One of the most beloved characters that come to mind when we think of superheroes, Spider-Man, appeared before PS4 players through a collaboration between Insomniac Games and Marvel. So, did the game Marvel’s Spider-Man live up to the expectations? Without further ado, let me quickly break down the details of the game for your avid gamers, along with the main points.
Story
After 8 years since taking off the mask, the game where we control an experienced Spider-Man captivates us with its 15-20 hour storyline reminiscent of Hollywood-style action scenes we’re accustomed to from Spider-Man movies. The challenges faced by Peter Parker in his daily life as both Spider-Man and a scientist are skillfully woven into the story. Now, you might be wondering if there are any downsides to the game’s story. Of course, there are! There are two aspects of the story that I didn’t enjoy. One of them is the stealth missions with Mary Jane, which make up around 1-1.5 hours of the 15-20-hour story. These Mary Jane missions, appearing suddenly amidst the flow of action scenes in the story, significantly disrupt the game’s pacing. While occasionally seeing Peter Parker and Mary Jane working together is nice, the Mary Jane missions, on the whole, felt tedious to me. The second thing I didn’t like is that the game’s story is quite predictable. Instead of getting excited during a few key scenes in the game’s progression, you find yourself saying “I had already guessed it would turn out this way”.
Graphics
As the release of Marvel’s Spider-Man drew closer, one of the most debated topics was the game’s graphics. This was because many were asserting that the game’s graphics had been downgraded. As someone who has completed the game, I can confirm that aside from water details, the graphics haven’t been downgraded. Instead, the game’s color palette was altered to create a more comic-book-style and vibrant world. While this thought might draw reactions from many, when you play the game, swinging through the city by web or dashing atop a building, the reflections on the buildings and numerous other technical details will undoubtedly create a visual spectacle for you gamers.
Atmosphere
Marvel’s Spider-Man takes place in one of the five main districts of New York, specifically in Marvel’s New York, as named in the game. Insomniac Games has shown great respect for the character’s history while crafting the game’s atmosphere, and they’ve created the best-suited environment for the Spider-Man character. As Spider-Man, we’re not just swinging through the air; there’s also a community of people living on the city streets, and we can interact with them by taking selfies, greeting them, or assisting them in various ways. The only minor shortcoming in the game’s atmosphere is that people don’t seem to get involved in events too much.
Gameplay
One of my favorite aspects of the game was the web-swinging mechanics. Navigating the city by swinging on webs and using them to stick enemies to walls has been incredibly enjoyable. Insomniac Games has executed these mechanics so well that our character smoothly glides without getting caught on anything.
In Marvel’s Spider-Man, apart from the main storyline, players are presented with various challenges, mini-games, puzzles, and side quests. Some of these activities take just 1-2 minutes, while others might occupy 10-15 minutes of your time, adding engaging content to the gameplay. With the tokens earned from these activities, you can unlock a variety of appealing costumes, acquire different web mods (such as web bombs, web mines, etc.), or enhance your character’s abilities. Additionally, many of these contents contain numerous references to comic books.
Sound and Music
The voice synchronization with the characters in the game has been executed quite well. I can say that the in-game sound effects are also quite satisfying. As for the game’s music, familiar and captivating soundtracks from various superb superhero films, which many of us recognize and associate with specific scenes, have been used.
Final Word
To sum up our review, Marvel’s Spider-Man offers players impressive graphics, a highly satisfying storyline, an immersive atmosphere, and enjoyable web-swinging mechanics. If you’re a Spider-Man fan, I can tell you that this game is tailored just for you, offering hours of delightful gameplay. Now, for those who aren’t necessarily Spider-Man enthusiasts, if you’re wondering whether you can still enjoy the game, I assure you that it will also provide you with a great deal of satisfaction.
