The Kraven Levels

Nineout of 10 gamers agree-the new Spider-Man game from Activision and developer Treyarch looks and plays best on your favorite console and ours, the Xbox. What's more, Xbox gamers get even more spider-thrills and arachnid-chills with two bonus levels only found on the Xbox version.

Now, Kraven's no pushover, no matter how goofy he may appear. Let's run down what the Hunter Formerly Known As Sergei Kravinov has got going for him.

• The guy's got this magic drink that makes him as strong and agile as you, Webhead. When he's glowin', don't bother showin'-wait for the drink to wear off, jump on his head, pound away, then back off when he quaffs another.
• He's a hunter, but he's also a trapper. The trail to Kraven is littered with wall hangings that suddenly spout flame, spiked logs that swing down from the ceiling, and good old-fashioned snapping bear traps.
• He's stinking rich. Either that, or he found an incredibly complex abandoned labyrinth filled with traps, snake pits, and barbed wire, then decided to move in.
• Kraven's in real good with a certain Oscorp CEO who likes to put on green battle armor and fly around on a jetglider while throwing exploding pumpkins at your girlfriend. That's right-Kraven's after you for the fun of it, but if you get caught, the Goblin gets you, too.
  

And really, you've got a lot of nerve calling him "goofy"-you're the one swinging through the city in red-and-blue tights. Show some respect.

Kraven's Test
Also known as "Level 16," this side adventure starts off with a cut scene depicting Norman Osborn setting Kraven the Hunter on Spider-Man's trail. When Kraven ignites a giant spider-shaped effigy over the Manhattan skyline, Spidey takes the hint and swings into action.

• As soon as the level opens, Kraven seals you inside a room that he pumps full of poison gas. Bravery, thy name is Sergei. Anyway, the stuff kills you quickly if you don't get out of the first room, so exit through the right door, make another right, and the air will improve slightly. The poison's still killing you, though, so get moving.
• Next, you get to make like Crash Bandicoot as you race through the halls that will lead you to the flamboyant villain. Don't bother going for the old web-zip-down-the-ceiling-and/or-walls trick, Kraven's covered the them with barbed warie and other nasty things at key points. It's a lot faster to just run and jump over, under, and around the various traps. Beware of flame spouts, bear traps, electrified walls, and spikes. Grab health power-ups whenever you see them-you're still poisoned, Pete-o.
• Once you're clear of the halls, it's time to dodge bullets. This section of the level is actually played from Kraven's point of view, but think of it as your spider-sense telling you when he's about the squeeze the trigger. Whenever the crosshairs appear, get behind a concrete pillar, wait for the shot, and then move quickly forward.
• The rest of the level consists of variations on the previous challenges. You'll dash down another trap-filled hall (dodging and weaving to avoid the threats), followed by another sniper run, another trap-filled hall, and one more bullet-dodging, balls-out run to the exit. Kraven awaits.
  

The Mighty Hunter
Level 17 picks up on the other side of the door. That nasty poison's still in your veins, but if you really can do whatever a spider can, you should be fine. You'll probably earn the time-based bonus objective without even trying-if you slow down, you die-and you might even get a golden spider in the bargain.

• The showdown with Kraven takes place in a large room lined with even more traps. There's even a snake put in the floor that would make Indiana Jones run screaming like a little girl. In the middle of it all stands Kraven, ready to hand you your spider-butt on a platter if you don't play it smooth.
• Stay off the walls and ceiling-there's electricity, pointy things, and flames all over the place. You can still swing from the ceiling, though.
• As it happens, swinging from the ceiling (as well as jumping, running, and weaving on the ground) is a great way to stay away from Kraven after he drinks his magic juice and starts to glow.
• The key to success is speed and aggression. You've got to avoid Kraven when he's all juiced up, and you've got to beat the living snot out of Kraven when he's not glowing. Use your web gauntlets, or if you picked them up earlier, your advanced web gauntlets.
• If you get in trouble, jump in the snake pit. "Qwhaaa?" you say? Indeed. Sounds nutty. But that's where the closest red health spider can be found, and you'll probably need it before Kraven is done.
• The snake pit actually leads to a small corridor network like the one at the top of Level 16-just head for the wall marked with a cobra, it opens up like a door. If you're in real trouble, you can get a brief breather down here, but Kraven will follow. To avoid fighting Kraven in that confined space, run up the ramp that leads back to the main arena. To be safe, don't make any turns, there are power-ups, but there are also lots of traps.
• If you don't want to be safe, go for the golden spider hidden in this level that will grant you the special Haymaker attack. After you get out of the pit room, run past the ramp and into a room full of red and blue spiders. It's a trap, of course-the room will fill with gas in seconds-but you can escape by way of your old pals, the vents. These air ducts lead back to the arena, but if you make a left turn on the way there, you'll find a secret area with the aforementioned aureate arachnid.
  

After you pummel Kraven into a heap, he'll give up the antidote. Good thing, too-your four o'clock appointment is an aerial showdown with the Green Goblin and his razor bats. Good luck, webslinger!

By Ben Barker