Stop the tape. Just a few weeks ago, I wrote a list of Spider-Man games worth playing. After finishing developer Insomniac’s newly released “Marvel’s Spider-Man” for PlayStation 4, I don’t believe there will ever be a need to touch that list again.
It’s just that good.
Max Rothenburg | Argonaut
Set in the ever-familiar New York City, “Spider-Man” follows an adult Peter Parker who has worn the suit for eight years.
I love Tom Holland’s film portrayal as much as anyone, but this older Spider-Man is a breath of fresh air for comic fans.
Gone is the well-treaded origin story, and while Uncle Ben is repeatedly name dropped, the famous line, “With great power comes great responsibility,” is not — and that’s perfectly fine.
Letting the player control an experienced Spider-Man keeps the gameplay fresh and the story exciting.
Spider-Man uses a variety of new, seemingly out-of-place gadgets, including web bombs, trip wires and spider drones. Yet, Insomniac found a way to thematically tie these into the game’s universe.
Spider-Man games typically fall under this mantra — come for the story, stay for the web slinging. The latest entry bucks that trend, delivering an unexpectedly dark story, which will surprise even the most diehard fans.
It’s clear Insomniac wasn’t afraid to take risks, especially considering Spidey is the most popular superhero in the world. The company could have made a generic story, one that plays by the rules and checks the typical superhero boxes — but they didn’t.
Companies always run the risk of alienating their fans with a poorly received entry, but sometimes the risk pays off.
“Spider-Man” tackles the heavy, emotional themes of guilt, loss and betrayal, while still exploring Parker’s balance between his everyday life and his masked identity.
If this is the future of superhero stories, count me in.
Comic fans will rejoice seeing familiar faces like Aunt May, Mary Jane Watson and Miles Morales, among others who I’ll carefully try not to spoil. Each actor portrays their character well, and the incredible animations help convey the wide range of facial expressions.
Watson and Morales are both playable characters, although their segments, while entertaining, are relatively short and forgettable.
And let’s not forget the villains — as spoiler-filled as some may be. There’s a large cast, including the previously announced Electro, Shocker, Rhino, Scorpion and Vulture, with others being more of a surprise.
I would have liked to see some play a larger role, but I understand it can be difficult to juggle such a large cast.
“Spider-Man” is simply an enjoyable ride, with a hefty, emotional payoff that carefully teases a sequel.
But what about the web slinging?
Simply put, it’s rewarding and cinematic, albeit a bit too easy after an initially steep learning curve. Swinging around the city has never felt better, in large part due to Spider-Man’s different aerial moves.
Spidey can web zip, dive, parkour and perform different acrobatic maneuvers, all of which are crucial to keeping momentum.
And momentum’s importance cannot be understated — building up a sense of speed as I swung around the city simply felt amazing.
Now, we get to the combat. The game struggles at times, often going for easy cinematic flair over a more intricate, challenging system. This choice is understandable, and while the result is still enjoyable, the system simply lacks depth and will become boring to some.
“Spider-Man” is also surprisingly difficult, at least initially. Parker can really only take a few punches before he goes down, even on the easiest difficulty. This can initially cause problems for those unfamiliar with videogame controls, but the difficulty does eventually level out.
In terms of side content, “Spider-Man” is more hit or miss. Some of the tasks are incredibly fun and interesting, such as finding the backpacks scattered across the city — which contain relics of Parker’s past — or taking pictures of New York City’s different landmarks, including Avengers Tower and the Wakandan Embassy.
Don’t get confused though, the game does not take place in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and there are no Avengers cameos. We can always dream big for the sequel, I suppose.
On the other hand, some tasks are downright frustrating and overused. There’s an overabundance of gang hideouts and street crimes, which always seem to inconveniently pop-up and mess with the story’s flow.
These admittedly small issues aside, “Spider-Man” deserves a spot in anyone’s collection. Even for those who prefer DC Comics — hopefully no one — there is something here for everyone. Sure, it’s a new take on a classic character, but it’s one that will be remembered for years to come.
Max Rothenberg can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @Max_Rothenberg