Introduction

Welcome to 'The Amazing Spider-Man 2', where swinging through New York City feels less like a superpower and more like trying to navigate a busy mall on Black Friday. Built on the premise of our web-slinging, crime-fighting hero, this game disappointingly swings more towards mediocrity than epic heroics. Strap in, because we're about to unravel this tangled web of a game.

Gameplay

The gameplay centers around our friendly neighborhood Spider-Man navigating an open world Manhattan to take down bad guys... in between taking selfies to update his status. You get to perform Spidey's signature moves: web-swinging, wall crawling, and, if you're feeling extra crispy, dodging random pedestrians who don't understand the importance of 'spidey sense'. Missions are lined up like a fast-food menu - with a side of repetitive tasks like stopping robberies, transporting civilians, and saving burning buildings... All while we question if Spider-Man's suit is flame-retardant. The extent of innovation includes the return of the Web-Rush mechanic, allowing you to stop time to plan your next move. However, that's akin to ordering a pizza only to discover the delivery guy is late - and the pizza is cold. The game attempts to introduce a Hero and Menace system, but it feels more like a chore less imaginative than your average high school group project. Complete side missions to keep your rep up, or fail to respond to crimes and watch your standing plummet. Spoiler alert: get used to the dramatic increase of police officers trying to throw you in jail for not helping with a cat in a tree. Combat seems to have taken notes from 'q-tips instead of flow', showcasing a free-flow combat style that gets old faster than last year's memes. Sure, you can web enemies and throw 'em into walls, but it's as if you're stuck in the shadow of your predecessor, hit by the 'none of this is revolutionary' haze. Take down enemies and remember: just because you're Spider-Man, it doesn't mean every encounter will be fun.

Graphics

Moving on to the visuals, one might say the graphics age like fine milk left out in the sun. While the Manhattan skyline might impress the first time you see it, repeated looks reveal a rather pixelated, bland environment. The lighting can drop from bright and vibrant to dim and drab faster than you can say 'web shooter'. Character models and cutscenes give off an indie vibe... and not the good kind. They're more reminiscent of early 2000s games, where even the slightest texture had the ability to pull you right out of the experience. When you're trying to save a character from a fire, but the flames look as though they were painted on a cardboard backdrop, it becomes hard to stay immersed. The animations are somewhat satisfying but are interspersed with moments that make you question if the characters truly inhabit this digital world.

Conclusion

So as you hand over your hard-earned cash in exchange for a chance to play as Spidey, you might want to ask yourself: is it really 'the Amazing Spider-Man'? The game offers a sprawling, but largely unengaging experience built over a plot that feels more rushed than a DIY lunch before a study session. If swinging through the city while responding to robotic NPCs sounds like a blast to you, pick it up. However, if you crave a superhero experience that's more Batman: Arkham than 'Oh No, Not Again', best to save your bucks. It's a shame the swinging feels so restrictive, buried beneath the debris of lost potential. In the battle of superhero games, consider this entry more of a clumsy kid than a heroic banner, scoring a solid 5/10 - a friendly neighborhood Spider-Man, sure, but in a world full of superstars, this one just doesn't quite leap tall buildings in a single bound.

See Latest Prices for The Amazing Spider-Man 2 on PS3 on Amazon

See Prices for The Amazing Spider-Man 2 on PS3 on Ebay