Spider-Man first impressions
 

I picked up the Xbox version. I think it's very good. Much more difficult then the first(didn't play the 2nd). The gameplay is almost identical to the original with more moves but a different camera scheme. Swinging through the city is amazing. I was literally speechless my first time doing it. Bruce Campbell as the "guide" is a nice touch, but Stan Lee is missed. As is Kirsten Dunst since Willem Dafoe and Tobey McGuire lend their voices to the game. The control is tight, but you run into problems when you fight the camera.

And there's my only gripe with the game so far. The camera system. The right stick controls the camera but too many times during a fight it stays frozen and you have to keep moving it to get a good angle. I'ts a bit frustrating especially when you do aerial battles. However, it's not enough to bring the game down.

So far, about 6 levels into the game I find it pretty damn good. Activision and Treyarch really outdid themselves.

May I ask how long it took you to get through those 6 levels? My only worry about this game is length. Any word on extra costumes, playing as other characters, etc. in the instructions. Will most likely pick this up tonight...I liked the original game.

Re: Spider-Man first impressions
 

You are quick. I just got mine during lunch and played about 15 minutes through the training levels. Bruce Campbell is pretty funny. The graphics is fantastic especially the introduction. There are plenty of moves to learn. So far, it's a pretty fun game to play.

So does this game follow the story of the movie its based on or is it different?

I thought the first spiderman game was pretty good and this one sounds cool too. I'll probably try it eventually... it sucks that I have finals next week to study for :(.

It's based on the movie. It even has Willem Dafoe and Toby Maguire as the voices of green goblin and spiderman. They did have to throw more enemies in than you will see in the movie though.

It took me about an hour to go through the training seqence and those 6 levels. Just so you know though that those first few levels are just to get you used to the control scheme. You don't actually step into the real costume until the 5th or 6th level.

For the beginning and the half of the game on, the storyline seems to follow the movie. The early stuff with the other villians is added.

Urgh, i just beat the vulture... that guy royally ticked me off!

todd

Hmmmnn.... Why do I get that feeling that most of the posts here reflect the attitude of, "I just bought it, so I must like it"? I don't think anyone has really said that the game was outstanding, or even fun, and the few positive comments that are there, seem a bit forced. On the other hand, the negative comments come off sincere and show potentially serious problems with the game, in general. Please do not hold back, and warn us now if the game is not all it was hyped to be. Don't let another person make the mistake of being trapped with a dud (as of now, I think I will still buy it).

There are some very nice early reviews from people who have bought the X-Box version...

http://www.hometheaterforum.com/htfo...threadid=63976

I will be picking it up ASAP.

I was going to buy it until I heard the game can be beaten in about 5 hours or less.

I will be renting now.

Those are some good reviews. Looks like I will get it as well.

It also looks like, as an Xbox owner, I should be hanging out over there a little more. Jeez, it is strange seeing the majority of people buying the Xbox version without tons of others chiming in to bash it & the console.

teamxbox.com gave it a 4.1 out of 5

http://www.teamxbox.com/view_reviews.php?id=328


So far, I'm personally really enjoying this game. At what level do you get the new spiderman suit?

5 hours???

Either someone with spidey gaming reflexes or playing on Easy mode.

Where did you hear this? I've heard 10-12 hours with replay value. The IGN PS2 review talks about how he is having fun playing it through the second time and that it gives you more stuff the more times you go through...doesn't sound like a 5 hour game to me.

Thought you were buying the PC version...?

That's true... At HTF, there are still console discussions, and even a few users who always show up in X-Box threads when they have nothing good to add (actually really just one user... ;))... But, in general, people they stay rather civilized when it comes to that stuff. They know a good thing when they see it.

Yeah, I've noticed there are a few dvdtalkers here that will go out of thier way to highlight any "bad news" concerning the xbox.

Not so much bashing per say, but always chiming in on anything remotely negative. They make sure they keep the discussion some what civil and intelligent enough to keep it from being labeled xbox bashing.

Personally, I enjoy all the consoles.

Man, I was planning on picking this up tonight but since reading the posts here and at HTF now I'm trying to figure out how to get over to Best Buy during lunch.

Thanks for the info, everybody.

Good point, but the purpose of my original post was just a very early first impression of the game. My feeling wasn't forced either. Now having spent a few more hours into the game I'm a bit more clear on the game.

Let me make a few things clear. Spider-Man: The Movie is a sequel. So in essence, it follows the same basic formula set by the previous games. If you loved the original(which I do) then you'll feel right at home with this one. However, if you hated the original, then I'll reccomend a rental since the game adds much more gameplay depth but still retains the same level structure set by the original.

Now, about the 5 hour length. I'd say yes, techically it would be possible to beat the game in 5 hours. Provided you already played through the game and have a knowledge of what to do and where to go, play it on easy and skip the cinema scenes. A first time play through would be more closer to 7+ hours. Not much I know, but there's tons to unlock. The games secrets system is kinda like the one set in Star Wars: Rogue Leader. You don't win medals, but you accumlate bonus points depending on how well you play a level. These points you can use to buy more features. I've bought 2 so far. A mini bowling game where you're spidey and must web swing into the the pins, and that very early Vulture cinema scene that was on every videogame site way back when. There are more to unlock as you go on. So there's plenty of replay value.

So how does the game stack up compared to the original? Well, the new features are very welcome. A fully realised aerial system, over 20 new hand-to-hand combos, etc. all make the game fresh enough to separate it from the original. However, the game does have it's flaws. The camera system can be a pain, especially when you crawl around hallways and ceilings. Plus, the levels haven't evolved much despite the addition of aerial battles.

So how do I rate the game on a scale of 1 to 10?

For verterans and fans of the original: 9- It's a no brainer, you must buy this game. The few flaws are annoying, but this is the best Spider-Man game and possibly the best comic book/movie adaption(next to Goldeneye and the best Star Wars games).

For new players: 7.5- It's a solid action game that finally brings a true Spider-Man experience to game consoles. The flaws are common to most 3rd person action games(camera), but there is more then enough here to keep you interested.

For people wo wonder about no replay value, check out these cheats that were posted on the HTF. I don't know if all or any of them work but they look like a lot of fun if they do.

Enter these codes in the Cheats section under the Specials menu. Enter the code a second time to deactivate. girlnextdoor - Play as Mary Jane
hermanschultz - Play as The Shocker
serum - Play as Scientist
knuckles - Play as Thug 1
stickyrice - Play as Thug 2
thugsrus - Play as Thug 3
captainstacey - Play as Helicopter Pilot
freakout - Play as Matrix Spidey
realhero - Play as Police Officer
organicwebbing - Unlimited Webbing
koala - All Fighting Fighting Controls Unlocked
romitas - Enables "Next Level" Feature in the In-Game menu imiarmas - Enables all levels
dodgethis - Matrix Attacks
joelspeanuts - Bighead enemies
spiderbyte - Mini Spider-Man
goestoyourhead - Bighead and Bigfeet Spidey
underthemask - 1st Person Mode
chillout - Super coolant!
headexplody - Enable Bonus Training Levels

For those who have it...see if these are for real!

It has been reported that the 1st person view "cheat" works!

I can confirm that on PS2 version these cheats work.
girlnextdoor, realhero, dodgethis, underthemask

One thing i was a little bummed to not see (and i haven't played it much so it still might be hidden in there somewhere) was the unlocking of new spidey costumes like in the first one. I liked being able to choose which spidey to replay the game with and have different abilities depending on the suit.

Also, i have an odd question. On the training mode on the GC version i get to near the end and Mr. Campbell instructs me to hold the "Y" button and tap the "Left button" to drop down on a strand of webbing from the ceiling and then supposedly i can slowly go up and down to scope things out.... maybe i'm a total gimp but when i hit y spidey shoots some webbing and then when i tap the left shoulder i immediately zipline down to the floor..... am i totally incompetant or just missing something?

do you have the combo backwards? I have the ps2 and when I do the combo for this backwards I zip.

The graphics is one of the best I've seen, I own the GC version. The place where you fight Shocker's goons, a subway station?, that one really looks awesome. I also love the level where you fight Vulture and it's raining. It looks so beautiful. Oh yeah the gameplay is also excellent, you can almost climb and swing anywhere. Awesome game. The only problem is the camera but it's nothing major. I'd give this one a 9.