Spider-Man 2

I need a demo before I'm sold on this one.

Jacob - it's worth it.

I know my opinion on things Spidey related is hardly non-biased, but it's truly the best superhero game yet.

At work, yeah.

Between the free-roaming environment, the fact you can now swing right down to street level and the way you actually have to webswing properly - ie you have to fire individual webs to steer, rather than just holding down a button and pointing where you want to go - it's a quantum leap from the previous games.

The open-ended mission structure is just the icing on the cake.

Can't fucking wait.

What's the replay value on this thing?

Kind of weird that there haven't been any advance reviews for this game. That's usually a bad sign, but maybe everybody's just under a press embargo. I dunno.

Dan, do you have any idea how the length holds up? A lot of games that try to copy the GTA formula screw up by only offering a few hours worth of missions, which makes the gigantic city feel empty and underutilized. The fact that this is a licensed game doesn't help matters. Is there enough meat to justify fifty bucks, or is this more of a rental?

Haven't played it nearly enough to answer that question. To be honest, I don't judge games based on how long they take to play, but on how much entertainment I get during that time.

On that basis, Spider-Man 2 is definitely value for money. Even if it only takes 10 hours to complete (which I doubt) it'll be a great ten hours.

Cool.

And really, who am I kidding? If the movie is half as good as people are saying, I'll march my ass right out of the movie theater and right into the nearest video game shop. I bought Enter the Matrix, for chrissakes. Might as well buy this one too.

Can I at least get some kudos for not even attempting this open goal?

Now I'm just glad I didn't ask whether you can shoot a load of webbing at a criminal's face.

No, but you can cum across Alf Molina's tits in a bonus game.

Picking it up tomorrow too. No reviews yet, but most people who've played it seem to like it. Hell, I still pop in the old Spider-Man game for the PS1 every now and then, just to swing around the first few levels, so I think I'll enjoy it.

The free roam stuff sounds great. Picking up the game tomorrow, but won't do any missions till I see the film, so at least I'll have something to do. I remember after playing the last Spidey game thinking they needed to just model New York and let us go where we wanted. Should be fun.

At long last, the EyeToy lives up to its vast potential.

I got a few questions, and they're similar to Slater's: Is the city too big and/or is there enough variety of things to do in it?

One of my major gripes with True Crime was that LA was just too damned big of a city to drive around in. Spiderman swinging (as opposed to driving) sounds like it would make travelling take even longer.

Also, in True Crime, the limited, tiny off-shoot missions of chasing cars or breaking up street fights didn't really give me much incentive to do anything other than the main missions, which really cut down any replay value for the game, despite the HUGE size of the city. I know that Spiderman should have a variety of things to do around NY, but I dunno.

I've really not played enough of it to make those judgements. I'm bringing a copy home with me tomorrow, so that's when the serious playtesting starts.

From what I've seen though, just swinging around, tackling a few muggers - it's greatness. Sim Spidey.

$38 at Ultimate Electronics tomorrow, and it comes with a free shameful, stigmatizing Spidey shirt. $50 at Best Buy, but apparently there's some sort of $15 gift card you get by mail, so it works out to be a little cheaper.

Anybody found any better deals?

Dan, how difficult is it to master the new web-slinging system?

Just got home from Fry's Electronics and they had it on the shelves and had it for $30. Haven't played it yet, but will very very soon...

We got it today but couldn't sell till tomorrow. However, I popped one in the XBOX demo unit and it's awesome. You really can go anywhere. When you look at the map of New York, it's ridiculously huge.

Ah, but does it have a Bruce Cambell narrated training course? If so, I'm buying it. Hell, I'm buying it regardless. I loved the first one but let it slip through because I bet it when I rented it. This sounds like it has pretty high replay value, and I'm all about replay value. And hookers. But mostly games with replay value.

I believe I read that Campbell does a lot more voice work than he did for the first.

Re: Spider-Man 2

It takes some practice - especially if you pick up the joypad expecting control to be like the last game. It's actually a lot like the scene in the first movie where he chases Uncle Ben's killer. There's exhiliration at the freedom, followed by panic as you realise you're swinging into a brick wall, but after a few wobbly manoeuvres you start to get the "swing" of it. Oh yes.

Once you've got it though, it's so much more versatile. You finally feel like you really are swinging through New York - not just steering through it.

As for the voicework, the only thing I really miss from these new Spidey games are the Stan Lee narration from the first PSOne game and the sheer array of Marvel cameos from the same game. I'd love for this game to feature appearances from Daredevil, Captain America, Human Torch, Namor, The Punisher etc. If it had those two elements, it really would be the perfect Marvel game and the interactive embodiment of the Silver Age.

Re: Spider-Man 2

What's the difference between Spidey 2 on each console.

I'm trying to decide whether to pick up the PS2 or the Gamecube version.

Re: Spider-Man 2

You cannot fathom the level of Campbell points this game is earning. Everytime you get a hint? It's from him. He's even mocked my gameplay a couple times (I should do more web shit, but artfully applying fists to criminal face is so much fun.)

Re: Spider-Man 2

I just picked up that game second hand, and it's still fucking ace. Such a great title, and Stan Lee's narration does really seal the deal on it.

Re: Spider-Man 2

Been playing for the last hour or so and its pretty damn fun. I was kinda worried the buildings would all look kinda generic, but its pretty damn varied. As far as the city's size, I think it's pretty good. Seems a lot bigger than GTA3, but not like True Crime huge where you have no idea where you're at. The map's awesome.

So far I'm just swinging around and stopping a few random crimes and having a blast. What sucks is when Bruce comes on with a gameplay tip right when you talk to another person or hit a mission icon, so he's interupted...no one interupts Bruce!

I don't think the game will be too short, at least not if you do most of the side stuff. Like I said, I haven't been working on the story stuff, but there hasn't been a shortage of things to do. The game's basically the coolest Spidey action figure you've ever see.

I haven't seen Spidey 2 yet, but this doesn't sound like Elfman.

OK, I've now had a decent playtest in the comfort of my own gaming zone at home.

Oh, man. Web-slinging is such a rush when you can actually control how and where you shoot webs. It does take practice, but once you master it - you'll be reliving that montage at the end of the first movie, swooping down to the streets, soaring over rooftops. It's sweet.

And optional. If it really pisses you off, you can opt for the boring old control style. I'd forgotten that.

Combat is also a blast. A lot more variety, and Spidey is so much more agile and controllable. Even without listening to The Chin's tutorial yak, I was able to web-up one armed robber, swing him into the rest of his gang, somersault over to a gunman, punch him into the air and then pummel him as he fell to the ground.

And the beauty is, as the grateful citizen gushes thanks, you can sprint down the street, leap into the air and swing away under your own steam.

And that's just the on-the-spot crimes you can choose to tackle (which are admirably varied - I've had carjackings, a sinking boat, a guy hanging from a ledge, even a little girl who let her balloon go!). I'm ashamed to say I've not even tried moving the story forwards - partly through fear of spoilage, but mainly because I'm just enjoying running and swinging around New York as Spider-Man.

It's not utterly flawless. The graphics on some of the people are a bit sausagey, and Spidey's new freedom of movement means that it can be tricky to pull off certain manouevres - especially if they require split-second timing.

I already screwed up the sinking boat and hanging ledge guy missions (run, jump, aim, shoot web etc) because the rapid succession of button presses required is beyond my novice superhero fingers. I'm sure it'll get easier, but I am afeared of facing Doc Ock with my current co-ordination. I suspect a lot of people will find it too tricky though.

But there's so much to enjoy here. It's got the same "big grin" sense of scope and fun that the movies have. That's the main thing.

I'm sold. Will be getting this come Friday.

Climbing up to the top of the Empire State, then swan-diving off - and hearing the wind rushing past your ears as you plummet - before firing off a last-minute webline and swinging casually around Central Park.

That's entertainment.

Just read about the pizza delivery missions.

A nice touch.

Dan, which console are you playing it on, and are you aware of any differences between console versions? Excuse me if you've answered that already...

I hear ya on that one. I was just thinking how cool would it be if Four Freedom's Plaza and the Avenger's Mansion were in the game. Or any of these places(well, cept the apartments).
I also wish they'd include a Daredevil costume or something you can unlock, since they're abilities are kinda similar.

*ENVY*

Xbox, naturally. I haven't seen the other versions (well, apart from the PS2 last year at E3) so I can't really say. It's usually safe to assume that on a AAA multi-platform title like this, Xbox = Best.

I played for about an hour earlier.

God, there's so much to do. And every damn part of the city looks different...it isn't just like they recycled backdrops along the way.

Can't wait to get further.

I figured, but I thought I read something you wrote (maybe the Driv3r stuff) where you were playing on a PS2. I always buy Xbox first, the other platforms are really just for exclusives these days (for me).

Anyways, I'll be blind buying this one either tonight (before the midnight showing of the flick!) or tomorrow afternoon. I do believe I'm sold.

I never, ever "blind buy" a game, but I did pick this up on the strength of Dan's recommendation. GTA + Spiderman is too much to resist.

Haven't started it up yet. I'll toss in my two cents later this evening.

Bought it today, the webbing takes some getting used to and i'm still figuring things out

[how ARE you supposed to save that ledge guy? Catch him in mid air?]

the balloon rescue was funny.

The mission where you have to jump on cars is a hastle cause I dunno how to home in on the cars.

overall me likey. Preparing me for the midnight screening of Spider-man 2

You have to stand above the guy on the ledge and press Y (i'm playing the XBOX version). It's sorta tricky at first, but it's not that tough.

http://xbox.ign.com/articles/527/527076p1.html

They love it. And it's ever-deserving of that love.

This is hot gaming pussy. I haven't even done a single mission yet, just a solid hour of swinging. Yay.

Gamespot's lukewarm on it. 7.2.

http://www.gamespot.com/xbox/action/...n2/review.html

I think I'll pick it up this weekend, based on the reviews here, though. Hooray for birthdays.

Hmmm...

Hold on, I'm trying to remember the last time that Gamespot was relevant...

Nope, can't think of it. They get to go into the irrelevant pile with Gamepro and EGM.

Played this in BB today for about a half an hour. It was a great half-hour and I agree the new webslinging method is awesome once you master it, which takes about 2 minutes. I will definitely be picking this one up at some point.

Gamespot is totally off-base.

This game= better than them.