This review contains spoilers
This game is great. I frequently say that games should start sacrificing graphics for gameplay, and this game kinda did. Now I kinda regret wishing that.
I think New York City looks great, so no complaints there. Even balloons reflect what’s in front of them accurately. But… the character models? Huge downgrade in my opinion. Maybe it’s the lighting. Maybe they’ll improve it. But just comparing the classic Spider-Man suits in both games is a very clear downgrade. Peter, MJ, and so many other characters also don’t look so well in this game. Obviously there’s the continuing issue of Peter’s face change… but I’ve talked about that enough. I’d probably give this game an extra half-star if Peter’s face had stayed the same.
The story is alright. It has some AMAZING moments, like Miles and Martin Li’s dynamic. In fact, Martin Li was probably my favorite character in terms of the story. Miles was really great too. Low-key much better of a character than Peter now.
MJ turning into Scream was kinda cool, but it left no consequences, which kinda made it not worth it. They could’ve built on how her relationship with Peter wasn’t working in the first book and game. There are clear things in Scream’s dialogue that should’ve actually meant something, symbiote or not. But after she loses the suit, she just quits the Bugle job as a cheap “girlboss moment.” And then she becomes even more submissive to Peter by moving in with him. I guess she has her own podcast, though. But MJ’s story beats in these games were a bit messy.
Peter was really cool with the Black Suit. It was a great take on the alien costume saga. Harry as Venom was great, and seeing Norman’s instability brewing is great. Norman being a threat after Harry is a good choice. Seeing Norman talk to Otto in the end also makes me VERY excited for a potential third game. It didn’t need to turn into Web of Shadows at the end, though. Like… I get that we needed harder enemies, but an over-the-top alien invasion was a bit too much for a grounded universe like this.
Kraven was cool too. I think it may be one of the best adaptations of his character ever. It’s up there with the comics and the 90s show. Definitely the freshest take on him.
It’s AWESOME that we got Queens and Brooklyn in this game. They’re not super accurate, but it’s definitely the best New York we’ve gotten this far. In terms of the citizens, the city feels less alive than the first two games. Almost everyone you have to take to the hospital is the same crusty-faced tan guy wearing Beats headphones. It’s kinda weird and takes you out of the world.
Overall, this game is loads of fun, though. The swinging is better than ever, the boss fights are better than ever, and I think the actual gameplay may be the best in any Spidey game. It does more than it needs to in terms of customizing your play-style, which is awesome. Oh, and side-missions rule too. That Howard one was very sad, and I teared up for sure.
I feel like there wasn’t enough tension between Black Cat in this game. Peter’s 25, not 65. I don’t know why, but video games tone down romance a little too much now. It happened in Hogwarts Legacy too. I’m not saying females need to look super revealing or be overly sexualized, but adding some romantic tension can greatly increase your story. It wasn’t completely lacking, but I do think Cat should’ve tried to play around a bit more with Pete’s relationship. Instead of making Cat interesting, they made what she had stolen from Doctor Strange interesting… which… is fun. I prefer stimulating over fun. But… this is only a video game after all.
Great game. It lived up to the hype. It didn’t surpass it, though. Maybe the DLC will add some extra spice. I think the third game will be the best in the series. I hope so, at least. As of now, the first game is definitely still the best and definitely gives you the most to do. This game also made me appreciate the first game a lot more, which made me like this one more too.
Love this universe. I love how much it loved New York. I love how “be greater” isn’t just a marketing campaign for these games. It’s a very real prompt placed in your soul, and it bleeds into your life. It makes me want to be a better person. “When you help someone, you help everyone.”
I think New York City looks great, so no complaints there. Even balloons reflect what’s in front of them accurately. But… the character models? Huge downgrade in my opinion. Maybe it’s the lighting. Maybe they’ll improve it. But just comparing the classic Spider-Man suits in both games is a very clear downgrade. Peter, MJ, and so many other characters also don’t look so well in this game. Obviously there’s the continuing issue of Peter’s face change… but I’ve talked about that enough. I’d probably give this game an extra half-star if Peter’s face had stayed the same.
The story is alright. It has some AMAZING moments, like Miles and Martin Li’s dynamic. In fact, Martin Li was probably my favorite character in terms of the story. Miles was really great too. Low-key much better of a character than Peter now.
MJ turning into Scream was kinda cool, but it left no consequences, which kinda made it not worth it. They could’ve built on how her relationship with Peter wasn’t working in the first book and game. There are clear things in Scream’s dialogue that should’ve actually meant something, symbiote or not. But after she loses the suit, she just quits the Bugle job as a cheap “girlboss moment.” And then she becomes even more submissive to Peter by moving in with him. I guess she has her own podcast, though. But MJ’s story beats in these games were a bit messy.
Peter was really cool with the Black Suit. It was a great take on the alien costume saga. Harry as Venom was great, and seeing Norman’s instability brewing is great. Norman being a threat after Harry is a good choice. Seeing Norman talk to Otto in the end also makes me VERY excited for a potential third game. It didn’t need to turn into Web of Shadows at the end, though. Like… I get that we needed harder enemies, but an over-the-top alien invasion was a bit too much for a grounded universe like this.
Kraven was cool too. I think it may be one of the best adaptations of his character ever. It’s up there with the comics and the 90s show. Definitely the freshest take on him.
It’s AWESOME that we got Queens and Brooklyn in this game. They’re not super accurate, but it’s definitely the best New York we’ve gotten this far. In terms of the citizens, the city feels less alive than the first two games. Almost everyone you have to take to the hospital is the same crusty-faced tan guy wearing Beats headphones. It’s kinda weird and takes you out of the world.
Overall, this game is loads of fun, though. The swinging is better than ever, the boss fights are better than ever, and I think the actual gameplay may be the best in any Spidey game. It does more than it needs to in terms of customizing your play-style, which is awesome. Oh, and side-missions rule too. That Howard one was very sad, and I teared up for sure.
I feel like there wasn’t enough tension between Black Cat in this game. Peter’s 25, not 65. I don’t know why, but video games tone down romance a little too much now. It happened in Hogwarts Legacy too. I’m not saying females need to look super revealing or be overly sexualized, but adding some romantic tension can greatly increase your story. It wasn’t completely lacking, but I do think Cat should’ve tried to play around a bit more with Pete’s relationship. Instead of making Cat interesting, they made what she had stolen from Doctor Strange interesting… which… is fun. I prefer stimulating over fun. But… this is only a video game after all.
Great game. It lived up to the hype. It didn’t surpass it, though. Maybe the DLC will add some extra spice. I think the third game will be the best in the series. I hope so, at least. As of now, the first game is definitely still the best and definitely gives you the most to do. This game also made me appreciate the first game a lot more, which made me like this one more too.
Love this universe. I love how much it loved New York. I love how “be greater” isn’t just a marketing campaign for these games. It’s a very real prompt placed in your soul, and it bleeds into your life. It makes me want to be a better person. “When you help someone, you help everyone.”