Review - Spider-Man (2018)

       Hey guys, Chuck here. When it comes to superhero video games, I have, of course, talked in length about Batman with the Batman: Arkham series. But, there's been a recent lineup of video games centered around Marvel's flagship superhero: Spider-Man. Now, there have been plenty of Spider-Man games over the years produced by Activision, although many of them are crappy movie tie-in games related to the Spider-Man movies with Tobey Maguire or The Amazing Spider-Man movies with Andrew Garfield. But in 2018, we finally got a proper Spider-Man game from Insomniac Games, the same studio behind the likes of Spyro the Dragon, Ratchet & Clank, and the Overdrive series. So, here it is: my review of the 2018 PlayStation 4 game simply called Spider-Man. 

       So, the game opens with Peter Parker/Spider-Man taking off from his New York City apartment to aid the New York Police, led by Captain Yuri Watanabe, on their attempt to apprehend and arrest Wilson Fisk/Kingpin. Things don't go well, however, as Fisk is having his hard drives scrubbed, and his men keeping police helicopters grounded so he can escape with no interference. However, said interference comes in the form of Spider-Man, who prevents Fisk from escaping, and makes it easier for Yuri and the police to arrest him. Upon being loaded into a police van, Fisk loudly proclaims "One month! In one month, you'll wish you had me back!" 

       Unfortunately, this move in helping the police deal with Fisk made Peter late for his job working at Octavius Industries, a small research lab run by Dr. Otto Octavius. Peter and Otto's work involves advancements in prosthetics, and helping people, especially wounded former soldiers, with more advanced prosthetic limbs. Unfortunately, Otto's operation is entirely based around grant money, and unfortunately he is repeatedly hounded to continue his work at Oscorp Industries, working under the banners of current New York City mayor Norman Osborn. And, this gets to the point where Norman has some strings pulled and thus making the lab unsafe to operate in. 

      All the while, Yuri has Spider-Man help out with a few things, such as clearing out a set of Fisk Construction Sites, as well as investigating a break-in at Fisk's auction house. It's here where Peter reunites with his long-time flame Mary Jane Watson, who is working as a reporter for the Daily Bugle, which is run by Robbie Roberson. What about J. Jonah Jameson, you ask? Well, his role in this game is that of a podcaster with a show called Just the Facts w/ J Jonah Jameson, where he does a lot to diminish Spider-Man and his good deeds across New York. Anyway, MJ found a hidden file in the auction house for an Oscorp creation referred to as "Devil's Breath," after which masked thugs arrive and hijack the place. Spider-Man defeats them and makes his exit, later texting MJ go meet for a bite to eat at Mick's. The two catch up at Mick's, and it's clear that Peter and MJ broke up some time before the game due to Peter's overprotective nature. However, he gets called away, and it's here where we get a cameo by Stan Lee. Yep, some time before the legendary Stan Lee passed away, he had a cameo appearance in this game. Cool. 

       Anyway, so Spider-Man helps Yuri and the police take down Herman Schultz/Shocker, and then takes the mask discovered at the auction house to the F.E.A.S.T. shelter in Chinatown, where his Aunt May works alongside Martin Li. Li, it turns out, has knowledge of antiquities, and is able to identify the mask and a symbol on the inside of it, which translates to "demon." So, this new faction, known as the Demons, and their as of yet unknown leader, apparently are targeting Fisk weapons in a bid to go after Norman. With help from a New York Police officer named Jefferson Davis, Spider-Man is able to prevent a massive shipment of stolen Fisk weapons from getting into the hands of the Demons. But, they don't stop, as they then go after a Fisk Construction Site, where they lead Spider-Man on an epic air chase throughout the city. After stopping them, Peter joins MJ at Norman's campaign rally, where Jefferson is being honored for his heroism, and he is joined by his wife, Rio Morales, and son, Miles Morales. Unfortunately, this is where we also learn that Martin Li is the leader of the Demons, and has supernatural powers of corruption, and he leads an attack on the rally, killing Jefferson, but Norman escapes. 

       Days later, Spider-Man works with both Yuri and MJ to learn as much as possible about Li's plan, what exactly Devil's Breath is, and how to stop Li and the Demons. But, as added security across the city, Norman has hired the services of Sable International, led by Symkarian mercenary Silver Sablinova/Silver Sable. Meanwhile, Peter suggests to his Aunt May the idea that Miles could do some volunteer work at the F.E.A.S.T. shelter to help deal with his grief in a way that's productive. All the while, both Peter and MJ do some investigating, with MJ learning that Li and the Demons have hired the services of Lonnie Lincoln/Tombstone to build some massive vehicles for them, and are seeking three Oscorp scientists involved with the creation of Devil's Breath: Charles Standish, Isaac Delaney, and Morgan Michaels. Delaney ends up dead, but both Standish and Michaels wind up fine. Although, Peter screws up when MJ sneaks into Sable's main base in Central Park to speak with Standish, and Peter causes him to break his own ankle. Oops. 

      Peter also sneaks into Norman's office at Oscorp Tower, where he digs into Norman's computer files and learns that Devil's Breath, also known as GR-27, was designed to cure neurological ailments. However, in its current form can unleash a deadly pathogen that can kill many lives. The next day, Sable International attempts to move Dr. Morgan Michaels, who holds the only known sample of GR-27, to a secure location, but Li and the Demons show up, take him hostage, and Spider-Man attempts to save Michaels. He is successful, but the Demons escape with GR-27. Where do they take it? To Grand Central Terminal, where MJ also is. Peter webs up the Demons, MJ deactivates the dispersal device and preventing the release of Devil's Breath, and Peter defeats Li, whom Jameson later dubs Mister Negative, and he is taken to The Raft. 

       Otto, meanwhile, has been working to further advance his prosthetics and creates four mechanical arms. However, Peter discovers that the neural interface is too unstable, and will only make Otto worse. He initially hears to Peter's reasoning, but eventually flips back when he sees Norman on television. Peter is then called in by Yuri to aid in preventing a breakout by Riker's prisoners, who are secured thanks to Yuri and Spider-Man. However, another breakout is taking place at The Raft, where five of Spider-Man's most lethal goes are loose, as well as ordinary inmates who break loose into the city. And the roster of Spider-Man foes are as follows: Electro, Vulture, Scorpion, Rhino, and Mister Negative. And leading the pack is none other than Otto, who has become the villainous Doctor Octopus. 

       The team of villains, which are the game's version of the Sinister Six, go off to carry out Otto's plans to disrupt Norman's various ventures. The major catalyst to this plan is Otto unleashing Devil's Breath in Times Square, causing a viral outbreak that shuts down New York City. So, after saving two police precincts from attack by Electro and Rhino, Spider-Man rescues both May and Miles from F.E.A.S.T.'s sister shelter in Harlem, which is set ablaze by Raft escapees. But, after all that, it's time to stop the villains. First, after investigating Otto's staging area, Spider-Man faces off against both Electro and Vulture, subduing both villains. After a much needed rest, Spider-Man investigates Scorpion's plan, only to get injected with a hallucinogen, which he has to create an antidote for. After Miles informs him that Scorpion and Rhino are attacking relief camps, Spider-Man deals with both villains and stops them. MJ then investigates Norman's penthouse, where she learna that Devil's Breath was initially meant as a cure for many ailments, including one afflicting Harry. Also, she locates where Oscorp is developing an antiserum for Devil's Breath. Unfortunately, she is almost caught by Sable, but escapes with Peter's help. 

        Spider-Man then goes after the antiserum, but has to fight a mix of Demons and Sable troops. But, he manages to convince Silver Sable that they are on the same side, and she agrees to work with him. Silver holds off more Demons, while Spider-Man takes down Mister Negative. Unfortunately, Otto arrives and takes both Norman and the antiserum. Dr. Michaels and Silver take Spider-Man to F.E.A.S.T. to get medical help, and after he is recovered, he heads to Otto's lab and creates a suit to take on Otto. Also, Miles is bitten by a spider that attached itself to MJ's jacket when she was in Norman's penthouse. 

       Peter faces off against Otto atop Oscorp Tower, and an epic fight takes place. Otto then reveals that he knows that Peter is Spider-Man, but agrees to keep the secret. Peter defeats his friend and mentor, and takes the antiserum back to F.E.A.S.T. in the hope it can save May, who was infected. Unfortunately, there's not enough to cure May and reproduce enough to save New York. May has one last moment with Peter, revealing she knew he was Spider-Man all along, and she does peacefully. Peter and MJ get back together, and Miles reveals that he now has spider powers. 

         Aside from the main plot, which is extensive, there are plenty of side quests as well. Some are simply helping others New Yorkers, another deals with Tombstone, and one is a set of challenges laid out by the masked mercenary Taskmaster. One especially egregious side quest involves a live streaming villainess named Screwball. And, she is absolutely insufferable. But, there's also a set of photography side quests, one is a set of cats laid across the city by Felicia Hardy/Black Cat, and the other involves New York landmarks like the Empire State Building, Times Square, Rockefeller Center, Alias Investigations, Fogwell's Gym, Avengers Tower, and the Sanctum Santorum. There's also a collection of backpacks across the city with fun Easter eggs to the Spider-Man comics, and the Marvel universe at large. Heck, one of the backpacks has a business card for Nelson & Murdock. Cool. 

         The voice talent in this game is fantastic, with Yuri Lowenthal being absolutely perfect as Peter Parker/Spider-Man. I also enjoyed the likes of Tara Platt as Yuri Watanabe, Laura Bailey as Mary Jane, Erica Lindbeck as Black Cat, William Salyers as Otto, and so on and so forth. And, the combat system, while having fight combos akin to the Batman Arkham series, makes clever use of web-based gadgets like web bombs, web trip mines, and so forth. Also, it's a ton of fun getting to swing across New York using Peter's web shooters. 

       And, of course, there's also a DLC story known as The City That Never Sleeps, which was released in three chapters. The first chapter, "The Heist," sees Peter investigating a break-in at the Manhattan MoCA, where he has a run-in with Black Cat, along with several Maggia grunts all working for Hammerhead. Also, Peter is led on a fetch quest by a police detective named Mackey, who asks him to collect some paintings stolen by the original Black Cat: Walter Hardy. And, it turns out that not only is "Detective Mackey" Walter Hardy, but Walter is the father of Felicia. And, unfortunately, Screwball is back with a whole new set of challenges for Spider-Man. Ugh. 

      Anyway, it turns out that Felicia is taking a set of thumb drives with information about the Maggia, as she looks to trade them to Hammerhead for the safe return of her son. And, while not confirmed, it's almost implied that Peter may be the boy's father. Hmm. So, with a little help from MJ, Peter and Felicia go after Hammerhead's thugs, who have started using weapons and tech left behind by Sable International after the Devil's Breath crisis, and she reveals that there never was a kid, and she was simply using Peter to get the drives, sending a bunch of fakes to Hammerhead, who plants a bomb at Felicia's apartment. The bomb goes off, and Felicia is presumed dead, although no body is found. 

      The second chapter, "Turf Wars," sees Yuri and the NYPD overwhelmed by Hammerhead's attacks on the other Maggia factions, as well as their efforts to hijack Sable tech. To be specific, a joint project between Sable International and Oscorp called Project Olympus. Yuri loses a huge number of men, and she pretty much goes AWOL, while Spider-Man does some digging of his own. And, between the Maggia and more Screwball challenges, Spider-Man is pretty overwhelmed. But, he does save the Dons, defeat Hammerhead, who is seemingly killed by Yuri, only to be revived and aided in escape bybone of his thugs. 

       And now we have the third chapter, "Silver Lining." Hammehead is now a full-blown cyborg thanks to Project Olympus, Yuri is placed in leave from the police department, and Spider-Man is swamped. However, hope is not lost, as Silver Sable is back in town, packing some new toys and looking to get her equipment back from Hammerhead. Of course, Screwball is back with more challenges, but also plans to hold a rooftop party if she reaches her subscriber goal. On e that goal is reached, the party is on, but no invite for Spider-Man. However, Miles is able to scour the Internet and find the party's location. One chase across the rooftops later, and Screwball is done. 

       In addition to helping Silver Sable defeat Hammerhead, Spider-Man also helps a former agent of Sable International in relocating much needed relief supplies going to Symkaria, which is in the midst of a civil conflict that Silver herself is struggling to resolve. Once all the supplies are safely located, Hammerhead and his thugs defeated, and Project Olympus retrieved, Silver returns to Symkaria, and MJ goes overseas to report on the situation there, while Peter stays behind to train Miles to be the next Spider-Man. 

      Overall, both the base game of Spider-Man and the City That Never Sleeps DLC are both fantastic. I think that the crew at Insomniac Games did for fans of Spider-Man what Rocksteady did for fans of Batman, and that's deliver a truly immersive gaming experience that makes players truly experience being their favorite superhero: Spider-Man. I loved getting to swing around New York and spot the various nods to the wider Marvel universe, with locations like Avengers Tower, Alias Investigations, Fogwell's Gym, Rand Corporation, and the Sanctum Santorum. All in all, this is a game I'm glad I got to experience, and is an absolute favorite for me. 

       Alright guys, this is Chuck signing off, and I'll see you guys in the next review.