Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensions

Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensions is a level-based third-person action-adventure video game, where the player assumes the role of one out of four versions of Spider-Man, spanning across the Amazing, Noir, 2099, and Ultimate universes.[5][6] The gameplay revolves around each Spider-Man's unique superhuman abilities; players are able to web swing, web zip, crawl walls, and use the 'spider-sense' to identify enemies or objects of interest. The combat of the game offers a large variety of fighting moves, and each Spider-Man has his own fighting style. The points necessary for buying upgrades and new fighting moves are earned from defeating enemies or completing various challenges in the "Web of Destiny." The points earned can also be used to purchase 16 alternate costumes (four for each Spider-Man), which don't offer any gameplay advantages and are purely cosmetic.

The game features numerous supervillains, whom the player engages in boss battles, usually twice in a level (some of the villains are created exclusively for the game, such as a 2099 version of Hobgoblin and Doctor Octopus, or a Noir version of Hammerhead). During the second battle, the bosses have a new series of powers, granted by a fragment of the Tablet of Order and Chaos. During specific parts of the boss battles, Shattered Dimensions switches to a first-person perspective, where the player can use the analog sticks (or the Wii Remote and Nunchuk in the Wii version) to control Spider-Man's arms, punching their opponent and dodging their attacks. The punches can also be modified by holding down certain buttons.[7][8]

The gameplay may vary from one Spider-Man to the other. For example, the Spider-Man Noir levels put emphasis on stealth, whereas the Ultimate Spider-Man levels are mostly combat-based, due to this version of Spider-Man being provided with the symbiote black suit by Madame Web to increase his strength. The Spider-Man 2099 levels also feature a bullet time mechanic, allowing players to slow down time and dodge incoming projectiles, and free falling segments.[6][9]

During a confrontation with Mysterio, who attempts to steal the Tablet of Order and Chaos, the Amazing Spider-Man accidentally shatters the tablet into 17 fragments. As Mysterio makes off with one, Spider-Man is approached by Madame Web, who reveals the other fragments have been scattered across his, the Noir, 2099, and Ultimate universes. To restore balance to the multiverse, Madame Web recruits the Spider-Men of each reality - the Amazing Spider-Man, Spider-Man Noir, Spider-Man 2099, and a black-suited Ultimate Spider-Man - to retrieve the fragments from their native universe. After the Spider-Men collect their first fragment with no difficulty, Madame Web warns them that the fragments can grant incredible powers and must not be allowed to fall into the wrong hands.

While acquiring their second fragment, the Spider-Men learn they have already been retrieved by supervillains: Kraven the Hunter in the Amazing universe, who forces Spider-Man to compete for the fragment in a jungle and later uses it to gain superhuman speed and strength; Hammerhead in the Noir universe, who uses the fragment to fuse his guns with his arms in a plot to overthrow his boss, Norman Osborn; Hobgoblin in the 2099 universe, who forces Spider-Man to pursue him and uses the fragment to increase his psy-powers; and Electro in the Ultimate universe, who uses the fragment to grow larger and more powerful as he absorbs energy from a hydro-electric dam. Ultimately, the Spider-Men triumph over the villains and retrieve their fragments, delivering them to Madame Web before leaving to find more.

Each universe represented in Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensions features different villains and a unique art style.

The Amazing Spider-Man finds a fragment at an abandoned Roxxon Industries quarry, but it is stolen by Sandman, who uses it to increase his powers and take over the quarry. Spider-Man Noir pursues the Vulture, Osborn's right-hand man and his Uncle Ben's killer, for a fragment, which has granted the villain teleportation powers. Spider-Man 2099 faces his half-brother, the Scorpion, who has stolen a fragment from the Public Eye Patrol and used it to create numerous offspring. Ultimate Spider-Man competes in Deadpool's reality TV show, Pain Factor, for a fragment, which the latter eventually uses to clone himself. Meanwhile, Mysterio discovers his fragment granted him magic powers, and seeks out the rest. When the Spider-Men return to Madame Web with the fragments they collected, Mysterio attacks them, threatening to kill Madame Web if they do not deliver the remaining pieces.

The Amazing Spider-Man finds his final fragment at a construction yard, but is forced to intervene in the Wild Pack's chase of the Juggernaut after the latter unknowingly picks it up. For his final fragment, Spider-Man Noir faces Osborn, who has used it to become "the Goblin" and taken over a carnival to lure out Spider-Man. Spider-Man 2099 breaks into Alchemax, where he finds his final fragment in the hands of his time period's Doctor Octopus, the head of Alchemax's Shadow Division who plans to use it to power a dangerous reactor. Ultimate Spider-Man visits the Triskelion to collect his final fragment from S.H.I.E.L.D., only to find the base under Carnage's control after S.H.I.E.L.D. scientists fused it with the fragment and it escaped captivity, gaining the ability to resurrect those it kills into its zombie-like minions.

Upon retrieving the final set of fragments, the Spider-Men return to Mysterio, who absorbs the complete tablet after a brief struggle, effectively becoming a god. He shatters the borders between realities, seeking to create a new one under his rule, but this allows Madame Web to summon all four Spider-Men to fight Mysterio. Following Mysterio's defeat, the multiverse is restored to normal while Spider-Man Noir, Spider-Man 2099, and Ultimate Spider-Man return to their native realities, leaving the Amazing Spider-Man to take Mysterio to prison.

In a post-credits scene, Madame Web is visited by Spider-Ham, who had hoped to help save the multiverse as well, but arrived too late.

Each of the different Spider-Men is portrayed by an actor who voiced Spider-Man in a prior animated series:

• Neil Patrick Harris as Peter Parker/The Amazing Spider-Man[1]

The primary, present day traditional version of Spider-Man. After a battle with Mysterio in his home universe, the "Tablet of Order and Chaos" was fragmented and sent to several different alternate dimensions. This version of Spider-Man has to contend with the likes of Kraven the Hunter, the Sandman, and Juggernaut before the final confrontation. Harris previously played Spider-Man in 2003's short-lived Spider-Man: The New Animated Series that spun out of the 2002 film.

• Christopher Daniel Barnes as Peter Parker/Spider-Man Noir[1]

An alternate version of Peter Parker from a dimension referred to as the "Noir Universe". Taking place in 1933, this version of Spider-Man has a darker personality and a more brutal fighting style, with a greater emphasis on stealth. At this time, Spider-Man Noir did not use web-lines in his comic book stories, but Madame Web increases his web control so he can use web-lines in this game. Over the course of his involvement in the story, he is forced to face off against Noir versions of Hammerhead, Vulture, and Norman "the Goblin" Osborn before joining the other Spider-Men to battle Mysterio. Barnes previously acted as Spider-Man in 1994's animated Spider-Man TV series. He would go on to play Spider-Man 2099 in the Shattered Dimensions sequel Spider-Man: Edge of Time.

• Dan Gilvezan as Miguel O'Hara/Spider-Man 2099[1]

A different character who took up the Spider-Man mantle in the future, Miguel O'Hara is forced to contend with the machinations of the evil Alchemax corporation in addition to facing off against future versions of Spider-Man enemies: Hobgoblin, Scorpion, and Doctor Octopus. Though he does not normally have a spider-sense like Peter Parker, Madame Web temporarily gives him a form of it so he can track down the tablet fragments. Gilvezan previously voiced Peter Parker in the 1981 animated series Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends.

• Josh Keaton as Peter Parker/Ultimate Spider-Man[12]

A younger, only slightly altered variation of Peter Parker from a dimension known as the "Ultimate Universe", this version of Spider-Man is fitted with his universe's version of the black symbiote suit that enhances his aggression and pre-existing super strength. Madame Web uses her psychic abilities to keep the suit from overwhelming and corrupting young Peter. In his universe, Ultimate Spider-Man is forced to face off against Electro, Deadpool, and Carnage before joining the final battle. Keaton previously portrayed Spider-Man in the 2008 animated series The Spectacular Spider-Man, as well as other video games like Marvel Super Hero Squad and Marvel vs. Capcom 3: Fate of Two Worlds. He also went on to play the character's traditional version in the Shattered Dimensions sequel Edge of Time. Prior to playing Spider-Man himself, Keaton also voiced Peter's best friend Harry Osborn in various video games (Spider-Man, Spider-Man 2, and Spider-Man: Friend or Foe).

Several actors return to reprise roles from elsewhere in Spider-Man and Marvel Comics media. John DiMaggio (who has also voice The Rhino multiple times) reprises his role as Hammerhead from The Spectacular Spider-Man.[13] Steven Blum (several characters in The Spectacular Spider-Man as well as Wolverine in various media outlets) voices Hobgoblin 2099, Silvermane 2099, and both versions of Vulture. Jim Cummings (Shocker in Spider-Man: The Animated Series) voices Kraven the Hunter, Noir Goblin, Noir Boomerang and Tinkerer. Thomas F. Wilson (Sergeant Stan Carter on The Spectacular Spider-Man) voices both versions of Electro. Nolan North reprises his role as Deadpool from Hulk Vs.[13] Fred Tatasciore reprises his role as Carnage from Spider-Man: Friend or Foe and Marvel: Ultimate Alliance 2.[13] Jennifer Hale reprises her role as Silver Sable from the Ultimate Spider-Man video game and Spider-Man: Friend or Foe while also voicing Noir Calypso. John Kassir (Deadpool in X-Men Legends II: Rise of Apocalypse, Marvel: Ultimate Alliance and Marvel: Ultimate Alliance 2) voices Scorpion and a couple of Deadpool's fanboys. Tara Strong (Christina in Spider-Man: The New Animated Series) voices Doctor Octopus 2099. James Arnold Taylor (Spider-Man in Spider-Man: Friend or Foe and Spider-Man: Battle for New York, Mysterio in Spider-Man 2, and Electro in Ultimate Spider-Man) voices different miscellaneous thugs and henchmen throughout the game.[14] Other cast members include David Kaye as Mysterio, Dimitri Diatchenko as Sandman, Matt Willig as Juggernaut, Susanne Blakeslee as Madame Web, and Kevin Umbricht as Spider-Ham.[13] Additionally, Spider-Man co-creator Stan Lee narrates the game's story.[1] Jamie Thomson served as voice director, having previously directed The Spectacular Spider-Man.[15] Jim Dooley composed the game's orchestral score.[1]

Beenox developed several alternate costumes for the game, including Manga Spider-Man (above). This marks the first appearance of the Manga costume in a video game.

Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensions was unveiled on March 30, 2010, where two of the universes, Amazing and Noir, were revealed.[16] The third universe, 2099, was revealed on June 8.[17] The final universe, Ultimate, was first shown to players at San Diego Comic-Con 2010.[18] Beenox made each universe feel unique by creating an individual art style for each universe and giving each Spider-Man different gameplay mechanics.[18] For example, the Amazing and Ultimate universes are rendered with bright colors and tones of cel shading, with the Amazing universe given a traditional comic feel based on those of 1960s classic comic book art styles, while the Ultimate universe was meant to evoke more modern comics from the early 2000s. In contrast, the Noir and 2099 universes are rendered with realistic graphics, with the 2099 universe given a futuristic feel while the Noir universe was given a "very dark, very gritty"[19] appearance. The developers also worked closely with Marvel Comics to create new versions of characters not seen before in a particular universe, such as Hobgoblin 2099, Hammerhead Noir, and Doctor Octopus 2099.[18] The story for the game was written by Amazing Spider-Man writer Dan Slott[16] and later provided him with an inspiration for the Spider-Verse comic book crossover event, which saw dozens of Spider-Men from alternate realities teaming up.

Several pre-order bonuses were offered for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 versions prior to release. Players who pre-ordered at GameStop received a Cosmic Spider-Man pack, which provided a Cosmic Spider-Man outfit for each Spider-Man.[20] It was later included as a free bonus on the PC version, along with some minor fixes, which were not patched on the console versions. The Cosmic Spider-Man pack was later publicly released as downloadable content for the Xbox 360 on October 28,[21] and for the PlayStation 3 on November 2, 2010.[22][23] Pre-orders via Amazon.com included early access to Spider-Man 2099's Iron Spider costume and a book containing concept art for the game.[24] Kmart pre-orders offered early access to Amazing Spider-Man's Scarlet Spider costume, while Best Buy included early access to the Negative Zone costume for Spider-Man Noir.[25] Wal-Mart offered a 20-page comic book for online pre-orders of the game.[26] All the three costumes can otherwise be unlocked with cheat codes on copies of the non-DS versions of the game.[27]

Shattered Dimensions was de-listed from the PlayStation Network and Xbox Live marketplaces in 2014 following the expiration of Activision's existing licensing deal with Marvel. The game was re-released via Steam on October 24, 2015, but was later removed on April 1, 2017.[28]

The game received mostly positive reviews from critics. Metacritic gave it a score of 73 out of 100 for the DS version;[29] 74 out of 100 for the PlayStation 3 version;[30] 76 out of 100 for the Xbox 360 version;[32] 75 out of 100 for the Wii version;[31] and 68 out of 100 for the PC version.[33]

IGN gave the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 versions eight out of ten and said, "Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensions has a lot of great things going for it",[44] but scored the Wii version half a point lower despite being nearly identical to these two versions due to that version lacking a button to center the camera.[46] Game Informer awarded it 8.5 out of 10 and said it "delivers a non-stop action ride with something new around every corner".[36] GamesRadar gave it three-and-a-half stars out of five and said "Shattered Dimensions is a good game, but it fell short of an Ultimate Marvel Team-Up".[53] GamePro gave the Xbox 360 version four and a half out of five stars and said, "thankfully, [Spider-Man's] latest adventure, Shattered Dimensions, is one of his best yet, offering four unique worlds, classic Spidey action, and an engaging story that puts it near the top of the franchise both in terms of quality and impact".[37] X-Play gave the game four stars out of five and said it "streamlines the usual trappings of the genre to focus on combat and personality. It's true that the linear gameplay and old-school combat sensibilities don't put it on par with Arkham Asylum, but the game succeeds regardless. It's fun, fast-paced, and long enough to make it well worth checking out".[54] 1UP.com gave it a B and stated, "the change in combat options is a welcome addition, I just wish that the story had delivered on the comic legacy of one of Marvel's more enduring heroes".[55]

Non video-game publications gave some strong praise for the game. The A.V. Club gave the Xbox 360 version a B+ and stated: "Filled with countless remember-when moments—as in Remember when you outran that wave of sand?— Shattered Dimensions is less literary and artful than Batman: Arkham Asylum, but it's far more fun".[51] The Daily Telegraph gave it seven out of ten and stated, "the combat, and it's worth noting that this makes up the majority of the game, is superb. It's not particularly deep nor clever, but it's immensely rewarding, as too are the scripted first person sections which exist purely to, yes, let you punch things in the face".[56] However, The Escapist gave the Xbox 360 version three stars out of five and said, "creative set-pieces and an awesome concept can only hide a repetitious game structure for so long - and the stealth sections that mix it up are just frustrating".[52]

The Nintendo DS version of the game drew mixed reviews. IGN and Digital Chumps praised the visuals. IGN felt the visuals stayed true to the comics, while Digital Chumps praised the smooth and detailed animations.[45][57] Reviewers felt that overall the 2.5D Metroid-style gameplay was enjoyable, and fit the DS well.[45][57][58] Sounds and voice acting were also praised.[45][57] Some reviewers felt the game was too short, and that not enough emphasis was put on exploring the open world.[45][58]

The premise of a crossover between different versions of Spider-Man that was used in Shattered Dimensions later became the inspiration for the 2014 comic book storyline Spider-Verse (the main story of which was also scripted by Dan Slott), which would go on to become one of the most popular and media adapted Spider-Man story-arcs, including a 2018 animated film titled Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse.[59] Despite none of it being adapted from the game, all four playable Spider-Men (Amazing Spider-Man, Spider-Man Noir, Spider-Man 2099, and Ultimate Spider-Man), as well as Spider-Ham, appear, in varying capacities.

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