Games News and Reviews | High Def Digest
Film & TV All News Blu-Ray Reviews Release Dates News Pre-orders 4K Ultra HD Reviews Release Dates News Pre-orders Gear Reviews News Home Theater 101 Best Gear Film & TV
Games : Worth a Look
Ranking:
Sale Price: $79.99 Last Price: $ Buy now! 3rd Party 79.99 In Stock
Release Date: November 19th, 2013 Movie Release Year: 2013

The Amazing Spider-Man

Overview -

Few fictional characters have withstood the test of time better than Spider-Man. Across a variety of mediums – comics, television, movies, and videogames – Peter Parker and his arachnid alter ego have become iconic heroes for countless fans. Although numerous developers have tried to deliver memorable games for the web slinger, only a few have succeeded. Most recently, the developers at Beenox have taken on this task. Starting with 2010s universe-hopping 'Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensions', the less interesting 'Spider-Man: Edge of Time', and their latest offering, 'The Amazing Spider-Man.'

Based on the 2012 movie adaptation of the same name, 'The Amazing Spider-Man' was released for all console and handheld platform save one in June of that same year. Almost 18 months later, Mercenary Technology delivers a port for the PlayStation Vita.

OVERALL:
Worth a Look
Rating Breakdown
VIDEO
AUDIO
Tech Specs & Release Details
Release Date:
November 19th, 2013

Video Review

Ranking:

As satisfying as the combat mechanics are, the graphical hiccups and slow-downs severely hinder an otherwise enjoyable experience. The most egregious offender is the inconsistent and unpredictable frame rate. I could be casually slinging across the city, or battling a dozen mutants, the frame rate would often dip (or not) to a near crawl. Even the occasional cut scene would see significant slow-down issues. Add to this the constant aliasing and you'll think your eyes are playing tricks on you.

When 'The Amazing Spider-Man' does run smooth you will also realize that it's not a pretty game on the PlayStation Vita. Many of the colors are muted and dull, the character animations are stiff and robotic, and the environments are drab and uninspiring. Visually, the best thing about 'The Amazing Spider-Man' is the game's namesake. Spider-Man's costume pops off the screen with vibrant reds and blues. His web design is impressively realistic and the costume effectively displays the wear and tear, cuts and shreds, from hours spent battling to save the city. Having played 'The Amazing Spider-Man' when it first released on the PlayStation 3, and the comparison isn't as favorable as the Vita is capable of. Where the PS3 version of the game was more visually impressive, this port of the game came up a little rough around the edges.

Audio Review

Ranking:

The best thing about the 'The Amazing Spider-Man's audio is also the worst thing - the voice acting. Although difficult to stomach such poorly written dialogue, the longer the game progressed the more I realized that it was in fact a fairly solid representation of the schlocky nature of the Spider-Man television and cartoon series of my childhood. Anyone who grew up with Spider-Man during the late 70s and early 80s will be more susceptible to reminisce. Eventually, it will grow on you.

Accompanying the action and voice acting is the pleasing orchestral soundtrack. The highs and lows are all accounted for and fit nicely with the game's shift in tone – dark and brooding while searching the sewers, exciting and epic while web slinging across the city heights. Unfortunately, where the visuals of 'The Amazing Spider-Man' suffered from the frame rate, so did the audio. When at its worst, conversations became indecipherable and the music would skip like a severely abused vinyl record.

Technical issues aside, 'The Amazing Spider-Man' for the PlayStation Vita was more fun than what I would have expected. Its oddly-timed release may be cause for some initial confusion, but given time to settle into the rhythm of the game you'll find there is much to appreciate and enjoy. A superhero game that makes you feel like a superhero will always be a winning formula in my book. Given the choice to play 'The Amazing Spider-Man' on the console or the Vita I would recommend the former over the latter. However, if console game play is not an option, give the Vita version a chance. You might just find something amazing . . . um . . . great? . . . Hmmm, no . . . fun? Yes, fun. You might just find something fun about it.