The Best Spider-Man Game No One Played
1. The Best Of Both Worlds
What makes Web of Shadows so enjoyable, however, is the fact it genuinely does something other Spider-Man games hadn't really done at that point. Yes, the voice acting can get a little grating in places, and the character designs exist in that weird little 2002-fashion bubble artists are still struggling to get over, but it still taps into the fanbase's fascination with the symbiote and plays with it to great effect.
We all know it's ten times as fun to be in the black suit, taking on crime in a different way and falling for Black Cat, but just because it's the more enjoyable path to take doesn't mean it's the right one. Fans should be happy to note, then, that there are four potential endings in Web of Shadows - an absolute good one, an absolute evil one, and two that sit slightly opposite each other on either side of the fence. Sure, they may not account for every decision the player makes, but each ending is worth seeing firsthand and showcases the stark contrast behind two equally famous depictions of the wall-crawler.
And that's what's so interesting about Web of Shadows: It pits two versions of the web-slinger against the other and let's the player see who comes out on top. Throw in a ruck of cameos from the likes of Wolverine, Luke Cage, Moon Knight and Black Widow, and you have a game that not only acknowledges Spider-Man's wider importance to the Marvel Universe, but one that looks to test every fan's resolve by dangling one of the most stylish redesigns ever to have graced the medium right above their nose, and see if they can resist temptation.
The result is a game that feels both familiar and unique, and though it does have its flaws (repetitive combat, mixed performances etc.), it's something for fans to keep in mind - and perhaps reappraise - as they embark on another Spidey tale this September.
What are your thoughts on Spider-Man: Web of Shadows? Did it deserve a mediocre reception? Post your thoughts down in the comments below!