Spider-Man 2 (2004 video game)
Open-world Spider-Man game with physics-based web swinging.
Spider-Man 2 is a 2004 action-adventure game based on the 2004 film of the same name, published by Activision and developed by Treyarch for console platforms. It is the sequel to 2002's Spider-Man and was released on June 29, 2004, for PlayStation 2, GameCube, Xbox, Microsoft Windows, and Game Boy Advance, with later versions for N-Gage, Nintendo DS, and PlayStation Portable. The console versions were noted for their physics-based web-swinging mechanics and open-world Manhattan setting.
Quick Facts
- Director
- Tomo Moriwaki
- Designer
- Akihiro Akaike
- Writer
- Matthew B. Rhoades
- Producer
- Jeremiah Maza
- Jonathan Zamkoff
- Nick Doran
- Series
- Spider-Man
- Engine
- Unreal Engine 2 (PC)
- Composer
- KMFDM; Michael McCuistion
- Platforms
- Game Boy Advance
- GameCube
- PlayStation 2
- Windows
- Xbox
- N-Gage
- Mac OS X
- Nintendo DS
- PlayStation Portable
Facts from the source article.
Gameplay
The console version of Spider-Man 2 is a third-person action-adventure game set in an open world based on New York City, including Manhattan, Roosevelt Island, Ellis Island, and Liberty Island. Players control Spider-Man through linear story missions and side missions given by pedestrians, such as battling criminals, stopping speeding cars, taking injured people to the hospital, or saving construction workers. The story is divided into chapters, each requiring objectives like purchasing upgrades or earning hero points. Web swinging uses physics-based algorithms that simulate attaching webs to actual buildings, a departure from previous games. Combat involves timing attacks and dodges, with a spider-sense ability that slows time. After completing the main story, a bonus warehouse mode unlocks, allowing players to fight waves of enemies and bosses, including the exclusive villain Calypso. The Windows version is a level-based beat 'em up with combos and web attacks, where web swinging is limited to glowing orbs. The PSP version uses the engine from 2002's Spider-Man, with similar gameplay, reused locations, and a scoring system based on time and combos; web swinging only moves forward in a straight line.
Plot
Two years after the first game, Peter Parker struggles to balance his civilian life with his duties as Spider-Man, causing him to be late or absent for school and time with friends Mary Jane Watson and Harry Osborn, who blames Spider-Man for his father's death. While stopping a museum robbery, Spider-Man meets Black Cat, who later befriends him and helps fight crime. Spider-Man defeats Rhino and is challenged by Quentin Beck, who becomes Mysterio after Spider-Man foils his attacks on an opera and the Statue of Liberty; Spider-Man finds Mysterio's hideout but cannot capture him due to illusions. Harry introduces Peter to scientist Otto Octavius, who is developing a fusion power experiment for Oscorp. During a public demonstration, a power spike destabilizes the reactor; Octavius refuses to shut it down, causing an explosion that kills his wife and damages his inhibitor chip. Spider-Man shuts down the experiment. The arms' AI influences Octavius, who becomes Doctor Octopus after a confrontation with Curt Connors. Blaming Spider-Man, Octavius robs a bank; Spider-Man fights him, but Octavius takes Aunt May hostage and escapes with the money.
Development and release
Development began at Treyarch after the financial success of 2002's Spider-Man. Designer Jamie Fristrom, dissatisfied with the first game's web swinging, conceived a physics-based system inspired by Rocket Jockey. Prototyping was difficult until programmer Andrei Pokrovsky implemented ray casting to automatically map attachment points. Fristrom demonstrated the system to Activision executives, including COO Ron Doornink, who approved it. The open world was influenced by Grand Theft Auto III. The team consisted of 86 people. The story was semi-original and loosely based on the film, as the developers felt a direct adaptation would not suit a game. They included characters from Spider-Man's rogues' gallery not in the film, such as Mysterio, inspired by Spider-Man vs. The Kingpin. Content was cut to meet the film's release date, scrapping planned bosses Lizard, Scorpion, Kraven the Hunter, and an explorable sewer system; Calypso remained as a post-game boss. These four villains later appeared in Spider-Man 3.
Reception
The console versions were critically acclaimed, with reviewers praising the realistic Manhattan setting, variety of crimes, and web-swinging mechanic that required attaching webbing to actual buildings. Repetitive side missions were criticized. IGN called it 'Grand Theft Spider-Man' and gave it an Editor's Choice Award. The GBA version received praise for presentation, graphics, sound, web-zipping, and wall-crawling, but criticism for repetitive music, combat, and lengthy levels. Official PlayStation 2 Magazine ranked it #80 of the 'Top 100 PS2 Games of All Time'. ScrewAttack placed it eighth in 'Top 10 Movie-Based Games'. PC Gamer listed the PC version as one of the worst PC ports. The game received a nomination for 'Outstanding Achievement in Gameplay Engineering' at the 8th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards. By July 7, 2004, it had shipped over 2 million units in North America. The GBA version sold 600,000 copies in the US by August 2006. The PS2 version received a Platinum sales award from ELSPA for at least 300,000 copies in the UK. Total sales exceeded 7 million units.
Frequently Asked Questions
What platforms is Spider-Man 2 (2004 video game) available on?
Spider-Man 2 was released for Game Boy Advance, GameCube, PlayStation 2, Windows, Xbox, N-Gage, Mac OS X, Nintendo DS and PlayStation Portable.
Who directed Spider-Man 2 (2004 video game)?
Spider-Man 2 was directed by Tomo Moriwaki.
Who designed Spider-Man 2 (2004 video game)?
Spider-Man 2 was designed by Akihiro Akaike.
Who composed the music for Spider-Man 2 (2004 video game)?
The music for Spider-Man 2 was composed by KMFDM and Michael McCuistion.
More in Activision Games of the 2000s
Spotted an error? Know more?
Reader corrections go straight into our review queue. Suggest an edit · How this site is sourced