Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Spider-Man’s gameplay is a thrilling sandbox of web-slinging acrobatics and close-quarters combat. Right from the tutorial, you’ll find yourself effortlessly launching Peter Parker’s webs to swing across New York’s rooftops or zipline between towering buildings. The traversal mechanics strike an excellent balance between freedom and challenge: while gliding through the air feels liberating, mastering the timing and momentum of each swing demands precision, keeping every rooftop chase or time trial engaging.

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Combat in Spider-Man leans heavily into the hero’s iconic webbing abilities. You can ensnare enemies mid-fight, wrap up fleeing thugs, or even coat your fists in webs for extra-impact melee strikes. The combo system is surprisingly deep for its era, encouraging creative stringing of kicks, punches, and web attacks. Limited web fluid means you must scavenge new cartridges or switch to hand-to-hand tactics when your supply runs low, adding a layer of resource management that keeps fights from becoming mindless button-mashing.

Beyond the central mission structure, the game sprinkles in varied objectives to stave off repetition. You’ll tackle stealth segments crawling across ceilings to ambush unsuspecting goons, high-speed chases to capture crooks or escape police, and clever boss battles that play more like environmental puzzles. Collectables—hidden comic book covers and unlockable costumes—provide optional challenges that enhance replayability without overstaying their welcome. Overall, the gameplay loop is diverse and well-paced, ensuring each session feels fresh.

Graphics

As the first fully 3D Spider-Man title, this game makes a bold visual statement. Character models are vibrant and cartoon-accurate, drawing clear inspiration from Spider-Man: The Animated Series. While polygon counts and texture resolution feel dated by modern standards, the art direction cleverly uses bold outlines and bright colors to mask technical limitations and evoke the show’s aesthetic.

Environments range from bustling city streets and hidden industrial warehouses to high-tech laboratories. Each level offers distinctive landmarks and atmospheric lighting that bring Manhattan to life. The dynamic camera during swings emphasizes height and speed, though it occasionally swings into awkward angles during tight indoor sequences. Still, it rarely detracts from the sense of momentum and scale when you’re soaring over skyscrapers.

Animation quality stands out in both traversal and combat. Web lines arc convincingly between buildings, and Spider-Man’s flips, wall-crawls, and combat flourishes feel fluid. Enemy animations are varied enough to avoid monotony, whether grunts are staggered by web shots or thugs flail after a powerful uppercut. Minor clipping issues and occasional texture pop-in don’t overshadow the game’s overall visual charm, especially for fans of the original animated designs.

Story

Spider-Man’s narrative thrust revolves around a case of mistaken identity that lands our hero in hot water. At a public demonstration for Dr. Otto Octavius’s reformed invention, an imposter Spider-Man absconds with a powerful device, framing Peter Parker for grand theft. This inciting incident drives a city-wide manhunt and sets the stage for a race against time to clear his name before the device’s sinister potential is unlocked by darker forces.

The plot weaves in numerous familiar faces from the Marvel Universe. Along the way, you’ll encounter not only iconic villains but also heroic cameos by the Human Torch, Punisher, Daredevil, and Captain America. These guest appearances break up the action nicely, offering side missions that expand the world and fleshing out a broader interconnected universe—much like the animated series that inspired the game.

Voice acting and dialogue are pulled straight from the cartoon playbook, with many of the series’ original voice talents reprising their roles. The performances lend authenticity and charm, making cutscenes feel like extended episodes of Spider-Man: The Animated Series. Though the pacing occasionally drags in exposition-heavy segments, the steady mix of high-stakes action and character interactions keeps the narrative engaging until the climactic final confrontation.

Overall Experience

Spider-Man strikes an impressive balance between nostalgia and innovation. Fans of the animated series will appreciate the faithful visual style, cast performances, and the game’s commitment to classic Spider-Man lore. Newcomers will find a robust action-adventure with enough variety in missions, combat, and traversal to justify multiple playthroughs.

While the limited web fluid supply can occasionally interrupt combat flow, it also forces players to adapt, mixing stealth and acrobatics with brawling. The side content—hidden collectibles and alternate suits—adds depth without feeling tacked on, encouraging exploration of every back alley and rooftop. Boss fights, with their puzzle-like mechanics, break from formulaic beat-’em-ups and demand strategic thinking.

Ultimately, Spider-Man delivers a satisfying blend of storytelling, character cameos, and dynamic gameplay that still holds up as a landmark in superhero gaming. Whether you’re chasing notoriety as the city’s greatest hero or simply indulging in web-swung freedom across a beautifully realized 3D Manhattan, this title remains a must-play for any Spider-Man enthusiast.

Retro Replay Score

7.7/10