Spider-Man Games With The Best Symbiote Gameplay

Key Takeaways

Symbiotes have become a huge part of the Spider-Man universe across comics, games, films, and shows since their debut in 1984.
Some Spider-Man games, like the iconic Spider-Man for PS1, have incorporated fun and impactful symbiote gameplay experiences.
Games like Ultimate Spider-Man and Spider-Man: Web of Shadows offer players the chance to play as Venom with unique combat styles and story elements.

As a longtime Spidey fan who’s spent countless hours swinging through New York City’s concrete jungle, I can confidently say that these two games, *Spider-Man: Web of Shadows* and *Marvel’s Spider-Man 2*, have truly captured the essence of what it means to wear the symbiote suit.

As a passionate fan, I can’t help but marvel at the enduring presence of symbiotes in the realm of Spider-Man comics, a legacy that dates back to their debut in “The Amazing Spider-Man #252” way back in 1984. Initially introduced as the reason behind his black costume during the epic “Secret Wars” miniseries, these fascinating entities have since grown to become an integral part of the Spidey mythos. They’ve shared the stage with him in countless comics, animated series, movies, and video games, enriching the Spider-Man narrative in ways that continue to captivate fans like me.

Many outstanding Spider-Man video games have integrated the enigmatic symbiotes, either playing a pivotal role in the storyline or influencing the overall game dynamics. For example, in the classic Spider-Man for PS1, symbiotes were a significant plot element. In other games, they’ve appeared as a special suit for Spider-Man or as playable characters like Venom. We’ve compiled a list of the best Spider-Man games that showcase engaging symbiote gameplay, considering both how unique and enjoyable the symbiote aspects are, and their overall impact on the game. We’ve excluded games where symbiote gameplay is indistinguishable from regular Spider-Man gameplay, as well as Marvel games primarily focused on characters other than Spider-Man.

5 Spider-Man: Friend Or Foe

Simple But Fun Venom Gameplay

Spider-Man Games With The Best Symbiote Gameplay

The game titled “Spider-Man: Friend or Foe” was created as a standalone spin-off from the Sam Raimi films and their associated trilogy of games. In this action-packed game, players control Spider-Man to vanquish the villains from those movies, who later become part of the playable roster. For instance, after defeating Venom, one of Spider-Man’s most iconic adversaries, players can command him. It’s important to note that Venom is not just a larger version of Spider-Man; he handles quite differently in gameplay.

In comparison to the standard Spider-Man, Venom boasts abilities heavily centered around brute force. The regular Spider-Man, on the other hand, is an acrobatic combatant. His physical attacks are slower but pack a punch, while he can use his symbiote limbs to attack multiple enemies simultaneously. The game, “Spider-Man: Friend or Foe,” was intended for cooperative play, and it’s evident that Venom’s fighting style was created to work alongside Spider-Man’s. However, the game’s combat system is straightforward, and aside from Venom’s moveset, it doesn’t delve deeply into other symbiote aspects. Playing as Venom is always enjoyable, but there isn’t much complexity in the gameplay.

4 Spider-Man 3

The Best Thing About A Mediocre Game

In comparison to other Spider-Man films, Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man 3 fell short of greatness. Consequently, it’s not surprising that its video game version also didn’t shine as brightly. Following the exceptional gameplay of Spider-Man 2, this game was quite a disappointment. However, it did have one redeeming quality: the symbiote gameplay was rather enjoyable. Throughout the game’s narrative, the player eventually obtains the black symbiote suit, which significantly changes Spider-Man’s abilities and fighting style.

In essence, each console version featured slight differences, but overall, the symbiote suit enhanced Spidey’s power and speed, boosted his web attacks, and improved melee combat combos. The black suit, in particular, highlighted its aggressive and powerful nature during gameplay. However, this suit had a catch: the more it was used, the faster the player’s ‘rage meter’ filled up. If the player let it reach max, they faced an immediate Game Over. This feature added an exciting risk/reward dynamic to the symbiote gameplay, mirroring its negative aspects as portrayed in the movie. In summary, the symbiote gameplay was a standout feature in an otherwise average game, earning a low rating.

3 Ultimate Spider-Man

Unleashing Venom

The game titled “Ultimate Spider-Man” was a favorite among fans of the comic series due to its cel-shaded art style that mirrored the books and intense combat scenes. Compared to other Marvel games that feature Venom, “Ultimate Spider-Man” stands out as one of the best. The unique aspect of this game is that players had the option to play the story as either Spider-Man or Venom, with their choice significantly impacting their gameplay experience.

In this game, playing as Venom showcases his immense power and delight in wreaking havoc. His physical attacks are more powerful, and he can use his tendrils to grab and hurl opponents. Instead of web-slinging like Spider-Man, Venom prefers superhuman jumps for movement. To keep himself alive, Venom needs to consume people and objects regularly, which is fitting given symbiotes’ parasitic nature. While many games have slightly varied Venom movesets, Ultimate Spider-Man made Venom feel like a unique character. No matter which story mode was chosen, the game concluded with an epic showdown between Spider-Man and Venom that highlighted their distinct fighting styles. The game didn’t incorporate any other symbiote gameplay elements, earning it a moderate rating.

2 Spider-Man: Web Of Shadows

Shaping Spider-Man

In the game “Spider-Man: Web of Shadows,” the symbiote mode shares some resemblances with the portrayal in “Spider-Man 3.” Players have the liberty to toggle between the traditional Spider-Man suit and the symbiote suit on demand, altering the gameplay dynamics as they please. Similar to other games, the symbiote suit enhances Spider-Man’s physical prowess, augmenting his strength, speed, and web-based attacks. The symbiote mode promotes a more aggressive playstyle, offering tendril attacks capable of defeating multiple enemies or objects simultaneously.

Spider-Man: Web of Shadows truly outshines its predecessors, boasting one of the finest combat systems in Spider-Man video games. Each suit offered distinctive abilities, and the symbiote suit was particularly engaging, encouraging players to utilize it even during heroic gameplay. What sets Web of Shadows apart is the role of the symbiote in the story. Players are presented with red (heroic) and black (evil) choices that significantly influence the narrative’s outcome. Should a player fully succumb to the symbiote, Peter could transform into a full-blown villain. Web of Shadows deserves recognition as it delivers an exceptional experience.

1 Marvel’s Spider-Man 2

Best All-Rounder

It wasn’t easy picking between Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 and Web of Shadows for top place. In the end, it’s Spider-Man 2 because it’s arguably the best all-rounder. But it was close. The game’s symbiote gameplay isn’t particularly different from those that came before it. During the story, Peter is infected with the symbiote, gaining the iconic black suit. It significantly alters his combat style, leading to a more aggressive and brutal fighting style. Using the symbiote allows Spidey to use devastating tendril attacks that target multiple enemies, making crowd control much easier.

Among all the games, Spider-Man 2 stands out due to its captivating portrayal of what it’s like to wield the symbiote suit, making the experience incredibly immersive. The game is visually stunning and the black suit’s moves are truly bone-jarring. The developers have done an impressive job of conveying the immense power that comes with the symbiote suit. Moreover, the storyline delves deeply into the psychological impact of the symbiote on Peter, a character usually known for his lovable nature. Interestingly, this exploration leads to one of the game’s most thrilling battles, where Miles must fight an irrational Peter infected by the symbiote. Although it doesn’t offer the narrative choices found in Web of Shadows, Spider-Man 2 still delivers a compelling story centered around the symbiote and provides the most enjoyable gameplay with symbiote abilities.

2024-08-23 05:04