Spiderman 2

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Following on from the Success of the console versions, Activision have developed a DS version of the Spiderman 2 game to compliment the launch of Nintendo’s new portable system. Once again, Spiderman has to defeat the likes of Dr Ock and Mysterio in a game that is based more on the previous console versions than the film of the same name. The plot, although following loosely the events of the film, is filled up with additional fights and scenes that help pad the game out, and it works well.



Graphics

Spiderman 2 is a prime example of what a launch title should be – graphically at least. It really shows the potential of the DS and what we can expect to come in the near future from the system. The gameplay follows a 2D style pretty much like the GBA version of the game, however the graphics are fully 3D and look beautiful as they sweep past at a crisp 60 frames per second. Spiderman and the enemies are very well animated and it is clear that something this good could never have been produced on a GBA – the 3D animation also adds to the style and grace of Spiderman as he moves fluidly throughout the levels and fights with the enemies. The whole thing with Spiderman is his ability to swing through cities, climb walls and effortlessly fight enemies and the smooth animation allows him to achieve this. It moves fast and is responsive, so if you press a button Spiderman will respond to that command instantly – you don’t have to wait for him to finish his current action/animation.


Despite the 2D gameplay in the game, the backgrounds are rendered in beautiful 3D and have plenty of depth to them, For example, while swinging through the city you can see right down some streets to the sun shining in the background and it is sections of the game like this that really make your jaw drop – yes, you are playing a portable console. Another great graphical addition is that the fixed camera will rotate with Spiderman as you turn round corners or sections of building. It looks beautiful. You can be swinging along the city one minute and suddenly the camera swings round a building in full 3D to set you off in a new direction, and this really makes the game feel more 3D roaming that it really is. It is also worth mentioning that between levels, the game has included video sequences from the console versions of the game and although we have seen this in some Gameboy Advance titles before, (e.g. Medal Of Honour) never has it been this clear and of such high quality. My hat comes off to Activision for the graphics they have been able to produce for a launch title, it really does look incredible.




Sound

The sound in Spiderman 2 is also up to a pretty high standard, and it certain has some features that really make use of the DS’ stereo speakers. The game contains voice acting from the actors in the film and although there isn’t much of it, it does make the whole Spiderman experience more realistic and impressive. The enemies you encounter also make good grunting sounds as you proceed to attack them and scream when you knock them flying off a high rise building – pretty realistic really! The music itself feels very much at home with this game and it sounds nice on the DS’ speakers. Where Activision have really impressed with the sound is the addition of 3D sounds within the game. If you are in a Chapter which requires you to find a certain number of hostages, then you are helped as to where to find them by the screams and shouts of the hostages over the stereo speakers. The sound comes from the appropriate speaker and at just the right volume so as to give the effect as to where the hostage is in the level. It’s clever and it works, and once again it shows what we can expect to see in future DS titles.



Gameplay

As already mentioned, the DS version of Spiderman drops the free-roaming style of the console version and returns to what is primarily a 2D-scroller, bulked out with impressive 3D graphics and effects. However, graphics aside how does the Gameplay stand up? Well, the game takes place over 16 Chapters. These chapters range in style from simple ‘rescue the hostage’ levels, to ‘kill all the enemies’ and it doesn’t vary much more from those. These styles can soon prove to be very frustrating though as finding enemies or hostages within the levels can be extremely difficult. An example was when I playing through a ‘Rescue the hostages’ level within a burning building. The levels are huge, and items spaced too far away and it doesn’t take long before I was lost, having to spend ages trying to find my 1 remaining hostage. There is no map and simply no way of knowing where you have previously been short of knowing the entire level off by heart. This is a good thing that the gameplay offers a challenge, but when you just cannot find that last item it quickly turns to frustrating. There is also no way of looking around the level to see where you are, as the camera is always at a fixed distance from Spiderman and this is a shame as it certainly detracts from the Gameplay.


Despite these niggles though, the game is fun to play and Spiderman moves like you’d expect him to to. The main game is broken down occasionally with boss battles, and these are one section of the game where the DS’ touch screen comes into play. You find yourself battling the boss in the normal 2D view at first, but soon the action flips to the lower screen and you are forced to deflect objects that are thrown towards Spiderman by touching them. This is not exactly a revolutionary method of using a touch screen, but it helps to pad out the gameplay and stop it from becoming too repetitive – even if it is slightly annoying having to quickly pull the stylus out and turn to the bottom screen within the middle of a boss fight! The only other way in which the touch screen is used in Spiderman 2 is to select Spiderman’s fighting moves during the main gameplay. The moves are arranged in a grid of 8 around the lower screen and touching them with your thumbs allows Spiderman to slide, shoot web or wrap up his opponents. In this way, the touch screen is used well and allows the DS to have a button for every move which is clever and effective. Many of Spiderman’s moves have to be unlocked and so by the end of the game many more will be available to fight with.
The fighting in the main gameplay is fast and frantic and is certainly a lot of fun. However, I found the collision detection with Spiderman and the enemies to be quite off putting and at many times Spiderman just wouldn’t hit enemies unless I was virtually on top of them, which was annoying. Nethertheless, the gameplay is how you’d expect a Spiderman title to play and it is a lot of fun, providing you have the patience.



Lifespan

The game is made up of 16 chapters that in theory could be completed in around 20 minutes each. However the style of gameplay and the large sized levels means it likely to take you a couple of days to crack this title. Infact, those without the patience and perseverance may never see the end of the game and that’s a real shame. For those who do manage to complete the game, then the game provides you with a second objective on each chapter, and these are extremely challenging – which is nice as it makes the game last longer, albeit not really that much different from the first objectives. The game as a whole will keep you playing for a good while and it will certainly be in your DS for a decent amount of time.



Summary

Spiderman 2 is in many ways a superb launch title. The graphics, sounds and style are all beautiful and Spiderman controls and looks superb. The 3D locations make you gasp at the DS’ power and it is one of those launch titles that let you know just how revolutionary this new portable console is. However the game isn’t without its flaws and the gameplay is very patchy in places. The game gets tedious and people with no patience will soon become extremely frustrated with the ‘collect all’ or ‘kill all’ styles of gameplay. It’s also a shame that the DS’ main features were not used effectively. The touch screen, despite the good fighting controls, feels unused and at times (like the boss battles) it feels like it has been used purely just for the sake of it. The lower screen also feels useless – no map, no extras – it’s only really used to offer the fighting controls and you’ll spend hardly any time looking at it. This is a let down really, but considering it is a launch title and that Activision have not had time to look into the DS’ real potential, we can let them off.





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Graphics – 9/10

Although a 2D title at heart, the use of the 3D engine is quite outstanding as you swing round the city and locations from the film. Animation and movie clips are also stunning.


Sound – 8/10

Good use of voice clips and 3D sound, but music loops often and can get tedious. All sound fits in with the game well though.


Gameplay – 7/10

It plays well and the control methods are good, but it feels very ‘samey’ and is far too frustrating throughout. The boss battles are fun though.


Lifespan – 7/10

Difficult, annoying but if you do manage to complete it you’ll find another set of objectives to complete. It should take a good while to complete the first time, but after that there is little to come back for.



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Frustrating and repetitive gameplay presented within stunning visual effects. Although not in any way a must-have, it is certainly a worthy launch title to set the DS going and to set the standard for what to expect in the future…