Unfortunately, we weren’t as lucky as other media companies out there that got a copy of the game early. So just like everybody else, we had to wait until the game was launched to play it.
We always like to give our first impressions of the game prior to a full review. This way we get to say what we first thought of the game whereas a full review will be more detailed. There are 2 of us giving our first impressions with a first rating, which may not reflect the overall review.
It’s worth noting, that there will be very few spoilers with the exception of the prologue.
Information and products Daniel used to play the game;
- Platform: PlayStation 5
- Edition: Digital Deluxe
- Screen: 4K Samsung TV 27″
- Audio: SteelSeries Arctic 7P+
- Release: 20th October 2023
Information and products Phil used to play the game;
- Platform: PlayStation 5
- Edition: Digital Deluxe
- Screen: 4K Samsung TV 46″
- Audio: HyperX Cloud II
- Release: 20th October 2023
Daniel’s first impressions
This is a game I’ve been excited about for as long as I can remember. I played the game at 12:01 am as soon as it was released despite how tired I was from working because I couldn’t wait until the next day. I watched through the prior events where you were given the option to do so before starting the official game.
In the prologue, Peter is now a teacher which is an interesting take with Miles as one of the students until Sandman shows up. Peter and Miles go off to stop him mid-lesson. Honestly, though, nothing hits better than the first time the game allows you to start swinging. I had the same feeling as Spider-Man and Miles Morales. It hits differently.
I haven’t even unlocked any abilities but the combat is already better. It feels more fluid which I didn’t even think was possible. There are new combos, and new finishers which add to the already vast level of combat. There’s also a lot of familiarity here when you play as both characters. I can’t imagine what new abilities are hidden throughout the game because even the new spider legs ability was fantastic.
Then the web wings. My God. I was expecting this to be an ability where it’s like the Batman games, you get some speed but ultimately you’re going down quickly. Here it’s not the case in the prologue, you get some distance on them which is great. I only managed to defeat Sandman before calling it a night and going to bed but my first impression of this game is an easy 10/10. For me, Survivor is my game of the year but at first glance of Spider-Man, this is going to edge that game easily.
Phil’s first impressions
I knew this game was going to be great, just how great was yet to be known until I played that prologue. Sandman. Insomniac Games absolutely nailed it with the design, the physics, and the movement of Sandman, how he controls the sand and the sand minions.
While keeping the groundwork they built over the course of two games was still there, the moves, the takedowns. With what they have kept, they have also expanded upon. We now have duel takedowns, one moment you could be taking down an enemy, and the Miles would swoop in and finish it off. Another thing is swinging in tandem. It’s just perfect.
I stepped into this game and was immediately shocked to see just how expanded the world was. It felt unique, it felt real, and most importantly, you had different styles and different cultures around the city and the neighboring boroughs.
I’ve played a few missions and did a few side missions and stopped a few crimes, something I did notice which I was surprised at was the damage to the suit. While you fighting crime, in previous games you wouldn’t take damage to the suit, it would be fine from a rocket hit, in this new game, the suits actually tear and rip, you see scratches on the spider emblems, and more. It’s honestly a fantastic new feature.
Launch trailer
