At Trilogy's End: A Spider-Man Evolution

Like the movies, Spider-Man 3™ from Activision picks up right where Spider-Man® 2 leaves off, but instead of simply expanding on the plot, the game's very mechanics and structure have seen an impressive upgrade over its already acclaimed predecessors. It's clear that as we complete the trilogy, Spider-Man's superpowers, acrobatic combat, and penchant for saving the day have never been so faithfully represented.

Oh, to be that nimble again.

After a few hours of hands-on play, let's take a look at some of the most noteworthy elements of the Spider-Man 3 game.

Evasive Combat
Spider-Man has a host of new and exceptionally animated combat techniques using light, heavy, and web-based attacks via the combo system. However, the most notable improvement comes from the new counter-attack system.

Using our hero's "spider sense" as a tool, you can spot attacks before they even start thanks to an icon that pops up over an enemy's head. Tap LB to dodge out of the way, and then mid-dodge, tap X to counter with a blow of your own. This simple technique makes for a much more involved and immersive combat system.

Where once you may have swooped down
to take out a few thugs up to no good, now
you must first identify the crime, discover
the offenders and solve the problem.

It's All About the Webs
More than any other game element, web-slinging has been the trademark of the Treyarch Spider-Man games, and like everything else, this ability proves to be more polished and refined in Spider-Man 3. Here are the basics:

• Use the Right Trigger to sling a web up onto a nearby object to begin swinging through the air.
• Once you're in the air, choose right or left-handed web-slinging by pressing in the desired direction and hitting the Right Trigger. This feature is particularly useful for taking sharp turns into narrow streets or alleyways.
• Pull the Left Trigger near the bottom of your swing for a significant speed boost. Pull it at the top of your swing to reach higher altitudes.

Spider Sense
In addition to sensing incoming attacks, spider sense can be used to pick out objects or areas of interest. For example, when attempting to track down the unfortunate Dr. Connors in his lizard form, click down on the right thumbstick, and your spider sense will spot his glowing tracks on the ground or walls.

Taking out the trash.

In-Action Mini-games
New to the Spider-Man series are mini-games that help dramatize the action by involving you in the in-game cinematics. You'll press buttons rapidly in order to yank down a pipe and douse a fire, then react to on-screen cues as Spider-Man somersaults, dodges, and flies through the air in an effort to save a civilian. Make a mistake and our hero falls flat on his face, failing the objective.

Increased Powers over Time
Similar to previous versions, Spider-Man 3 rewards you over time with new and useful abilities. Unlike previous versions though, the evolution is more natural and requires less "purchasing" of upgraded skills. You may be granted increased web-swinging speed simply because you've been zipping around the city for a while, or perhaps you'll be able to suddenly web-zip yourself up to the ceiling at the touch of the D-Pad. It's a more seamless, natural system than in previous games.

Involving Capers
Using Spider-Man 2 again as a foundation, developer Treyarch has substantially upgraded the crime-based side missions. Where once you may have swooped down to take out a few thugs up to no good, now you must first identify the crime, discover the offenders and solve the problem.

You can also play in the legendary black suit.

For example, you may spot an outraged art gallery owner complaining to the police about a series of thefts. Using a "hot and cold" meter at the bottom of the screen, swing through the city and track down the responsible gang members. Then, after dealing out some swift vigilante justice, use your spider sense to spot the hidden room where the artwork has been stored. Follow that up by high-tailing it back to the store owner and bring him back to claim his goods.

Not only do these moments offer a break from the core storyline, but with the extra detail and some next-gen horsepower, these little dramas serve to immerse the player in the Spider-Man world.

We haven't even touched on the vast intricacies of the virtual New York setting, the super-villains you'll fight along the way, or the mysterious black spider-suit and its malevolent powers. Check back again after launch and we'll have more details on this superhero epic.

Even after only a couple of hours, it's clear that Spider-Man 3 has built substantially on an already much-loved franchise. From combat to web-swinging, mini-games and fleshed out side-missions, Spider-Man 3 lives up to and surpasses the hype.

Article by Ryan Treit