Spider-Man: Edge of Time switches between each of the Spider-Men as they attempt to make specific changes to each of their respective times. Each Spider-Man has a different set of controls and abilities, which can be upgraded as the game progressed by accumulation of experience points. Amazing Spider-Man (Peter Parker) has a hyper-sense (why they don’t call it Spider-Sense I don’t quite understand), which will allow him to avoid danger and continue attacking a desired target, while Spider-Man 2099 (Miguel O’Hara) has a decoy that will send attackers off course. While the upgrades do exist, they really do not do much to the overall gameplay. The majority of the game requires little skill as you face off against mindless and extremely repetitive threats. The most challenging and fun sections of the game while you play as Spider-Man 2099, falling and gliding down through falling elevator shafts and avoiding debris. I also really enjoyed the “cause and effect” concept and how it played out during the levels, since specific changes in the past made life for Spidey 2099 more challenging. Unfortunately, in term of levels, there are limited “bosses” to fight throughout the game, as most of the threats are drones that just become more annoying that threatening. Sure, you have to face off against Anti-Venom (Steven Blum of Wolverine and The X-Men), and Blackcat 2099 (voiced by Katee Sackhoff from Battlestar Galactica), but even that gameplay quickly becomes tiresome (Blackcat’s fight gets old very quickly). 

 

The Spider-Man: Edge of Time story itself was written by “Spider-Man 2099” co-creator Peter David, and the quality of the story itself is handled in a fun and exciting way. While the gameplay itself isn’t quite the best, the story managed to hold my interest the entire way. Josh Keaton does an outstanding job as Peter Parker, and it was fun to see his take on a more experienced Spider-Man. Christopher Daniel Barnes also excels as the Spider-Man of 2099, adding a lot of life and drama to the hero of the future. Steve Blum isn’t given a lot to do as Anti-Venom, but he takes what he is given and demonstrates a clear comprehension of Eddie Brock’s determination and frustration. So what didn’t quite work for this adventure? Katee Sackhoff as Blackcat was not a fun part to deal with. This Blackcat was just truly annoying and I really wish that they had given Katee a better part. Val Kilmer’s Sloan is the overall mastermind behind the changes, but the character plays a limited role as far as interaction throughout the game. Honestly, it really wouldn’t have mattered who they cast in the role of Sloan, as Kilmer seemed to phone this one in. 

 

The visuals and imagery from Spider-Man: Edge of Time are quite impressive and make this game worth playing. A lot of work went into establishing the various times that you experience throughout the game, and that detail is quite noticeable. The added details given to the costumes of each Spider-Man is also impressive (I especially loved the upgraded design to 2099, giving it a technology enhanced, futuristic look).

 

While the gameplay is repetitive, I feel that the game is worth your time, specifically for the story and stellar voice acting of Josh and Chris. I would love to see more Spider-Man games (or series) featuring these two actors together, as it felt like old times hearing them voicing Spidey. I hope that future installments from Beenox will do away with the numerous threats from nameless drones and pull from the extensive library of Spider-Man foes. 

 

ComicsOnline gives Spider-Man: Edge of Time – 3 out of 5 time paradoxes.