Spider-Man (2000 video game)
Spider-Man | |
---|---|
Developer(s) | Neversoft[a] |
Publisher(s) |
|
Composer(s) |
|
Platform(s) | |
Release | PlayStation, Game Boy Color Nintendo 64 Dreamcast Microsoft Windows Mac OS X |
Genre(s) | Action-adventure |
Mode(s) | Single-player |
Spider-Man is a 2000 action-adventure game based on the Marvel Comics character of the same name. It was developed by Neversoft and published by Activision for the PlayStation. The game was later ported by different developers to various systems, including the Game Boy Color and Nintendo 64 that same year, as well as the Dreamcast and Microsoft Windows in 2001.
The game's story follows Spider-Man as he attempts to clear his name after being framed by a
Spider-Man received an overall generally positive reception. It was followed by three sequels in 2001: the Game Boy Color-exclusive
Gameplay
The game has the player controlling Spider-Man as he goes through each level, either trying to reach the exit or complete a certain objective. The player must retry the current level if Spider-Man runs out of health, falls off a building or fails to complete certain objectives such as rescuing a hostage. Spider-Man is able to utilize his spider powers to traverse the environments, being able to crawl on walls and ceilings, swing short distances and instantly zip between certain points. In combat, Spider-Man can utilize a limited supply of web-cartridges to attack his enemies, either webbing them up to stall or defeat them, increasing the strength of his attacks or forming an explosive barrier.
Spider-Man can also find comics, which unlock a Spider-Man comic book issue cover in the menu screen, as well as power-ups such as Spider-Armor which temporarily increases his strength and defense, and Fire Webbing which is effective against symbiotes. Several alternate costumes are available to unlock, each with their own attributes. Some costumes provide enhancements, while others provide no change or detriments. For example, the Spider-Man 2099 costume features enhanced strength, while the civilian Peter Parker suit limits the available number of web cartridges to two. The Ben Reilly costume in contrast contains no enhancements or detriments.
Many stages contain a prologue narration from series co-creator Stan Lee.
Plot
A supposedly reformed
Meanwhile, the real Spider-Man, who witnessed the incident as Peter Parker, is held responsible for the theft, and the police ensue a manhunt for him. Elsewhere, two unseen figures release dense amounts of mysterious fog from their hidden base into the city, which quickly covers the streets. After meeting with Black Cat and foiling a bank robbery by the Jade Syndicate, Spider-Man is forced to save J. Jonah Jameson from Scorpion. He defeats Scorpion only for an ungrateful Jameson to call the police on him. While trying to escape, Spider-Man encounters Daredevil, who promises to spread the word about Spider-Man's innocence.
After evading a police chopper, Spider-Man reunites with Black Cat, who informs him of two new problems:
During his pursuit, Spider-Man encounters the
After defeating him, Spider-Man learns Mysterio was hired to keep Spider-Man distracted while his employer infests New York with symbiotes, and that the fog over the city will act as a beacon for the symbiotes, preparing the citizens for symbiosis. On his way to Warehouse 65, where the hideout of Mysterio's employer is located, Spider-Man encounters the Punisher, whom he convinces about his innocence and, in turn, offers Spider-Man help with infiltrating the warehouse. Not looking to raise the amount of casualties, Spider-Man declines. Spider-Man discovers an entrance to a massive undersea base inside the warehouse, and proceeds to investigate, quickly coming across a symbiote manufacturing operation and an imprisoned Black Cat. After disrupting the operation and rescuing Black Cat, Spider-Man finally confronts her kidnappers and the masterminds behind the symbiote invasion: Octavius and Carnage.
Taking up his Doctor Octopus persona once again, Octavius explains that he faked his reform and that, with the help of Carnage (who donated his symbiote to be cloned), he hopes to create a new world dominated by symbiotes, under his rule. Later, Venom appears and takes on Carnage, while Spider-Man fights Doc Ock. After both Doc Ock and Venom are defeated, Spider-Man fights Carnage and defeats him by sustaining him into a sonic bubble. Following his defeat, the Carnage symbiote is drained into the lower level and fuses with Doc Ock, creating "Monster-Ock." Spider-Man, unable to perform an effective battle, is chased by the monstrosity out of the self-destructing base until it is caught in one of the explosions, which removes the symbiote from Doc Ock's body. Spider-Man carries the unconscious Doc Ock to the surface, where they are salvaged by Captain America, Black Cat and Venom.
In the epilogue, at the S.H.I.E.L.D. headquarters, Spider-Man is playing cards with Captain America, Daredevil and the Punisher, while Black Cat and the Human Torch are dancing. In prison, Mysterio, Rhino, Scorpion and a Jade Syndicate thug are also playing cards, while an annoyed Octavius is banging his head against the cell bars.
Development
The game was announced on December 2, 1998.
Audio
[Stan Lee] gave every line he read 110% [...] he would not move on until he gave it the delivery he thought it deserved.
— Chad Findley, lead designer on Stan Lee's voice narration.[12]
Some of the voice actors from both Chad Findley, lead designer of the game, is uncredited as voice director.
Soundtrack
The game's soundtrack was composed by Tommy Tallarico and Howard Ulyate. It features a variety of tracks mostly arranged in individual samples, influenced by popular music genres of the time such as industrial rock and nu metal. The samples correlate to actions in-game, such as when Spider-Man is battling an enemy, and fade out when the action is over. However some levels have a fixed soundtrack, including boss battles. The Nintendo 64 port includes a sound test where the individual samples of tracks can be listened to. It can be accessed via cheat code.
The game's title screen and credits roll use the theme song of the 1960s Spider-Man animated series, remixed by English electronic band Apollo 440.
Reception
Aggregator | Score | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Electronic Gaming Monthly | 7.5/10[19] | N/A | 7/10[20] | N/A | 7.83/10[21] |
Eurogamer | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | 9/10[22] |
Game Informer | N/A | N/A | 8/10[24] | N/A | N/A |
GameFan | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | 73%[23] |
GamePro | [25] | N/A | [26] | N/A | [27] |
GameRevolution | B[28] | N/A | C[29] | N/A | B−[30] |
GameSpot | 7.2/10[31] | 6.5/10[32] | 7.8/10[33] | 6.6/10[34] | 7.7/10[35] |
GameSpy | 8/10[36] | N/A | N/A | 77%[37] | N/A |
GameZone | 7/10[38] | N/A | N/A | 7/10[39] | N/A |
IGN | 8.4/10[40] | 9/10[41] | 8.5/10[42] | 6/10[43] | 9/10[44] |
Next Generation | [46] | N/A | N/A | N/A | [45] |
Nintendo Power | N/A | 7.1/10[47] | [48] | N/A | N/A |
Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | [49] |
PC Gamer (US) | N/A | N/A | N/A | 78%[50] | N/A |
While reviews varied from system to system, Spider-Man received generally positive reviews. GameRankings shows aggregate scores of 86.53% for the PlayStation version,[55] 66.91% for the Game Boy Color version,[52] 82.52% for the Nintendo 64 version,[53] 80.23% for the Dreamcast version,[51] and 67.96% for the PC version.[54] Metacritic shows scores of 87 out of 100 for the PlayStation version,[59] 72 out of 100 for the Nintendo 64 version,[57] 80 out of 100 for the Dreamcast version,[56] and 68 out of 100 for the PC version.[58] In September 2000 Activision reported that the game held the number two position for third-party published games on the PlayStation, though no official sales numbers were given.[60]
IGN gave the PlayStation version a 9 out of 10, calling it "arguably, the best Spider-Man game",[44] giving a 8.4 for the Dreamcast version calling it "good fun for anyone with a Dreamcast that hasn't played the PlayStation version", while expecting more from a powerful system like the Dreamcast.[61] The PC version, however, got a scathing review for essentially being a port of the Dreamcast with no major changes.[62] GameSpot gave the PlayStation version a 7.7, calling it "excellent framework on which to base future Spider-Man games – and an exceptional game to boot".[35]
Greg Orlando reviewed the PlayStation version of the game for Next Generation, rating it four stars out of five, and stated that "Excelsior! Great web-slinging fun".[45]
Scott Steinberg reviewed the Dreamcast version of the game for Next Generation, rating it four stars out of five, and stated that "a fun but slightly flawed superhero action adventure that'll have you bouncing off the walls. Literally".[46]
Spider-Man's PlayStation version received a "Platinum" sales award from the
Sequels
The game has spawned three sequels in 2001:
Potential remaster
In a November 2019 interview, former Neversoft employee and lead designer of Spider-Man Chad Findley expressed interest in developing a remaster of the game, but admitted that it would be unlikely due to "the nightmarish licensing and approval processes that are around these days".[65][66][67]
Notes
- Vicarious Visionsdeveloped the Game Boy Color version.
References
- ^ "Release Dates". Game Boy Station. Archived from the original on September 30, 2000. Retrieved January 19, 2024.
- ^ "Spider-Man". IGN. Archived from the original on October 3, 2000. Retrieved January 19, 2024.
- ^ "UK releases". Eurogamer.net. September 15, 2000. Retrieved March 28, 2023.
- ^ IGN Staff (November 17, 2000). "10 Best New N64 Games to Own this Holiday Season". IGN. Retrieved May 29, 2023.
- ^ "Sega-Europe". June 19, 2001. Archived from the original on June 19, 2001. Retrieved January 11, 2024.
- ^ "Treyarch Corporation". December 3, 2001. Archived from the original on December 3, 2001. Retrieved May 30, 2023.
- ^ "Spider-Man shipping [date mislabeled "May 17, 2006"]". GameSpot. Archived from the original on March 28, 2023. Retrieved March 28, 2023.
- ^ "Aspyr: Inside Aspyr". June 20, 2003. Archived from the original on June 20, 2003. Retrieved March 28, 2023.
- ^ "Spider-Man' Swings onto Console Game Platforms With Introduction of First Ever 3D Game from Activision". PR Newswire. December 2, 1998. Archived from the original on January 16, 1999. Retrieved July 18, 2021 – via yahoo.com.
- ^ Farrell, Blair (August 30, 2020). "Interview: Chad Findley, Lead Designer on Neversoft's Spider-Man". Comic Book Video Games. Archived from the original on December 7, 2022. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
- ^ solidsnake11 (January 6, 2016). "Spider-Man PS1 Very Rare Early Version Footage". YouTube. Archived from the original on January 2, 2022. Retrieved January 3, 2018.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ Farrell, Blair (August 30, 2020). "Interview: Chad Findley, Lead Designer on Neversoft's Spider-Man". Comic Book Video Games. Archived from the original on December 7, 2022. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
- ^ "Spider-Man". Archived from the original on November 12, 2021. Retrieved November 12, 2021.
- ^ Weiss, Brett Alan. "Spider-Man (DC) - Overview". Allgame. Archived from the original on November 14, 2014. Retrieved January 11, 2014.
- ^ Weiss, Brett Alan. "Spider-Man (GBC) - Review". Allgame. Archived from the original on November 14, 2014. Retrieved January 11, 2014.
- ^ Barnes, J.C. "Spider-Man (N64) - Review". Allgame. Archived from the original on November 14, 2014. Retrieved January 11, 2014.
- ^ Cook, Eric. "Spider-Man (PC) - Review". Allgame. Archived from the original on November 14, 2014. Retrieved January 11, 2014.
- Allgame. Archived from the originalon November 14, 2014. Retrieved January 11, 2014.
- ^ "Spider-Man (DC)". Electronic Gaming Monthly. 2001.
- ^ Macdonald, Mark (January 2001). "Spider-Man (N64)". Electronic Gaming Monthly. Archived from the original on January 29, 2001. Retrieved January 13, 2014.
- ^ "Spider-Man (PS)". Electronic Gaming Monthly. 2000.
- ^ Bramwell, Tom (October 19, 2000). "Spider-Man Review (PSOne)". Eurogamer. Archived from the original on January 11, 2014. Retrieved January 11, 2014.
- ^ "REVIEW for Spider-Man (PS)". GameFan. September 6, 2000.
- ^ Fitzloff, Jay (January 2001). "Spiderman (N64)". Game Informer. No. 93. p. 136. Archived from the original on March 13, 2008. Retrieved January 11, 2014.
- ^ Uncle Dust (April 30, 2001). "Spider-Man Review for Dreamcast on GamePro.com". GamePro. Archived from the original on February 8, 2005. Retrieved January 12, 2014.
- ^ Air Hendrix (January 10, 2001). "Spider-Man Review for N64 on GamePro.com". GamePro. Archived from the original on January 13, 2005. Retrieved January 12, 2014.
- ^ The Freshman (August 29, 2000). "Spider-Man Review for PlayStation on GamePro.com". GamePro. Archived from the original on February 9, 2005. Retrieved January 12, 2014.
- ^ Sanders, Shawn (May 2001). "Spider-Man (DC)". Game Revolution. Archived from the original on August 3, 2004. Retrieved January 12, 2014.
- ^ Joe (January 2001). "Spiderman Review (N64)". Game Revolution. Archived from the original on January 12, 2014. Retrieved January 12, 2014.
- Game Revolution. Archivedfrom the original on January 12, 2014. Retrieved January 12, 2014.
- ^ Lopez, Miguel (April 20, 2001). "Spider-Man Review (DC)". GameSpot. Archived from the original on March 24, 2014. Retrieved January 11, 2014.
- ^ Lopez, Miguel (September 1, 2000). "Spider-Man Review (GBC)". GameSpot. Archived from the original on March 24, 2014. Retrieved January 11, 2014.
- ^ Lopez, Miguel (November 22, 2000). "Spider-Man Review (N64)". GameSpot. Archived from the original on March 24, 2014. Retrieved January 11, 2014.
- ^ Osborne, Scott (September 20, 2001). "Spider-Man Review (PC)". GameSpot. Archived from the original on March 24, 2014. Retrieved January 11, 2014.
- ^ a b Lopez, Miguel (August 25, 2000). "Spider-Man Review (PS)". GameSpot. Archived from the original on March 24, 2014. Retrieved January 11, 2014.
- ^ dungin (May 23, 2001). "Spider-Man". PlanetDreamcast. Archived from the original on January 25, 2009. Retrieved January 12, 2014.
- ^ D'Aprile, Jason (October 9, 2001). "Spider-Man (PC)". GameSpy. Archived from the original on December 2, 2001. Retrieved January 12, 2014.
- ^ Lupos (June 24, 2001). "Spider-Man - DC - Review". GameZone. Archived from the original on July 9, 2009. Retrieved January 13, 2014.
- ^ Lafferty, Michael (October 17, 2001). "Spider-Man Review - PC". GameZone. Archived from the original on April 16, 2009. Retrieved January 12, 2014.
- ^ IGN Staff (April 18, 2001). "Spider-Man (DC)". IGN. Archived from the original on February 23, 2014. Retrieved January 11, 2014.
- ^ Carle, Chris (August 30, 2000). "Spider-Man (GBC)". IGN. Archived from the original on February 23, 2014. Retrieved January 11, 2014.
- ^ Lewis, Cory D. (November 21, 2000). "Spider-Man (N64)". IGN. Archived from the original on February 23, 2014. Retrieved January 11, 2014.
- ^ Sulic, Ivan (September 21, 2001). "Spider-Man (PC)". IGN. Archived from the original on February 23, 2014. Retrieved January 11, 2014.
- ^ a b Perry, Douglass C. (August 25, 2000). "Spider-Man (PS)". IGN. Archived from the original on February 19, 2014. Retrieved January 11, 2014.
- ^ a b Orlando, Greg (November 2000). "Finals". Next Generation. Vol. 3, no. 11. Imagine Media. p. 131.
- ^ a b Steinberg, Scott (July 2001). "Finals". Next Generation. Vol. 4, no. 7. Imagine Media. p. 85.
- ^ "Spider-Man (GBC)". Nintendo Power. Vol. 139. December 2000.
- ^ "Spider-Man (N64)". Nintendo Power. Vol. 140. January 2001. p. 130.
- ^ "Spider-Man". Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine. March 2002. p. 34.
- ^ Osborn, Chuck (December 2001). "Spider-Man". PC Gamer. Archived from the original on January 17, 2002. Retrieved January 12, 2014.
- ^ a b "Spider-Man for Dreamcast". GameRankings. Archived from the original on January 11, 2014. Retrieved January 11, 2014.
- ^ a b "Spider-Man for Game Boy Color". GameRankings. Archived from the original on January 11, 2014. Retrieved January 11, 2014.
- ^ a b "Spider-Man for Nintendo 64". GameRankings. Archived from the original on January 11, 2014. Retrieved January 11, 2014.
- ^ a b "Spider-Man for PC". GameRankings. Archived from the original on January 11, 2014. Retrieved January 11, 2014.
- ^ a b "Spider-Man for PlayStation". GameRankings. Archived from the original on July 29, 2017. Retrieved January 11, 2014.
- ^ a b "Spider-Man Critic Reviews for Dreamcast". Metacritic. Archived from the original on April 24, 2014. Retrieved January 11, 2014.
- ^ a b "Spider-Man Critic Reviews for Nintendo 64". Metacritic. Archived from the original on April 24, 2014. Retrieved January 11, 2014.
- ^ a b "Spider-Man Critic Reviews for PC". Metacritic. Archived from the original on April 24, 2014. Retrieved January 11, 2014.
- ^ a b "Spider-Man Critic Reviews for PlayStation". Metacritic. Archived from the original on April 24, 2014. Retrieved January 11, 2014.
- ^ "Spider-Man Sales Hit the Roof". IGN. September 9, 2000. Archived from the original on December 6, 2022. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
- ^ "Spider-Man". IGN. April 18, 2001. Archived from the original on January 3, 2022. Retrieved August 10, 2020.
- ^ "Spider-Man". IGN. September 21, 2001. Archived from the original on January 3, 2022. Retrieved August 10, 2020.
- Entertainment and Leisure Software Publishers Association. Archived from the originalon May 15, 2009.
- Gamasutra. Archived from the originalon September 18, 2017.
- Game Rant. Archivedfrom the original on April 28, 2022. Retrieved April 28, 2022.
- CBR.com. Archivedfrom the original on April 28, 2022. Retrieved April 28, 2022.
- ^ Moore, Ewan (November 1, 2019). "Spider-Man 2000 Developer 'Absolutely' up for Working on a Remaster". GamingBible. Archived from the original on September 8, 2022. Retrieved September 8, 2022.
External links
- Spider-Man at IMDb
- Spider-Man games on Marvel.com
- Spider-Man (2000) at MobyGames
- Spider-Man (Game Boy Color; 2000) at MobyGames