Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Ultimate Spider-Man delivers a highly accessible, open-world experience that captures the thrill of swinging through a stylized New York City. Players can fluidly transition between wall-crawling, web-slinging, and acrobatic combat, offering a sense of weightlessness that brings Peter Parker’s spider-like agility to life. The controls are intuitive, making it easy for newcomers to pick up the game and for seasoned players to chain together impressive combos.

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One of the standout features is the ability to switch between Spider-Man and Venom on the fly, each boasting unique abilities and gameplay styles. While Spidey relies on quick strikes, web traps, and aerial acrobatics, Venom emphasizes brute strength, tendril attacks, and destructive power. This duality adds depth to mission design and encourages players to experiment with different approaches to traversal and combat.

Beyond the main storyline, the city itself is a playground filled with side activities and challenges. Race paths test your mastery of webs and wall-runs, combat tours pit you against waves of enemies, and collectible icons scattered across Manhattan and Queens reward exploration. Whether you’re rescuing civilians, dismantling gang hideouts, or simply performing daredevil stunts atop skyscrapers, there’s always something to do between story missions.

Graphics

Ultimate Spider-Man’s visuals lean into a vibrant, comic-book aesthetic thanks to its bold cel-shading and high-contrast color palette. Buildings, characters, and backgrounds all pop with hand-drawn line work that evokes the feel of flipping through the pages of a Brian Michael Bendis comic. This stylized approach not only defines the game’s identity but also helps it age more gracefully than traditional, photorealistic titles.

The character models capture the iconic silhouettes and costumes of Spider-Man, Venom, and the Ultimate universe’s supporting cast. Animations are smooth and dynamic—from Spidey’s mid-air flips to Venom’s hulking roar as he smashes through barricades. Lighting effects, especially during night missions, further enhance the drama, casting long shadows across alleyways and illuminating webs trailing behind swift swings.

Manhattan and Queens are rendered with surprising detail, despite the cel-shaded veneer. Iconic landmarks, bustling streets, and hidden rooftops invite players to explore every nook and cranny. Environmental destruction is particularly satisfying when playing as Venom: concrete shatters, cars are tossed aside, and walls crack under the force of his rampages, reinforcing his status as a monstrous force of nature.

Story

Ultimate Spider-Man weaves a compelling narrative that reimagines Peter Parker’s journey through the lens of the Ultimate universe. At fifteen, Peter’s transformation into Spider-Man after a genetically altered spider bite is both thrilling and grounded, allowing players to empathize with his newfound responsibilities. The game introduces Eddie Brock Jr. as a sympathetic childhood friend whose pursuit of his father’s scientific legacy leads him to bond with the alien symbiote.

Brian Michael Bendis’s script brings depth to both protagonists: Peter wrestles with moral dilemmas as he strives to protect innocent lives, while Eddie struggles against the darker impulses of the Venom suit. Their parallel arcs converge in high-stakes missions where friendship, betrayal, and the desire to do what’s right collide. This dynamic interplay drives the narrative forward and keeps players invested in each character’s fate.

Supporting appearances by Ultimate versions of the Human Torch, Wolverine, Electro, and the Green Goblin enrich the storyline with familiar faces reimagined for this universe. Whether teaming up for joint operations or facing off against legendary villains, these encounters offer memorable set-pieces and expand the game’s comic-book scope. Cutscenes blend seamlessly with gameplay, ensuring that the story’s momentum never falters.

Overall Experience

Ultimate Spider-Man strikes a fine balance between blockbuster action and comic-book fidelity, delivering an experience that appeals to long-time fans and newcomers alike. The game’s pacing ensures that each hour feels packed with meaningful content, from dramatic story missions to spontaneous city events. The open-world design encourages curiosity and rewards exploration, making every excursion through New York feel fresh.

The duality of playing as both the nimble Spider-Man and the unstoppable Venom adds remarkable replay value. Each character’s distinct playstyle reshapes familiar missions and side activities, providing players with two different lenses through which to view the same cityscape. This variety prevents the gameplay loop from growing stale, extending the game’s longevity well beyond the main story’s conclusion.

With its striking visuals, engaging narrative, and exhilarating traversal mechanics, Ultimate Spider-Man stands out as one of the most enjoyable superhero games of its era. It captures the essence of the Ultimate comic series while offering a robust, standalone adventure that will keep players swinging, wall-crawling, and smashing through obstacles for hours on end. For anyone seeking the definitive Spider-Man experience on game consoles or PC, this title remains a compelling choice.

Retro Replay Score

7.6/10