Spider-Man
Game by Activision/Vicarious Visions
Reviewed by The Avardancer (Philip Wesley)
Size: 32 megabits
Save: Password!
Released: 2000
Works with: Game Boy Color ONLY!

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Opening Snide Remarks: I used to read Spider-Man all the time; then that
whole "Clone" bit came around and I thought that sucked. So, I stopped
reading Spider-Man for a while. Anyways, I like Spider-Man and have always
liked Spider-Man. Will I like this game? Hmm.... we will see.

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Gameplay Description: Spider-Man is a platform game; but it really only has
about one level. As Spidey, you travel from place to place in the city to
advance the plot. All while beating up generic, stupid goons; and annoying
birds. You have full run of Spidey's powers -save for your Spider Sense- and
you have "Level Up" system similar to Bionic Commando: Elite Forces. And it's
fairly easy to fling webs around.

The plot is standard comic stuff. It involves Venom and Carnage. It is fairly
predictable in nature; if you read the comics. The game uses a password
system that is not too daunting. The levels are large enough to get lost in
and that's okay by me. Although it could frustrate some players.

The game is average; but fun. It has a downside. The birds and the bats.
Spidey ONLY punchs left or right; but the flying things attack diagonally.
This makes them frustrateing to hit. Spiderman also sticks to EVERYTHING.
Especially when you don't want him to. In areas like the sewers, the bats and
your stickyness make the game almost unplayable. After you beat it, you won't
come back.

Liked: It's fun and open ended. Cool bosses, decent -if not generic- plot.

Hated: Like the Real Peter Parker, this game has issues. Not enough to ruin
though; but enough to make it not fun at times.

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Graphics Description: Vicarious Visions earns points for atmosphere. The
comic style stills are superbly done. The animation is similar to Bionic
Commando: Elite Forces in frame speed. The sprites are not too small for the
most part. Although the bats, rats, spiders, gunfire, and birds blend in with
the background a bit much. Makinq those annoyingly frustrateing bats even
worse. The game has very little slowdown and clipping.

Liked: Purty cut-scenes do the game justice.

Hated: Bats. Stupid things are nearly invisible.

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Sound/Music Description: A little bit of voice sound effects that are rather
appropriate. Sounds are typical and that's okay. Okay, some of the sounds
are excellent. Great use of the thunder. I can tell when an annoying flying
thing is coming by it's sound. *sighs* The music is also well done and worth
listening to. Moody stuff. To bad there isn't a Sound Test I know of...

Liked: It's all good.

Hated: Not so much the flying creature sound; but what it curtails.

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Play Control/Game Design: With a great liscense, comes great responsability.
Or rather, we hope it does. Anyways, this game may have a few annoying bits,
mixed in with the somewhat sticky play control. I mean, Spidey sticks to
every surface and it gets annoying at times. Maybe if he was required to be
holding done a button when he touched a wall to start sticking, it would be
better? Also, shooting a web at someone requires an unnatural roll from the
B to the A button. Just like in X-Men: Mutant Academy. It sometimes works
and that's a tad annoying.

The music, sound, graphics, and game are decent enough to make it a fun and
enjoyable game. It just needs a little tweak here and there. Would I buy
an improved sequel? You betcha! Is it for everyone? Naw, if you want an
amazingly good platform game, go buy Rayman, Super Mario Bros. Deluxe,
Wario Land 3, or Tomb Raider. But if you like Spider-Man; you should go
and get it. You'll like it. It's fun.

Liked: It's fun.

Hated: It has some flaws that impede on it's playability.

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Improve: See the above section, or let me play as Venom. Oh, ditch the
passwords. They are kind of.. wrong.

RIYL: Spider-Man.

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Final Words: It's better than the previous three Spider-Man games. Better by
leaps and bounds. You like Spidey? Get this.

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Score
Gameplay: ****
Graphics: ****
Sound/Music: ****
Play Control/Game Design: ***
Personal Opinion: ****
Total: 19 out of 25


Final Score: 76%

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Currently Known Codes: None I'll tell...