GENRE
	Action/Adventure
	DEVELOPER
	Griptonite
	PUBLISHER
	Activision
	LOCAL WIRELESS MULTI-PLAY
	No
	Wi-Fi/GLOBAL ONLINE MULTI-PLAY
	No
	MICROPHONE
	No
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In most cases, the DS port of a high profile console game is a warning to run as far in the opposite direction as possible. But developer Griptonite has done the unthinkable and created an entirely unique version of Spider-Man: Web of Shadows from the ground up. Aside from the general concept and certain gameplay ideas, Web of Shadows DS is its own game that takes side-scrolling Spider-Man in a new and exciting direction.

visuals

It’s rare to see a full 3D game on the DS that actually looks good, and Web of Shadows is one of the better looking games on the system. It’s obvious no expense was spared in the production values. Symbiote goo oozes all around New York City in five unique areas. From the dingy sewers to the lofty downtown skyscrapers, the sinister urban setting is the perfect complement to the open-ended Metroid style of gameplay.

Spider-Man and his foes are also incredibly animated. The wall-crawler is every bit as fluid and acrobatic as you would expect him to be, and his enemies are equally well-crafted. It’s rare to see such care put into tiny details, especially on a handheld port.

audio

Web of Shadows takes musical inspiration from Metroid as well. Most of the score is very subdued and ambient, perfect for wall-crawling in claustrophobic corridors. There aren’t any standout tunes, but the subtle music suits the experience perfectly. The game also features voice acting during cutscenes and other areas throughout the game. It’s crystal clear, and even more surprising: actually good. Spider-Man is his usual witty self and the supporting cast is also well-acted. It’s another touch that highlights Web of Shadows’ excellent production values.

gameplay

Spider-Man’s unique abilities in a Metroid-inspired open ended world seems like a match made in heaven, and in theory it is. The controls are fantastic, with absolutely no touch-screen gimmickry. The Y button covers attacks and can be later used in combos. The B button handles jumping and web-slinging, and the A button allows Spider-Man to web-zip across the room in the red suit and perform a powerful charge in the black suit. Even just swinging around and climbing walls in a delight, and switching from swinging to attacking enemies is effortless. It’s incredibly fun and kinetic.

Like its bigger console brother, Web of Shadows features the ability to switch between Spider-man’s red and black suit at any time with the right shoulder button. Each suit performs a little differently. Red is all about speed and aerial mayhem and black is all about power. Each suit has a number of upgrades that can be purchased with points collected from slain enemies, and the points can be redistributed at any time. You are in complete control of customizing Spider-Man’s extensive arsenal.

Combat is fun, but ultimately becomes repetitive as the enemies game more and more health. Despite the damage upgrades and more powerful moves you receive over the course of the game, enemy battles will still become an exercise in marathon button mashing. There are a lot of ways to beat on bad guys, but why bother with creativity when spamming one or two moves over and over dispatches them much faster?

Boss battles are the same way. They’re fun and challenging at first, but most of them are the same fight with more and more health added to the boss each time. The game encourages the player to mix it up by having the boss change tactics but by the time you upgrade to the advanced dodge it’s a moot point -- just dodge and hammer the attack button. As an added touch, there are three allies who can help you during boss battles as soon as a meter on the touch screen fills up. These helpers can really turn the tide of the battle and later on they feel mandatory as it takes more and more time to whittle down a boss’ health bar.

There are a lot of nooks and crannies to explore in the game’s five areas, and backtracking is highly encouraged. Unfortunately, the overall world is fairly small and even a relaxed playthrough will probably clock in at five hours or less. It’s certainly reminiscent of Metroid and Castlevania, but the scale is much smaller.

multiplayer

n/a

overall

There is a reason you don’t see more games like Castlevania and Metroid on the market. Griptonite has done an admirable job of bringing the Metroid style to Spider-Man, and have even crafted a decent game in the process. Unfortunately, when it comes to combat, enemy diversity and overall length, Web of Shadows pales in comparison to the titles that inspired it. Still, if you are a fan of Spider-Man or “Castleroid” style exploration, Spider-Man: Web of Shadows may be worth a look. It’s polished and fun for the four or five hours it lasts. Hopefully Griptonite takes this solid foundation and really expands on it in a future Spider-Man title.

7.0/10