2018 was a great year for gaming and we saw some excellent games released. Super Smash Bros. Ultimate and the second chapter of Red Dead Redemption, but no game captured the hearts of gamers as much as Spider Man on PlayStation.
Peter Parker and his alter-ego the friendly neighborhood Spider-Man, have arguably been the most marketable superhero over the past two decades with 19 different games (not to mention the 6 movies) released across all platforms. The 2018 rendition is easily the most complete Spider-Man videogame of all time. With breathtaking graphics, sublime gameplay and a comprehensive storyline that goes above and beyond.
Visually, Spider Man is one of the best games of the generation and it more than makes up for some of the shortcomings of earlier versions. Everything is detail oriented. Every building is unique and distinct, featuring real-world landmarks. You’ll be able to swing through Times Square, stroll through Central Park and sit atop Avengers Tower. You can equip Peter Parker with countless versions of the Spider-Man costume each uniquely designed and distinct from the next, down to the eye holes.You can clearly see the stitching and texture of each costume that gives the game a sense of authenticity. The cars and people are more than just generic blocks of code. The graphics engine does more than make the game look good, it makes it feel as if the player is really in New York City.
If you have ever wondered what it would be like to be Spider-Man, this is the closest you’ll ever get. Apart from slinging between skyscrapers there is a plethora you can do while saving the city. The gameplay consisted of more than web shooting and hand to hand combat. This version of Spider Man adds a wide selection of Spidey Gadgets and suit upgrades to help you when fighting some of the more difficult enemies. There are also Air Combat moves that really define Spider-Man and his fighting style. Aside from the fighting, this game adds another element missing from most and that is the ability to land on the street level. In a number of the previous games if you got too close to the ground while web-slinging the character would fall to his death. Totally inaccurate. This game has a full open world map. You’re be able to land on the pavement, ride on moving vehicles and take selfies with fans. There are also key interactions that take place on the surface such as random crimes and side missions, such as helping random citizens who see you and ask for help. It all meshes together to give the player the sense that they truly are acting as Spider-Man.
Peter Parker’s story is full of characters that are richly expressed in this rendition of the Spider-Man story. If you are familiar with Spider-Man, you’re sure to recognize the major characters such as Mary Jane and Aunt May. The story weaves them in and out along with a cast of less familiar, yet equally important faces. The impressive part is that the characters aren’t just there as cameos or during short sections of the game; they each have story arcs that contribute to the main story of Peter Parker. There are even sections of the game where the player controls Mary-Jane and Miles Morales. You won’t just be fighting villains and discovering their complex back stories. Fulfilling commitments to important people in Peter Parker’s life is a key aspect of the game. It all works to tell the story of Peter Parker as Spider-Man, providing a rich story you’ll want to experience for hours on end.
Spider-Man is the 2018 Game of the Year, hands down! Most games excel at having excellent gameplay or having a great story. Spider Man does both, creating an authentic and fulfilling experience for the player and it looks fabulous while doing it. If you get through the main story and all the side missions, there are also three downloadable add-ons, which are fairly priced, that add to the narrative and are well worth the time. Whether you love the Marvel Universe or are just an avid gamer, this is one game you don’t want to miss.