7 Most Immersive Spider-Man Games, Ranked
Key Takeaways
- Spider-Man games have varied immersive experiences based on different plotlines and mechanics.
- Titles like “Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensions” and “Spider-Man 2” innovated with multiverse concepts and physics algorithms.
- “Marvel’s Spider-Man 2” introduced new mechanics like Web Wings for faster travel, making it possibly the most immersive game to date.
Spider-Man games have been around for decades, which isn’t surprising considering that the first comic book featuring the web-shooting superhero came out way back in 1962. Ever since then, Spider-Man has inspired a wide range of comic books, movies, collectibles, and, of course, videogames touching on different topics.
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While some Spider-Man games might have better game mechanics than others, that’s usually not all that matters. Often, even when a game is fun to play, it doesn’t mean that it’s immersive, and being able to see the game through the character’s eyes is very important. Here are some of the most immersive Spider-Man games.
7 Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensions
A Multiverse Experience With Great Crossovers
- Released
- September 7, 2010
- When the Tablet of Order and Chaos shatters, multiple realities will merge
- The game is entertaining, but it fails to deliver in some areas
Revolving around a mysterious artifact known as the Tablet of Order and Chaos, Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensions presents players with an entertaining experience that will have them visit multiple realities. When the tablet shatters, Madame Web recruits the Amazing Spider-Man, as well as three of his alternate versions to address the situation and get things back to normal.
While the game has a good premise, it often fails to execute properly what it intends to. This doesn’t mean Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensions is bad, it’s simply not as immersive or as well-crafted as other entries on this list.
6 Spider-Man
A Nintendo 64 Classic That Most Veteran Players Enjoyed
Spider-Man
- Released
- September 1, 2000
- Spider-Man is blamed for a crime he didn’t commit
- The game was limited by its time, but it was still very fun to play
When Dr. Otto Octavius holds a demonstration of his latest invention, an impostor Spider-Man breaks into the event and steals the scientific equipment. This leads to several events, including the transformation of Eddie Brock into Venom. The real Spider-Man is blamed for the mishap, thus kicking off the rest of the events in Spider-Man.
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This game was a jewel of the Nintendo 64, as it was very entertaining to play, and most players probably remember picking this title up or even renting it at a Blockbuster at some point. While the limitations of the consoles at the time held it back in terms of graphics and game mechanics, it was still somewhat immersive.
5 Spider-Man: Web Of Shadows
A Great Title That Made Its Way To Handheld Devices
Spider-Man: Web of Shadows
Action-Adventure
Beat ‘Em Up
- Released
- October 21, 2008
- Some platforms had a different version of the game
- Great boss fights that were very fun
Spider-Man: Web of Shadows was released on many platforms back in its day, and like other titles that were made available for both consoles and handheld devices at the time, each version had its differences.
From a third-person perspective, and an open-world set in the outer area of Manhattan, Spider-Man Web of Shadows is a good addition to the superhero’s videogame universe. It had great moments and formidable bosses that, while not as challenging as those players are used to in modern titles, were still fun to fight and defeat.
4 Spider-Man: Friend Or Foe
Defeating Villains To Make Them Join Spider-Man’s Cause
Spider-Man: Friend Or Foe
Platformer
Adventure
Beat-Em-Up
- Spider-Man faces an unknown threat that’s controlling the minds of some villains
- The story is decent, but it could use some work
Spider-Man: Friend or Foe is based on a very interesting concept that honors its title, as it touches on mind control, and the dangers behind it. When Spider-Man is contacted by S.H.I.E.L.D. due to an unknown threat, he soon discovers that a mysterious force is making villains from around the world carry out more evil acts than normal.
Players will have to engage in several fights to liberate those affected by the mind-controlling trance they’re in, recruiting them as sidekicks to join their efforts once they’re free. While the story could use some work, helping Spider-Man free the minds of others is a very fun and often immersive experience.
3 Spider-Man 2
A Classic Title Based On The Movie That Inspired It
Spider-Man 2 (2004)
Action-Adventure
Open-World
- Innovative physics algorithms for its time
- Players can choose to take on different missions or explore Manhattan
Spider-Man 2 is set two years after the events of the first game. Peter Parker finds himself trying to balance his personal life with his vigilante work as Spider-Man, which is obviously not easy, as duty always calls. The console versions of this game innovated with their physics-based algorithms that added a new layer of complexity to Spider-Man’s web slinging.
While not the first game to do it, Spider-Man 2 gave players plenty of choices, allowing them to either take on one mission after the other, or swing around the city between them to explore and discover more of Manhattan.
2 Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales
An Amazing Title That Builds On The Franchise’s Mechanics
- Released
- November 12, 2020
- Set roughly a year after Miles completes his training with Peter Parker
- Players can roam New York City freely
A year after completing his training with Peter Parker, Miles Morales is taking on the full responsibilities that wearing his black and red suit entails. Throughout Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales, Miles will have to defend Harlem and the rest of New York City from a violent conflict between a multimillion-dollar energy corporation and a high-tech army.
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Retaining various aspects of the PS4 title, such as the free-roam area of New York and many combat mechanics that make the experience great, Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales offers a very immersive playthrough for fans to enjoy.
1 Marvel’s Spider-Man 2
Arguably The Best Spider-Man Title To Date
Open-World
Action-Adventure
- Released
- October 20, 2023
- Players can explore other areas of New York City besides the outer regions of Manhattan
- The addition of Web Wings makes the gaming experience very interesting
Allowing players to explore different locations of New York City besides the outer part of Manhattan, Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 presents players with a unique experience that is, arguably, the culmination of all the things that have made the Spider-Man gaming universe great since the 90s.
While the web-slinging mechanics were already great in previous titles, the addition of Web Wings that allow both Peter and Miles to travel faster through the city and soar through the sky adds another layer to an already amazing experience. All in all, Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 isn’t only an amazing game in general, but also arguably the most immersive of the lot.
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