Spider-Man 2 (video game)

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For the 1992 Game Boy game of the same name, see The Amazing Spider-Man 2.
For the 2001 Game Boy Color game of the same name, see Spider-Man 2: The Sinister Six.
For the 2001 PlayStation game of the same name, see Spider-Man 2: Enter Electro.
Spider-Man 2: The Video Game
Image:Spider-Man 2 Coverart.png
Developer(s) Treyarch (consoles), The Fizz Factor (PC/Mac), Vicarious Visions (Nintendo DS and PSP), Digital Eclipse (GBA), Backbone Entertainment (N-Gage), Aspyr Media (MAC port)
Publisher(s) Activision, MacPlay
Designer(s) Tomo Moriwaki (creative dir.), Akihiro Akaike (lead designer)
Engine Treyarch proprietary
PC version using Unreal Engine 2.0
Platform(s) Nintendo GameCube, Xbox, PC, PlayStation 2, PlayStation Portable, Game Boy Advance, Nintendo DS, N-Gage, Mac OS X
Release date GameCube/PC/PS2/Xbox
NA June 28, 2004
PAL July 9, 2004
Game Boy Advance
June 29, 2004
N-Gage
July 6, 2004
Mac OS X
August, 2004
DS
NA November 16, 2004
JP January 6, 2005
AU February 24, 2005
EU March 11, 2005
PSP
NA March 15, 2005
PAL September 1, 2005
JP October 26, 2006
Genre(s) Action game
Sandbox
Mode(s) Single player>
Rating(s) ESRB: T
ESRB: E (PC)
CERO: A
PEGI: 12+
PEGI: 7+(DS)
PEGI: 3+(GBA)
OFLC: M
OFLC: PG (GBA/DS)
System requirements Action Replay
Action Replay for use codes (All versions, except N-Gage, PC, PSP and Mac OS X), Action Replay MAX for use saved games (PSP version)
PC System Requirements
Windows XP/2000/Me/98
600 MHz Pentium III or Athlon processor or faster
128 MB RAM
DirectX 9.0b plus DirectX compatible 16 MB video card
1227 MB hard disk space
4x CD-ROM drive
Input methods Mouse and Keyboard (PC), Controller (Console versions)

Spider-Man 2 is the name of several computer and video games based on the Spider-Man universe and particularly the Spider-Man 2 movie. It is a follow up to the game Spider-Man: The Movie. These games were published by Activision for different systems in 2004.

These games are the official game adaptations of the movie Spider-Man 2. The home console (PS2, GC, Xbox) versions of this game have the feature of allowing the player to swing around Manhattan, Roosevelt, Ellis, and Liberty Islands for a more realistic Spider-Man experience. This free play experience is similar to that found in the Grand Theft Auto series of games, while not featuring the strong violence also seen these games. The other versions of the game feature more linear side-scrolling and platform sections with less emphasis on the free play experience of the home console versions. The PC version is also particularly noted to be aimed towards a much younger audience than the other versions.[1]

This game's roster of Spider-Man villains includes the Shocker, Rhino, Mysterio, and Doctor Octopus along with various street thugs who commit random street crimes at any time. While street thugs only have handguns, machine guns, crowbars and their fists to protect them, the 'super-villains' and their minions have their various unique powers and weapons that they use to either steal, cause terror or defeat Spider-Man. At the end of the game, it becomes possible to unlock a warehouse in which the player can again fight villains such as Shocker, Rhino, Doctor Octopus, and an additional boss, Calypso, who is not found elsewhere in the game.

NOTE: The following overview is mainly concerned with the free-roaming console versions of the game.

Contents

[edit] Description

The player has the ability to choose either to go on with the storyline or swing around the city. The player can explore Manhattan, Roosevelt Island, Ellis Island, Liberty Island, and a mysterious label on the map over the water claiming "Governors Island" with many sidequests for the player to complete. The player can do random tasks to earn "hero points," which must be accumulated to continue with the plot and are spent on upgrading Spidey's skills.

Following the tradition of the first game, Spider-Man 2 features some of the voices of the original actors in the movie, Tobey Maguire as Spider-Man and Peter Parker, Kirsten Dunst as Mary Jane Watson, and Alfred Molina as Otto Octavius/Doctor Octopus.

In addition to the film's villain, Doctor Octopus, several characters from the Marvel comics appear in the game, including Black Cat & Mysterio.

[edit] Plot

It is two years following the events of the first game. Spider-Man is trying to balance his civilian and superhero life, frequently late or absent for school, work, and leisure time with his friends. Following dinner with Mary Jane Watson and Harry Osborn, Peter thwarts an armed looting of a museum, and tracks down an escaped robber, the Black Cat. Soon after this, he thwarts an attack in the streets of Manhattan by The Rhino. Meanwhile, Doctor Otto Octavious attempts to recreate Nuclear fusion of that seen in the sun to provide an energy source for Manhattan. To control this fusion, he creates four metal arms which he can mentally control. His fusion creates a strong magnetic field, destroying the lab, killing his wife Rose, and grafting his metal arms to his spine and giving his arms control over him. He blames Spider-Man for the incident.

Octavius, now known as Dr. Octopus, kidnaps Aunt May, but she is saved by Spider-Man. In the time following, special effects artist Quentin Beck tries to prove that Spider-Man is a fraud by challenging Peter in a series of "games". Spider-Man emerges successful. Consequently, Beck tries to kill Spider-Man, but is thwarted. The embarrassment causes Beck to assume the identity of Mysterio, attacking journalists attending his press conference, and commands his "UFOs" to "invade" the Statue of Liberty. Both of these attacks are thwarted by Spider-Man's efforts, with no casualties. Spider-Man eventually teams up with Black Cat, who leads him to the Shocker, who escaped during Beck's initial competition with Spider-Man. Shocker is apprehended in a warehouse after attempting to use an experimental propulsion system to enhance his powers, while Mysterio is knocked out with one punch from Spider-Man while trying to rob a Speedy Mart. Black Cat then leads Spider-Man to an illegal weapons trade, where she tries to convince him to permanently become Spider-Man, but he rejects the idea, saying that he cannot stop being either Spider-Man or who he is.

Dr. Octopus kidnaps Mary Jane Watson and steals Tritium from Harry Osborn to repower his nuclear fusion in exchange for Spider-Man. A long battle on top of a bridge leads to Peter being delivered to Harry. Peter reveals his identity to Harry, and sets off to defeat Dr. Octopus a final time. The fusion reactor is shut down, and Dr. Octopus regains control over his mind and his sanity back, and sacrifices his life to permanently destroy his fusion reactor.

The next day, Peter gets a surprise visit from Mary Jane, who tells Peter that she cannot live without him, and wants to offer her full support to his life as Spider-Man. With his confidence renewed, Spider-Man continues to defend the city from evil.

[edit] Gameplay

Players can now perform many moves and use many skills as seen in the film, including:

  • Wall Sprint: Spidey can run along vertical walls and even straight up the side of a building. If this skill has been upgraded, the wall running speed will be increased
  • Spider Reflexes: Spidey can use his Spider reflexes during times of danger. When his Spidey reflexes are activated, the rest of the game world slows down, granting Spidey more speed and agility to dodge and attack, his attacks become much stronger and varied, and enemy attacks are easier to spot.
  • Charged Jumps: Spider-Man can jump higher than before. To activate, the player holds down the jump button to charge and releases it to jump. Jumps can be charged to different levels.

The zoom map provides a top-down view of the city centered on Spider-Man, but if Spider-Man reaches a high enough elevation and the zoom map is brought up, it will flip upside down to display the sky.

[edit] Sidequests

There are a variety of sidequests found in the game, and while none of these are really connected to the main plot, they are useful for earning hero points and awards.

  • Pizza Missions: These missions are activated by heading to Pizza Iolo's. Spider-Man has to deliver pizzas to customers within a certain time limit, while trying not to mess them up by spinning in the air and doing other similar tricks. Completing all the missions will earn the "Employee of the Month" title.
  • Photo Missions: Spider-Man will go to the Daily Bugle and be assigned a place to take pictures of within a certain time limit. He will then have to return to the Daily Bugle and give the pictures to J.J. Jameson. Completing all the missions will earn the "Shutterbug" title.
  • Mary Jane Missions: These missions involve going to Mary Jane's apartment and finding a note telling Spider-Man to meet her in a certain location, such as a restaurant or a movie theatre. Like the others, these missions are timed. Completing them all will earn the "Lover Not a Fighter" title.
  • Video Game Arcade: At the arcade there are 4 minigames Spider-Man can play, each of them enhancing his skills and earning hero points. Winning them all earns the "Hardcore Gamer" title.
  • Tokens: There are many tokens hidden all around the city, which Spider-Man can search for and find to earn hero points. There are Skyscraper Tokens, found on tall buildings, Buoy Tokens, found on floating buoys off the shore, Hideout Tokens, found in thugs' hideouts, like basements, restaurants, fitness centers and pubs, where the player may have to fight them, and Secret Tokens, found in various hard to find locations. All of these tokens earn hero points.
  • Hint Markers: These are similar to the tokens listed above, except these can be found on the map, so they are easier to get. Most of them give the player hints for the game, but some are just funny comments, biographies, extra points or remarks. One such token mentions that, by finding all the hint tokens, they would be changed to say something different; After activating the last token, activating any token will play a random recording of Bruce Campbell saying 'Something Different' in a variety of ways.
  • Challenges: These can be activated by a blue challenge marker, found all over the city. They involve Spider-Man racing to a point or performing tricks and stunts within a certain time limit. The difficulty level ranges from "Easy" to "Insane". Winning each Challenge will give the player the opportunity to do the challenge again, but with a tighter time limit, earning more hero points. This second form is called a Mega Challenge. Beating all the Challenges will yield the "Silver Medalist" title, whilst beating all of the Mega Challenges will give the player the "Gold Medalist" title. But a hint marker said it's the hardest title to get.
  • Fight Arena: The Fight Arena is a large warehouse which can be activated by purchasing it at the Spidey Store for 5000 hero points. Here the player will fight a number of bosses and other enemies that Spidey has faced before in the game, including Calypso in the last of 8 levels.

[edit] Critical reception

The home console game was released to generally positive reviews. The most popular aspect of the game was the web-swinging mechanic, where Spider-Man had to shoot webbing at an actual building, unlike previous games where he shot webbing up into the sky. However, parts of the game were highly criticized, such as the dullness of the side missions and the linearity of the story objectives (which many saw to be contrary to the developer's idea of creating a free-form game). There was also some disappointment at the lack of unlockable content in the game, leaving players who completed all objectives with nothing to show for it.

The other versions of the game also received generally positive reviews with the exception of the PC/Mac version, which was "dumbed down" for a young audience and thus featured more simplistic and less challenging gameplay. Many reviewers argued that the PC version should have received a port of the console versions instead. Some critics even thought the GBA version was better than the PC version.[citation needed].

The PSP version received moderate reviews. Gameplay and graphics were praised, while the bad camera angle and the length of the game were criticized.

[edit] Characters/Cast

[edit] Differences

[edit] Between versions

  • The PC/Mac version is a dumbed down version, being much more linear and lacking the highly praised web mechanics of the console versions. The game also features small spaces, not a Free-Roaming Manhattan as the other versions. It was not well received, scoring 5/10 (mediocre) on Gamespot, even saying that the GBA version is better than the PC's. It is uncertain why a new version was made for the PC/Mac.
  • In the PC/Mac version of Spider-Man 2 some computers in the OsCorp and FNB levels show the Spider-Man 2 game.
  • In the PlayStation 2 version, a sign on one of the buildings said "Tobey's Toy Store," a nod to actor Tobey Maguire.
  • In the PSP version, the player can only swing in the sky, much like the first 3D Spider-Man games.
  • The DS and PSP version concerns the escape of The Vulture.

[edit] From the movie

  • In the movie, Spider-Man stops the subway car by shooting multiple weblines from the front of the car at buildings on both sides of the track. He then holds on tight to these lines and the car pushes against him and the lines like a rubber band. This slows the car to a stop just in time before the end of the track. In the game, however, Spider-Man stops the subway car by shooting two weblines from behind and holding on tight as he is dragged along the track. The friction caused by him being dragged causes the car to stop. Even though there is no given reason why Spider-Man has to stop the train, after fighting Doc Ock on the train he quotes, I have to stop this train, everyone on board will be killed.
  • In the movie, the pizza shop where Peter works is Joe's Pizza. In the game, the shop is called Hans Pizzeria. Also, the shop is in the middle of the city in the film, but in the game, it was on the harbor.
  • In the movie, Peter meets Harry and Mary Jane at Aunt May's house to celebrate his birthday. In the game he meets them, without Aunt May, at a restaurant.
  • In the movie, Peter begins to lose his powers (due to his lack of self-confidence) and eventually quits being Spider-Man. This never happens in the game although Spider-Man does mention giving up being Spider-Man as an option.
  • Doctor Octopus does not have the inhibitor chip in the game.
  • In the movie, Doctor Connors never sees Doc Ock on camera, while in the game he gets attacked by Otto.
  • In the movie Doc Ock is killed by dragging the Tritium experiment down into the river, in the game Doc Ock just jumps to the ground and destroys the support beams causing the building to collapse on him and drown him in the river.
  • Harry never says anything about Norman loving Peter like a son in the movie when he unmasks Peter.
  • In the movie, there were two train tracks which had the train Spidey dodged, but in the game,however, it has only one track.
  • In the game, Doc Ock captures Aunt May from the bank and leaves her on the train tracks, leaving Spider-Man to save her while he escapes. This never happens in the film.
  • At the end of the movie, when Mary Jane visits Peter, she is wearing her wedding dress, yet at the end of the game, Mary Jane is wearing casual clothes when she visits Peter.
  • In the movie, Doc Ock worked alone when he robbed the bank. In the game, he had two thugs with grenade launchers help him.

[edit] Trivia

 Trivia sections are discouraged under Wikipedia guidelines.
The article could be improved by integrating relevant items and removing inappropriate ones.

[edit] References to Spider-Man: The Movie (Video Game)

  • Bruce Campbell is the narrator in all three games, and provides the hints in the second game. He is a friend of Sam Raimi's & cameos in all three films the games are based on. Much of his narration references his previous narration from the first game. For example one hint marker has him talking about people asking him if he'll be eating a sandwich in this game, a reference to him leaving briefly to do just that in the first game's training mode. Another is when he mentions an upgrade that makes you "knock thugs down like bowling pins". He then says to himself "Hey, bowling, now there's an idea..." This is a reference to "Pinhead Bowling", an unlockable "training" mode in the first game. Bruce also mentions the previous game about knowing how to play and not to check the hints again. There is also a hint marker with Bruce saying, "Remember the Green Goblin? Good times...".
  • One of the "secret hideouts" in the game is a bowling alley similar to one featured in a bonus mini-game in the first game.
  • In the Spider-Man The Movie game, on the daylight aerial levels the player can see the word "Chaos" skywritten over NYC. In Spider-Man 2 the player can find a billboard that reads "Chaos Skywriting Service".
  • If the player goes to the Chrysler Building, there are feathers left from the Vulture fight in the first game.
  • During the mission where in the player is tasked with hunting down Mysterio's "Secret Lair", the clown-like enemies encountered will emit a high-pitched laugh. However, if the player utilizes their "Spider-Reflexes", this laugh will sound very similar to that of the Green Goblin from the first game.

[edit] References to pop culture

  • On the mission that requires the player to save reporters in a burning theater, Mysterio says the phrase "Klaatu Barada Nikto". The phrase is also used prominently in Army of Darkness, the third movie in director Sam Raimi's popular Evil Dead film trilogy. The line is said by Bruce Campbell. In both cases, the line is a reference to the same line in The Day the Earth Stood Still.
  • During the mission where the player has to defeat the giant Mysterio posing as the Statue of Liberty, the illusionist says "All your base are belong to us," a reference to Zero Wing. Also, when the player finishes the first mission involving Mysterio, he says "You have no chance to survive, make your time."
  • In the game one of the many thugs yells "Time for bit o' the old ultraviolence!", a direct quote from the film A Clockwork Orange.
  • One of the quotes Spider-Man makes while fighting enemies, "Now we turn it up a notch...BAM!" is obviously a spoof on Emeril Lagasse.
  • Sometimes when Spider-Man is fighting enemies, he says "Say goodnight, Gracie", which is a reference to The Burns and Allen show.
  • Sometimes, when Spider-Man is ambushed by a group of thugs, he'll say "Oh no, please don't throw me in the Briar Patch!" This is a reference to Br'er Rabbit and the Tar Baby.
  • Often, when Spider-Man enters a gym hideout, he will say "Hi guys! I'm here to beat you up!". He says "beat you up" in an Austrian accent, echoing Arnold Schwarzenegger.
  • Occasionally during the Armored Car robbery scenario, a hostage guard will say "If I could just reach my utility belt", a reference to DC Comics' Batman.
  • Occasionally during a boat rescue mission, a passenger will say, "This was supposed to be a three-hour tour! A three-hour tour!!" This is a reference to the theme song to Gilligan's Island.
  • Occasionally during a boat rescue mission, Spider-Man will say "This looks like a job for... some kind of swimming superhero. But since none are around, I guess I'll have to do it." This is a reference to the catchphrase "This looks like a job for Superman!"
  • There a reference to the Spider-man theme song. When starting a battle, thugs may say "Look out! Here comes the Spider-Man!".
  • Sometimes, when entering a warehouse hideout, Spider-Man will say "Wow, nice place you got here. Very homey...in a Manson Family kinda way." This is obviously a reference to 10050 Cielo Drive, where the Manson Family brutally murdered five people.

[edit] References to the comics

  • Inside the Comic Book Store, on the wall above the register are posters of Black Cat, and the villains Venom, Kraven the Hunter, Lizard, and Scorpion. Interestingly, all of the villains in the posters appear in the Spider-Man 3 video game.
  • Mysterio's original costume can be seen at three points in the game. During the contest against Quentin Beck, he wears the traditional green jump suit, boots, and cuff-links, but the cape and helmet are replaced with a jet pack. In the Fun House of Doom, when you enter the Fun House, above the fireplace is Mysterio in a painting with his original costume. In the control room, on the dry-cleaning rack, if you look closely, Mysterio's original costume is hanging on it.
  • Rhino's costume was the Ultimate version of the original.

[edit] Miscellaneous

  • Punk band The Distillers contributed their song "Beat Your Heart Out" to the game. They also covered the classic theme from the 1960s cartoon. Both songs play during the credits.
  • One hint marker in the city tells the player something strange about Black Cat; a mysterious number code 38-24-36. This is not actually as mysterious as it may seem, as the numbers are merely her body measurements (B38 W24 H36).
  • The popular industrial band KMFDM did the game's entire musical score.
  • As in real life Manhattan, there are two sets of spotlights in the FC area of the game, marking the area where the Twin Towers once stood. At night, these spotlights light up and two beams similar to the Tribute in Light can be seen.
  • Many things in the virtual Manhattan are changed, such as the distance of water between it and the rest of New York and the absence of several bridges. This also changes the height of several famous skyscrapers in the game, such as the Empire State Building which is actually around 100 feet higher than its real life counterpart.
  • The little boy who loses his balloon in a recurring goal in this game reappears in Ultimate Spider-Man. He's the first person the player devours when using Venom. This is a reference to this game where the task of returning the boy's balloon was considered extremely annoying.
  • Reading many billboards will bring up strange messages. Some refer to the older game. The signs show that the favorite drink is "Ram Cola: The Drink with Byte". Another bilboard shows "Injured, visit the downtown hospital." A billboard in Peter's apartment reads "Sometimes you plant seeds for trees you never sit under". One billboard in the Gamecube version reads "Toby Toy Kingdom", a reference to Tobey Maguire, who portrays Peter/Spider-Man in the movies. Many others include made up brand names.
  • Places in Manhattan, though smaller, are roughly accurate. The old White House is seen in the right spot. The United Nations are seen, the Stock Building, several hotels, and the two parks: Battery Park and Inwood Hill Park are shown and mentioned in the game.
  • Shocker returns from the previous game. Rhino & Calypso reappear in the game based on Spider-Man 3.
  • This is the only Spider-Man video game to feature Aunt May. Although she is mentioned in other games, she doesn't actually appear.
  • During the opening credits sequence, it is possible to briefly see the Black Cat standing atop the Chrysler Building, foreshadowing her appearance later on in the game.
  • Doc Ock's warehouse sinks at the end of storymode, but afterwards during endless hours of free time, his warehouse is still on the surface of the river.
  • During one mission, you can clearly see "The Distillers" spray painted onto a wall beside what appears to be a beer factory. It is assumed to be a reference to the actual band, and how they got their name.
  • In a plaza on the site of the former World Trade Center, there are an arrangement of spotlights that at night, light up a shine directly upwards. These lights are arranged in a square, and the two arrangements resemble of how the Twin Towers were built diagonally next to each other. All the time the lights are blue and at daytime these make the monument stand out.
  • The old 7 World Trade Center seems to be in the game, directly North of the light monument, it also looks to have its 47 floors.

[edit] See also

[edit] External links

v • d • e
Spider-Man video games
Main Games
Spider-Man (1982) · Doctor Doom's Revenge (1989) · The Amazing Spider-Man (1990) · The Amazing Spider-Man (1990) · The Amazing Spider-Man vs. The Kingpin (1990) · Spider-Man: The Video Game (1991) · The Amazing Spider-Man 2 (1992) · Return of the Sinister Six (1992) · Arcade's Revenge (1992) · Invasion of the Spider-Slayers (1993) · Lethal Foes (1994) · Maximum Carnage (1994) · Separation Anxiety (1995) · The Animated Series (1995) · Web of Fire (1996) · Spider-Man (2000) · The Sinister Six (2001) · Mysterio's Menace (2001) · Enter Electro (2001) · Spider-Man (2002) · Spider-Man 2 (2004) · Ultimate Spider-Man (2005) · Battle for New York (2006) · Spider-Man 3 (2007) · Friend or Foe (2007) · Web of Shadows (2008)
Other Games
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