Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensions game sure to satisfy superhero’s fans

Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensions (Activision; PC, PS3, Xbox 360, Wii; rated teen)

In the latest Spider-Man game, players get to become four versions of the webslinger. All four are taken straight from the pages of Marvel Comics variants of the character: Amazing, Ultimate, Noir, and 2099.

It’s almost like Shattered Dimensions is four games in one.

Developed in Quebec City by Beenox, each of the four dimensions has a distinct art style, and each Spider-Man has slightly different abilities, from Amazing’s use of martial arts and webs to Noir’s use of stealth to the abilities granted to Ultimate and 2099 by their respective spider suits.

The game starts quickly with the villain, Mysterio, attempting to steal the clumsily but aptly-named Tablet of Order and Chaos. The ancient artifact is broken as Amazing Spider-Man attempts to put a stop to the theft, which causes reality to shatter.

It’s up to the four Spider-Men to collect and reassemble the pieces. During the 13 chapters of the game, not including the tutorial, players will become each of the variants three times, with the final level including all four characters. And in these sections, the various Spider-Men will face a host of villains, from Sandman to Goblin to Doc Oc to Electro.

Defeating enemies and collecting spider emblems grants “spider essence”, which can be used to upgrade your various Spider-Men and their abilities.

There are a few, minor glitches with the camera perspective and the audio playback, and unlike previous Spider-Man games these environments are not open to players for free roaming.

The biggest frustration is that only certain surfaces are climbable. Given that Spider-Man’s movements are defined by swinging and crawling, this is a serious limitation.

But the game benefits from excellent writing and quippy dialogue, and the voice acting is also superior. This should come as no surprise given that the actors who played the Spider-Man variants in animated projects—Christopher Daniel Barnes, Dan Gilvezan, Neil Patrick Harris, and Josh Keaton—reprise their roles here.

The web-slinging and fighting are nicely tuned, the environments varied and distinct, and overall, Shattered Dimensions is a great action game sure to satisfy Spidey fans.