Getting a full game out for a new console launch has to be tough, especially with the complexity of today's games. The DS sort of came from nowhere, and it seems most developers were left with no clue how to use such unique hardware. "Spiderman 2" sets the example with shoddy level design, cheap enemies, and ridiculous objectives.
Based on a movie you might have heard about, Spiderman begins a quest to save the New York from the hands of Dr. Octopus. He needs to complete various quests (some within a certain time period) in each stage to advance. Moves are not exactly plentiful, but there is enough here to get Spidey out of any situation.
Most of the game is played from a 2-1/2 D perspective. Most of the game simply has the super hero running from left to right, beating down bad guys or looking for people in trouble. A few of the boss fights and brief segments (defusing a bomb for example) use the touch screen capabilities the DS is already known for, but these mostly seem like after thoughts. This basically boils down to an upgrade of the GBA Advance version of the same game.
Major problems begin right from the start in level 1. Here, players must traverse a burning building and rescue people who are trapped inside due to arsonists. This is fine, but you have absolutely no idea where these people are. No map, no arrow guide, nothing. The bottom screen is completely wasted and could have been used for some form of help, not just showing how long you're taking. Add in some stages that require tasks to be completed inside ridiculous time constraints, and you have a frustrating game experience.
Making matters worse, there are countless cheap obstacles impede progress. Though he has a nice move set, even the best Spidermen will get stuck in a segment once in a while. Usually it boils down to taking a hit and using the few seconds of invincibility to run through the hazard.
Combat is simple and fans of Spiderman titles will recognize the combos as he dishes out punishment. This is the same move set he used back on the PS One, same animation routines and all. One new move is the ability to slow down time when his spider-senses get going, something obviously inspired by the recent success of "Viewtiful Joe." Unlockable special moves, when found, can be performed with a quick tap of the R button. It doesn't really matter that these are included. Standard punching and kicking is usually enough to get you through any fight.
Article comments
1 - keefer monk
i am talking to you because i can't find how or where to find the producers of this game to tell the that there stupid for making spiderman 2 on ds with some 3D grapics and not all 3D it would look way better if it was all 3D and i know that ds is capable of that i heard that the people from nintendo thought that spiderman 2 for ds was the game with the best graphics for ds so far, when thats a lie mario 64 ds has way better grapics then spiderman 2 i was watching psp clips for spiderman 2 and it looks alot better then ds if ds is going to try to beat psp in competition sofar its lossing and psp is not even out in america yet i think that they should just remake the whole spiderman 2 game with all 3D graphics, a map with the special move selection screen, better sound track then tecno music, more bosses, don't make the people so far out and away, make the game alittle longer, and able to go anywhere like in the consle games
so can you please give this email to them if you see them around
ps:if you make a spiderman 3 game when the movie comes out try to make it 3D and all that good stuff i told you to do to the 2nd one if not then to the 3rd one if you make it
2 - Matt Paprocki
Couple things Keefer: Just because the game isn't fully 3-D doesn't mean it can't look good. It does, and it's still the best looking game on the console to date. It carries a high resolution, maintains a solid frame rate, and packs in far more detail than anything else. Taking it into full 3-D would lessen the impact due to more neccesity for processing power. Swinging by those buildings up high is incredible, especially with the level of depth they put into it.
Yes, the PSP version looks better. Duh. That doesn't mean it's a better game (though it won't be that hard). The PSP hasn't beaten the DS yet and you can't make statements like that until you play one. Graphics never, ever, make the game.
Third, I have no contact with developers, though that would be nice.