Spider-Man 2
Ben is swept up in a most fascinating web...
Combat itself is fairly well executed. Your standard abilities include a simple selection of kicks and punches that can be modified with use of the jump or sprint button. These are later complimented by a quite impressive range of manoeuvres that can be purchased from shops within the city allowing for some graphically pleasing combo fisticuffs. Simple foes can be dispatched with a little melee fighting or web-slinging, but trickier opponents require a different approach. Armed adversaries will often avoid your webbing and make at you. As soon as you see your Spidey-sense tingling (ohhh, that line brings back some happy memories of Marvel Super Heroes on the Sega Saturn) a quick tap of the B button will dodge the oncoming attack and this can be followed by a counter move using one of the other buttons. Later in the game you're able to tie up several foes at once, hang criminals from lampposts amongst other things. Some of the later moves can be a little tough to execute but at least they serve to keep the combat relatively interesting. Baddies armed with guns can be tough to deal with as the time between your Spidey-sense and the gunshot itself is incredibly short, often resulting in a somewhat implausible death at the hands of some two-bit goon, but this is a problem that superhero games have always faced and it would be hard to avoid without rendering combat meaningless.
The narrative missions themselves unfortunately fail to demonstrate much more invention. Many of them take the form of getting from point A to B within a set time limit, or battling a recognisable baddie such as Shocker, all of which can be defeated quite easily once their attack pattern has been learnt and sweet spot identified. When missions do get larger however, they rarely actually get any better. The first major encounter pits you against Quentin Beck (who soon becomes Dr Octopus) and is really quite farcical. One moment you're throwing released convicts into large neon pits (?), the next you're navigating mysterious floating platforms whilst avoiding a harmless light gun. Neither is especially satisfying. Whilst the camera and controls handle admirably when you're roaming the city, they fail horribly whenever you're forced into an interior. Never is this more clearly demonstrated than in the face off against Mysterio. Comprising of three parts, each is frustrating for different reasons. The scene rescuing audience members from a burning theatre is agonising as you wrestle with the camera in an effort to actually see what you're doing. The next segment sees you fighting manically with a ridiculous task requiring you to swing between bizarre floating alien orbs around the Statue of Liberty (a section so frustrating that I'm still itchy with frustration even now).
The truth is that whilst Activision have succeeded in creating a superbly free and interesting environment they've failed in actually trying to structure a playable and interesting narrative. A further issue however proved to be of even greater concern for me. Progression through the game is governed by meeting certain requirements in each chapter, and once this is done you'll automatically be introduced to the next. I've researched and discovered that I'm not alone in reaching a certain point in the game and finding myself unable to progress. Despite meeting the requirements needed in the previous Chapter 9 the next simply never arrived. I contacted Activision and was told, after some debate, that it's not a technical issue and was in fact an oversight on my behalf. Not helpful. It must be stressed that the vast majority of gamers have not experienced this problem but I'm not the only one. My advice is to keep two saves going at all times allowing you to backtrack should this happen to you.
Spiderman 2 may be deeply flawed in some of the more fundamental ways, but you cannot escape the fact that what it does well it does amazingly well. I haven't had this much fun with a game in a long long time, and in a world of advanced 3D engines, complicated physics engines and dynamic light sources fun is sometimes something that is mistakenly overlooked. Not so with Spiderman 2. The truth be told I'd much rather play a hugely fun if flawed piece of software than an immaculately polished but dull one. Choose to ignore the plot and the side missions if you like; the hidden races, the token hunts and the tremendous feeling to be had from simply exploring, swinging and crawling about the city are more than enough to justify purchase. Spiderman 3 the movie has been confirmed and for once I'm actively welcoming a sequel. If Activision manage to address the faults in this title in time for the next then we could have a truly epic piece of software on our hands. But until then enjoy what you have here, because whilst frustration is a probability, fun is an absolute certainty.
80%
Comments
I love this game its Awsome and the movie to its great
its cool but its really hard at mission 3
Good review... except 1 thing:
"The first major encounter pits you against Quentin Beck (who soon becomes Dr Octopus)"
This is not true. Doctor Octavious becomes Doc Oc... not Quentin Beck. He becomes Mysterio!
FANTASTIC GAME THOUGH
I already beat the game. it was ok. I think when they make part 3, that they it should be with venom and carnage. those are the best enemies.
This game is amazing i'm on the bit where you fight Doc Ock on the train,it's pretty hard. But besides that the city is great as well, it's so expansive you can go anywhere from the top of the empire state building right down to ground level where u can interact with people. It's great,9/10. P.S (don't buy web zip,it's pretty annoying)
i like this game and iv met toby maguire in america
This game is great, freedom, spin net...but one thing is wrong, in all cheat websites it stands that if you beat the game you will get doc ock, but it's simply venom, right?
Not sure, But I was wondering how to complete the mission where u fight Doc Ock on the train,it's really hard.so can anyone tell me how to complete it,maybe someone whos completed the game like JOKESTER116,otherwise great game.:-)
Do you have a cheat code for unlimited health or skipping for this game
if have xbox write this cheat for unlimeted health and spider reflexes :a,b,right trigger and x
I think it haves a cool idea the game. And i like freedom. But the other things are repitive. They are like only 5 diferent crimes. I give it 7.2 out of 10.
the game is tight but it should have venom. that will be tight
all you have to do markie mark is when spidey's hed flashes press the dodge button. and and prees the web button. and then go to spider reflexes and kick is ass
this games is tight but why not put a cheat for diffrent clothes
I stand corrected Samdawg - apologies.
Yes, I also really enjoyed the game. Flawed, but loads of fun nonetheless.
this game rocks except were peter weres the glasses all the time. and the third movie will have venom in it.
how do I beat dr octopuss
spidy if u still come to this site what i do to beat him is u run at him and u do ur upper cut with the b butten
the game is class is the movie
I do not give a sh*t about this game you mutha fu*ckers
ever oe on this site is soft and you can not mess with tre six m.o.b
how do u play as doc ock im not getting how people can play as him where do u go and what are u suposed to do?!
:-(
i love the game but how do you get to play as doc oc
how do you play as doc ock
i lah yu spidey
to play as doc oc you need to get gameshark
LO MAS JAJJA.....
SUCK MY COCK .......FORROSSSSS...!!!!!!!
PD: MEEEEEEEEEE
how do i play as doc oc someone please tell me
I LOVE THIS GAME!!!!! The web swinging is probably the funnest thing i've ever done on a game before.When they make part 3 they need to keep the controls and the web swinging the same!!!I also think the graphics arn't that bad.Annyone who says the graphics on ultimater spidey aer better is either stupid or prefers the cartoony graphics of nintendo games.[WII EXCLUDED]I will never get rid of this game
Has annyone heard that if you find the clock near the fc you can race from it to a costume store between 2 certain times and if you get there in time you can play as doc ock?CAN SOMEONE CONFIRM THIS?
""" Has annyone heard that if you find the clock near the fc you can race from it to a costume store between 2 certain times and if you get there in time you can play as doc ock?CAN SOMEONE CONFIRM THIS?
""""posted by spideynut
hey spideynut ... there is a costume store in the game for sure. (ps2 version anyway).
I am on about 80% of the game and have all the tokens--hint markers--mary jane missions--pizza missions(100% happycustomers).
I still need to do the arcade games--and 1 or
2 daily bugle missions. about 45 each of challenges and mega challenges sofar...
I don't know if finishing these or getting 100% of the game will unlock anything, but I know the costume store's location///
+++++++++++ COSTUME STORE LOCATION ++++++++++++
...go to the south end of central park....
...facing south, between the two centre streets of the south end of the park is a sideways U shaped building with a light blue top if you look on the select button map...
....go south down the alley to the right of the U shaped building to the very next street...
... cross the street((into the north end of the theatre district)) and look to your left on the ground floor and you will see the costume store. It is with other stores that say open 24 hrs. but there was a hint somewhere else about 10-11. I forget where I saw it but others have noticed it and written about it also.
... I have tried every window at all different times and couldn't find a way in though. It may not unlock anything. If you ever get to 100% completed you might wanna go back here and try before looking in the garment district for some invisible store. good luck
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
For all those that keep saying it's in the garment district and you found it with so and so costumes... prove it if you can, please.
tell us exactly where it is!