Is Spider-Man for PS4 Still Worth Playing in 2024? An In-Depth Look
As an avid gamer and content creator focused on the world of gaming, one question I get asked a lot is whether Spider-Man on PS4 is still worth playing in 2024, even after it first launched back in 2018. My unequivocal answer is a resounding yes!
Even years later, Spider-Man remains one of the most visually impressive, engaging and downright fun superhero games ever made. For any gamer who hasn‘t experienced the thrill of web-slinging through the concrete jungle of New York City as your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man, it‘s an absolute must-play.
Let‘s dive into the details on why Spider-Man on PS4 should still be on your radar!
Still One of the Highest Rated Superhero Games
Don‘t just take my word for it – Spider-Man earned widespread critical acclaim at launch for expertly capturing the essence of being Spider-Man. It has a stellar Metacritic score of 87 based on 118 critic reviews. To put that in perspective, that puts Spider-Man ahead of acclaimed hits like God of War (94) and Uncharted 4 (93).
Beyond just review scores, Spider-Man has been heaped with praise and awards from reputable gaming outlets and events:
- Winner of over 175 Game of the Year awards
- DICE Awards Winner for Outstanding Achievement in Animation
- Develop: Star Award for Best Game Design
- BAFTA Winner for Best Performer (Yuri Lowenthal as Peter Parker/Spider-Man)
It has also sold over 20 million copies worldwide across PS4 and PS5 as of November 2022, making it one of Sony‘s top first-party titles.
Clearly, both critics and gamers see Spider-Man as more than just a good superhero game – it‘s one of the most remarkable titles in all of gaming.
Web-Swinging That Has Yet to Be Matched
One of the biggest points of praise for Spider-Man is its incredible web-swinging traversal. Using his iconic web shooters, Spider-Man can freely swing through the massive skyscrapers of New York City in an intricate web of lines and momentum.
This unique method of getting around the open world map simply hasn‘t been done better by any other game. It‘s an intuitive yet deep mechanic with complex physics and momentum calculations happening behind the scenes.
But most importantly, it just feels right. Sailing high above the streets captures that fantasy of being Spider-Man flawlessly. Developers Insomniac Games designed the web-swinging for perfection, and it shows. Even now I find myself spending hours effortlessly chaining together swings, dives and vaults just to relax and enjoy the city.
Satisfying Combat Packed with Moves & Gadgets
Of course, being Spider-Man isn‘t all roses – sometimes you have to put the hurt on some bad guys! Whether taking on thugs on the street, superpowered inmates at The Raft prison, or supervillains like Rhino and Vulture, the combat in Spider-Man always satisfaction.
Spidey utilizes his superhuman agility and reflexes to pull of amazing combos and counters against numerous foes at once. As you progress, you unlock EVEN more skills and gadgets to mix up your fighting style, like web bombs, electric webs, brutal finishers and more.
Combat manages to be instantly accessible yet has enough depth and unlockables to stay engaging even after dozens of hours swinging through New York.
Tons of Suits with Unique Powers
Another highlight is the huge amount of iconic costumes Spider-Man has access to, many with their own special abilities. You start with the classic red and blue suit we all know and love. But soon you begin unlocking more suits like:
- Iron Spider Suit with special arms
- Spider Punk Suit with rock out power
- Negative Suit with enhanced negative powers
- Into the Spiderverse Suit with special animation visuals
There are 28 suits in total to unlock, each with their own unique look and powers to mix up your playstyle. It‘s a cosplayer‘s dream come true!
A Compelling Story and Performances
For many fans, Spider-Man wouldn‘t be complete without a strong narrative and performances behind the mask to match the gameplay. Spider-Man delivers on this front with its original story focusing on more experienced Peter Parker facing down classic villains like Vulture, Electro and Doc Ock.
The facial animation and voice acting also bring loads of personality. Yuri Lowenthal (Peter Parker) and Tara Platt (MJ) portray the most authentic and charming versions of the characters outside of comics. Plus, veteran actors like William Salyers as Otto Octavius give the villains gravitas.
Little touches in the story, like Peter‘s work at his lab or his relationships with Aunt May and MJ, make him feel human underneath the mask.
Dazzling Visuals Enhanced on PS5
A vital part of the Spider-Man experience is taking in the sights of New York City in all its glory. On PS4, Spider-Man already looked gorgeous, with intricate building details, weather effects, traffic and people filling the huge open world map.
But the PS5 remaster takes this to a whole new level. With improved models and textures, ray tracing lighting and smoother 60 fps performance, NYC is hands down the most spectacular comic book city brought to gaming life. Seeing rays of sunlight glistening off skyscrapers never gets old.
The concrete jungle of NYC looks simply breathtaking on PS5. Credit: Sony Interactive Entertainment
PS5 Enhancements Make It Definitive Version
Thanks to its PS5 remaster version, Spider-Man on PS4 has evolved into the definitive way to experience this acclaimed title. Here are some of the key next-gen enhancements:
| PS4 Original | PS5 Remaster |
|---|---|
| 1080p Resolution | Native 4K Resolution |
| Lower Quality Textures/Models | Enhanced Textures/Models |
| 30 fps cap | 60 fps Performance |
| Slower Load Times | Near Instant Load Times |
| No Ray Tracing | Reflections/Shadows Ray Tracing |
These upgrades make an enormous difference in taking the visuals to new heights while eliminating any performance hiccups from the last-gen version. From the gorgeous ray traced puddles reflecting light to blazing fast load times when fast traveling, the PS5 remaster is the ideal way to play.
Expanded Content & Replayability
Since its 2018 launch, Spider-Man has expanded with substantial DLC content adding new stories, challenges and suits.
The City That Never Sleeps DLC provides 3 extra chapters with additional missions focused on some fan favorite characters from the Spider-verse:
- Chapter 1: The Heist adds new missions starring Black Cat
- Chapter 2: Turf Wars centers on Hammerhead and the Maggia crime family
- Chapter 3: Silver Lining focuses on the mysterious Silver Sable
There are also challenge missions like bomb and drone challenges plus more suits to unlock, adding hours of content.
Those who want even more web-slinging action can pick up Spider-Man: Miles Morales, a follow-up title that offers a new story and gameplay tweaks. Playing both games together gives a ton of replay value.
Why Spider-Man is a Must-Play in 2024
Between its unmatched feeling of web-swinging through a photo-realistic NYC, its engaging combat and story, and its enhancements on PS5, Spider-Man stands the test of time.
For comic book fans, it‘s a dream come true being able to play as an experienced Spider-Man at the height of his powers. The sheer joy of streaking between skyscrapers is worth the price of admission alone.
Even years later, Spider-Man on PS4 still offers one of the most polished, fun superhero gaming experience out there. I can say firsthand that this friendly neighborhood Spider-Man has never felt more spectacular. If you own a PS4 or PS5, do yourself a favor and take this marvelous adventure for a swing. You won‘t regret it!
