
	Platform Xbox 360, PC, PS3, Wii (3DS, DS, PSP) Genre Action Publisher Activision Developer Beenox ETA Q4 2011

Review: Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensions (360) Review: The Incredible Hulk: Ultimate Destruction (XB) Review: Freedom Force (PC)
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Spider-Man: Edge of Time

The strongest aspect of last year's Spider-Man: Shattered Dimension was that it took a more linear approach to the design. Rather than a wide-open but empty and non-interactive environments which often meant meandering looking for something interesting to do, developer Beenox directed the experience. There was still

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webslinging and some light exploration (depending on the level) but it wasn't the principle focus and that allowed Beenox to tell a better story and hone the combat.

With the upcoming Spider-Man: Edge of Time, Beenox appears to be focusing design even further. Rather than the four different Spider-Man eras of Shattered Dimenisions, Edge of Time will focus

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on two: Amazing Spider-Man and the futuristic Spider-Man 2099.

It looks like players will shift back and forth "to correct a timestream gone awry and prevent a catastrophic future brought on by the early and untimely death of Peter Parker."

Beenox is working with Spider-Man 2099 co-creator Peter David. David's work includes a long list of comics going back to Spectacular Spider Man #103 from 1985. He also had a great run on the Hulk series. so, there's some considerable credibility when it comes to an authentic Spider-Man tale.

While I'm not hopeful that it will reach Day of the Tentacle levels, one of the early features being touted by Edge of Time is "cause and effect" gameplay "where players will see how the immediate and sometimes unexpected effects of their actions as one Spider-Man changes the timeline of the other Spider-Man." Does that mean that only the actions of Amazing Spider-Man will have affects on Spider-Man 2099? Or do they have access to a time toilet that will be useful in transferring information back and forth through time?

Spider-Man: Edge of Reality is schedule for a Q4 2011 release, so I'm very hopeful that those questions and more will be answered at the upcoming E3.

- Aaron Simmer

(April 5, 2011)