First thing's first - this game has one of the most spectacular and enjoyable control systems I've ever had the pleasure of using (in an action game, at least). Treyarch have managed to capture the essence of 'being' Spiderman as well as it can be done, with both the webslinging and fighting systems working extremely well. Moreover, the graphics engine is equally stunning, pulling off some truly exhilirating feats when you're hurtling between the towering skyscrapers of New York without a hint of slowdown.
The whole 'sandbox' approach suits the game very well (someone elighten me as to where the hell that particular definition came from), with the city completely decked out with detailed buildings, traffic and citizens. Missions are quite varied, especially taking into account the time trials, stunt challenges, pizza delivery and photo-taking missions.
It took a day to 'finish' the meat and bones of the game (the Doc Ock storyline, basically). Upon finally beating Octavius my playtime was a mere 7 hours 15 minutes, and you see more of Black Cat during that time than you do of any other character. That said, the inclusion of extra characters from the Spidey canon is appreciated and helps pad out the game's universe a little more. The trick is, even having essentially completed the game (end sequence and credits have rolled), I'm still only at 49% total completion. There are, you see, hundreds of little secrets and awards you can pick up, just like GTA; better still, the game's so damn enjoyable to play that I'm more than happy to go through to the bitter end.
The game's split into chapters, another of which begins even after you've beaten Octavius ('The First Day Of The Rest Of Your Life', it's called), so I get the feeling there may be yet more up this game's sleeve.
A word of caution though, even though the game only contains a few spoilers as to the contents of the movie, the end FMV seems to be taken directly from the film's climax. Luckily I was so busy hammering seven bells out of Octavius that I managed to accidentally skip the end sequence, but it looked like spoiler city from the second of footage I did see.
Overall - fantastic game. Hugely enjoyable and possibly the most comprehensively successful comic book game to appear for ages, if not forever. I look forward to hearing other people's opinions - a review will be on its way very soon.
The whole 'sandbox' approach suits the game very well (someone elighten me as to where the hell that particular definition came from), with the city completely decked out with detailed buildings, traffic and citizens. Missions are quite varied, especially taking into account the time trials, stunt challenges, pizza delivery and photo-taking missions.
It took a day to 'finish' the meat and bones of the game (the Doc Ock storyline, basically). Upon finally beating Octavius my playtime was a mere 7 hours 15 minutes, and you see more of Black Cat during that time than you do of any other character. That said, the inclusion of extra characters from the Spidey canon is appreciated and helps pad out the game's universe a little more. The trick is, even having essentially completed the game (end sequence and credits have rolled), I'm still only at 49% total completion. There are, you see, hundreds of little secrets and awards you can pick up, just like GTA; better still, the game's so damn enjoyable to play that I'm more than happy to go through to the bitter end.
The game's split into chapters, another of which begins even after you've beaten Octavius ('The First Day Of The Rest Of Your Life', it's called), so I get the feeling there may be yet more up this game's sleeve.
A word of caution though, even though the game only contains a few spoilers as to the contents of the movie, the end FMV seems to be taken directly from the film's climax. Luckily I was so busy hammering seven bells out of Octavius that I managed to accidentally skip the end sequence, but it looked like spoiler city from the second of footage I did see.
Overall - fantastic game. Hugely enjoyable and possibly the most comprehensively successful comic book game to appear for ages, if not forever. I look forward to hearing other people's opinions - a review will be on its way very soon.

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