Skip to main content
Join The Community
- Join our community
Commenting
Join the discussion
Exclusive Articles Coming Soon
Member-only articles
Weekly Newsletters
Weekly gaming & entertainment news
Member Badges
Earn badges as you go
Exclusive Competitions
Members-only prize draws
Curated Deals Coming Soon
Tech and gaming deals worth grabbing
GET COMMUNITY ACCESS QUICK
For the quickest way to join, simply enter your email below and get access. We will send a confirmation and sign you up to our newsletter to keep you updated on all your gaming news.
By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.
FIND OUT ABOUT OUR MAGAZINE
Want to subscribe to the magazine? Click the button below to find out more information.
Find out more
GET Community ACCESS QUICK

Join the GamesRadar community for quick access. Enter your email below and we'll send confirmation, and sign you up to our newsletter.

By submitting your information, you confirm you are aged 16 or over, have read our Privacy Policy and agree to the Terms & Conditions. Geographical rules apply.

Background
Welcome to GamesRADAR+ Community !
Hi ,

Your membership journey starts here.

Keep exploring and earning more as a member.

MY ACCOUNT

Badge picture
Earn your first badge
Read 1 article to unlock your first badge.
Keep earning badges
Explore ways to get more involved as a member.
Latest Games News

Latest Games News

Breaking gaming news and updates

Read Now
Latest Games Reviews

Latest Games Reviews

Expert verdicts on the newest releases

Read Now

See what you’ve unlocked.

Explore your membership benefits.

Explore
Member Exclusives

Stay Ahead with GamesRadar+

Get the biggest gaming news, reviews, and releases straight to your inbox.

Explore

Sign Out
GamesRadar+ GamesRadar+
US EditionUS CA EditionCanada UK EditionUK AU EditionAustralia
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Games
    • Game Insights
      • Games News
      • Games Features
      • Games Reviews
      • Games Guides
      • Big in 2026
      • Big Preview
      • Future Games Show
      • Golden Joystick Awards
    • Genres
      • Action Games
      • RPGs
      • Action RPGs
      • Adventure Games
      • Third Person Shooters
      • FPS Games
    • Platforms
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X
      • PC
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Nintendo Switch 2
      • Tabletop Gaming
    • Franchises
      • Grand Theft Auto
      • Pokemon
      • Assassin's Creed
      • Monster Hunter
      • Fortnite
      • Cyberpunk
      • Red Dead
      • The Elder Scrolls
      • The Sims
  • Entertainment
    • TV Shows
      • TV News
      • TV Reviews
      • Anime Shows
      • Sci-Fi Shows
      • Superhero Shows
      • Animated Shows
      • Marvel TV Shows
      • Star Wars TV Shows
      • DC TV Shows
    • Movies
      • Movie News
      • Movie Reviews
      • Big Screen Spotlight
      • Superhero Movies
      • Action Movies
      • Anime Movies
      • Sci-Fi Movies
      • Horror Movies
      • Marvel Movies
      • DC Movies
    • Streaming
      • Apple TV Plus
      • Disney Plus
      • Netflix
      • HBO
      • Amazon Prime Video
      • Hulu
    • Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • DC Comics
  • Hardware
    • Insights
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
      • Buying Guides
    • Computing
      • Desktop PCs
      • Laptops
      • Handhelds
    • Peripherals
      • Headsets & Headphones
      • TVs & Monitors
      • Gaming Mice
      • Gaming Keyboards
      • Gaming Chairs
      • Speakers & Audio
    • Accessories & Tech
      • Gaming Controllers
      • Tech
      • SSDs & Hard Drives
      • VR
      • Accessories
      • Retro
  • Deals
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Video
    • Videos
    • GR+ Replay - Submit Your Clips
    • G+RLS Podcast
  • Newsletters
    • Quizzes
    • About Us
    • How to pitch to us
    • How we score
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
  • Home
  • Games
    • View Games
      • Games News
      • Games Features
      • Games Reviews
      • Games Guides
      • Big in 2026
      • Big Preview
      • Future Games Show
      • Golden Joystick Awards
      • Action Games
      • RPGs
      • Action RPGs
      • Adventure Games
      • Third Person Shooters
      • FPS Games
    • Platforms
      • View Platforms
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X
      • PC
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Nintendo Switch 2
      • Tabletop Gaming
      • Grand Theft Auto
      • Pokemon
      • Assassin's Creed
      • Monster Hunter
      • Fortnite
      • Cyberpunk
      • Red Dead
      • The Elder Scrolls
      • The Sims
  • Entertainment
    • View Entertainment
    • TV Shows
      • View TV Shows
      • TV News
      • TV Reviews
      • Anime Shows
      • Sci-Fi Shows
      • Superhero Shows
      • Animated Shows
      • Marvel TV Shows
      • Star Wars TV Shows
      • DC TV Shows
    • Movies
      • View Movies
      • Movie News
      • Movie Reviews
      • Big Screen Spotlight
      • Superhero Movies
      • Action Movies
      • Anime Movies
      • Sci-Fi Movies
      • Horror Movies
      • Marvel Movies
      • DC Movies
    • Streaming
      • View Streaming
      • Apple TV Plus
      • Disney Plus
      • Netflix
      • HBO
      • Amazon Prime Video
      • Hulu
    • Comics
      • View Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • DC Comics
  • Hardware
    • View Hardware
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
      • Buying Guides
      • Desktop PCs
      • Laptops
      • Handhelds
    • Peripherals
      • View Peripherals
      • Headsets & Headphones
      • TVs & Monitors
      • Gaming Mice
      • Gaming Keyboards
      • Gaming Chairs
      • Speakers & Audio
      • Gaming Controllers
      • Tech
      • SSDs & Hard Drives
      • VR
      • Accessories
      • Retro
  • Deals
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Video
    • View Video
    • Videos
    • GR+ Replay - Submit Your Clips
    • G+RLS Podcast
  • Newsletters
    • Quizzes
    • About Us
    • How to pitch to us
    • How we score
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
Trending
  • Golden Joystick Awards 2026
  • Join our monthly RPG Club
  • G+RLS Podcast
  • Game of the Week
  • Countdown to GTA 6
  • RPG Hub
  • Submit your clips. Win prizes
  • Best gaming tech
Sign up to the GamesRadar+ Newsletter

Weekly digests, tales from the communities you love, and more


By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

You are now subscribed

Your newsletter sign-up was successful


Want to add more newsletters?

GamesRadar+

Every Friday

GamesRadar+

Your weekly update on everything you could ever want to know about the games you already love, games we know you're going to love in the near future, and tales from the communities that surround them.

GTA 6 O'clock

Every Thursday

GTA 6 O'clock

Our special GTA 6 newsletter, with breaking news, insider info, and rumor analysis from the award-winning GTA 6 O'clock experts.

Knowledge

Every Friday

Knowledge

From the creators of Edge: A weekly videogame industry newsletter with analysis from expert writers, guidance from professionals, and insight into what's on the horizon.

The Setup

Every Thursday

The Setup

Hardware nerds unite, sign up to our free tech newsletter for a weekly digest of the hottest new tech, the latest gadgets on the test bench, and much more.

Switch 2 Spotlight

Every Wednesday

Switch 2 Spotlight

Sign up to our new Switch 2 newsletter, where we bring you the latest talking points on Nintendo's new console each week, bring you up to date on the news, and recommend what games to play.

The Watchlist

Every Saturday

The Watchlist

Subscribe for a weekly digest of the movie and TV news that matters, direct to your inbox. From first-look trailers, interviews, reviews and explainers, we've got you covered.

SFX

Once a month

SFX

Get sneak previews, exclusive competitions and details of special events each month!


Join the club

Get full access to premium articles, exclusive features and a growing list of member rewards.


An account already exists for this email address, please log in.
  1. Games
  2. Action

Comic games that got it right

Features
By Brett Elston
Published 30 July 2007

We call out the five most authentic hero games out there

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

  • Facebook
  • X
  • Pinterest
  • Flipboard
  • Email
Share this article
Join the conversation
Follow us
Add us as a preferred source on Google
Subscribe to our newsletter

Spider-Man 2 brought the Grand Theft Auto-style cityscape and open-ended missions to Spidey's gaming career, but it was 2005's Ultimate Spider-Man that finally married the open-ended city with a comic book-style presentation.

The game emits a constant sense of fun, from the bright colors to the thick black lines etched over everything on the horizon. Most of Manhattan Island has been recreated, including the Empire State Building and neighboring Queens. Spidey's sticky powers let you explore every nook and cranny, making the whole city a massive jungle gym filled with secret goodies. Freely swinging through the city, from rooftops to bridges to street level, is an experience that until this point was limited to comic books. Spidey's acrobatic fighting style also receives a first-class representation, letting you flip-kick and web-toss enemies all over the place. This unconventional method of battle is one of Spider-Man's most notable features in the comics, and it's handled with great care. Spider-Man 3 may have more options when it comes to beating down thugs, but well, everything else is pretty bad.

On top of all the proven gameplay, it's the comic-style presentation that brings everything together. The narrative is told through animated panels that whirl across the screen as characters leap from page to page. The game's plot is also considered canon with the comics, so this isn't just some throwaway script, it's part of the ongoing continuity that's been building in the Ultimate comics since 2000. Tons of cameos and unlockable costumes make the ride even sweeter for major fans.

Latest Videos FromGamesRadar+
Watch full video here:

At certain points, you'll switch roles and play as Venom, a complete contrast to the bouncy hero in every way. Venom's immense size prevents him from web swinging, so instead he takes massive leaps, hurls cars and sucks the life out of unlucky civilians. The bad guys have all the fun.

On top of all the proven gameplay, it's the comic-style presentation that brings everything together. The narrative is told through animated panels that whirl across the screen as characters leap from page to page. The game's plot is also considered canon with the comics, so this isn't just some throwaway script, it's part of the ongoing continuity that's been building in the Ultimate comics since 2000. Tons of cameos and unlockable costumes make the ride even sweeter for major fans.

At certain points, you'll switch roles and play as Venom, a complete contrast to the bouncy hero in every way. Venom's immense size prevents him from web swinging, so instead he takes massive leaps, hurls cars and sucks the life out of unlucky civilians. The bad guys have all the fun.

The game emits a constant sense of fun, from the bright colors to the thick black lines etched over everything on the horizon. Most of Manhattan Island has been recreated, including the Empire State Building and neighboring Queens. Spidey's sticky powers let you explore every nook and cranny, making the whole city a massive jungle gym filled with secret goodies. Freely swinging through the city, from rooftops to bridges to street level, is an experience that until this point was limited to comic books. Spidey's acrobatic fighting style also receives a first-class representation, letting you flip-kick and web-toss enemies all over the place. This unconventional method of battle is one of Spider-Man's most notable features in the comics, and it's handled with great care. Spider-Man 3 may have more options when it comes to beating down thugs, but well, everything else is pretty bad.

Sign up to the GamesRadar+ Newsletter

Weekly digests, tales from the communities you love, and more

By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

On top of all the proven gameplay, it's the comic-style presentation that brings everything together. The narrative is told through animated panels that whirl across the screen as characters leap from page to page. The game's plot is also considered canon with the comics, so this isn't just some throwaway script, it's part of the ongoing continuity that's been building in the Ultimate comics since 2000. Tons of cameos and unlockable costumes make the ride even sweeter for major fans.

At certain points, you'll switch roles and play as Venom, a complete contrast to the bouncy hero in every way. Venom's immense size prevents him from web swinging, so instead he takes massive leaps, hurls cars and sucks the life out of unlucky civilians. The bad guys have all the fun.

On top of all the proven gameplay, it's the comic-style presentation that brings everything together. The narrative is told through animated panels that whirl across the screen as characters leap from page to page. The game's plot is also considered canon with the comics, so this isn't just some throwaway script, it's part of the ongoing continuity that's been building in the Ultimate comics since 2000. Tons of cameos and unlockable costumes make the ride even sweeter for major fans.

At certain points, you'll switch roles and play as Venom, a complete contrast to the bouncy hero in every way. Venom's immense size prevents him from web swinging, so instead he takes massive leaps, hurls cars and sucks the life out of unlucky civilians. The bad guys have all the fun.

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 6

Current page: Page 2

Prev Page Page 1 Next Page Page 3
CATEGORIES
PC Gaming PlayStation Xbox Platforms
PRODUCTS
The Punisher (game) X-Men Legends II: Rise of Apocalypse Ultimate Spider-Man Incredible Hulk: Ultimate Destruction The Darkness
Brett Elston
Brett Elston

A fomer Executive Editor at GamesRadar, Brett also contributed content to many other Future gaming publications including Nintendo Power, PC Gamer and Official Xbox Magazine. Brett has worked at Capcom in several senior roles, is an experienced podcaster, and now works as a Senior Manager of Content Communications at PlayStation SIE. 

Latest in Action
GTA 6
Grand Theft Auto Rockstar reportedly reminded GTA 6's voice cast they're still under NDA
 
 
Hooded Horse
Grand Theft Auto Manor Lords publisher isn't worried about launching a game on GTA 6's release date
 
 
Logan's Future skin glows in Marvel's Wolverine as he looks at screens next to Mystique
Action Games Marvel's Wolverine finally lets you turn off overbearing Scent Trails for side content
 
 
Ace Combat 8
Action Games Ace Combat 8 is one of the best-rated games of the year and a close second within the series
 
 
GTA 6
Grand Theft Auto GTA 6 on Nintendo Switch 2 "doesn't make sense" says former Rockstar dev
 
 
GTA 6 Lucia
Grand Theft Auto GTA 6 scalpers try to resell Rockstar's $400 Collector's Box for $1,500, but it's still in stock
 
 
Latest in Features
Tony Stark in Avengers: Endgame
Marvel Movies Avengers: Endgame may be the only Marvel movie you need to rewatch before Doomsday, and here's why
 
 
The Blood of Dawnwalker main character Coen looking up after just feeding, with his mouth full of blood and sharp teeth
RPGs I'm too stubborn to wait for The Blood of Dawnwalker devs to fix a gamebreaking bug
 
 
Painted key art by Alex Horley for World of Warcraft, cropped for a header image, depicting the Alliance faction looking out across forests and mountains
World of Warcraft World of Warcraft: Forever gives old school fans nearly everything they could want
 
 
Austin Abrams as Bryan in Resident Evil
Horror Movies Resident Evil is the most successful video game movie yet, and should be the template for game adaptations going forward
 
 
The Blood of Dawnwalker main character Coen looking up after just feeding, with his mouth full of blood and sharp teeth
Action RPGs I fumbled my Blood of Dawnwalker playthrough by losing one ally and accidentally sending another to hell
 
 
A crop of Simon looking at his CRTV among protest signs in St Amelia in Silent Hill Townfall
Silent Hill Horror game hiding is my nightmare, but Silent Hill Townfall's CRTV vision gives me the confidence to fight back
 
 
LATEST ARTICLES
  1. GTA 6
    1
    Rockstar reportedly reminded GTA 6's voice cast they're still under NDA after actor Stephen Root let slip he's in the game
  2. 2
    Final Fantasy 7 Revelation lead says the original 1997 RPG "is very much enshrined within the story," but newcomers can still jump in with the Remake trilogy
  3. 3
    Manor Lords publisher isn't worried about launching a game on GTA 6's release date - PC players "looking to steal cars" might check out its new management sim instead
  4. 4
    Marvel's Wolverine finally lets you turn off overbearing Scent Trails for side content, but "story-critical senses will still appear in the world"
  5. 5
    I'm too stubborn to wait for The Blood of Dawnwalker devs to fix a gamebreaking bug, so I did the same boss fight 13 times in a row

GamesRadar+ is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

Add as a preferred source on Google Add as a preferred source on Google
  • About us
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Terms and conditions
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Advertise with us
  • Review guidelines
  • Write for us
  • Accessibility statement
  • Careers

© Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...