SPIDER-MAN PS4 - All The Biggest New Reveals And Details From The Latest Issue Of Game Informer
We've combed through the latest issue of Game Informer to bring you all the newest details about Spider-Man PS4, including the story, gameplay, post-release content, and much more besides. Check it out!
Regardless of whether or not you're a video game fan, it's fair to say that we have a long list of reasons to be excited about the PlayStation 4 exclusive Spider-Man game which is set to be released this September. It looks simply spectacular and while it's been shrouded in secrecy up until now, the latest issue of Game Informer finally sheds some light on what we should expect from the anticipated title.
We've taken an in-depth look at the issue to bring you all the biggest new details and reveals about Spider-Man and if you're at all curious about what's to come, you need to keep reading for more.
So, to check out this full list of story and gameplay details, all you need to do is click on either one of the buttons below. There's a lot of great new intel here which has never been heard before, including playable characters, where we find the wall-crawler when this story begins, what it will be like to take control of the iconic Marvel superhero, how the combat and web swinging works, and much more.
The Open World Environment
As you no doubt already know, Spidey will be able to explore New York City at will but the team's journey through the Big Apple reveals that Marvel Comics landmarks like Avengers Tower, Doctor Strange's Sanctum Sanctorum, and Black Panther's Wakandan Embassy will all be present in the game.
Whether or not that means the character who inhabit them will be showing up hasn't been revealed. Regardless, when you decide to take some time off and walk through the city's streets, you'll be greeted by passersbys and some will even stop to take selfies with you. You can even head to a basketball court and join in on the game, something which points to there being plenty to get up to.
Side Quests
What will you get to do when you're not tackling the main storyline? Well, there are a myriad of options including hunting down collectables, performing takedowns on goons, stopping crimes, and ultimately using those missions to unlock even more side quests (one of which includes stopping Shocker from robbing a bank). Needless to say, there will be more than enough to keep players busy.
Oh, and in case that doesn't sound spectacular enough, Taskmaster will also pop up to challenge you!
Post Release Content
The most disappointing thing about games like this is that once you're done with the story, that's pretty much it. However, the team working on Spider-Man PS4 has a "City Never Sleeps Initiative" which promises to deliver plenty of new content once this title hits shelves, all of which will include a new villain, unique storylines, missions, challenges and suits. Sounds pretty damn cool, right?
The first is going to be titled "The Heist" and looks set to focus on the Black Cat. No pricing details have been revealed but it's said that microtransactions are definitely off the table for this game.
Miles Morales
Another fan-favourite character set to show up here is Miles Morales. This version is a 15-year-old Spider-Man super fan "whose life becomes intertwined with Peter's." It's probably safe to assume that he's going to end up gaining abilities and will probably wind up being playable at some point too.
The Game's Opening Sequence
Spider-Man PS4 kicks off in Peter's cramped apartment and after the camera focuses on a spider making its way down a strand of webbing across an open window, we then get to see photos of Peter's Uncle Ben and Aunt May, along with newspaper clippings (from The Daily Bugle, of course) featuring villains like Electro, The Vulture, Scorpion, and Rhino. There's also a police tracker which the hero uses to alert him to what's happening in the city and it quickly notifies him of some serious trouble.
Ignoring a notice of eviction put under his door, Spidey suits up and leaps out of the window...
A Seamless Transition Between Cutscenes And Gameplay
From there, Spider-Man swings through the city and it's only when "Press R2 To Web Swing" pops up on screen that players will realise the action has transitioned from a cutscene to actual gameplay. That's how good the graphics are in the game and the same trick is used during fight scenes as well.
Peter Parker Is Getting The Spotlight Too
While previous Spider-Man games have only touched on Peter Parker's world for very brief interludes, this game hopes to change that by making his story every bit as important as his masked alter-ego. Apparently, we'll see him dealing with everything from his finances to relationships and the character will even be playable in Uncharted-style interludes where he can be controlled in various ways.
Peter can interact with people and items surrounding him and the scene shown off in this demo saw the wall-crawler hanging out with his Aunt May in F.E.A.S.T. (which is run by Martin Li).
The New Web Swinging Mechanics
One of the best things about Spider-Man's video games has always been the fact players are able to swing through New York City as the wall-crawler and explore the Big Apple from his point of view.
Holding L3 will send Spidey into a headfirst dive, while hitting X will send out a different web strand which can help players alter the character's trajectory and makes it easy for you to dart around corners.
"If you slam into a building, you run along or up it, depending on the angle," explains creative director Bryan Intihar. "When you get to the top, you have two options: you can just keep going, while will send you into a midair jump, or you time a button press at the top of the building to catapult you forward to keep your momentum going." If you find yourself above a building, you'll even be able to shoot a web downwards to keep your flow going which is pretty damn smart.
The Classic Costume Makes An Appearance
As we've mentioned, the game will begin with Spidey swinging into action and it's mentioned in the magazine that the hero is going to be wearing his classic comic book costume when that happens.
While it probably won't last long (we'll get to why in a moment), fans will no doubt be relieved to learn that it does exist in this world and that it will probably be playable for at least some of the time.
How Long This Spider-Man Has Been In Action
This iteration of Spider-Man has been protecting New York City since the age of fifteen (just like his comic book counterpart) and is now 23 which means we're going to get to play as an experience wall-crawler who knows his stuff and has been swinging around as Spidey for a grand total of eight years.
The Kingpin
The first mission involves taking on both The Kingpin and his goons and while the Game Informer team didn't get to see the battle between Spidey and this classic comic book villain in the demo they played, it was revealed that Wilson Fisk ultimately winds up being taken into custody. However, what looks like a job well done actually opens the floodgates to a new wave of threats taking his place.
The Osborns
It's not clear if the Green Goblin will come into play in this game but it's mentioned that Harry Osborn is overseas and still stays in touch with Peter. His father Norman, meanwhile, has rode the success of Oscorp to become the mayor of New York City. When this story takes place, he's running for reelection but will there be more to him than meets the eye? Well, we'll just have to wait and see...
Who Is Playing Peter Parker?
Spider-Man will be voiced by Yuri Lowenthal (Prince of Persia) and his face is modelled after John Bubniak (Godzilla: King of the Monsters). "The path to Spider-Man was interesting for me," the former explains. "[Insomniac] brought me in to do a test. There was no guarantee I would be Spider-Man. When they started doing auditions, I think there was some pushback because, well, 'he's done other stuff for us, and we can't have him do Spider-Man because he just did [Sunset Overdrive]."
"I just assumed I would get vetoed," he added, "and it would go to somebody else. When I got it, it was one of those red-letter days. It's been fantastic. I grew up with Spider-Man."
Peter's Relationship With Mary Jane Watson
Peter and MJ have reportedly been on-again and off-again for years when we catch up with them here, but they haven't spoken for six months! As a result, it seems their romance will be a big part of this game as we build towards seeing them finally reunite and get the happy ending both characters deserve.
A New Take On MJ
Mary Jane may not be Peter's girlfriend in Spider-Man PS4 but she does have a brand new career! She now works at The Daily Bugle as an investigative journalist! "What we're really excited about is MJ's arc is more than just cutscenes," reveals creative director Bryan Intihar. "She's a playable character at certain points, each with unique missions and gameplay mechanics."
"Like most of us, she started at the bottom, and she's really got to work her way up," adds lead writer Jon Paquette about her role here. "She has to pay her dues. It's serendipitous that she has Spider-Man next to her and the stories kind of follow him, right? She's got a partner there, but it is also a complicated relationship. It's hard for them because they both love each other. They've been boyfriend and girlfriend in the past, but they're both really focused on their careers."
Combat To Rival The Arkham Trilogy
Spider-Man's games have always involved a lot of button mashing but it sounds like the combat mechanics are being taken to the next level. "You're always looking for opportunities when you drop into combat," explains creative director Bryan Intihar. "You can attack one enemy on the ground, punch another into the air, and continue the combat there, web down to another guy, swing kick another one, juggle another, bring out a gadget, look for an environment interaction."
"It starts with the basics of melee, but we really want to get you off of the ground to use your aerobatics, gadgets, and webs to feel like Spider-Man." All of this provides a high level of choice when it comes to how you want to fight and if you do well, you earn the chance to slow things down and execute finishing moves. These are delivered via impressive sounding animation sequences.
Alternative Suits
Among the alternative suits spotted by Game Informer were the classic costume, his Noir outfit, Spider-Punk, and the wrestling suit (that final one was spotted in Peter Parker's apartment).
Levelling Up
For each mission you complete, Spider-Man earns points which help him level up. Those skill points can then be used to improve the hero's abilities and the speed he's able to swing through the city.
Mister Negative And His Inner Demons
Just like in the comic books, Mister Negative and his Inner Demons will be looking to rise to power in the absence of The Kingpin. Their aim is to destroy the Big Apple and it's going to be up to Spider-Man to stop him. Nothing more than that has been revealed beyond the fact they'll have negative weapons and abilities which mean the wall-crawler is going to have his hands full in this game.
The New Suit
Apparently, there will be a story reason for why Spider-Man has a new suit in the game and it could have something to do with his scientific career. The developers wouldn't reveal anything beyond that but the red parts of the costume are going to be armoured while his boots are now athletic shoes!
An Unexpected Supporting Character
Clearly inspired by Dan Slott's Amazing Spider-Man run, police chief Yukiro Watanabe is going to end up playing a key role in the game and will often be used as a voice in the wall-crawler's ear guiding him to whatever's happening in the city. She'll serve as a friend and ally to the hero here too.