Xbox Addict

E3 2008: Spider-Man: Web of Shadows – New Details

At Activision’s press briefing tonight, Chris Scholz, the studio head of Shaba Games, gave the assembled press a peek at the latest Spider-Man title: Web of Shadows. This is Shaba’s first Spider-Man title, and the game is not based on a film, which has allowed the team to craft an all new storyline.

Web of Shadows sees a symbiote invasion of Manhattan, with the people rapidly getting infected, black ooze coating skyscrapers and evil creatures ruling the streets. Spidey isn’t the only hero fighting to quell the outbreak and save the remaining citizens – S.H.I.E.L.D. are also around, setting up evacuation points, while several other classic Marvel characters – both good and bad – will be involved. Who the player chooses to ally with during the game will affect how characters react to him and how the story plays out.

One of the biggest focuses for the game is on giving the player a great combat experience. To that end combat has been rebuilt from previous games with fluidity of motion and player creativity in mind. The player can now rack up huge combos (yes, with multipliers) on the ground or in the air, and do other transitions like swing kicking an enemy on the ground into a wall, then continuing the battle all the way up the side of the building. Yes, wall combat.

Spidey can also switch suits on the fly. The ’classic red’ is obviously great for web swinging and agility, while ’chic black’ is all about power and brute force. As the game progresses Spidey can upgrade his abilities for both suits. The choices the player makes will obviously affect his fighting style.

After introducing the audience to the new wall and air combat, the presentation ended with a boss battle against Vulture and his minions. Spidey was able to target and web grapple Vulture in mid-air, resulting in an impressively cinematic sequence. Naturally, cutscenes played at certain points of the fight, with one seeing Spidey blocking blades flung at him, then running along them as they flew towards him, to deliver a kick to Vulture’s chest.