Stylistically and mechanically, "Spider-Man: Edge of Time" isn't much different than last year's "Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensions". That shouldn't be much of a shocker since they're both made by the same people. I really liked "Shattered Dimensions", so I didn't really mind that both games played very similarly in that sense.
Here's what I didn't like: The game is EXTREMELY monotonous. I don't understand why, either. I never felt that way about "Shattered Dimensions". It's like as soon as you make it through a part that's driving you crazy, you're temporarily relieved because you don't think you'll have to go through anything like that again, but then lo and behold, you do...over and over and over again.
The whole game takes place inside of one building that keeps changing as each Spider-Man is affecting the other from their own respective times. I could try to explain the whole time-traveling aspect, but it would become quite confusing and convoluted very quickly, so I'll spare you the explanation of the storyline.
Personally, I miss the "open world" style of "Spider-Man: Web of Shadows". I don't particularly care for the level setup used in both "Shattered Dimensions" and "Edge of Time", however I think "Shattered Dimensions" used levels much more effectively than "Edge of Time" does. In "Shattered Dimensions" each Spider-Man's levels were different from each other. You didn't feel like you kept playing more of the same...which is exactly what "Edge of Time" feels like. I grew bored with it rather quickly.
I wish I could give the game a positive review, but in good conscience, I can't. While I'll freely admit the graphics, controls, voice acting and story were top-notch...the execution wasn't. Variety is the spice of life...and video games. If they'd mixed things up more where I didn't feel like I kept playing the same damn level over and over, I might've liked the game better. Unfortunately, this was not the case.
I'll be looking forward to the next Spider-Man game. Hopefully, it will be better than this one was. I'm not saying I want someone besides Beenox to make the next game...I'd only say that if they make another disappointing game next time around, but they do need to make some definite improvements from what they did here.
My personal favorite incarnation of Spider-Man is "The Amazing Spider-Man". As such, I would've been a lot happier if the game had been set in his own timeline. I think it's cool throwing other Spider-Men into the mix, but I hope they don't make every new Spidey game include them. It worked for "Shattered Dimensions" because it'd never really been done before. Now, with "Edge of Time", I feel like Beenox was just trying to go back to what worked for them previously.
Next time I'd like to see a game set in The Amazing Spider-Man's time, with a great number of villains from Spider-Man's rogues gallery present...something akin to "Marvel: Ultimate Alliance" but with Spider-Man as the primary lead. I'd love to be able to explore New York City, Aunt May's house, Peter's apartment, the Daily Bugle, etc. I think that'd be pretty damn cool!
Here's what I didn't like: The game is EXTREMELY monotonous. I don't understand why, either. I never felt that way about "Shattered Dimensions". It's like as soon as you make it through a part that's driving you crazy, you're temporarily relieved because you don't think you'll have to go through anything like that again, but then lo and behold, you do...over and over and over again.
The whole game takes place inside of one building that keeps changing as each Spider-Man is affecting the other from their own respective times. I could try to explain the whole time-traveling aspect, but it would become quite confusing and convoluted very quickly, so I'll spare you the explanation of the storyline.
Personally, I miss the "open world" style of "Spider-Man: Web of Shadows". I don't particularly care for the level setup used in both "Shattered Dimensions" and "Edge of Time", however I think "Shattered Dimensions" used levels much more effectively than "Edge of Time" does. In "Shattered Dimensions" each Spider-Man's levels were different from each other. You didn't feel like you kept playing more of the same...which is exactly what "Edge of Time" feels like. I grew bored with it rather quickly.
I wish I could give the game a positive review, but in good conscience, I can't. While I'll freely admit the graphics, controls, voice acting and story were top-notch...the execution wasn't. Variety is the spice of life...and video games. If they'd mixed things up more where I didn't feel like I kept playing the same damn level over and over, I might've liked the game better. Unfortunately, this was not the case.
I'll be looking forward to the next Spider-Man game. Hopefully, it will be better than this one was. I'm not saying I want someone besides Beenox to make the next game...I'd only say that if they make another disappointing game next time around, but they do need to make some definite improvements from what they did here.
My personal favorite incarnation of Spider-Man is "The Amazing Spider-Man". As such, I would've been a lot happier if the game had been set in his own timeline. I think it's cool throwing other Spider-Men into the mix, but I hope they don't make every new Spidey game include them. It worked for "Shattered Dimensions" because it'd never really been done before. Now, with "Edge of Time", I feel like Beenox was just trying to go back to what worked for them previously.
Next time I'd like to see a game set in The Amazing Spider-Man's time, with a great number of villains from Spider-Man's rogues gallery present...something akin to "Marvel: Ultimate Alliance" but with Spider-Man as the primary lead. I'd love to be able to explore New York City, Aunt May's house, Peter's apartment, the Daily Bugle, etc. I think that'd be pretty damn cool!
