TrulyWack
2006
Does this game sell you on an offer you can’t refuse?
For me, I’d say it does. At least enough to get some enjoyment out of in one play through. This game certainly doesn’t reinvent the wheel, but it does a solid job at what it’s supposed to do.
Some people might call it a GTA clone, and I think in most instances that’s true. What The Godfather does to distinguish itself however, is it has a unique feature where you can overtake rackets, warehouses, and even battle rival families.
Another great quality about The Godfather is it’s open world (albeit underutilized). It captures the world of the film authentically and in a way that feels true to where things could be located in the movie. It’s also very atmospheric in the time it’s set in which really helps sell the mafia feel. The game definitely allows for some really intense moments when battling a rival family that is better than yours.
As for things this game didn’t quite land... it’s story. It’s pretty much just the film, but with the protagonist interjected in the plot. It’s cool for nostalgic purposes, but it barely holds up enough on its own. There’s a side plot that has an original story of its own and for the most part it works... but there’s not enough to keep you entertained.
The game also becomes super repetitive after a while and doesn’t find new ways to freshen the gameplay. A subtle yet effective edge the GTA series has over this is the car radio. It seems like a dumb critique, but at least with the GTA games you have some variety in the songs you listen to. Here, The Godfather theme just blares nonstop every time you get in the car. Don’t get me wrong, it can be awesome at times. Especially when you start the game. But once you’re at the end and you’ve been playing for hours, you wanna listen to something else.
Overall it’s a fun game and there are some really cool details that make it an enjoyable play through. I don’t know that I’d return to it anytime soon though.
For me, I’d say it does. At least enough to get some enjoyment out of in one play through. This game certainly doesn’t reinvent the wheel, but it does a solid job at what it’s supposed to do.
Some people might call it a GTA clone, and I think in most instances that’s true. What The Godfather does to distinguish itself however, is it has a unique feature where you can overtake rackets, warehouses, and even battle rival families.
Another great quality about The Godfather is it’s open world (albeit underutilized). It captures the world of the film authentically and in a way that feels true to where things could be located in the movie. It’s also very atmospheric in the time it’s set in which really helps sell the mafia feel. The game definitely allows for some really intense moments when battling a rival family that is better than yours.
As for things this game didn’t quite land... it’s story. It’s pretty much just the film, but with the protagonist interjected in the plot. It’s cool for nostalgic purposes, but it barely holds up enough on its own. There’s a side plot that has an original story of its own and for the most part it works... but there’s not enough to keep you entertained.
The game also becomes super repetitive after a while and doesn’t find new ways to freshen the gameplay. A subtle yet effective edge the GTA series has over this is the car radio. It seems like a dumb critique, but at least with the GTA games you have some variety in the songs you listen to. Here, The Godfather theme just blares nonstop every time you get in the car. Don’t get me wrong, it can be awesome at times. Especially when you start the game. But once you’re at the end and you’ve been playing for hours, you wanna listen to something else.
Overall it’s a fun game and there are some really cool details that make it an enjoyable play through. I don’t know that I’d return to it anytime soon though.
2004
This review contains spoilers
Edit: I’ve grown to love it more over time.
Despite how much this game managed to accomplish at the time of its release and the things that still hold up today, I feel as though this is only worthy of 3 stars.
Compared to the other Spider-Man games released before this, it certainly was an innovative adventure.
The open world was refreshing and it was exciting to play after exploring the other Spider-Man games in order of release.
The combat system was also new and a lot of fun. I liked that I was able to purchase upgrades with combat, swinging, and air tricks.
The swinging is great, even by today’s standards. It controls really nice and there’s a nice mechanic that allows you to swing quicker or higher depending on how you use it.
The only issue with the swinging is it’s easy to get caught on buildings and it can slow you down pretty bad.
Despite the improved combat, it was often clunky and really frustrating. The evading and dodging were almost useless.
You’re barely given enough time to counter hits, especially when you’re being thrown a ton of other things.
The graphics are also pretty bland. Textures bland and there’s more blockiness than in the first movie game.
(I’ll give it a pass considering how big in scale it is).
The music is nice when swinging to missions. I just wish there was more of it.
The story is pretty cool because while it maintains things from the movie, it also includes different characters such as Shocker, Mysterio, and Black Cat while consistently bringing them back throughout the story.
Despite a lot of these improvements, they almost all feel unfinished. It just feels like an unpolished version of a potentially great Spider-Man game.
Maybe it’s unfair of me to say considering the time it came out, but I really do respect what it did for the future of Spider-Man games. I also did have a lot of fun with it despite my criticisms.
Despite how much this game managed to accomplish at the time of its release and the things that still hold up today, I feel as though this is only worthy of 3 stars.
Compared to the other Spider-Man games released before this, it certainly was an innovative adventure.
The open world was refreshing and it was exciting to play after exploring the other Spider-Man games in order of release.
The combat system was also new and a lot of fun. I liked that I was able to purchase upgrades with combat, swinging, and air tricks.
The swinging is great, even by today’s standards. It controls really nice and there’s a nice mechanic that allows you to swing quicker or higher depending on how you use it.
The only issue with the swinging is it’s easy to get caught on buildings and it can slow you down pretty bad.
Despite the improved combat, it was often clunky and really frustrating. The evading and dodging were almost useless.
You’re barely given enough time to counter hits, especially when you’re being thrown a ton of other things.
The graphics are also pretty bland. Textures bland and there’s more blockiness than in the first movie game.
(I’ll give it a pass considering how big in scale it is).
The music is nice when swinging to missions. I just wish there was more of it.
The story is pretty cool because while it maintains things from the movie, it also includes different characters such as Shocker, Mysterio, and Black Cat while consistently bringing them back throughout the story.
Despite a lot of these improvements, they almost all feel unfinished. It just feels like an unpolished version of a potentially great Spider-Man game.
Maybe it’s unfair of me to say considering the time it came out, but I really do respect what it did for the future of Spider-Man games. I also did have a lot of fun with it despite my criticisms.
2002
This review contains spoilers
Oh the cheese of early 2000s Spider-Man nostalgia... what a strange and fascinating time.
Well, Bruce Campbell alone makes this worth playing. Who doesn’t love being yelled at by Bruce? If you don’t, you’re probably a dweeb. Okay not seriously but come on, Evil Dead 2 amiright?
Anyways, this is such a weird game. Story wise it get like, 1 and a half stars because of the little sense it actually makes and the ending is pretty disappointing.
It’s an easy game to beat. Not super challenging. But it’s a pretty big improvement over the ps1 Spider-Man games which it is very much in the vein of.
I loved web zipping, and the swinging was much more fluent (All thanks to the next gen hardware. Hell yeah).
Combat was aight but the camera was kinda weird at times and the spider sense reflex thing didn’t always help. I liked the inclusion of the web stuff though. That made for some fun combos.
I really liked the cut scenes. Sure, they look pretty lackluster by today’s standards, but man I just loved em.
The robot stuff towards the end was kinda annoying, but it was actually kinda suspenseful and challenging at times. Bravo.
If you’re a spider-man fan, check it out. Otherwise, still check it out. It’s kinda fun and kind of ridiculous.
Well, Bruce Campbell alone makes this worth playing. Who doesn’t love being yelled at by Bruce? If you don’t, you’re probably a dweeb. Okay not seriously but come on, Evil Dead 2 amiright?
Anyways, this is such a weird game. Story wise it get like, 1 and a half stars because of the little sense it actually makes and the ending is pretty disappointing.
It’s an easy game to beat. Not super challenging. But it’s a pretty big improvement over the ps1 Spider-Man games which it is very much in the vein of.
I loved web zipping, and the swinging was much more fluent (All thanks to the next gen hardware. Hell yeah).
Combat was aight but the camera was kinda weird at times and the spider sense reflex thing didn’t always help. I liked the inclusion of the web stuff though. That made for some fun combos.
I really liked the cut scenes. Sure, they look pretty lackluster by today’s standards, but man I just loved em.
The robot stuff towards the end was kinda annoying, but it was actually kinda suspenseful and challenging at times. Bravo.
If you’re a spider-man fan, check it out. Otherwise, still check it out. It’s kinda fun and kind of ridiculous.
This review contains spoilers
Well, if you liked the first, you’ll probably enjoy this. It’s the first game, just less iconic.
The villains are cool still, but not nearly as good. Plus you’re pretty much doing the same stuff you did the first time around.
They also took out the Spider-Man song when you boot up the game... what a bummer. But hey! There’s still multiple suits to unlock and unlimited fun for a Spider-Man fan! Okay it’s a bit limited, give me a break.
The villains are cool still, but not nearly as good. Plus you’re pretty much doing the same stuff you did the first time around.
They also took out the Spider-Man song when you boot up the game... what a bummer. But hey! There’s still multiple suits to unlock and unlimited fun for a Spider-Man fan! Okay it’s a bit limited, give me a break.
2000
Well true believers, this was a fun ride despite the clunkiness.
Such a great Spider-Man game. It feels ripped right out of a comic. The villains included and the levels themselves are all pretty fun.
What’s up with that first venom fight though? Why the spike in difficultly?
Anyways, play it if you love the ps1 and or Spider-Man. It’s a fun lil game.
Such a great Spider-Man game. It feels ripped right out of a comic. The villains included and the levels themselves are all pretty fun.
What’s up with that first venom fight though? Why the spike in difficultly?
Anyways, play it if you love the ps1 and or Spider-Man. It’s a fun lil game.
1998
This review contains spoilers
Alright look, this game isn’t very good... but man did I have fun shredding shit to pieces at the end.
Okay, okay, that wasn’t the only FUN thing about the game. I like some parts of the missions. Like being able to steal identities and pretty much anywhere I was able to shoot people (despite how poor the controls are).
But man. This game is tough. Not because it’s simply challenging, but because of how bad these controls are.
Who’s idea was it to make walking side to side while aiming the mf R2 button? That’s some dumb shit.
Also some of the objectives aren’t very clear. You know what you have to do, but it’s not very clear how to do it. Like I get that you have to figure stuff out in your own. It’s not gonna hold your hand. But why are certain things so incredibly specific?
I got stuck at times and had to look up how to get past the level on YouTube. How lame is that?
I know I’m ranting a bit but dang. I’ll admit, I love the movie, and I have a soft spot for this game flaws and all. I wanna rate it higher, but it really doesn’t even deserve to be where it is now. At least I don’t think it does... (idk, I’m still new to this stuff. What a loser).
Okay, okay, that wasn’t the only FUN thing about the game. I like some parts of the missions. Like being able to steal identities and pretty much anywhere I was able to shoot people (despite how poor the controls are).
But man. This game is tough. Not because it’s simply challenging, but because of how bad these controls are.
Who’s idea was it to make walking side to side while aiming the mf R2 button? That’s some dumb shit.
Also some of the objectives aren’t very clear. You know what you have to do, but it’s not very clear how to do it. Like I get that you have to figure stuff out in your own. It’s not gonna hold your hand. But why are certain things so incredibly specific?
I got stuck at times and had to look up how to get past the level on YouTube. How lame is that?
I know I’m ranting a bit but dang. I’ll admit, I love the movie, and I have a soft spot for this game flaws and all. I wanna rate it higher, but it really doesn’t even deserve to be where it is now. At least I don’t think it does... (idk, I’m still new to this stuff. What a loser).
2001
This review contains spoilers
Okay, so I’m newish to the world of video games. I started retro gaming/collecting about a year ago and this was the game that convinced me to do so.
The PS2 was probably not the greatest console to play a game like Max Payne on. But despite some of the clunky gameplay... this game is still responsible for getting me the world of gaming to begin with; and that says a lot to how good it is.
The music in this game is phenomenal. It’s simple. It’s gritty. It’s seeps with noir. It certainly sets the tone for the badass adventure you’re taking.
The story is pretty simple, a bit cliché at times, but still very engaging and entertaining non-the-less.
The bullet time is fantastic. Without the bullet time, this game would not be as memorable. The game is certainly iconic without it, but Max Payne likely wouldn’t have the legacy it has today without its bullet time.
The use of Pain pills is a nice way to regenerate health. I was always on the hunt.
The different environments kept the game interesting. I really loved being in the snowy city. So many great implementations of a gritty atmosphere.
I could go on and on about why I personally loved this game. But it isn’t perfect. Maybe it’s just the hardware, but god this game can be frustrating to play at times. Despite some of the technical limitations, I liked the challenge.
I will say that the story gets a little hokey at the end and a bit too cheesy and preposterous for its own good. For a game so grounded in its gritty tongue-in-cheek reality, it was bit hard to buy into the whole corporate conspiracy aspect of the game.
Regardless, it remained tonally consistent for the most part and it was a total blast.
(Also, the nightmare sequences were both infuriating and awesome).
The PS2 was probably not the greatest console to play a game like Max Payne on. But despite some of the clunky gameplay... this game is still responsible for getting me the world of gaming to begin with; and that says a lot to how good it is.
The music in this game is phenomenal. It’s simple. It’s gritty. It’s seeps with noir. It certainly sets the tone for the badass adventure you’re taking.
The story is pretty simple, a bit cliché at times, but still very engaging and entertaining non-the-less.
The bullet time is fantastic. Without the bullet time, this game would not be as memorable. The game is certainly iconic without it, but Max Payne likely wouldn’t have the legacy it has today without its bullet time.
The use of Pain pills is a nice way to regenerate health. I was always on the hunt.
The different environments kept the game interesting. I really loved being in the snowy city. So many great implementations of a gritty atmosphere.
I could go on and on about why I personally loved this game. But it isn’t perfect. Maybe it’s just the hardware, but god this game can be frustrating to play at times. Despite some of the technical limitations, I liked the challenge.
I will say that the story gets a little hokey at the end and a bit too cheesy and preposterous for its own good. For a game so grounded in its gritty tongue-in-cheek reality, it was bit hard to buy into the whole corporate conspiracy aspect of the game.
Regardless, it remained tonally consistent for the most part and it was a total blast.
(Also, the nightmare sequences were both infuriating and awesome).