Just in time for the release of the new reboot movie, The Amazing Spider-Man, comes a new video game. But instead of being based on the plot of the flick, the video game takes place shortly after the events of the film. After Spider-Man defeats the Lizard, other cross-breed mutants escape Oscorp’s labs and start infecting New York. It’s up to Spider-Man to stop them and save the city. Oscorp’s own robots are all about and programmed to destroy all cross-breeds, including Spider-Man, so Peter Parker will have to watch out for them, too! The Amazing Spider-Man is available for all major current video game consoles, but the 360 version is reviewed here.

In this 3-D action adventure, Spider-Man can do what any spider can. He’ll punch and kick bad guys, shoot webbing to slow down baddies and gum up machines, and swing from web strings to dive in and escape from battle. He can also climb on any walls and ceilings. New to the game is Web Rush mode, which allows Spider-Man to slow down time, look around, and find points where he can use his spider skills to their fullest. Sometimes the camera angles while climbing walls can make things a little confusing. And other times button inputs feel more like quick time events. But other than that, play control is fluid and fun.

Spider-Man will have to swing all over New York to find the next area stage to advance the story. But luckily he can pull up a map on a special Oscorp cell phone to find out where to go in a hurry. Along the way, Spider-Man can take on sidequests around the city. By defeating enemies and completing sidequests, you’ll earn points for upgrading Spider-Man’s web shooters and other abilities, not to mention unlocking new outfits and other goodies. Sometimes travelling around the city can be a bit buggy and you might get stuck at times. But other than that, fans of Spider-Man should love this game.

Kid Factor:

The Amazing Spider-Man on Xbox 360 is rated T for Teen with ESRB descriptors of Mild Language, Mild Suggestive Themes, and Violence. Spider-Man does punch and kick bad guys and mutants, but there is no blood. The language and suggestive themes are used very sparingly in the story. Some of the mutant cross-breeds are pretty scary and do bite people in the game, so very young gamers might get a little frightened. But if you’re OK with your kids watching the movie, they’ll be OK with the game, too. You can adjust the difficulty level at the beginning of the game, but because of the more complex controls and game content, it’s best for older kids and teen gamers.

Tags: Game Reviews, Movies with Children