Spider-Man PS4 Transforms its Superhero Into an Errand Boy

Insomniac's Spider-Man PS4 exclusive may introduce us to an older Peter Parker, but an empty open world means that not much has changed for the superhero.

[Nyxus]

How is the world empty exactly?

[Hardiman]

It's head scratching because the world is full of people and there's always things to do.

[Neonridr]

I think the author is referring to the fact that outside of the story missions the side quests are pretty mundane things. collecting backpacks, following people, fighting a few thugs. I don't think they meant literally devoid of people, just substance perhaps? They would obviously have to clarify, but that's how I interpreted their feelings.

[Kingthrash360]

So....we gotta ignore the main game, the side quests and the random crime fighting in between....in order to see this guys point? So ignore 90 percent of the game to see his point?

[Eonjay]

Shut up and accept what you are told to think. Geez!!!!

@Kingthrash360

Who the hell do you think you are thinking for yourself?

[AspiringProGenji]

@Neon

No! There’s lost of substance already. What he means by empty is filling the world with task for the sake of it. I am only like 3 hours in so I don’t fully know this supposed lack of quests, but I am actually enjoying collecting stuff and taking pics od landmarks. You can do all of that while swinging and not being distracted from the world or even the story.
There’s always something to do in the city to make you feel like Spiderman so Empty world my ass

[nix]

Ok... From what I've learnt is that no side quest goes wasted... That means if you find a bag or take a picture at heritage places... You can use that point to upgrade your suit. Now I look forward to taking a picture, finding a bag etc so that I can upgrade. Also I've found myself doing lots of side mission because it's more fun. Those Crown missions can be really challenging at times but it does teach you a lot.

[SierraGuy]

Empty like gamerevolution's soul?

[-Foxtrot]

See how over hyped games with lifeless words such as BotW or MGSV get a free pass but reviewers can easily nitpick other games when there alright

Not saying Spiderman is perfect but still

[notachance]

not to mention they copy pasted the plot for all 4 beast

by the third one I already got tired of the formula: find the champion's successor -> get help fighting the beast -> get inside and solve puzzle -> fight ganon

[SuperSonic91]

The stunts gaming sites have to do for click baiting...
Just at first glance anyone can tell Spider-Man PS4 is 100x bustling with life than TLOZ BOTW

Move on folks

[LegoIsAwesome]

Careful man. N4g admin dont like it when you talk trash on nintendo exclusives lol

[Neonridr]

@LegolsAwesome - you could say the same thing about how the N4G community feels when you say something bad about Sony :P

@Everyone else - To each their own, I don't know why someone has to defend something by trying to throw shade at something else. If you don't feel the world is empty, then just say it. Don't try to point the finger at another game like that somehow lessens the blow.

[TheSaint]

It is, if you ignore the sidequests, the research towers, the pigeon collections, the crimes, the bases, the landmarks and the backpacks.

Ignore all that and it's empty.

[jerethdagryphon]

They mean it's similar in all open world games the side missions and such are either go here get this collect that or races or similar fetchy stuff it's what puts me off open world games. No mater how well done the story is the side stuff always is a let down. For an example of just how bad try mirrors Edge catalyst

[trooper_]

Easily the dumbest article posted here.

[Hardiman]

Guess I'm playing a different game!

[SuperSonic91]

I have done errands and side missions for 16 Bit games like Phantasy Star IV and Final Fantasy VI but I didn't feel the worlds were lifeless....

[IamTylerDurden1]

Empty? Wtf game are they playing? This is the bs that bothers me, Spider-man has one of the better open worlds in recent memory. I love Infamous Second Son but Spider-man has a larger and more densely populated city in terms of both people and cars.

The city is downright lively in Spider-man. People interact with you, they take selfies, they compliment/criticise you, cars beap at you, people have conversations you can eavesdrop on, you can comment on their chess games. The newspaper reports the latest events as well as the TV, it's very dynamic.

There is so much to do around the city as well. It never feels tedious like in older AC games. Insomniac nailed the open world, i have no idea what these people are playing.

[meka2611]

Lol really?? What great side missions and activities are you playing? Because I'm stuck with collectibles and bad side missions; especially those challenge missions, man those suck.

[UCForce]

Those are much better than AC collectibles and challenges because it easier and less tedious. Side missions are maybe not memorable like Witcher 3, but they are very fun actually.

[CarlDechance]

How are you "stuck" with anything? It is an open world game. You choose what activities you want to engage.

[Tross]

Ha! The Spider-Man 2 game sends its regards. At least Spider-Man isn't delivering pizza in this one. That was the very definition of being an errand boy. Some sites are clearly trying to curb the success of this latest game. It's not going to work gamerevolution, but keep dreaming.

[IamTylerDurden1]

It's ridiculous, from the very beginning i was impressed with how robust and lively the world was. They can watch me stream, the world is terrific.

[AK91]

Sigh, some people never learn

[Lighter9]

Right! Because this is the very first game ever that has you doing errands.

[Smokehouse]

Gamerevolution transforms its headlines into clickbait. So it’s not on a Witcher 3 level of storytelling, it’s a superhero game, 1 of 2 modern ones that are actually worth a shit and it’s a fun game.

[TheOptimist]

They are mundane tasks I agree, but traversing the world is so much fun

1. I have never collected these many items in a game
2. I didn't use fast travel even once during my 35 hour playthrough. (Apat from the time that the story made me use it)

As an open world game I give it a 7/10
But as a Spiderman game it is a 9/10 for me.

Loved the characters, loved the mechanics, loved the atmosphere. Hope they can improve the open world in the next game.

As for Spiderman helping the police, he always wanted to be there for the small guy, he is definitely less awkward and seems more matured imo, and is not a direct take from the comics.

[CarlDechance]

First open world game where I actively avoid using fast travel. The webslinging is just that good.

[Noclos]

Do it for 5 times to get trophies

[CarlDechance]

@Noclos

Ah.....well, definitely want to platinum this game so.....good call.

[ziggurcat]

I don’t intend on fast travelling in this game until I go for the trophy associated with riding the subway, which I will probably save until last.

[P_Bomb]

Agreed. Every backpack has an anecdote that humanizes or adds some context to the character and his world. Every landmark has a quip, whether it’s his student loans at ESU or something “Strange” going on at the Sanctum.

It adds up. Before you know it you’ve leveled up just by visiting Rand Corporation, the Wakanda Embassy, Nelson & Murdock, while hearing Peter muse about that time Vulture almost took his eye, or his secret identity preventing him from being able to make money licensing his image.

[Hardiman]

I'm loving it and what I did was get all the dishes, backpacks and local photos before I did the Fisk museum mission because I wanted to be able to unlock suits. I also did all the Black Cat photos. These weren't a chore though because web slinging is a joy! Now I'm level 17 and going through the story with quite a selection of suits.

[Abnor_Mal]

Exactly, I got disagreed like crazy in another article when I said I would have preferred to have all my skills from the beginning of the game since he's been Spider-Man for eight years. It does not make sense to me that I have to start from the beginning with skills like I'm a first year hero.
So that's what I did, I got most costumes, I did all the collections except one since the character hasn't really been introduced into the story fully. I also haven't done the challenges, but every thing else is completed. I'm half way through the story with most of my skills about eighty percent in each category, and I'm at level thirty. Now I'm ready to continue the story as a hero who has been heroing for eight years and is sure of himself, skills and gadgets.

[Hardiman]

I've got like 5 research spots to hit and I'm done with those but yeah I'm with you on getting all the collecting out of the way.

[FullmetalRoyale]

Wow...
https://d2kmm3vx031a1h.clou...

[micdagoat19]

So is this game built like Assassins Creed? Following people in stealth and collecting things?

[CarlDechance]

Not really. Stealth is more like in Batman Arkham games. Hiding up high and then striking on enemies below. Spider-man does share some elements with Assassin's Creed. The typical stuff like collecting, unlocking towers, etc. But where it stands out is the awesome suits and abilities, the great story, webslinging, and some pretty awesome combat.

[micdagoat19]

I mean I actually Love Assassins creed but I know the trend is to hate it these days

[AspiringProGenji]

No!

[FullmetalRoyale]

Well said.

[LiViNgLeGaCY]

Dude, not at all. Lol.

[Noclos]

I got platinium in this game yesterday and I nearly did everything, this game is far from empty, cars are everywhere, the city is croweded with people and the lines almost not repetitve, the weather + lighting is amazing, moon soft bloom is nice touch, the variety of mission never been done in any game.

Harry mission are almost each is unique, occupied locations offer different strategies, and each group are differnet to deal with, collectibles are huge amazing refrences to a lot of subjects, Spider humor sense tied with Tom Holland, fan service is real here, and finally swinging is can't be done better with these amazing animations and the visible rooms insides the buildings. Its obvious someone want to get clicks and downplaying things. Although I wasn't hyped for this game but it delivered what I really need which is FUN FACTOR AND LAUGHS.

[Elda]

LMAO & Smh (continues to play Spiderman)

[zodiac909]

Not sure this idiot played the game at all.

[Count_Bakula]

Yet another pathetic article to get incredulous people to go to the site. These "writers" and sites are pitiful.

[Atticus_finch]

So far this is my favorite game of 2018. This article is ridiculously at best.

[Scatpants]

I feel like the missions are almost just like Batman's

[Skankinruby]

Not a single sandbox game ever made is void of this criticism, so what exactly is your point? If you even have one other than clickbait which I won't reward you with.

[P_Bomb]

I don’t necessarily see Peter as being the same “failure” he was as a teenager, as the article claims. He’s helping at a homeless shelter for one, and the people there give him much gratitude. Are philanthropy and charity failures in 2018?

It’s a similar reason he works in the small lab he does (no longer a photographer at the Bugle) as opposed to the more affluent but morally bankrupt Oscorp. Would rather do research for the betterment of mankind, as he puts it.

Article mentions comics in passing, but even in the comics Doc Ock’s ‘Parker Industries’ storyline came later, post Superior Spider-man. Game isn’t there yet obviously. Pete ain’t dead lol! Patience. He only just destroyed his own business in the comics to foil Hydra and Ock. Give the games time to build the same foundation.

[sprinterboy]

I normally get bored of side quests and collectables but this game has me sucked in, best city open world game ever, vibrant, busy, city noises and sounds, (atmosphere) lighting, animations, lots of varied finishing kills finally rather than just one or two like most games and the way you traverse the city is simply phenomenonal.
1st hr button bashing while learning the moves but now I'm meaning all my moves like jumping over them and sliding under there legs, or shit that guy over there has a rocket launcher swing over to him press and hold square when I'm over the top of him, hit him once or twice while webbing another close guy with a guy to hold him off a few seconds etc.
I also love the jokes and spidy always constantly talks to you without being over the top and getting annoying.
This game is probably best of the gen tbh and I'm only 10hrs in lol. This gen has been amazing for playstation with gow, detroit, unchated hzd, spidy etc even indie gems like resogun, valiants heart, rocket league, nex machina, vr games like Startrek, Wipeout, resident evil etc.
It actually scares me in a exiting way what Sony and the there devs will produce nxt gen for ps5 and ps6. I'm 42yrs old and have been gaming since I was 7 on atari but my passion has never dwindled being immersed in this media

[Lilrizky]

Pretty sure that's why he's the friendly neighbourhood spider-man, not off fighting with the avengers....

[ShadowWolf712]

This... this is a genuinely bad article, holy crap.

[C-H-E-F]

This reviewer is only mad that it's not on xbox. TF is he going on about? lOl doesn't make any sense what so ever. You want us to ignore 85% of the game because of collectibles? Every game has collectibles lmao

[mkis007]

Never once felt like an errand boy. By this logic every superhero is an errand boy. They are always doing things for others. What you want is a villain.

[Natversion1]

While the article might not be great there are so legitimate complaints with the side quests. Yes they are optional but with such a good developer should we really be accepting less than what we know they can deliver?

The pigeon mission, the flying through gas clouds (twice by my count), the challenges handed out with the gold, silver, bronze medals all felt uninspired and the trappings of open world syndrome or Ubisoftitus.

When I first started the game I did every tower so I could collect the backpacks and I was excited, then I did some story and the research side quests and it was starting to take it's toll. Having to locate missing people and be a private investigator I started using fast travel just to try and get through it as quick as possible.

I still loved the game but some of these things made me love it a little bit less, also the non Spiderman bits got a bit tedious especially when you have a cut scene as Spiderman watching someone get caught, only to play as that character in a stealth based mission leading up to said cut scene where it's game over if you get caught.

Still on the bright side it's the best Spiderman game I've ever played....just not one of the best games I've ever played.

[boing1]

Salty, I see.

[AmUnRa]

Spiderman an empty world??
Thats not the spiderman that i'am playing.

[nicsaysdie]

I wonder if the writer felt the same about gta, fallout, or elder scrolls. Maybe open world isn't their cup of tea.

[Indigon]

Don't reward clickbait folks.

[SPEAKxTHExTRUTH]

I gotta be honest, I don’t like it as much as I thought I would. I have more fun swinging around the city doing combos than I do with anything else. It’s a good game but I like the Batman games better so far. Some of the side missions are just boring like the emissions side missions where you swing through smoke and take pictures of cars causing the hazard. Doesn’t seem like something a super hero would be wasting time on.

[TheDriz]

Hmm I’m only 29% done. I don’t really know what this guy is talking about. Everything seems very story driven for an open world game.

[jcole97]

Damn i think they bought the wrong spider man game... smh

[MinnesotaFatts]

Ohhh it's a gamerevolution article. Now it makes sense.

[wwinterj]

Ah the classic shit on a popular game article. I can't wait for more clickbait!

[jjb1981]

That's what he is in the movies though. He's a good kid that likes to help people so.....