Spider-Man: Web of Shadows launch trailer is symbio-tastic
by Griffin McElroy 
{ Oct 11th 2008 at 9:00PM }
Despite what that affront-to-mankind-in-motion-picture-form, Spider-Man 3, may have tried to make you believe, merging with a dreaded symbote doesn't turn you into a mopey jerk with an unfashionable haircut and nightmarish dance moves. We feel that the upcoming Activision web-slinging simulator, Spider-Man: Web of Shadows, depicts a much more accurate account of the side-effects of fusion with tar-like alien lifeforms: A widening of the eyes, an elongation of the teeth, and tendrils -- oh, so very many tendrils.
The launch trailer for the aforementioned title, posted above, gives us a good sampling of the symbiotic adversaries we'll be pummeling come Web of Shadows' October 21 release date -- and with a classy touch of Moonlight Sonata to boot. We highly suggest checking it out -- perhaps you'll find some place in your heart that hasn't eternally sworn off games featuring the titular, charismatic wall-crawler.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
CaramelZappa @ Oct 11th 2008 9:11PM
I'll reserve judgment until I've played a demo, but this looks like it might be fun.
CaramelZappa @ Oct 11th 2008 9:18PM
Actually, what this really reminded me of is Prototype. Is it ever coming out?
theturtle363 @ Oct 11th 2008 9:31PM
most dates ive seen for it put it in Q2 09, but given the trouble with Sierra, it does seem to be in considerable jeopardy.
CaramelZappa @ Oct 11th 2008 9:35PM
That's a shame, it seems like it has a lot of potential. The devs seem to be really into it too, and really care about it, which usually makes for a better game, than say, a movie/comic game, like the hulk game they made.
SecretAgentHam @ Oct 11th 2008 9:14PM
after the crapfest that was Spider-Man 3... i've got huge doubts for this. i am seriously HOPING they get this right...plz. get this right!
Nap @ Oct 11th 2008 9:19PM
Spider-Man's being feeling mighty emo lately
Nap @ Oct 11th 2008 9:23PM
Being feeling ftw
Just Mr ESC. @ Oct 11th 2008 9:42PM
Not using reply system FTL?
Also when exactly Spiderman stopped being emo?
theturtle363 @ Oct 12th 2008 12:23AM
you're grammatical error is almost as funny as him
CAL_GORE @ Oct 12th 2008 1:22AM
And your grammatical error is almost as funny as all of that combined.
The Purveyor of Justice @ Oct 12th 2008 2:11AM
Ouch..
Nap @ Oct 12th 2008 11:49AM
There's a reply system!?
Kris @ Oct 11th 2008 9:24PM
boner
ice~ @ Oct 11th 2008 9:43PM
bigger, harder boner
Ghen @ Oct 11th 2008 10:58PM
you two sword fight it out, I'm not going to watch.
playwhutyalike (bring back Mr. ESC, please) @ Oct 12th 2008 1:40AM
*raises hand* I'll watch.
theturtle363 @ Oct 11th 2008 9:30PM
I am genuinely excited for this game
theturtle363 @ Oct 12th 2008 12:24AM
that wasn't sarcasm by the way, which is the only way I could imagine id get these extra hearts. I always thought most gamers thought this would suck
Jerk Face @ Oct 11th 2008 9:33PM
I wonder which version we are looking at in this video. It didn't look very 360 or PS3 caliber, to be honest. Maybe it's just early. The gameplay looked like it could be okay, though. I'm intrigued. Skeptical, but intrigued.
Jerk Face @ Oct 11th 2008 9:35PM
After watching it again, I'm even more perplexed: there are scenes in which the models look very new gen but the explosions and other effects look really crappy. Crappy enough that it's way too PS2 to be a 360 game. I really hope it's just because it's not all polished up yet.
Jerk Face @ Oct 11th 2008 9:37PM
Oh good - I just noticed this game comes out in two weeks. I won't be picking it up with THAT framerate, thank you kindly.
Vegeta (aka Ska Oreo) @ Oct 11th 2008 11:14PM
So you're not going to play this game simply because the graphics aren't amazing?
That totally is not being shallow.
Ellianth @ Oct 12th 2008 1:54AM
I have to agree with JF, this game LOOKS terrible. What game play I saw in the trailer looked interesting, but the graphics were hard on the eyes.
Kellydude025 @ Oct 12th 2008 2:31AM
if i had a wii, then i might agree with vageta (flame away)
But i have a 360, a console that is capable of producing very polished graphics with excellent frame rates...and this trailer does not look like it has a good frame rate or graphics.
Its a shame...because you know this game will still sell like hotcakes this holiday season...
"OHHH SPIDERMAN? LITTLE TIMMY LOVES TEH SPIDERMAN!!!"
Vegeta (aka Ska Oreo) @ Oct 12th 2008 7:50AM
Seriously that's pathetic. Are we really that spoiled by graphics that you're willing to drop $60 on a game just because it looks pretty. Because honestly, that's the impression I get from reading some comments here on joystiq. Whatever happened to playing and enjoying games because they are fun?
Vegeta (aka Ska Oreo) @ Oct 12th 2008 7:58AM
Also the joystiq trailer sucks dick. Watch the Gametrailers version.
http://www.gametrailers.com/player/41311.html
Megadanxzero @ Oct 11th 2008 9:38PM
I guess I'm the only one who thinks this looks absolutely fucking terrible then? I mean... I really WANT to like it... They said they've tried to put a lot more emphasis on aerial combat, which I love, but everything just looks so bad. It's like a rubbish movie tie-in game that isn't actually based on a movie.
Plus it looks pretty bad graphically too I think. Mainly the buildings...
Also, once again I didn't think Spiderman 3 was bad... Much better than 2 for God's sake. Do Joystiq just hate movies with 3s in them?
Just Mr ESC. @ Oct 11th 2008 9:47PM
"Also, once again I didn't think Spiderman 3 was bad... Much better than 2 for God's sake".
B*tch you better be trolling.
Kellydude025 @ Oct 12th 2008 2:33AM
i didn't think 3 was terrible...i guess there is something wrong with me...
also the cars look like enlarged hot wheels cars
deft @ Oct 11th 2008 9:41PM
Holy crap! The symbiote got to Cloverfield!
Just Mr ESC. @ Oct 11th 2008 9:45PM
First I thought it got Onslaught or Apocalypsis but that would've been a friggin overpowered boss.
Just Mr ESC. @ Oct 11th 2008 9:44PM
According to Spiderman 3 Spiderman only needs a cowbell to destroy all those symbiotes.Seriously the way Venom got killed in the movie was just lame.
This game looks good and I'm still a Marvel fan so I'll wait for the reviews.One of these days someone needs to work on Marvel Zombies game.
CaramelZappa @ Oct 11th 2008 9:53PM
Loud noises being venoms weakness has nothing to do with Spider-man 3. He was gotten rid of similarly in the comics as well as the animated tv show.
Vegeta (aka Ska Oreo) @ Oct 11th 2008 11:11PM
Your post tells me that you are not a marvel fan. It's canon that Symbiotes weakness is intense sounds. If you were a "marvel" fanboy. You'd know that.
NwrksBigBoss @ Oct 12th 2008 4:36AM
"Guess what, I got a fever and the only prescription is more COWBELL!
mecharine @ Oct 11th 2008 9:47PM
Why is all the Spider-man non-comic media so centered on creating a mopey,dark spider-man. I mean come on, where's the wise-cracks?
Just Mr ESC. @ Oct 11th 2008 9:51PM
I don't think they can pull good jokes for a "E" game.
Also if they put effort on writting really funny stuff they should've created a Deadpool game instead.
|MaguS| @ Oct 11th 2008 10:18PM
Actually its pretty emo in the comics aswell. Peter Parker ingeneral in the comics has a pretty depressing life. No matter how great it gets something happens that makes it horrible again...
Recently, Parker gave up his marriage to MJ to save Aunt Mays life (The Devil made the deal). So yeah now he's single again...
Yourself @ Oct 11th 2008 10:25PM
The Ultimate Spider-Man game last generation was pretty lighthearted, and felt to me like the only true Spider-Man game. Not incredible, but still a lot of fun. Web of Shadows reminds me of like... Reign combined with Separation Anxiety?
As far as the comics go, it's not emo at all. Two years ago, during the Civil War/Initiative era, Spider-Man got pretty serious. But for the past year or so, Brand New Day has been trying to bring back old-school, carefree Spidey. Unfortunately the book's quality has been terribly inconsistent. That's why there's Ultimate, though, the only really necessary book featuring the character.
Vegeta (aka Ska Oreo) @ Oct 11th 2008 11:07PM
@Yourself
Even before civil war, Parker had a pretty depressing life. I mean that's his whole appeal. His superhero life constantly spills into his persoal life, often killing those he loves or fucking up his life further. The spider-man series isn't always light hearted as lots of people think it is.
Yourself @ Oct 12th 2008 12:23AM
I don't know, I've been reading Spider-Man for a long time, and depressing is never a word I would've used to describe the tone of the book. Yeah, his life sucks, but Peter Parker just kind of deals with it. There's not really any moaning and brooding and whatnot, just a lot of "here we go again...." He's a character defined by his optimism - if we look at any other superhero whose life historically sucks, like Daredevil, you can see the huge contrast.
mezzanine @ Oct 11th 2008 10:18PM
yo much kudoz 2 da beethoven + eez up on dat shitty framerate yo
therpham @ Oct 11th 2008 10:27PM
That looks like it might actually be fun. I really enjoy the idea of the symbiote becoming virus-like.
Rhamsey @ Oct 11th 2008 11:09PM
the ending is so badass... i hope they add in the best parts from the spiderman 2 game, or the old one with the comic books and infinity different costumes. those games were awesome as well.
also, i love when game developers use old piano music for their trailers. like the believe trailer for halo 3 featuring chopin's raindrops. such a good choice for music.
willie @ Oct 11th 2008 11:17PM
wow. that game looks FANTASTIC
Vegeta (aka Ska Oreo) @ Oct 11th 2008 11:28PM
This game looks fucking amazing. And the game play looks fun too!!! This might be the best Spider-man game we've had in awhile.
Also to the people bitching about how Spider-man is emo(because when anything is serious it must be emo amirite???), you don't understand Spider-man. Now I'm not trying to sound all condescending, but as someone who regularly enjoys Spiderman comics (or at least used to before BND) it bothers me that people think that he's only known for being a wisecracking smart ass. There's a reason why he makes all those jokes and appears carefree. He does it to hide his fears, and to take his mind off of the seriousness of some of the things he's in. The fact is, Parker has one of the most depressing lives in Marvel. There are multiple times where his personal life(and those around him) is negatively affected because of his life as Spider-man. Spiderman is in fact a tragic character who uses humor to hide from the pain.
But if you're that worried about the supposed lack of humor. Go watch the Shield PSA. I think that pretty much proves this game won't be lacking in humor.
Taco_Hell @ Oct 11th 2008 11:50PM
BND...ugh, why is there magic in Spider-man?! Wouldn't it be better for her to die and for Parker to get a divorce?! That would make people relate to him more than they already do! Gaah! (Nerd RAAAAGE) But to go back to the topic, the combat looks really fluid, if the controls are good, I might have to get this on.
theturtle363 @ Oct 12th 2008 12:28AM
if Mephisto hadnt used magic, it would have just been a Reed Richards developed time machine that let him go back before civil war or something, making the magic a better choice because then you only had to rewrite spider-mans part in civil war
guttertalk @ Oct 12th 2008 10:00AM
I more or less stopped reading Spider-Man after #129. The whole Morbius and six-armed Spider-Man storyline was pretty bad, but I kept reading, hoping it would improve. Plus, I got tired of Gil Kane's fascination with nostrils.
As for this game, I'm not sure that I'd judge framerates based on a clip. This is a story that is out of continuity with the comics and the movies, which doesn't bother me, as long as the game and the story are good. And right now, it has the potential to have both.
Clinton RRoD sept.3 @ Oct 12th 2008 12:07AM
it basically they are throwing venom on everything. normally thats good but the graphics suck. how is spiderman that bright but everything else is dark