Spider-Man Video Games Suck - Here's Why

Spider-Man Video Games Suck - Here's Why

Hello CBM friends. This article is sorta my response to Activision admitting that their Spider-Man games are terrible.

Editorial Opinion
By StuckInPanels - Jan 27, 2010 05:01 PM EST
Filed Under: Video Games

Now I admit I made 2 articles about spider-man and while I feel he is Marvels

#1 street walker, I feel he has a chance for some redemption(like pretty woman.lol). With a new reboot movie in the making and the main series comic seems to be bringing him back into a brighter light, maybe make him the way he was before. With that said let me do a how-to for the next(if any) new spider-man game.

#1. Original Story- No movie tie-in. From what Arkham Asylum showed us that a comic-book game can be original than an entirely same plot as the movie, give or take added ideas. Also Wolverine was better than the movie. I know that web of Shadows was original but the story was top heavy due to excess characters added in.

#2. Graphics- Games today are trying to be as nearly realistic as possible. In most cases its ok but not all games should be taken seriously. Like No More Heroes is a perfect example of making a violent game colorful. Ultimate spider-man was colorful but too colorful(the irony is astounding).

#3. Game play- The 2 biggest things that spider-man is known for is his web-slinging and his acrobatic combat skills. From what I heard that spider-man 2 the game had the best web-slinging in any of the games. As for the combat the best I seen was from the ps1 game and a few others that I played. If they can learn from those then we got a good thing going for us

#4. Characters- Keep the characters within the spider-man universe. Both side characters and Villains. No crossovers and over bearing cameos.

#5. Indoor environments- the one thing all spider-man games have in common is that they all take place outside in the city. Few have indoor parts but they are really open for web-slinging. I would like to see levels where you incorporate stealth and darkness in an environment.

#6. Open World- New York is one of the largest and greatest places to be used in games today. One idea is to not give us NY right off the bat. Like Infamous, you had to unlock each borough as you progress through the game.

#7. Boss Battles- this is where the game gets complicated. Simply put is who do you put in and keep out. Obviously keep in the big names, but you can have hidden bosses strewn about the areas, but to get them you need to complete some conditions first.

#8 Unlock ables- extra costumes, concept art, making of videos, and the cool stuff you can think of should be put in it.

#9 No duality concept- like a lot of games we have good and bad sides. Thus giving us either a good ending or bad ending. Don't give us that in a Spider-man game. Infamous did it well and so has Fable, just leave it be with spider-man. Now there can be an exception, a level or brief period where you have the symbiont suit.

#10. New company- why this is the tenth suggestion shouldn't be a concern. Since Activision openly admitted that their spider-man games suck, its seems the best idea is to have a new game studio come in to make the games. the best I can think of are the guys who made Prototype. They did open world gaming fun, if they can perfect combat then all is well

#11. Dating Sim- since spidey and peter have had a good amount of romances over the years, adding in a small dating sim, much like in Bully, you can be rewarded bonuses for who you date in the game. this could mean multiple plays to get different dates.

and lastly

#12. Make it fun- Comic book games should be really fun and well thought out stories, no rehashing something already out in the market. Simple, easy controls, perfected web-slinging and crawling, colorful and not too cartoon like graphics, Great bosses battles, and good voice acting. These can be the makings of a great game. If Arkham proved us anything its that a comic-book game can be great if given the opportunity. BlackAirs out

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wussupman
wussupman - 1/28/2010, 12:36 AM
Good stuff man .
Mixbreed
Mixbreed - 1/28/2010, 5:27 AM
Great research!
TheNameIsBetty
TheNameIsBetty - 1/28/2010, 9:39 AM
Spider-Man 2 is a classic;I still have it! The old old ones were fun. Ultimate Spider-Man was awesome fun too.
MrJosh
MrJosh - 1/28/2010, 9:47 AM
I enjoyed Web of Shadows... They're not award winning games but they're fun to play
gandalf550
gandalf550 - 1/28/2010, 9:50 AM
I enjoyed the Spidey games based on the first two films. Never played the third cause I really, REALLY hated the third film. Have been wanting to try Web of Shadows, but stupid X-box hasn't been working for a while now. Tight budget and all...its repairs keep getting pushed back. Sigh...maybe somewhere down the road.
airbeyonder18
airbeyonder18 - 1/28/2010, 9:53 AM
I enjoyed the 2nd game Spiderman 2. I also have the game. Two copies.
Shaman
Shaman - 1/28/2010, 9:59 AM
Great article! I agree with all your points. ESPECIALLY with the dating!!! Incorporate some "Persona" relationship options and it would be amazing.

I'm always very big on stealth so i'm all up for that!

My favorite Spidey Game was Ultimate but it was way too short. MAKE IT LONGER!!! The best webslinging was definitely in Spider-Man2, hands down!!! KEEP IT!!!

I say hire SuckerPunch for the next game!

And since i've never played Web Of Shadows, i want everybody on here to give me a specific rundown of exactly why they so much loved it or hated it, right here below :))
flames809
flames809 - 1/28/2010, 10:13 AM
and they also should make it that you could choose to be spiderman or just peter parker when ever you want to since know is going to be based in high school and the dating would be good in high school it would make a lot of scenes if they added that in. and they should show aunt may in the games to.
GreenLantern416
GreenLantern416 - 1/28/2010, 10:40 AM
sorry to burst your bubble but Activision made Protoype. I'm playing it right now and it's a fantastic game but there are a lot of similarities with Spider-man games. I'm convinced they used some programming, NYC landscapes and concept art from the various Spider-man games they've made (especially web of shadows, which wasn't very good at all due to bad storytelling) because the look and feel are quite similar.

Ultimate Spider-man was (IMO) the best spider-man game ever made. It's a must for anyone who wants the full spider-man experience.
ASSASSIN666
ASSASSIN666 - 1/28/2010, 10:46 AM
Spiderman 2, and Web of Shadows had the best web swinging of all the Spiderman games. Spiderman 2 was the overall best one in terms of a complete game.
Ryguy88
Ryguy88 - 1/28/2010, 11:01 AM
Dating would be gay. The other Ideas mentioned sound cool though.
Peteyparker
Peteyparker - 1/28/2010, 11:40 AM
No has mentioned the spiderman that came out on 64, dreamcast, and playstation. That game was epic AND it had cameos but still remained to feel like a spiderman story.
Shaman
Shaman - 1/28/2010, 11:47 AM
HA!!! Good one, Multi ;P

I like games like Persona3 (bought the fourth but haven't played it yet) where you meet girls and have to play your cards right with them to get points and shit. It's cool. I don't find it gay. If you could go out with guys... i'd find that litteraly gay(not negatively of course ;).

ASSASSIN666- So you liked Web of Shadows, huh. I haven't played it. What did you like so much about it? I'm curious (not negatively of course ;).
TheMyth
TheMyth - 1/28/2010, 12:01 PM
I read this and find myself wondering if you've played them all. SM2 was (at the time) one of my favorite games. Sure, it could have used a bit more, but it was a MASSIVE improvement over the first. The 3rd for Xbox 360 was quite fun and included several missions indoors, not to mention the great (and very appropriate) graphics. While there were no 'dating' options in the game, you did have dates with MJ in which you had to transport her across town or simply give her a fantastic joyride. And I don't think they could get too much better with his aerial maneuverability and web-slinging. I used to spend hours just flinging myself around New York.

I question your research because of this one statement you make, "From what I heard that spider-man 2 the game had the best web-slinging in any of the games." From what you heard? If you've not played them all in their entirety, how are you in anyway qualified to critique the game franchise? Well, I* have played all three along with Ultimate Spidey. Web of Shadows I avoided because I knew it would be like Ultimate alliance and X-Men Legends, which were fun games, but I want more out of my Spiderman. In Marvel: UA I never use him because he is nowhere near as dynamic as he is in the other games. And as far as Ultimate Spiderman goes, I liked the game, it had a lot of game play hours and I found the cartoony graphics to be fine. The races with Torch were lots of fun while playing Venom and breaking SHIELD agents to pieces was great. And the Wolverine cameo in that game [frick]ing ruled! So suck it lol.
thwhtGuardian
thwhtGuardian - 1/28/2010, 12:26 PM
I agree myth, spider-man 3's web slinging and aerial attacks were the best out of all of them. And while I enjoyed the graphics on the 360 for me where the game really shined control wise was on the Wii. The web slinging was perfect on the wii, for the first time you actually had to aim where you wanted your webs to go in order get around. That to me made it awesome.
Makiveli21
Makiveli21 - 1/28/2010, 1:06 PM
myth-web of shadows wasnt like ultimate alliance, but it was kind of weird because spiderman would do things that weren't exactly peter parkerish if you know what im sayin...

i hate to say this cuz everytime i say anything with the word "ultimate" everyone freaks out and starts hating, but ultimate spiderman was the best spidey game of all. and i actually did play them all. who remembers "maximum carnage" and "seperation anxiety" for sega genesis. classics!!!
TheMyth
TheMyth - 1/28/2010, 1:17 PM
Makiveli, lol, I remember those old Sega classics. Like I said, I never played WoS, just judging it by appearance.
farmboy
farmboy - 1/28/2010, 1:34 PM
wait myth ur okay? I thought you were sick!
dizzongster
dizzongster - 1/28/2010, 2:10 PM
Yeah dude, obviously you haven't done your research, or played much of the Spiderman games.

Most the things you mention have already been in the Spiderman games.

Why is this article on the main? It's retarded.
DogsOfWar
DogsOfWar - 1/28/2010, 2:13 PM
Damn Logan-X, did you forget your meds today?
hxcgamer91
hxcgamer91 - 1/28/2010, 2:52 PM
im a huge gamer fan (name says it all lol) and out of all the spiderman games ive played web of shadows was the best. You could really see the difference with the combat in either suit and it was cool how they tied in the heroes to show that the symbiote wasnt just taking over new york civilians but everybody. Only bad thing was the voice acting it was horrible.
hxcgamer91
hxcgamer91 - 1/28/2010, 2:56 PM
@gandolf if you have the rrod just send it into microsoft and they will fix it for free without warrenty.
antz1104
antz1104 - 1/28/2010, 3:49 PM
If they make the rest like web of shadows they will be awesome. Reasons why:

-great combat system: the vulture fight where you had to go from enemy to enemy to get to him was very cool. That was the way fans saw spiderman fighting, and the upgrades were worth it.
- good story: new plot, established characters. all worthy of its own comic run. Made me think of Maximun Carnage.
- choosing your route: be good or rip Wolvie in half? I know which one I picked. These change the story as it progresses, warranting multiple playthroughs.

@ Myth, def agree with SM2. The doc Ock fights were the best ones EVER.
-
AshleyWilliams
AshleyWilliams - 1/28/2010, 5:25 PM
I liked Spider-Man:Web Of Shadows and Ultimate Spider-Man.Also the first Spidey Game for PS1.
TheMyth
TheMyth - 1/28/2010, 10:35 PM
Farmboy, but not dead, lol, I'll be fine.

I think Logan-X did indeed forget his valium. Calm down, not everyone agrees with this guy so it's unfair to generalize 'all of us'. You make a funny point however with 'now you want to reboot video games' lol that shit is funny. Truth is some people just can't be pleased. Nothing is good enough for them, and if those same people didn't have movies and games to criticize, they'd do the same crap to the source itself through the progressing arcs.
Peteyparker
Peteyparker - 1/28/2010, 11:41 PM
MovieTheaterlad@ Thats what im talking about....that was epic back in the day!!! No movie tie in, just an AWESOME tie in!!!
Boekelaar
Boekelaar - 1/29/2010, 1:54 AM
Yeah the second was awesome, but alot of the ideas youre putting forth it seems like you're suggesting GTA: Spider-man lol. Good article!!!
CRITIC17
CRITIC17 - 1/29/2010, 4:24 AM
@Myth: Yeah man!! SM3 the game was so cool!!! I never understood why no one liked it... I thought it was AWESOME though!!!

Not bad... just throw in the ability to play as Green Goblin, and I'm fine. Also, throw out the dating part...
Shaman
Shaman - 1/29/2010, 7:50 AM
Guys- Don't mind Logan-X, no matter what topic he's on, he's just being his own regular self which is to say a colonel sucking ass hat.

MTL- That was indeed a stellar game for IT'S time. Had it been free roaming and no "street gas" making you die if you fell too low, it would have been the best spidey game ever. Right now, i'd have to say the best spidey game ever was Ultimate Spider-man. It was way too short though.

Myth- I played all three Spidey-Movie games and in my honest opinion, Spider-Man 2 had BY VERY VERY FAR the best webslinging action. The added moves you could upgrade were also awesome. The webslinging in Spider-Man 3 is actually what made me return the damn game even before i got to a boss LOL. Spider-Man 2 is an instant classic and IMO, the 3rd never lived up to it. Even though i loved the Ultimate Spider-Man game, i have to say that it actually had very shitty webslinging but since everything else about the game was amazing, i returned it after having finished it twice ;)
ClintEastwood
ClintEastwood - 1/29/2010, 9:59 AM
I felt like Prototype and Web Of Shadows were the same just about, but I will say web of shadows is my favorite spidey game
militantcharles
militantcharles - 2/5/2010, 5:36 PM
To the guy who posted Spiderman for the playstation. HELL YES BEST SPIDERMAN GAME EVER
rosco71
rosco71 - 2/20/2010, 1:11 PM
Web of shadows was the best spidey game, i'd have added a night and day cycle instead of episodes set in different times of the day, better weather effects, i want rain lashing down on the new york, sunshine, smog of the city's cars, more indoor enviroments too!
venom90
venom90 - 12/5/2010, 5:32 PM
colonel sucking ass hat ROLMAO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!but i gatta say that y'all have very good points but i thinks most of us can agree that a combination of spiderman wos spiderman 3 and spiderman 1960s (where cartoons could be actually be called 'great" or "legendary") would make a great game. another that's pissin the shit outa me to hell is the shit they r makin today aint even finished! and we're force r kids to watch this???????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? i wuz startin to like the new xmen and yes even the new spiderman! but anyway as i said that a combination of spiderman wos spiderman 3 and spiderman 1990s would be a great game and PLEASE bring back free roam..... lets just hope the new guy and girls can do better...
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