS GAME!!!

I'm sure that I'm not alone when I say my first thoughts about this game were that it was gunna suck. I mean, there have been gazillions of superhero/comicbook based games made and short of the Capcom fighters, they've all been pretty horrible. This time around though, I was glad to be proved very wrong. This is easily the BEST superhero game I have ever played. Not to mention one of the best and most fun action games I have played in quite awhile. I'm not terribly sure it's worth the new game price, but it is DEFINATELY worth a week's rental and will DEFINATELY be worth twenty bucks when it goes to the 'greatest hits' line. In fact, stop reading this review if you have even thought about playing this game, and go to you nearest rental place and GET IT NOW. Trust me, you'll like it. If you feel you need some reasons here they are.

The graphics are surprisingly well done. I wasn't impressed with the small screenshots I saw in Gamepro and PSM and other various places, but as soon as the game started I was amazed to find not just decent graphics, but GOOD graphics in a game based on a comicbook. The programmers actually took their time to make the cut scenes look and sound great. If you have read anywhere about how the graphics are a little lacking, you must keep in mind THIS IS THE PLAYSTATION, IT IS FIVE+ YEARS OLD AND A QUARTER OF THE POWER OF THE DREAMCAST OR PS2. For all you out there who have been slamming the PS1 because it doesn't look like the Dreamcast, wake up. Anyways, for playstation the graphics are quite remarkable and smooth. The gameplay graphics are even done well, and with that new 'skin smoothing' thing they've figured out, Spidey and everything else have surprising few jagged edges. The coloration of the levels is nice and bright and really makes you feel like you're inside a comic.

The sound is also done fairly well. Spidey talks the smack, and the villians have nice little quips. Sometimes the voiceovers get repetitive, but only if you get stuck for awhile on one section. Spidey and the villians say different things in each level so if you don't get stuck, you won't notice. But you will get stuck so you'll know what I mean. Stan Lee lends his voice to the level intros which is a nice touch.

The play control in general is excellent. The only place it falters a little is when jumping. While in the air, Spidey is a little too responsive and can make for a few aggrivating deaths. But short of the twitchy jumping the movement and control is comfortable. I would certainly recommend sticking to the analog sticks for movement, but then again, who doesn't these days? Plus, the problem with awkward camera angles is almost completely gone with the advent of some true programming genius by way of instantly translucent surfaces that only do it when they should and more importantly, when backed into a corner, Spider goes translucent too so you never loose sight of who you're fighting or fleeing. Definate Kudos to the designers for this truly effective addition.

Probably the coolest thing about this game is that your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man does everything a Spider should. Swing from building to building, lift huge desks over his head, climb on every surface available, and of course, tie people up, shielding himself, and even blasting the beegeezus out of badguys with webbing. And all without any sort of stupid limits as in so many other superhero games. The only thing that's limited is your webbing, but then again, it still stays true to the comic since Spider-men doesn't actually spin his own webs. Fortunately there are plenty web refills around. And every time you croak you start with seven more, so short of wasting it, you never really run out.

There are also plenty of Super-hero cameos that make the in-between movies interesting, and sure they're mostly pointless but they're still fun and add to the comic feel of the game. Of course you get to scrap with plenty of your favorite villians, but instead of just pounding them with your fists, you have to figure out creative ways to defeat them. The skinny white kid in spandex just can't go blow for blow with a supercharged supervillian.

Overall, this game rocks the house. I read a review that said it was more for the casual gamer, and it may have been right, basically because it's just not that hard. BUT it is pretty tough, and even the hardcore gamer may have some trouble in spots. Though unlike so many games, it's hard without being overly-stupidly-impossibly hard. While you certainly will get frustrated from time to time, this is not one of those games that makes you want to hunt down the programmers and torture them slowly and painfully. With a little thinking and perseverence you can do it. Believe me you won't be disappointed. The ending for once is actually cool.

RENT THIS GAME RIGHT NOW!!!!