First published at 21:58 UTC on May 11th, 2024.
Retro Review: Spider-Man: Web of Fire for the Sega 32X
Spider-Man: Web of Fire, released for the Sega 32X in 1996, stands as one of the last titles for this ill-fated add-on to the Sega Genesis. Developed by BlueSky Software, the game attempted to …
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Retro Review: Spider-Man: Web of Fire for the Sega 32X
Spider-Man: Web of Fire, released for the Sega 32X in 1996, stands as one of the last titles for this ill-fated add-on to the Sega Genesis. Developed by BlueSky Software, the game attempted to leverage the enhanced graphical capabilities of the 32X to deliver a more immersive Spider-Man experience. Despite the developers' efforts and the anticipation surrounding the game, my personal experience and the overall reception were underwhelming, to say the least. I found myself disliking virtually everything about the game, from its gameplay mechanics to its audio-visual execution.
Developer and Production Context
BlueSky Software, known for their work on Vectorman and other Genesis titles, faced the daunting task of squeezing out the potential of the 32X with Spider-Man: Web of Fire. The development period was rushed, a common issue with many 32X games as the platform was quickly losing support by the time of the game's release. The game was one of the only 1,500 copies produced, making it a rare collector's item today.
Graphics and Sound
One of the game's few redeeming qualities was its graphics. The 32X allowed for an expanded color palette and improved sprite details, which BlueSky Software capitalized on to create visually striking cityscapes and character animations. Spider-Man and the various enemies he faces are well-rendered, with fluid animations that stood out against many other titles at the time.
The soundtrack, composed by Brian Coburn, attempted to capture the essence of a superheroic adventure with energetic, albeit repetitive, themes. While the music was one of the stronger points of the game, it couldn't completely salvage the overall experience due to its repetitive nature and the lackluster sound effects that often felt out of sync with the on-screen action.
Gameplay
Gameplay in Spider-Man: Web of Fire is where things start to truly unravel. The player controls Spider-Man as he attempts t..
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