Cert: 12+
Platform: All Formats
Genre: Action, Sandbox

This one kinda snuck up on me, like a spider from the shadows if you will!! Sorry, that was dreadful. There have been a slew of games featuring the webslinger ranging from very poor to genius. From the movie franchise three games have been spawned thus far; SM1 was muck with a fixed camera and no freeplay mode. SM2 was a work of art and the first superhero game to embrace the still in its infancy sandbox format; you just couldn't put it down. SM 3 was muck again; giant leaps backwards were made as they attempted to utilize the six axis controls of the PS3. A mediocre Ultimate Spidey game came out in the middle of this which was a bit on the dull side.

Now a standalone game based in none (or all) of the Spider universes has swung out of nowhere and it is, quite frankly, brilliant. Back to basics, sandbox format lovely animations and a great storyline, the only letdown being the voice talent of one Peter Park (he makes him sound like Beavis).

If you enjoy open world games with lots to explore, I'd buy this and go nuts. If you're straight through the story mode sort of person, this will be over very quick so maybe a rental for you.

Rent or Buy: Buy
Graphics: 4/5 
Game Play: 4/5
Replay Value: 3/5
Overall: 4/5

Review by: Eamonn Cleary