Ultimate Spider-Man

[Cormeh]

So I had me a little search through the forums and found hee-haw on this game.

I got it 2 days ago but have only had about an hours play-time on it.
I was a little apprehensive about the game at first, I've read a ton of negative reviews on it, about how they had changed the web-swinging and removed the sprint ability etc.

But for what I've played it seems a nifty little game. Looks nice and plays fine with a little bit of practice.
It'll be good to get some time and delve a bit deeper.

So has anyone else purchased it yet?

 

[Cormeh]

Not one person?

Ach well. >_>

 

[CyberPitz]

Never purchased a Spider Man game. Love the comics and stuff..never liked any games I've played. I'll watch some videos

 

[Cormeh]

Well, sorry for digging this thread up, but in case anyone else has had a change of heart and is interested in this game, I just finished it and wanted to post up a few thoughts and impressions.

To start with, I feel compelled to compare this game with the excellent Spider-Man 2 (console version). Ultimate Spider-Man still uses the same basis as Spidey 2 in terms of gameplay and feel, but has had a total overhaul in visual effects.

At first play, the 2 most notorious changes gameplay wise from SM2 to USM, is:

1) There is no sprint button.
2) The web-swinging interface has been changed.

Now, number 1 doesn't have much of a concern, the developers have included a few new techniques to negate the use of the sprinting ability, being that you can web-zip up walls continuosly to make up for Spider-Man's slow crawling.

Number 2 really isn't a problem, due to the fact (as with every other game), practice makes perfect. Now I played this game on Gamecube, and the swinging now requires you to hold down the shoulder button to stay attached to a web line, and to let go of the button to, well, let go of the web line. :rolling:
Another new feature with web swinging is the nifty little "ascend" ability, which allows the web-head to quickly shuffle up his web mid swing, gaining as much altitude as required.

Gameplay wise, USM is incredibly lacking. Not that SM2 had a perfect interface in terms of movement and combat, but USM seems to have taken three steps backwards just to add very small aspects to each factor. For example, when SM's spider sense is activated, you need to press the jump button to avoid the incoming/oncoming danger, whereas SM2 had the exclusive "dodge" button, allowing you to stay with the action.
Fighting is just a random button bash fest. The only new additions are that Spidey can chain up to five punch/kcik moves together, and also use the surrounding environment to bounce back and forth, striking enemies with a little more force.
This brings to light another irk I have with the combat.... how the f*ck did I just do that move? There is no set move list or combos to unlock, so tactical fighting is almost absolutely nil.

In terms of movement, USM is sloooow. As I mentioned, there is no sprint, but there is counter-balance for this (the web-zip), there is however a supposed "web-line speed boost", which comes in 4 different flavours, each the same as the last. Which basically leaves you with no speed upgrades for swinging. :/

If I take my attention now to the progress of the story throughout the game, I have to admit it was incredibly annoying. One thing that bugs me (geddit? ) about this most is the fact you have to do races. I HATE RACES.
These strictly speaking are assault courses for your spider powers, but they end in a proper race against the human torch. I never had a great deal of trouble with these, but still they're not my cup of tea. It does lead me onto the boss battles however, which at first are original and impressive, but after two they are predictable and irksome. The catch is, you have to chase each boss before the actual fight, and remedy any random destruction they cause in their rampage. These chases are damn annoying and have you going back many times before you get them sussed.

One factor I've missed so far though is Venom. Everyone thinks: " 'Bout fookin time!" But Venom isn't that great. First off, he is always losing health, and requires to feed on civilians (or any other people for that matter) to sustain himself and survive. Also Venom cannot web-swing, but employs a powerful locomotion jump that can help him scale buildings in one bound.
Venom can also toss cars at his enemies, which I must confess is cracking fun, but thats about all there is to Venom.

His missions are intertwined with those of Spider-man's and both reach a head at the end of the game. After completion of the main story mode, you are able to acces control of Venom whenever you see fit. The game then turns into a much weaker version of Hulk:Ultimate Destruction (which, for the record, is great), whilst you tear the city apart for absolutely no reason.

All in all I would say that this game is a purchase for Spidey fans out there, for other folks it would be better getting SM2 and H:UD for the better experiences of both characters. Or for the really sane people, just rent it.

I give it a 6/10. (I really did love the graphics though).