After both Sam Raimi’s “Spider-Man” became a critical and commercial success along with a video game in 2002, video game developer, Treyarch commenced development on a sequel based on “Spider-Man 2.” Rather than retaining gameplay/mechanics from the first game, they fully revamped it as an open-world game inspired by “Grand Theft Auto IIII.” Treyarch were given a copy of Spider-Man 2’s shooting script borrowing elements from the film. They even took creative liberties adding villains not seen in the films including Shocker, Rhino & Mysterio. After two years of development, the game, Activison officially published it worldwide.
Released in June 29, 2004 (one day before the film’s opening day June 30) on PlayStation 2, Xbox & Nintendo GameCube. It received critical acclaim from critics, fans and gamers alike. Plus, it was a commercial hit selling a bunch of copies. I have three good reasons why I wanna share my opinion on my all-time favorite Spider-Man game.
- Insomniac Games is working on a third Spider-Man game. It’ll be released sometime in the future.
- “Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse” will be released on June 18, 2027.
- Sony & Amazon are currently working on a TV show based on Spider-Man storyline, “The Clone Saga.”
Keep in mind, I’m only covering the console version. Which is the definitive version.
Strong & Weak Aspects
Strong: Tobey Maguire, Kirsten Dunst & Alfred Molina all did an amazing job for their respective voiceover performances.
Sam Raimi’s good luck charm, Bruce Campbell reprises his role as the witty narrator from the first game.
Graphics still hold up for a 2004 game.
Gameplay/Mechanics
- Presented as a third-person open-world action-adventure game, you play as Spidey completing story missions, side activities and mini-games in New York City. Which is your playground. The area has five districts, Manhattan, Roosevelt Island, Ellis Island and Liberty Island.
- Web Swinging mechanic is heavily revamped. Webs connect to one building instead of the sky like the first game. However, you can swing at Central Park due to a lack of tall structures. Treyarch outdid themselves. Makes you feel like Spider-Man.
- You can also web zip, charge jump and wall crawl/wall run.
- Combat’s also revamped. Attack enemies on the ground, launch ‘em in the air for juggle combos and web ‘em.
- Pause the game by viewing a fully detailed map. That’ll help you find which activities you want to engage.
- A groundbreaking mechanic allows Spidey to dodge enemy attacks. Whenever his head flashes, time your dodge and strike back. Treyarch pioneered a dodge mechanic before “Batman: Arkham Asylum.”
- Enemy Variety’s solid. Their dialogues funny as heck.
- Boss Battles are epic. You get to recreate the infamous train fight with Doctor Octopus.
- Spider Reflex Mode slows down time like “The Matrix.” Lets you dodge attacks and decreases the timer in certain challenges, mini-games and story missions.
- Completing missions, side activities and mini-games grant you “Hero Points.” It’s currency to spend them on upgrades, fighting techniques and increase web swing speed.
- Story Missions has a total of 16 Chapters. The 17th Chapter’s basically a to-do list on a lot of side content.
- Side Content has a ton of goodies that’ll make you stay up all night. Race Challenges, takes pictures for Daily Bugle, go on a date by racing Mary Jane’s apartment, look for Tokens scattered across the Big Apple, toggle every Hint Markers, unlock a Fight Arena beating up thugs and last but not least, the Pizza Deliveries. Pizza Time!
- Asking a citizen for help activates a tiny mission you save the police or citizens from crooks, save all the people before a boat sinks, rescue a random person from falling from a building etc.
- Random Moments highlighted as a purple dot indicates a mugging, a little kid loosing a balloon, a speeding car, stolen car or a somebody getting attacked by crooks. Just like in real life, life in New York City is unpredictable.
- The To-Do List is full of achievements. Think you can conquer every single one?
Although Doc Ock is the only villain fought in the movie, the game lets you duke it out with Rhino, Shocker, Mysterio & Calypso.
The game takes creative liberties. Most notably, Black Cat/Felicia Hardy factors in as an unlikely ally.
Fun Fact: If you pause the game, head to Options. You’ll see a preview for “X-Men Legends.” Rest in Peace, Patrick Stewart.
Random Thoughts
- I got the game on my 11th birthday. I used to play it all the time on PS2. It took me countless days attempting to complete every nook and cranny. I miss my childhood. Back when I didn’t worry about what’s going on in the real world.
- My favorite mini-game is the pizza deliveries. I want Insomniac Games to include it as a mini-game for Peter Parker & Miles Morales.
- Spider-Man 2 is my second favorite game of 2004. “Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas takes the crown as “Game of the Year.”
- It would be awesome if Spider-Man 2 gets a remastered treatment like “Godzilla Destroy All Monsters Melee.”
Weak: I couldn’t find nothing wrong. I’m giving Treyarch an Extra Point for making a flawless game as possible.
The Final Verdict: A, FOR APEX!
Spider-Man 2 on Xbox, Nintendo GameCube & PlayStation 2 still holds up. I had pleasant memories growing up playing the first two Spider-Man games along with the PS1/Nintendo 64 game in 2000. I’m lucky I grew up in the Fox Kids/Toonami era. Which Marvel superhero should get a solo game?
