As I suspected, this game is the Arkham Asylum of the Spider-Man videogame universe. A game that pretty much captures the character and his abilities superbly while focusing on a pretty good story, but leaves some room for improvement.
I can honestly say that in my opinion, this is the best Spider-Man game that I have ever played. Bar none, and its not even close.
Combat is very much Arkham Asylum style. You attack with X and just point the direction you want Spidey to attack to engage thugs at any position. When you see the Spider-Sense over your head, press Y to counter and make the thug regret trying to lay a glove on you. As with Batman, get greedy in your attacks and wait that split second too long to counter, you get thumped and lose your combo streak. More forgiving than Arkham Asylum, you wont lose your combo streak for countering late, or by rapid firing projectiles. Only if you wait too long to land a hit, or if you get hit yourself.
Build up your combo to X12 and you can start unleashing signiature moves. This can be upgraded, as in the Arkham Games to be decreased in number. Mine is currently sitting on X6 for sigs. A minor difference is that the henchman has to be in a daze for the signiature move to be available to use. You can hold down the web shooter button to web grab an enemy to you and you heave him in whatever direction you point. Whether thats into a crowd of his buddies, breakable objects, or over a high railing. At the very least, throwing enemies against walls dazes them so they can be sig'd.
I saw that Chirovette posted that he felt like Spidey was doing all the fighting for him, and I noticed that as well. The explanation is this. Once your combo meter reaches a certain number, "Hard" attacks are triggered that sometimes have 2-3 strikes coming from just one press of the button. If your enemy is just about finished, an attack will trigger an automatic finishing move in the form of some type of Lucha Libre throw, or beatdown. Fighting Arkham City style, as if you were going for critical hits, will alleviate you feeling like you arent keeping up with the button presses. (For those who havent played any Arkham Games, what this means is try to time your attacks just as the last one you threw lands and finishes.) What unfolds is a well-choreographed Spider-Style ass kicking.
The hand to hand combat isnt ever going to be difficult, just as it wasnt with the Arkham Games. You could literally land in a room of 50 guys, and as long as you watch what youre doing, you wont get touched unless its by some d-bag across the room with a gun. That is the beauty of the freeflow combat system which basicly emphasizes just how much more able the superhero is in a fight than the garden variety thug. Guys with guns, little different story.
Swinging is definately much different. I dont really mind it though, falling to almost street level and launching a webline and releasing shows you just how fast Spidey is moving with how high it launches you into the air. There is no jumping off of the webline, nor is there a double jump, so there is some getting used to that required. Mixing the Web Rush in with your swings just has some phenomenal visuals.
My biggest thing with the Web Rush is forgetting to hold the button to slow time. For many of the "flying" comic book covers (like the comic got caught in the wind at super high altitude) I would end up just tapping the button and missing it, forgetting that I could just hold it down and go super slo-mo to get it.
Races are different in that you need only complete them without running out of time. There's no bronze, silver, gold, platinum, etc...You simply just have to make it through all the points before running out of time which is actually quite the breath of fresh air. A new twist on races has you trying to film and XTREME video in which Spider-Man automaticly runs the course, but you have to try to keep him centered in the camera frame for as long as possible for the best results.
Going back to your apartment after each mission will allow you to look at your whiteboard, and it will tell you how many things were in that mission, and how many things you missed, and immediately offer you the opportunity to replay the level, even while in the middle of the story mode itself. Pretty nice touch there.
Probably the greatest thing to me was after I think the second story mission, it popped up with "Spider-Man Suit Unlocked", and I went to the wardrobe there and not only did I have Beltless Spidey unlocked, but I had the Classic Red&Blues!! Man was I pumped.
Visually, the game looks incredible. Spider-Man, and ALL of his costumes look absolutely killer. The detail on the character model is quite amazing. I love that as you play, the suit very gradually deteriorates as you take damage. It isnt like "Oh you almost died there so your suit is automaticly shredded". You can be close to death several times before the suit starts to show some wear. Small, minor tears at first, then a bit bigger in more places. I havent had it totally shredded to this point.
Ive been playing for about three hours solid now and Ive found nothing that Ive disliked so far. Its been fun and engaging, and after all of this Im only at 12% completion. At this rate, we're looking at close to 30 hours before I get that 100% mark.
Anyway, Id recommend a purchase for any Spider-Man fan. This is the best Spidey game Ive ever played. It isnt everything I hoped it would be, but it is still really damn good.
Thread Recap (last 10 posts from newest to oldest)
Jul 05, 12 at 4:47pm
Mister MacPhisto
Just picked the game up today after watching the film (which kicked ass), I'll post up some first thoughts when I get in some playtime.
When I first read this I thought you were crazy for liking this better than SM2 But now I also like it more than SM2. BUT I wouldn't call it a SM2 killer.
There are definately elements of SM2 that I would love to have back. The side combat activities were better. Like the gangfights, the gangs that would make a civilian try to trap you, the rooftop heists, and gang hideouts that would repopulate after a while.
Also, the web attacks like the multi web tie and 4thug web rodeo.
Also, the most glaring omission to me is the disarm. Why can I not snap a webline to a dude's gun and yank it away? You can only momentarily jam it with the web shot, which is not really effective.
The races actually required two hands be on the controller, cant forget that.
The graphics of this game, and the combat I just cant give up though.
Its tough to play if youre coming off of Arkham Asylum or Arkham City, because that game puts more of an illusion of Batman's badassery than what is actually being done. You gotta be a little quicker on the buttons in this one.
For instance, in AC, you get a group of about 10-15 guys right? Well, most of them just stand around waiting for you to kick their asses. One or two might tentatively jump in there for you to counter and then kick the crap out of, and AT MOST you will have three enemies attack you at one time, which is handled simply by a triple tap of the counter button for pwnage. The rest just kinda stand around watching the brawl until they are either the next closest, or the only ones left waiting on a beating.
In Amazing Spider-Man though, that group of 10-15 guys? They are ALL coming after your ass, and the pacing is faster. Thats why the Spider-Sense counter prompt is over Spidey's head and not the enemies' heads, because all you would see would be a mess of Spider-Sense icons. You really have to watch what youre doing and if you get greedy with those consecutive hits, you can get dropped like a bad habit.
Im really hoping for some type of arena DLC. It doesnt need scores or medals like the Arkham games, just give me a few rooms with a good supply of enemies to beat up if Im feeling the need to beat up some bad guys Spider-Style.
Jun 29, 12 at 9:27pm
Gamesta100
When I first read this I thought you were crazy for liking this better than SM2 But now I also like it more than SM2. BUT I wouldn't call it a SM2 killer.
Very interesting reading your first impressions as compared to Chirovette's, The Stinger. I read Chiro's first, and was getting pretty dismayed, but your post restored my faith
It sounds as if they've really taken their cues from the Arkham games for the combat system, and that's just fine with me; I never get tired of the freeflow combat in Arkham City, so if Spider-man is similar to that, I will be happy. I'm a bit disappointed to hear that the webslinging doesn't seem as free in this game. Hopefully that's just the first impression, getting used to the new controls and all, so maybe it gets better as you get used to the new system..? Anyway, I'm hoping to pick this up soon, it sounds like it will exceed my expectations.
My one minor complaint with the combat is that the camera could stand to be back just a bit more. Sometimes some guys get offscreen, and while I still have the spider-sense to let me know when they try to hit me, Id still rather be able to see them.
Along with that, as with Arkham City, there are some bigger guys, which would basicly be like the armored guys that you cant hit without stunning first. Sometimes as Im attacking all around, I go sailing into one of those big guys I didnt see, he blocks and it breaks my combo.
However, later in the game there's an upgrade called combat fury, so once you reach your combo boost number, whatever youve upgraded to, you gain the power to hit those big guys that block head on anyway without needing to do an evade attack. For me, as long as Ive reached a combo of at least 6, I can hit anybody so hard their mothers will feel it.
A little more different is that some attacks arent counterable. White Spider-Sense you can counter, but the larger, Bright Red Spider-Sense means a bigtime evade is necessary either through rolling away, Jumping away or by using the web escape. If its a guy with a gun, usually web escape is necessary as webslinging, rolling, and jumping doesnt seem to disrupt their aim.
As far as webslinging, Im loving this system now. Its all about momentum and once you get a grasp of it, the swinging is effin fantastic. Then, when you start throwing in a quick web rush (not holding down for slow-motion...) here and there for flash, you can see some really cool stuff doing that.
I played the game last night until I literally fell asleep with the controller in my hands and the game on the television. Roughly twelve and a half hours and I just did not want to turn the game off.
It lives up to its name, Amazing.
Jun 27, 12 at 6:03pm
m2caldwell
Very interesting reading your first impressions as compared to Chirovette's, The Stinger. I read Chiro's first, and was getting pretty dismayed, but your post restored my faith
It sounds as if they've really taken their cues from the Arkham games for the combat system, and that's just fine with me; I never get tired of the freeflow combat in Arkham City, so if Spider-man is similar to that, I will be happy. I'm a bit disappointed to hear that the webslinging doesn't seem as free in this game. Hopefully that's just the first impression, getting used to the new controls and all, so maybe it gets better as you get used to the new system..? Anyway, I'm hoping to pick this up soon, it sounds like it will exceed my expectations.
Jun 26, 12 at 9:41pm
RogueOperator
Well, my file is already on chapter 5or 6 so i'm really hoping it was the 100% completion of the mission otherwise it would have to be the update. I guess i'm going to find out in a few minutes.
Hey The Stinger i'm begging you to respond, did you have to download the suit or was it automatically on the disc, because I haven't gotten any suits and I want to make sure its because I didn't get 100% on the mission (I suck at finding things in this game) instead of because I wasn't connected to live.
Hmm, I did have to download an update before I started the game, not sure if that was the Red&Blues or not. You should have gotten the costume once you actually get to your apartment for the first time. Just move over to the wardrobe and the first suit will say default, no matter if its beltless movie or not, and then at the far end of the rack you should have Classic.
It very well could have been what the update was though, so Im not 100% sure.
Jun 26, 12 at 8:54pm
RogueOperator
Hey The Stinger i'm begging you to respond, did you have to download the suit or was it automatically on the disc, because I haven't gotten any suits and I want to make sure its because I didn't get 100% on the mission (I suck at finding things in this game) instead of because I wasn't connected to live.
Jun 26, 12 at 6:07pm
Vicarious
Well glad it didn't disappoint, I know I will get it eventually just not sure when yet.
Jun 26, 12 at 2:02pm
The Stinger
As I suspected, this game is the Arkham Asylum of the Spider-Man videogame universe. A game that pretty much captures the character and his abilities superbly while focusing on a pretty good story, but leaves some room for improvement.
I can honestly say that in my opinion, this is the best Spider-Man game that I have ever played. Bar none, and its not even close.
Combat is very much Arkham Asylum style. You attack with X and just point the direction you want Spidey to attack to engage thugs at any position. When you see the Spider-Sense over your head, press Y to counter and make the thug regret trying to lay a glove on you. As with Batman, get greedy in your attacks and wait that split second too long to counter, you get thumped and lose your combo streak. More forgiving than Arkham Asylum, you wont lose your combo streak for countering late, or by rapid firing projectiles. Only if you wait too long to land a hit, or if you get hit yourself.
Build up your combo to X12 and you can start unleashing signiature moves. This can be upgraded, as in the Arkham Games to be decreased in number. Mine is currently sitting on X6 for sigs. A minor difference is that the henchman has to be in a daze for the signiature move to be available to use. You can hold down the web shooter button to web grab an enemy to you and you heave him in whatever direction you point. Whether thats into a crowd of his buddies, breakable objects, or over a high railing. At the very least, throwing enemies against walls dazes them so they can be sig'd.
I saw that Chirovette posted that he felt like Spidey was doing all the fighting for him, and I noticed that as well. The explanation is this. Once your combo meter reaches a certain number, "Hard" attacks are triggered that sometimes have 2-3 strikes coming from just one press of the button. If your enemy is just about finished, an attack will trigger an automatic finishing move in the form of some type of Lucha Libre throw, or beatdown. Fighting Arkham City style, as if you were going for critical hits, will alleviate you feeling like you arent keeping up with the button presses. (For those who havent played any Arkham Games, what this means is try to time your attacks just as the last one you threw lands and finishes.) What unfolds is a well-choreographed Spider-Style ass kicking.
The hand to hand combat isnt ever going to be difficult, just as it wasnt with the Arkham Games. You could literally land in a room of 50 guys, and as long as you watch what youre doing, you wont get touched unless its by some d-bag across the room with a gun. That is the beauty of the freeflow combat system which basicly emphasizes just how much more able the superhero is in a fight than the garden variety thug. Guys with guns, little different story.
Swinging is definately much different. I dont really mind it though, falling to almost street level and launching a webline and releasing shows you just how fast Spidey is moving with how high it launches you into the air. There is no jumping off of the webline, nor is there a double jump, so there is some getting used to that required. Mixing the Web Rush in with your swings just has some phenomenal visuals.
My biggest thing with the Web Rush is forgetting to hold the button to slow time. For many of the "flying" comic book covers (like the comic got caught in the wind at super high altitude) I would end up just tapping the button and missing it, forgetting that I could just hold it down and go super slo-mo to get it.
Races are different in that you need only complete them without running out of time. There's no bronze, silver, gold, platinum, etc...You simply just have to make it through all the points before running out of time which is actually quite the breath of fresh air. A new twist on races has you trying to film and XTREME video in which Spider-Man automaticly runs the course, but you have to try to keep him centered in the camera frame for as long as possible for the best results.
Going back to your apartment after each mission will allow you to look at your whiteboard, and it will tell you how many things were in that mission, and how many things you missed, and immediately offer you the opportunity to replay the level, even while in the middle of the story mode itself. Pretty nice touch there.
Probably the greatest thing to me was after I think the second story mission, it popped up with "Spider-Man Suit Unlocked", and I went to the wardrobe there and not only did I have Beltless Spidey unlocked, but I had the Classic Red&Blues!! Man was I pumped.
Visually, the game looks incredible. Spider-Man, and ALL of his costumes look absolutely killer. The detail on the character model is quite amazing. I love that as you play, the suit very gradually deteriorates as you take damage. It isnt like "Oh you almost died there so your suit is automaticly shredded". You can be close to death several times before the suit starts to show some wear. Small, minor tears at first, then a bit bigger in more places. I havent had it totally shredded to this point.
Ive been playing for about three hours solid now and Ive found nothing that Ive disliked so far. Its been fun and engaging, and after all of this Im only at 12% completion. At this rate, we're looking at close to 30 hours before I get that 100% mark.
Anyway, Id recommend a purchase for any Spider-Man fan. This is the best Spidey game Ive ever played. It isnt everything I hoped it would be, but it is still really damn good.
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But now I also like it more than SM2. BUT I wouldn't call it a SM2 killer.