Reviews – Spider-Man: Web of Shadows (DS)

When Spider-Man: Web of Shadows was first announced, there’s a good chance that the news was either ignored or taken negatively. Since previous Spider-Man games getting bad reviews have become a common occurrence, this initial reaction doesn’t come as s surprise. Thankfully, Web of Shadows delivers one of the better Spider-Man adventures on the Nintendo DS.

The most noticeable aspect about the gameplay is how it evolved since the last Spidey game. Predecessors were hackneyed, side-scrolling brawlers, while Web of Shadows morphed into a Metroid/Castlevania clone. In other words, the protagonist—in this case Spider-Man—is free to explore certain areas of the game. Upon completion of objectives, a new ability is unlocked, allowing Spider-Man to visit previously-inaccessible rooms.

The new structure in Web of Shadows breathes new life into the Spider-Man video game “franchise,” which has been quite pedestrian as of late. Instead of a single-playthrough experience, Web of Shadows provides some, albeit limited replay value. Perhaps the only drawback to this gameplay experiment is the need for tedious backtracking, especially when the only means of transportation is webslinging. Since the mutant Nightcrawler was included in the game, an option to teleport around sections of the game world would have been very welcome.

Unlike previous Spider-Man games, the combat system in Web of Shadows is quite impressive. Players can string together an endless sequence of combos that are easy to execute and impressive to watch. Spidey can kick opponents in mid-air while webslinging, throw enemies around with web, throw a flurry of punches and kicks while airborne, among others. Despite the sharp controls and ease of executing combos, Web of Shadows never feels easy. In fact, what enemy symbiotes lack in AI are compensated in their sheer numbers. The challenge level in this game feels just about right.

The stylized art used in Web of Shadows gives this Spider-Man game a new look. However, the production values are a bit underwhelming in this installment. The sound is weak even when the volume is cranked at maximum, while the voice-acting feels a bit forced, especially for the Spider-Man character.

When all is said and done, Web of Shadows doesn’t have anything else to offer beyond the first and second playthrough. Despite the rather short ride, the experience is still an enjoyable one . Alas, there’s no multiplayer or Wi-Fi feature to keep things interesting after finishing the game. Despite its imperfections, Spider-Man: Web of Shadows is a focused action-adventure/brawler that’s worth the price of admission.

7.5/10

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