Previewed: April 5, 2007
Previewed by: Mark Smith
Publisher
Activision
Developer
Vicarious Visions
Release Date: May 4, 2007
Genre: Action
Players: 1
ESRB: Teen
Your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man is swinging back into theaters on May 4th for his third adventure and Activision and Treyarch are simultaneously bringing our web-slinging superhero to next-gen consoles that same day. So after you see the movie you'll want to head to your nearest game store and continue the adventure at home.
Spider-Man 3 is coming to the Xbox 360, PS3, Wii, and NDS. While the 360 and PS3 offer a nearly identical gameplay experience, Nintendo gamers will get a totally unique and immersive experience thanks to the creative wizards at Vicarious Visions.
Fans of the previous NDS versions of Spider-Man can't possibly be prepared for what they are about to experience with Spider-Man 3. The biggest change is the new look which is somewhere between 2D and 3D. The game is primarily a side-scroller but there is a great sense of depth as the camera and view shifts to angular gameplay. There is also a much-improved sense of verticality to this DS title, especially when you get downtown amongst the skyscrapers.
Unlike Spidey's previous outings on the DS you now have complete freedom to travel anywhere in the city at any time by merely tapping the city icon to bring up the city map. Scroll to the part of the map you want and click on the sector to go there.
As you run and swing through the screens you'll come across various colored rings. These will trigger various challenges, races, or take you to new sections of the city without accessing the map.
Control has been improved while keeping most of the basic swing and web-zip controls from the previous titles. Now, you can use the touch screen to tap out web attacks or zip to a building, plus you can make sweeping motions with the stylus for powerful uppercuts that can be finished with a rapid punch juggle.
Much like the Wii, only without the cool web-wheel interface, Spidey will earn Hero points that can be used to purchase new abilities and upgrades. Expect that black suit to come into play as well as a few other secrets Vicarious Visions wouldn't even tell me.
The NDS version is fantastic for the Spidey fan on the go and a must-own game if you have a DS. No matter which systems you own or which version of the game you ultimately decide upon, the important thing is that you play this game. Spider-Man 3 is going to dominate the summer box office and shatter all previous records, while the videogame will capture the hearts and imagination of gamers everywhere with next-gen power that immerses you in the role of your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man like never before.
Spider-Man 3 is the blockbuster hit of the summer. So while we anxiously await the release of this amazing new title, check out our collection of exciting screenshots in our Preview Gallery.
