Spider-Man, known as Spindelmannen to Generation X/Y (those who grew up in the 70s and 80s), has historically been a somewhat unique character within the Marvel universe. Following a moderately successful TV series in the 80s, a big-screen adaptation was highly anticipated. Complex film rights initially placed the Marvel hero under Sony’s control, preventing integration with the broader Marvel Cinematic Universe, until recent appearances in Spider-Man: Homecoming and Avengers: Infinity War. He was among the first superheroes to headline his own modern film trilogy (Sam Raimi’s films starring Toby Maguire), and has consistently featured in relatively well-received, if not always commercially groundbreaking, computer and video games (Tony Hawk studio Neversoft’s PS1 title stands out). Now, the acclaimed studio Insomniac Games is taking on the challenge, delivering one of the major releases of the fall, exclusively for Sony’s Playstation 4. Will this title drive further sales for the already dominant console platform, or is it simply over-hyped? After two weeks of extensive gameplay, we present our exclusive review to answer this question.
Image captured from the PS4 Pro version.
Spider-Man on PS4 adopts an open-world format, similar to many popular contemporary titles (Witcher 3, Assassin’s Creed, etc.). The gameplay structure comprises a central storyline and numerous optional side quests, rewarding players with experience points (XP), bonuses, and unlockable abilities and costumes. Insomniac, the studio behind acclaimed titles such as the Ratchet & Clank series, leverages their expertise in character progression and upgrade systems. Spider-Man features a wealth of gadgets and technology to explore, manifesting as new costumes, abilities, and a variety of weapons – some reminiscent of the Lombax/robot duo’s Agents of Doom, such as the mechanical spider. While exploration and action sequences (primarily combat) are central, the game also incorporates problem-solving elements (circuit board puzzles, similar to Ratchet & Clank) and diverse challenges offering special tokens. These challenges range from combating city-wide crime to assisting childhood friend Harry Osborne with his research. Insomniac has delivered a substantial amount of content and varied button combinations for combat, yet Spider-Man‘s Manhattan avoids becoming bogged down in repetitive tasks, a common pitfall observed in games like Assassin’s Creed: Origins. This is a commendable balancing achievement.
The narrative casts the player as Peter Parker, the well-meaning individual with a sharp wit. Parker is portrayed as an idealist, constantly juggling financial constraints and time commitments while striving to improve New York City for all its residents. After initially incarcerating crime lord Wilson Fisk (who clashes with Daredevil on Netflix), a new storyline unfolds, featuring both familiar adversaries such as The Shocker and Black Cat, and a ruthless Asian crime syndicate known as the Demons. The narrative also explores Peter’s personal life, questioning whether he can find stability in his living situation and relationship with MJ.
Spider-Man presents a visually impressive and captivating experience. The game exhibits remarkable smoothness, even on the base PS4 hardware. The PS4 Pro version offers HDR support and enhanced resolution upscaling, maintaining a solid 30 fps with a pixel density of 2560×1440 (1440p), which looks exceptional on a modern OLED display. The graphics and animations are of high quality, and the movement physics are well-executed. Facial models range from impressive to occasionally slightly rigid. Swinging through the buildings of central New York is a genuinely exhilarating experience, heightened by impressive lighting effects and a powerful superhero soundtrack. The game world is alive: NPCs and vehicles populate the streets, the subway operates dynamically, and helicopters (which can be used for transportation) populate the sky. The voice acting is also well-delivered. Insomniac has effectively minimized loading times, resulting in seamless gameplay (except during environment transitions or cutscenes). Similar to Witcher 3, the game effectively draws the player into its world, allowing for hours of exploration, scaling iconic structures (such as the Empire State Building), and enjoying the scenery – or performing acrobatic maneuvers, which reward the player with XP.
Spider-Man features a diverse arsenal of gadgets and weapons (accessible via a weapon wheel activated with L1, reminiscent of Ratchet & Clank) and an array of attack techniques. Mastering these combat mechanics requires practice. Effective combat relies on memorizing various combinations, a challenge noted by both younger and older members of our editorial team (ages nine and 43, respectively). Boss encounters are demanding, verging on difficult even on the normal difficulty setting. While Insomniac has generally balanced the core gameplay with a reasonable number of engaging side quests, some less compelling activities exist. These include tedious tasks like retrieving barrels from the water and frustrating chase sequences that suffer from control issues.
In conclusion, while Spider-Man is not flawless, it stands as the superior superhero game currently available. WB Games’ Batman Arkham series previously held this distinction, but now cedes the title to Spidey, whose compelling character and humor enrich the overall gaming experience. It quickly becomes apparent that Insomniac has crafted a modern masterpiece and another compelling reason to own a Sony PS4. This marks Sony’s second significant exclusive release this year (following God of War), placing pressure on competitors Nintendo and Microsoft to offer equally compelling titles for the holiday season. Spider-Man is likely to be a popular item on many wish lists this Christmas.
Summary: The PS4-exclusive Spider-Man is a standout title, a near-perfect open-world game that excels in almost every aspect. It’s engaging, enjoyable, and accessible, while also providing a significant challenge at higher difficulty levels. The game includes numerous compelling elements, which we prefer not to reveal to preserve the element of surprise. Insomniac has introduced surprising variations to the core gameplay and challenges. With approximately 20 hours of playtime focused on the main storyline, completionists can easily double that figure by mastering and unlocking all content. Furthermore, the game is a true representation of the Marvel universe, featuring numerous Easter eggs for dedicated fans to discover. A DLC package, The City that Never Sleeps, is scheduled for release on October 23. The first part, The Heist, will delve deeper into the character of Black Cat. This will be followed by Turf War in November and Silver Lining in December. Further content releases are highly anticipated.
Insomniac Games has delivered its strongest title since Ratchet & Clank. Our primary concern is that the studio will now dedicate its resources to Spider-Man sequels for the foreseeable future. We hope they remember their intergalactic friends! This is a recommended purchase for fans of action and adventure games, and one of the standout releases of the fall season. Congratulations to Sony on this outstanding achievement.
Teaser for the first DLC (releasing on October 23)
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