Campaign
Ultimate Spider-Man follows a storyline that branches directly from the comic series, picking up after Peter Parker defeats Venom. However, Eddie Brock returns—and now both Peter and Eddie must face new enemies, government interference, and the consequences of the Venom symbiote. What makes this campaign stand out is the ability to play as both Spider-Man and Venom, offering dual perspectives that intertwine throughout the story.
Spider-Man’s chapters are classic hero tales, full of quips, morality struggles, and encounters with villains like Rhino, Shocker, and the Beetle. Meanwhile, Venom’s story is much darker—violent, chaotic, and tragic, with Eddie constantly battling the parasitic urges of the suit. The dynamic between Peter and Eddie adds emotional weight, and the game's original story—supervised by the actual comic creators—feels both authentic and impactful.
Subplots involving S.H.I.E.L.D., other Marvel characters like Wolverine, and the internal conflicts of both protagonists add depth to a relatively short but memorable campaign.
Rating: 3 out of 5
Gameplay
The gameplay in Ultimate Spider-Man blends open-world freedom with mission-based progression. As Spider-Man, players web-swing through a cel-shaded Manhattan and Queens, stopping petty crimes, racing Human Torch, and completing story objectives. The web-swinging feels fluid, fun, and faster than previous Spider-Man games, and combat is responsive, with quick strikes, air combos, and web-based attacks.
What truly sets the game apart is the ability to play as Venom. He can leap vast distances, scale buildings without webbing, and unleash devastating melee combos. Unlike Spider-Man, Venom feeds on civilians and enemies alike to maintain health—giving his sections a menacing, destructive tone.
The game isn't overly difficult, but boss fights are dynamic, often requiring pattern recognition and environment usage. Side missions and collectibles provide moderate replay value, and while the open world isn’t as dense as later titles, it still feels alive and comic-authentic.
There’s no co-op or traditional multiplayer, which limits its longevity, but the variety between Spider-Man’s agility and Venom’s brutality keeps the gameplay fresh throughout. While the game was shorter than some fans hoped, it made up for it with creativity, fan service, and tight controls.
Rating: 4 out of 5
Production
Ultimate Spider-Man’s standout feature is its cel-shaded comic book art style, which captures the look of the comics in motion. Cutscenes are presented in stylized comic panels with thick outlines and vibrant colors that pop. The transitions between gameplay and cutscene are seamless and help immerse players in a living comic book.
The camera generally performs well during both combat and traversal, keeping up with Spider-Man’s agility and Venom’s chaotic movement. Occasionally it struggles during wall-crawling or boss fights in tight spaces, but not to a degree that hinders the experience.
The music mixes upbeat heroic tunes with darker, bass-heavy tracks for Venom sections, while the sound design ensures web-thwips, building collisions, and Venom’s growls all hit with satisfying punch. Voice acting is solid—Peter and Eddie’s performances bring the characters’ angst and humor to life, and side characters like Nick Fury and Wolverine are memorable, even in brief appearances.
The attention to detail in environmental design—schools, alleys, rooftops—contributes to a world that, while smaller in scale, feels authentic to the Marvel Universe.
Rating: 3 out of 5
The Verdict
In the end, Ultimate Spider-Man nails its comic book roots while offering two compelling play styles and a heartfelt story. Its vibrant art style, dynamic combat, and dual-character mechanics make it a unique entry in the Spider-Man game legacy—even years later. Ultimate Spider-Man gets 3 out of 5.
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