By Parker Shannon, Distractions Editor
“Spiderman: Edge of Time” for the Xbox 360 is an enjoyable visit to both of Marvel’s Amazing and 2099 universes that offers players an interesting story and solid gameplay along with theoretical time travel and rips in the fabric of space-time.
Developed by Beenox and published by Activision, the game puts players in the shoes of Amazing Spiderman (Peter Parker) and Spiderman 2099 (Miguel O'Hara) in a race to stop the fabric of space and time from collapsing.
The key feature in “Edge of Time” is that players switch back and forth seamlessly between the two Spidermen who work in tandem to affect each other’s realities by changing events in their respective points in time.
Switching between the wall-crawlers is very natural, and the two of them have conversations throughout the game that add a lot to the depth of their characters. Amazing Spiderman spouts so many lame puns it was nearly impossible to keep track of them all, especially with Spiderman 2099 constantly giving lectures about quantum causality.
This game's story truly feels like a Spiderman comic. It will certainly sit right with fans because it was penned by veteran Marvel writer Peter David whom also wrote for “The Incredible Hulk,” “Supergirl” and “Aquaman” comics.
More depth is added to the story through unlockable newspapers that change as the player completes goals in the story to reflect the revised timeline as well as through references to other Marvel characters the Spidermen make throughout the game. These little touches give players the sense that the events of the game are just one part of a much bigger world just waiting to be explored.
As far as gameplay, “Edge of Time” is pretty much a typical third-person beat 'em up with basic combo attacks that are upgradeable via collectible orbs to increase their effectiveness.
Each Spiderman has attacks unique to his own fighting style. Parker uses his webs as his primary weapon while O'Hara gets in close to his enemies and attacks with his fists and feet. Both of the web-slingers can also enter their own super-speed mode for a short period of time in order to dodge enemy attacks, as well as cause a time paradox that renders nearby foes immobile for a short period of time, which the player can use to dispatch large groups of enemies quickly.
Spiderman 2099 levels feature free-fall sections in which the player must maneuver O'Hara through long shafts at high speeds while avoiding obstacles. I found these areas particularly tedious and frustrating due to the lack of precision in the controls that lead to Spiderman 2099 crashing into a great many metal beams.
Unlockables come in the form of new costumes that must be unlocked through the completion of challenges scattered throughout the main story. These challenges can also be accessed through a mode called the Web of Challenges after the story is completed.
Players also unlock action figures that can be viewed which give descriptions and back story for all of the characters in the game – similar to the collectable trophies in the Smash Bros. games.
“Spiderman: Edge of Time” is not the best superhero game ever made, but it does present a strong story and solid gameplay.
