Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensions

Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensions is a third-person action-adventure video game, which, unlike most previous Spider-Man games, doesn't feature an open world and is instead structured with generally linear-design (with a few choice exceptions). The game features 14 different levels, each having the player assume the role of one out of four versions of Spider-Man, spanning across the Amazing, Noir, 2099, and Ultimate universes, with only the tutorial and the final level allowing players to control all four Spider-Men, one at a time.[5][6] The gameplay revolves around each Spider-Man's unique superhuman abilities, with players being able to web-swing, stick to various surfaces, use the 'spider-sense' to see enemies or objects of interest, and fight various types of enemies. The wide combat of the game offers a large variety of moves, with the points necessary for buying uprgrades and new combat moves being earned from defeating enemies or completing various challenges in the "Web of Destiny". The points earned can also be used to purchase 16 different alternate costumes originating from various comics (such as Scarlet Spider or the Iron Spider suit), which don't offer any gameplay advantages and are purely cosmetic.

The game features numerous supervillains from the comics, whom the player engages in boss battles, usually twice in a level (some of the villains are created exclusively for the game, such as a 2099 version of Hobgoblin and Doctor Octopus, or a Noir version of Hammerhead). During the second battle, the bosses have a new series of powers, granted by a fragment of The Tablet of Order and Chaos, which the entire storyline of the game revolves around. During specific parts of the boss battles, Shattered Dimensions switches to a first-person perspective, where the player can use the analog sticks (or the Wii Remote and Nunchuk in the Wii version) to control Spider-Man's arms, punching their opponent and dodging their attacks. The punches can also be modified by holding down certain buttons.[7][8]

Each one of the four Spider-Men has their own unique type of gameplay and fighting style. For example, the Spider-Man Noir levels put emphasis on stealth, whereas the Ultimate Spider-Man levels are mostly combat-based, as he has been provided with the symbiote black suit that increases his strength and aggressivity to new levels.[6][9]

The story starts off with an opening narration from Stan Lee (who continues to narrate throughout the game periodically as well).

During a nighttime confrontation with Mysterio, who attempts to steal an artifact known as "The Tablet of Order and Chaos" from the halls of the Empire State University, the Amazing Spider-Man accidentally shatters the tablet into 17 fragments during the ensuing fight. As Mysterio makes off with a single fragment, Spider-Man is approached by Madame Web, who explains that when he broke the tablet the pieces were scattered throughout this dimension, as well as three other realities across the multiverse. After informing Spider-Man that he will have to gather the fragments from his world, she tells him that she has also contacted the Spider-Men from the Noir, 2099, and Ultimate dimensions as well to assist in retrieving the pieces from their respective worlds before they fall into the wrong hands and unleash unknown levels of power. After guiding the Amazing Spider-Man, Spider-Man Noir, Spider-Man 2099, and a black-suited Ultimate Spider-Man to their first individual fragment, each of the heroes retrieves it with ease. Meanwhile, Mysterio discovers his fragment can grant him powers to channel actual magic instead of his usual parlor tricks and illusions.

Upon locating their respective second fragment, the four Spider-Men all face opposition of supervillians from their respective dimensions, who have already acquired a piece of the tablet. The Amazing Spider-Man finds his fragment in the trophy room of Kraven the Hunter who proceeds to drug Spider-Man and drag him to the jungle in order to battle him in the ultimate test of skill for the sake of "the hunt". Upon being shamed in front of his disciples and students while in combat with Spider-Man, Kraven activates the power of the fragment and gains superhuman speed and strength to finish Spider-Man before he is defeated and loses his tablet to the hero. Spider-Man Noir finds a fragment in the hands of his dimension's version of Hammerhead, who plans to give it to his superior, the mob boss Norman "The Goblin" Osborn. After activating the fragments power, Hammerhead uses it to fuse his tommyguns to his arms and seeks to overthrow Osborn before he loses to Spider-Man. Spider-Man 2099 encounters the futuristic incarnation of the Hobgoblin, an android mercenary of mysterious origins, who attempts to torment the web-slinger as he chases him through the city. Eventually, the villain uses the fragment to increase his psy-powers and create a hellscape reality before being defeated by Spider-Man. Still trying to come to terms with wearing the hated black suit due to its negative side-effects and unstable nature (which Madame Web assures him she is holding back with her psychic powers to keep it in check), the Ultimate Spider-Man encounters Electro who attempts to use the fragments power to absorb all the electrical power he can from a nearby power plant and dam before he is foiled by the wall-crawler.

Each universe represented in Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensions features different villains and a unique art style.

After returning from the jungle, the Amazing Spider-Man tracks the next fragment to an abandoned Roxxon Industries quarry only to encounter Sandman who takes the piece for himself. After absorbing all the sand in the area due to the powers of the fragment, Sandman becomes unstable due to overextending himself by becoming a colossal sentient sandstorm tornado and is eventually defeated by the wall-crawler. Spider-Man Noir finds his next fragment in the possession of the cannibalistic Vulture, Norman Osborn's right-hand man, who is granted teleportation powers when he uses the fragment and also decides he can use its power to overthrow his boss. After starting a large building fire and attempting to eat the pursuing wall-crawler, Spider-Man Noir defeats Vulture and takes the fragment back. Spider-Man 2099 locates the next fragment in the hands of Scorpion, who steals it from some Public Eye Patrol officers and uses it to create numerous offsprings and terrorize the nearby area. This results in an all-out-war between the scorpion off-spring invasion and the Public Eye as Spider-Man continues to track and chase Scorpion himself through the chaos. After finally cornering Scorpion in his hive layer and defeating him, the monster reveals that he was hired by a woman to bring the fragment to her in exchange for restoring his humanity. The Ultimate Spider-Man is informed via passing television ads that Ultimate Deadpool has acquired the next fragment piece and proceeds to use it as leverage to force Spider-Man to come out to his isolated oil rig to compete in his extreme reality T.V. show "Pain Factor" as a special guest. After destroying most of his cameras and virtually ruining his show, the mercenary battles Spider-Man in a cage match and uses the fragment to split himself into three individually separate Deadpools who all attack the web-slinger. After returning this set of fragment shards to Madame Web, Mysterio attacks and takes her hostage before threatening to kill her if the Spider-Men do not bring the last four pieces of the tablet to him.

The Amazing Spider-Man proceeds to find his final fragment at a New York construction yard but is unable to grab it before a pursued and fleeing Juggernaut accidentally picks it up while being hunted by Silver Sable and her Wild Pack for the bounty on his head. This forces Spider-Man to intervene in the conflict and keep Sable away from Juggernaut long enough to reclaim the fragment. Upon realizing the power he is holding, Juggernaut becomes even stronger than his powers already allow and battles Spider-Man, but his invulnerability is weakened allowing Spider-Man to take down Juggernaut and retrieve the fragment. Spider-Man Noir tracks his final fragment to the decrepit carnival site which Norman Osborn is using as a base of operations to lure out the wall-crawler. Activating the fragment in anticipation for Spider-Man's arrival, Osborn transforms into a power and hideous creature known as "the Goblin". After battling his way through the fair and funhouse, Spider-Man fights and defeats the Goblin in a circus tent before claiming his last piece of the tablet. Using Scorpion's information, Spider-Man 2099 breaks into one of Alchemax's high security labs to find Doctor Octopus, head of Alchemax's Shadow Division (as well as Hobgoblin's creator). She reveals she seeks the fragment to power a dangerous reactor core. After methodically shutting down power to the core and battling through her army of engineered monsters and Public Eye Patrol officers, Spider-Man defeats Doc Ock and retrieves his last fragment. Finally, Ultimate Spider-Man decides to go to the Triskelion and ask for Nick Fury and S.H.I.E.L.D.'s help in finding the final piece of the artifact. Upon arriving he finds the facility abandoned and destroyed before encountering drained reanimated zombified body husks and learns that the heavily-contained Carnage was being foolishly experimented on due to his reaction to the fragment before breaking out and acquiring its power. After chasing the creature through the ruins of the facility, battling countless zombies and security defense robots, Spider-Man incapacitates Carnage and takes back the fragment.

Upon retrieving the final set of fragments, the Spider-Men return to Mysterio in order to free Madame Web. Instead of hanging the tablet pieces over however, the Amazing Spider-Man attempts to attack the villain and is initially successful before accidentally dropping the fragments which fuse with the others and recreate the tablet. Mysterio absorbs the full artifact, becoming all-powerful and shattering the borders between realities, seeking to make a new single dimensional world under his rule. However, this break in the dimensional rift of realities allows Madame Web to summon all four Spider-Men into the same place and have them work together to defeat Mysterio. By focusing their individual specialized abilities and battling him in the dimensional plane, each Spider-Man is able to deliver damage to the supervillian one by one before he finally succumbs to the combined forces of the heroes. With Mysterio defeated and the multiverse saved, Spider-Man Noir, Spider-Man 2099, and Ultimate Spider-Man return to their respective dimensions, which are slowly rebuilding themselves, whilst the Amazing Spider-Man takes Mysterio to prison. The game ends with a short narration given by Stan Lee and all four Spider-Men back in their respective dimensions, stating that out of all the different versions of Spider-Man, they are the best one.

In a post-credits scene, Madame Web is startled by a surprise visit from Spider-Ham, who had hoped to help save the multiverse as well, but arrived too late.

Each of the different Spider-Men is portrayed by an actor who voiced Spider-Man in a prior animated series:

• Neil Patrick Harris as Peter Parker/The Amazing Spider-Man[1]

The primary, present day traditional version of Spider-Man. After a battle with Mysterio in his home universe, the "Tablet of Order and Chaos" was fragmented and sent to several different alternate dimensions. This version of Spider-Man has to contend with the likes of Kraven the Hunter, the Sandman, and Juggernaut before the final confrontation. Harris previously played Spider-Man in 2003's short-lived Spider-Man: The New Animated Series that spun out of the 2002 film.

• Christopher Daniel Barnes as Peter Parker/Spider-Man Noir[1]

An alternate version of Peter Parker from a dimension referred to as the "Noir Universe". Taking place in 1933, this version of Spider-Man has a darker personality and a more brutal fighting style, with a greater emphasis on stealth. Over the course of his involvement in the story, he is forced to face off against Noir versions of Hammerhead, Vulture, and Norman "the Goblin" Osborn before joining the other Spider-Men to battle Mysterio. Barnes previously acted as Spider-Man in 1994's animated Spider-Man TV series. He would go on to play Spider-Man 2099 in the Shattered Dimensions sequel Spider-Man: Edge of Time.

• Dan Gilvezan as Miguel O'Hara/Spider-Man 2099[1]

A different character who took up the Spider-Man mantle in the future, Miguel O'Hara is forced to contend with the machinations of the evil Alchemax corporation in addition to facing off against future versions of Spider-Man enemies: Hobgoblin, Scorpion, and Doctor Octopus. Gilvezan previously voiced Peter Parker in the 1981 animated series Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends.

• Josh Keaton as Peter Parker/Ultimate Spider-Man[11]

A younger, only slightly altered variation of Peter Parker from a dimension known as the "Ultimate Universe", this version of Spider-Man is fitted with a black symbiote suit that is controlled by Madame Web, which enhances his aggression and pre-existing super strength. In his universe, Ultimate Spider-Man is forced to face off against Electro, Deadpool, and Carnage before joining the final battle. Keaton previously portrayed Spider-Man in the 2008 animated series The Spectacular Spider-Man, as well as other video games like Marvel Super Hero Squad and Marvel vs. Capcom 3: Fate of Two Worlds. He also went on to play the character's traditional version in the Shattered Dimensions sequel Edge of Time. Prior to playing Spider-Man himself, Keaton also voiced Peter's best friend Harry Osborn in various video games (Spider-Man, Spider-Man 2, and Spider-Man: Friend or Foe).

Several actors return to reprise roles from elsewhere in Spider-Man and Marvel Comics media. John DiMaggio (who has also voice The Rhino multiple times) reprises his role as Hammerhead from The Spectacular Spider-Man.[12] Steven Blum (several characters in The Spectacular Spider-Man as well as Wolverine in various media outlets) voices Hobgoblin 2099, Silvermane 2099, and both versions of Vulture. Jim Cummings (Shocker in Spider-Man: The Animated Series) voices Kraven the Hunter, Noir Goblin, Noir Boomerang and Tinkerer. Thomas F. Wilson (Sergeant Stan Carter on The Spectacular Spider-Man) voices both versions of Electro. Nolan North reprises his role as Deadpool from Hulk Vs.[12] Fred Tatasciore reprises his role as Carnage from Spider-Man: Friend or Foe and Marvel: Ultimate Alliance 2.[12] Jennifer Hale reprises her role as Silver Sable from the Ultimate Spider-Man video game and Spider-Man: Friend or Foe while also voicing Noir Calypso. John Kassir (Deadpool in X-Men Legends II: Rise of Apocalypse, Marvel: Ultimate Alliance and Marvel: Ultimate Alliance 2) voices Scorpion and a couple of Deadpool's fanboys. Tara Strong (Christina in Spider-Man: The New Animated Series) voices Doctor Octopus 2099. James Arnold Taylor (Spider-Man in Spider-Man: Friend or Foe and Spider-Man: Battle for New York, Mysterio in Spider-Man 2, and Electro in Ultimate Spider-Man) voices different miscellaneous thugs and henchmen throughout the game.[13] Other cast members include David Kaye as Mysterio, Dimitri Diatchenko as Sandman, Matt Willig as Juggernaut, Susanne Blakeslee as Madame Web, and Kevin Umbricht as Spider-Ham.[12] Additionally, Spider-Man co-creator Stan Lee narrates the game's story.[1] Jamie Thomason served as voice director, having previously directed The Spectacular Spider-Man.[14] Jim Dooley composed the game's orchestral score.[1]

Beenox developed several alternate costumes for the game, including Manga Spider-Man (above). This marks the first appearance of the Manga costume in a video game.

Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensions was unveiled on March 30, 2010, where two of the universes, Amazing and Noir, were revealed.[15] The third universe, 2099, was revealed on June 8.[16] The final universe, Ultimate, was first shown to players at San Diego Comic-Con 2010.[17] Beenox made each universe feel unique by creating an individual art style for each universe and giving each Spider-Man different gameplay mechanics.[17] For example, the Amazing and Ultimate universes are rendered with bright colors and tones of cel shading, with the Amazing universe given a traditional comic feel based on those of 1960s classic comic book art styles, while the Ultimate universe was meant to evoke more modern comics from the early 2000s. In contrast, the Noir and 2099 universes are rendered with realistic graphics, with the 2099 universe given a futuristic feel while the Noir universe was given a "very dark, very gritty"[18] appearance. The developers also worked closely with Marvel Comics to create new versions of characters not seen before in a particular universe, such as Hobgoblin 2099, Hammerhead Noir, and Doctor Octopus 2099.[17] The story for the game was written by Amazing Spider-Man writer Dan Slott[15] and later provided him with an inspiration for the Spider-Verse comic book crossover event, which saw dozens of Spider-Men from alternate realities teaming up.

Several pre-order bonuses were offered for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 versions prior to release. Players who pre-ordered at GameStop received a Cosmic Spider-Man pack, which provided a Cosmic Spider-Man outfit for each Spider-Man.[19] It was later included as a free bonus on the PC version, along with some minor fixes, which were not patched on the console versions. The Cosmic Spider-Man pack was later publicly released as downloadable content for the Xbox 360 on October 28,[20] and for the PlayStation 3 on November 2, 2010.[21][22] Pre-orders via Amazon.com included early access to Spider-Man 2099's Iron Spider costume and a book containing concept art for the game.[23] Kmart pre-orders offered early access to Amazing Spider-Man's Scarlet Spider costume, while Best Buy included early access to the Negative Zone costume for Spider-Man Noir.[24] Wal-Mart offered a 20-page comic book for online pre-orders of the game.[25]

Shattered Dimensions was de-listed from the PlayStation Network and Xbox Live marketplaces in 2014 following the expiration of Activision's existing licensing deal with Marvel. The game was re-released via Steam on October 24, 2015, but was later removed on April 1, 2017.[26]

Reception

Aggregate score Aggregator Score Metacritic DS: 73/100[27] PS3: 74/100[28] WII: 75/100[29] X360: 76/100[30] PC: 68/100[31] Review scores Publication Score Destructoid 6/10[32] Eurogamer 7/10[33] Game Informer 8.5/10[34] GamePro [35] GameRevolution B[36] GameSpot 7.5/10[37][38] GameTrailers 7/10[39] GameZone 8/10[40] DS: 7.5/10[41] IGN 8/10[42] DS/WII: 7.5/10[43][44] Joystiq [45] Nintendo Power WII: 8/10 DS: 7/10[46] OXM (US) 7.5/10[47] PC Gamer (US) 50%[48] The A.V. Club B+[49] The Escapist [50]

The game received mostly positive reviews from critics. Metacritic gave it a score of 73 out of 100 for the DS version;[27] 74 out of 100 for the PlayStation 3 version;[28] 76 out of 100 for the Xbox 360 version;[30] 75 out of 100 for the Wii version;[29] and 68 out of 100 for the PC version.[31]

IGN gave the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 versions eight out of ten and said, "Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensions has a lot of great things going for it",[42] but scored the Wii version half a point lower despite being nearly identical to these two versions due to finnicky camera controls. Game Informer awarded it 8.5 out of 10 and said it "delivers a non-stop action ride with something new around every corner".[34] GamesRadar gave it three-and-a-half stars out of five and said "Shattered Dimensions is a good game, but it fell short of an Ultimate Marvel Team-Up".[51] GamePro gave the Xbox 360 version four and a half out of five stars and said, "thankfully, [Spider-Man's] latest adventure, Shattered Dimensions, is one of his best yet, offering four unique worlds, classic Spidey action, and an engaging story that puts it near the top of the franchise both in terms of quality and impact".[35] X-Play gave the game four stars out of five and said it "streamlines the usual trappings of the genre to focus on combat and personality. It's true that the linear gameplay and old-school combat sensibilities don't put it on par with Arkham Asylum, but the game succeeds regardless. It's fun, fast-paced, and long enough to make it well worth checking out".[52] 1UP.com gave it a B and stated, "the change in combat options is a welcome addition, I just wish that the story had delivered on the comic legacy of one of Marvel's more enduring heroes".[53]

Non video-game publications gave some strong praise for the game. The A.V. Club gave the Xbox 360 version a B+ and stated: "Filled with countless remember-when moments—as in "Remember when you outran that wave of sand?"— Shattered Dimensions is less literary and artful than Batman: Arkham Asylum, but it's far more fun".[49] The Daily Telegraph gave it seven out of ten and stated, "the combat, and it's worth noting that this makes up the majority of the game, is superb. It's not particularly deep nor clever, but it's immensely rewarding, as too are the scripted first person sections which exist purely to, yes, let you punch things in the face".[54] However, The Escapist gave the Xbox 360 version three stars out of five and said, "creative set-pieces and an awesome concept can only hide a repetitious game structure for so long - and the stealth sections that mix it up are just frustrating".[50]

The Nintendo DS version of the game drew mixed reviews. IGN and Digital Chumps praised the visuals. IGN felt the visuals stayed true to the comics, while Digital Chumps praised the smooth and detailed animations.[43][55] Reviewers felt that overall the 2.5D Metroid-style gameplay was enjoyable, and fit the DS well.[43][55][56] Sounds and voice acting were also praised.[43][55] Some reviewers felt the game was too short, and that not enough emphasis was put on exploring the open world.[43][56]

The premise of a crossover between different versions of Spider-Man that was used in Shattered Dimensions later became the inspiration for the 2014 comic book storyline Spider-Verse, which would go on to become one of the most popular and media adapted Spider-Man story-arcs, including a 2018 animated film titled Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse.[57] Despite none of it being adapted from the game, all four playable Spider-Men (Amazing Spider-Man, Spider-Man Noir, Spider-Man 2099, and Ultimate Spider-Man), as well as Spider-Ham, appear, in varying capacities.

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