GamerSlyRatchet said:
Considering it came off after the craptastic Web of Shadows, the praise the next game got is understandable. Now? Who knows.
Yeah, call me picky, but I don't believe you should praise something for being comparitvely better than a predecessor if the end result is still mediocre.
Sam Fisher said:
What's your definition of a "good" spidey game then?
Something with the same level of dedication of Batman Arkham Asylum. Not the same format or style, but what Rocksteady did with that game was analyse Batman, in all it's various media forms, and looked at what format of game would make it work. They didn't just go 'lets slap Batman in a huge sandbox' or 'lets give him loads of levels in different environments so we can include all the most popular characters', they looked at the things people want to be able to DO as Batman and how Batman should look and feel.
Now, with Spider-Man, the closest i've gotten to that was Spider-Man 2, because at the time that was almost revolutionary. A free roam world where you got to be the Superhero with a city at your disposal, which is something no comic fan had really gotten a chance to do yet.
The thing that Spider-Man games are missing is heart. It's been years since i've played a Spidey game that feels like the people who made it truly have a deep love for the character, or at the very least an understanding of the character. SD came close to an accurate depiction of Spidey, but they had no vision at all. They didn't portray a Spider-Man they loved, they took a straw poll and showed all the Spideys. It was like they were either indecisive about which Spidey to base a game around or they were under pressure from Activision to include as much fan service as possible.
Then theres the whole level design that was essentially based around button mashing, with very basic platforming. The only thing I think they got spot on with that game was some of the characterisation and the cel-shaded look for Amazing Spidey.
Personally, I think Free-Roam is Spideys domain, I think that just works for his character. Taking Spidey out of NYC is like taking Batman out of Gotham, it's just their environment. However, since Spider-Man 2, has any game actually developed on the concept of a free Roam spidey? I don't know about you guys, but if the core swinging and fighting mechanics were detailed and solid, and there was plenty to do, I personally would still get a kick out of playing around as Spidey. But what the developers would need to then do is think "Apart from swinging around New York and beating up thugs, what would TRULY make you feel like Spider-Man?" If they're not doing that, then they're not doing their job.