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Spider-Man 3 Preview

Writer: R J Gaffney » Blog
Posted: 3rd Mar, 2007

Publisher: Activision
Developer: Treyarch
Release: 2nd Quarter, 2007

Comic books and their showy protagonists are making a comeback of late. Recent well made movies like Spiderman, X-men, Superman and Batman allow us to forgive lesser efforts like The Hulk and the abysmal Catwoman. Alongside a big movie comes the video game tie-in, and Spiderman 3 is no exception.

While following the plot of the movie, Spiderman offers free roaming gameplay in Manhattan, New York, Spidey's eight-legged stomping ground. The island is massive and, quite frankly, impressive. Moving about the large island is easy enough, thanks to Spiderman's agility and ability to fire webs, swinging from building to building as he crosses the concrete jungle in search of prey.

And there's plenty of prey to be had. Not only are the movie's villains, Sandman, New Goblin and Venom available to contend with, but new problems arise with the game's gang system. Different gangs will control different areas of the city, and the activity in said areas will reflect that. Spiderman's job is to not only fight off the mega villains, but also the punks on the corner with a habit of collecting the handbags of elderly ladies.

While the movie plot will be faithfully recreated, alternative storylines will be available too. Up to ten, in fact, will be included within the title, only one of which is based around the film. Aside from the theatrical villains, Spiderman will also face off against Scorpion and other classic villains, complete with lavish costumes that may or may not be based on official pre-production designs for the movie sequels.

Combat in Spiderman 3 is kinetic, to say the least. Spiderman is as fluid as ever and jumps even higher this time around. On top of the standard brawling attacks available at his super powered disposal are the web shot, which offers some interesting ideas as far as combat is concerned. Our hero can be swinging through the air as happily as a spider in silk when he spots the foe below. Rather than drop to the punk's level (quite literally) Spiderman has the ability to shoot out his web and drag the punk into mid air, and then unleash a combo which sends said gangbanger hurtling toward the pavement.

If that doesn't whet your appetite, then perhaps the thug hammer will. Using his webshot, Spiderman once again latches onto an enemy, but instead of pulling them close, he starts spinning them around like a ball and chain. Not only does it look cool, but it's pretty effective too, knocking the area clear of those pesky gang members.

Of course, things take a turn for the brutal when a certain symbiotic sludge comes to town. As in the movie, Spiderman will be forced to deal with a darker side of himself in the game, and it won't all be internal angst. Nope, Spiderman goes Anakin Skywalker on us for (continued next page)