Spider-Man 3 review

We haven't felt less like Spider-Man since Batman Begins

GamesRadar+ Verdict

Pros

  • +

    Campbell's narration

  • +

    Spider-Man 2

  • +

    Not believing your eyes

Cons

  • -

    Messy everything

  • -

    Horrible graphics

  • -

    Again

  • -

    everything

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Let's not even joke around here. Spider-Man 3 on either PS2 or Wii is a waste of time and money. It's ostensibly the exact same game as 2004's Spider-Man 2, only with an uglier city, choppier gameplay and somehow, even worse combat and camera. The fact that it actually looks and plays worse than a game that came out three years ago is simultaneously unforgivable and baffling. This Manhattan doesn't even look like a city. It's a bunch of colored blocks that happened to fall into place and had textures randomly applied to their sides (don't believe the provided screenshots).

The PS2 and Wii versions are identical to each other, yet quite different from the next-gen games. The plot and missions are largely the same, but the overall pacing of the story is very linear. Unlike the 360/PS3 versions, which allow you a bit more freedom when it comes to what you want to do next, this one shepards you along from one mission to the next. Each mission is bland, repetitive and just like some bad game you played five or more years ago. You're awarded the black costume much earlier in this version, but the symbiote's differences are minute. Also, character models are hideous and the audio is equally forgettable.

Wii gamers do get a little fun with the motion controls though - holding B and flicking the remote or Nunchuk for left or right handed webs is a decent thrill, but that's about it. A couple of quips from narrator Bruce Campbell are the only other avenues of entertainment you're going to find here.

More info

GenreAction
DescriptionThwip! The first two Spider-Man tie-ins proved that movie games need not suck; can the third keep the streak going?
Platform"GameCube","PS2","PC","DS","PSP","Xbox","PS3","Xbox 360","Wii"
US censor rating"Teen","Teen","Teen","Teen","Teen","Teen","Teen","Teen","Teen"
UK censor rating"","","","","","","","",""
Release date1 January 1970 (US), 1 January 1970 (UK)
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Brett Elston

A fomer Executive Editor at GamesRadar, Brett also contributed content to many other Future gaming publications including Nintendo Power, PC Gamer and Official Xbox Magazine. Brett has worked at Capcom in several senior roles, is an experienced podcaster, and now works as a Senior Manager of Content Communications at PlayStation SIE.