Ultimate Spider-Man
I recently attended Activision's Games Preview Event in San Francisco, where I got a chance to try the latest and near final build of Ultimate Spider-Man for Xbox. Also on hand was a copy of the PS2 and Gamecube versions. Brian Morrision, Production Coordinator on the Activision side walked me through various levels starting with the opening cinema then moving into the tutorial. Brian seemed genuinely enthusiastic about his game was more than happy to answer all my questions and when he did not have an answer he would enlist the help of Jonathan Zamkoff, the games Producer.
Treyarch new the best way to start the project off right was to bring in Brian Michael Bendis who had penned the comic series. The integration of the comic book panels weaved not only into the cut scenes but also right into the gameplay really helps draw the player into to this comic come to life. During fight scenes for example comic panels will pop up highlighting the action. I am not a comic book guy whatsoever but I really did dig the way the whole presentation came together, it's all very slick. Adding to this immersion is the 3D Comic Inking Technology that Treyarch is using to help bring the 2D comic into the 3D videogame world. Each character is made from 7,000 polygons and has a unique 3D'ish look without being overdone. It's hard to explain but the characters retain their 2D art style while showing a 3D'ish quality but not looking over done like other 2D to 3D conversions. Point is it looks right on.
In the Ultimate Spider-Man universe Spidey is around 15 years old, and boy is he limber. Controlling him is quite intuitive and within a few minuets you should have no trouble web slinging your way around Manhattan and the surrounding area's which now includes the burrow of Queens. This time around the game takes place mostly outdoors so you won't be seeing a lot of loading screens as would when entering buildings. 'R trigger' web-sling. 'B' & 'L trigger' web-zip which shoots your web in a straight line. 'A' jump/double jump. 'B' wall climb/grab. 'X' punch/speed boost. 'Y' kick/web climb. 'Back' brings up your map which shows you with various icons where your attentions are needed. You also have small radar on your screen which helps to point you in the right direction. You also have complete control of the camera via the right stick.
It's really quite a Zen like experience to be able to web-sling, jump then wall climb up to the top of a sky scraper only to then take a double jump swan dive off the top then perform another web-sling just as you come within a few feet from the streets below, ascending to another roof top. Combat as Spidey is fast and furious and with a little time you will be subduing baddies then 'cuffing' them with your web-zip. The game moves at a solid 30 fps and the fluidity of the animation and the transition (animation blending) from one movement to another is done very well and really helps sell the fact that your are SPIDER-MAN.
How much would you pay?......but wait, there's more. In addition to playing as Spidey you are able to play as his arch enemy, Venom. This dude is one nasty bit of ink. He is always hungry, and with his life bar continually taking a nose dive he is in constant need to 'feed'. Pulling the ‘L trigger’ will send out his tendrils to grab his victim then suck out their life force. Venom is very different than Spidy as he is more about sheer brute force than nimble combat. He is able to take advantage of his surroundings and pick up cars for instance and toss them at groups of enemies crushing some and burning others as the car rips apart in a fiery wreck of red flames and black smoke (I loved doing that). He can do a sort of spin attack to take out multiple enemies that surround him and also use his tendrils to pick up enemies and flail them about. Although Venom can't compete with Spideys web-slinging action he can jump quite high by pressing the 'R trigger'. When he lands he leaves his mark with a cracked surface and a cloud of dust.
All in all the time I had with the game just left me wanting to see and play more. Aside from a few texture pop-in issues, the game looks and plays smooth.
I hope to be able to bring you a review in the coming weeks.
| 9/6/2005 Eric 'Jetson' Pfoutz |
