Believe it or not, the version of Web of Shadows that plays on your TV is - on average - scoring lower than the DS version. That’s not to say WoS is completely terrible. On the contrary; reviews are pointing to Spidey’s latest Bronx romp as his best game since the fantabulous Spider-Man 2. But the series has grown stale. Without a movie to tie-in (at least for another few years), your friendly neighborhood freak is certainly overexposed.

Above: When did Spider-Man turn into Crash Bandicoot?

On the other hand, WoS on the DS has enjoyed a bit of critical praise due to the game’s Metroidvania-esque gameplay. Meaning, the game is similar to a side-scrolling action adventure wherein you collect power-ups that enable you access to other sections of the open world.

Above: Spidey Belmont in da house

However, we should point out that while the DS version is scoring higher, that doesn’t necessarily mean the game’s better on the DS. It just means that scored against other DS games, Web of Shadows is pretty good. The game just happens to be averaging higher than the next-gen systems.

How can an eight-year-old game ported to match the very functionality of the Wii disappoint so much? Samba de Amigo for the arcades and Dreamcast was a delightful romp through rhythm-based gameplay. The DC hit came packaged with its own maracas for you to raise and lower your hands in unison to. The Wii version obviously needed no pack-in peripherals - although that hasn’t stopped Nintendo from releasing so many - yet the game fails in replicating the simplest tasks (movement).

Above: Remember a simpler time when things worked?

See the Wii has this built-in accelerometer that enables the machine to read your arm placement and flicks of the wrist when holding the Wiimote and Nunchuk. However, at higher difficulties, Samba de Amigo doesn’t register your fast-paced flailing, which in turn causes the game to fail you. Even if you move gently, the Wii senses nothing. Thanks! Wii: the system invented specifically for movement, yet registers none.

Above: Who gives a shit?

Not only that, but even with out-of-date rhythm gameplay, Sega tried to add a little some minigames to the mix, all of which are derivative and lame. No online play either. Great.

Hear more about this article in TalkRadar.

Jan 12, 2009