- Exceptional combat mechanics with dynamic combos
- Immersive web-swinging traversal experience
- Engaging and emotional storyline development
- Stunning graphics with optimization variations
- Repetitive combat and mission structures
- Tedious side content and collectibles
Emotions
Players frequently cite repetitive gameplay elements, such as mandatory stealth segments, side activities, and collectibles, as major sources of frustration. Technical issues, including game freezes, crashes, and poor optimization, further exacerbate the experience, disrupting immersion and gameplay flow.
The fluidity and immersion of web-swinging mechanics, combined with an engaging story and satisfying combat, create a deeply enjoyable experience. Players appreciate the sense of freedom and fulfillment derived from traversing New York City and embodying Spider-Man, often describing it as a dream come true for fans.
The game's dynamic web-swinging, immersive combat, and high-quality storytelling generate significant excitement. Players are particularly thrilled by the cinematic boss fights, detailed open-world design, and the anticipation of additional content like New Game Plus and sequels.
Players express satisfaction with the game's polished mechanics, including fluid combat, engaging story, and high technical performance. The attention to detail in graphics, character development, and overall gameplay design contributes to a fulfilling and immersive experience, especially for completionists.
Some players feel let down by repetitive gameplay, shallow side missions, and uninspired boss battles. Criticisms also target Peter Parker's characterization, lack of innovation compared to other superhero games, and technical issues like poor checkpoint placement and unresponsive combat mechanics.
Verdict
Mostly positive
Summary
Positive 90% · Negative 10%. Score: 10 / 100
Positives:
- The game's combat system is frequently praised for its fluidity, depth, and variety, drawing comparisons to the *Batman: Arkham* series but with faster, more acrobatic movements. Players highlight the satisfying parry mechanics, gadget integration, and combo systems as standout features.
- Web-swinging is consistently described as the game’s most exhilarating feature, offering a sense of freedom and momentum unmatched in other superhero games. The mechanics are fluid, responsive, and addictive, making traversal a core part of the experience.
- The narrative is lauded for its emotional depth, character development, and faithful adaptation of Spider-Man’s dual life as Peter Parker. Players appreciate the well-crafted villains, twists, and the balance between humor and heartfelt moments.
- The game’s visuals, including detailed cityscapes, lighting, and character models, are praised for their realism and polish. The remastered version further enhances this with ray tracing and 4K support, while the game remains well-optimized for various hardware setups.
- New York City is meticulously recreated with vibrant details, landmarks, and a living atmosphere. Side quests, collectibles, and activities are engaging and avoid feeling tedious, adding significant replayability for completionists.
Negatives:
- Players frequently criticize the game for repetitive combat mechanics, including overused air combos, predictable enemy AI, and shallow boss fights. Side missions and open-world activities are also described as filler or monotonous.
- Side quests, minigames, and collectibles are often described as repetitive, uninspired, or excessive, feeling like chores that pad out gameplay rather than enhance it.
- Boss battles are described as uninspired, easy, or gimmicky, with little depth or consequence. DLC bosses are particularly criticized for being boring or poorly designed.
- Combat is criticized for being too easy, with enemies exhibiting unrealistic behavior (e.g., invulnerable attacks, excessive numbers). Dodging mechanics and AI teamwork are also flawed.
- Forced stealth sections, particularly with non-powered characters like Mary Jane and Miles Morales, are widely disliked for disrupting pacing, lacking depth, and feeling poorly implemented.
Gameplay:
- The game features a highly praised combat system inspired by the Batman Arkham series, emphasizing fluid combos, aerial attacks, and a variety of gadgets. Players appreciate the depth and customization options, such as unlockable moves and suit powers, which enhance replayability.
- Optional side content, including collectibles, photo ops, and crime-stopping missions, adds significant value to the gameplay loop. These activities provide rewards, unlockables, and extended playtime beyond the main story.
- The narrative is structured into distinct acts, focusing on character arcs and evolving relationships. Players appreciate the linear but emotionally engaging story, which balances action with meaningful character interactions.
- Stealth gameplay, particularly during missions as Mary Jane and Miles, introduces variety and challenge. These segments require tactical approaches and provide a break from the standard combat mechanics.
- The game caters to different playstyles with adjustable difficulty settings, allowing players to tailor the experience to their skill level. This flexibility ensures accessibility and replayability.
Performance:
- The game's optimization is praised for mid-range and lower-end PCs but criticized for requiring high-end hardware for max settings. Performance issues are noted on both high-end and older systems, indicating inconsistent optimization across setups.
- Players report minor bugs, texture glitches, and graphical artifacts, though these do not severely impact gameplay. Some bugs affect cutscenes and DLC content, including audio and lip-sync issues.
- The game supports advanced features like ray tracing, DLSS, FSR, and ultra-wide resolutions, enhancing visual fidelity on high-end PCs and PS5. However, some users report FPS drops with ray tracing enabled.
- The game runs smoothly on mid-range hardware, achieving 60 FPS on medium settings. It is optimized for various configurations, including laptops with lower-end GPUs like the RTX 3050 Ti.
- The game supports 4K resolution, ultra-wide monitors, and high frame rates (e.g., 144Hz, 240Hz). Unlocked FPS and frame generation further enhance performance on capable hardware.
Recommendations:
- The game is overwhelmingly recommended for Spider-Man and superhero fans, praised as a must-play experience that delivers an authentic Spider-Man feel. It is frequently cited as the best Spider-Man game to date, offering strong fan service and a satisfying superhero experience.
- The game is considered a classic and indispensable addition to any superhero or action-adventure collection. It is often compared favorably to the *Batman Arkham* series and praised as a definitive Spider-Man experience.
- Players consistently recommend purchasing the game, especially during sales, as it offers strong value even at full price. Many suggest waiting for a discount to maximize value, with some noting it is worth £15-40 but not more.
- The game offers high replay value, with features like New Game+ mode encouraging multiple playthroughs. Collectibles and side quests add depth for completionists, though some note DLC issues.
- While the game is a must-play for fans, some reviews are conditional, recommending it only for those who prioritize gameplay over story or design. A few suggest skipping it unless craving a Spider-Man fix.
Miscellaneous:
- The game is widely regarded as appropriate for teenagers and adults, with mentions of its broad appeal across age groups, including older players. This highlights its accessibility and family-friendly design.
- Players frequently compare the game to the darker-themed Batman Arkham series, noting its influence on gameplay or tone. This suggests a preference for similar mechanics or storytelling in superhero games.
- There is a strong preference among players for more superhero games in this style, suggesting the game successfully captured a desirable formula for the genre.
- The game offers an extended playtime of over 24 hours, which is seen as a positive for players seeking long-term engagement. This indicates strong content volume.
- Players express a desire for a more mature-themed Spider-Man game, such as a Spider-Man vs Carnage storyline. This indicates interest in darker, more complex narratives within the superhero genre.
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