Greetings, fellow web-heads! Are you wondering about the best Spiderman PS3 games you can play today? Well, if the answer is yes, then congratulations! We’re the same way. If you’re thinking, well, that’s a random and particular thing to ponder, then don’t worry; we’ve got a genuine reason for our curious query.
We had a case of retro gaming fever today, and it got us thinking about our beloved PS3 game collection. Specifically, the games where Spidey is the star attraction cause he’s our number 1 favorite comic-book hero, sorry Batman fanboys. Anyway, we started to debate about the best PS3 Spiderman games. The conversation shifted, and we were in full-on geek mode, and we got to thinking about a tier list of PS3-era Spiderman titles.
Ranking The Worst & Best Spiderman Games On PS3
Settle in; we’re about to dive into all the PS3 Spiderman games where our favorite web-slinger is front and center.
Full disclosure, we’re only going for single-player games with Spidey as the focus. So, no Ultimate Alliance 1 and 2, no Lego or Superhero team-up, no Marvel Vs. Capcom, and no Marvel Nemesis: Rise of the Imperfects, as Spidey isn’t their main lead.
Also, the games we’ll discuss might not be Sony exclusives, meaning they’re not exclusive to PS3. Plus, some games from the PS2 era received remasters to the PS3 because remastering to the current gen is such a Sony thing to do.
All right, enough chatter; let’s begin.
6. Spiderman 3
Kicking things off on our list is one of the worst Spiderman games to have ever come out. We’re talking about Spiderman 3, the movie tie-in game which failed miserably after the stellar prequel before it. Spiderman 3 feels like a bare-bones concept stage of a game that didn’t receive the proper time and care.
In Spiderman 3, players can complete story-based missions in any order, which is excellent. The level design is inspired by other open-world games of the time, mainly GTA III, which is the primary inspiration. The story replicates the movie’s main plot, but there are deviations similar to the previous two games by Treyarch. Peter Parker comes into contact with an alien organism that makes him irritable and increases his hostility.
Players have the ability to summon the black suit of the alien life-form known as the symbiote anytime. The enhanced strength and powerful attacks make playing in the black suit tempting indefinitely. The game has a corruption element where players must remove the black suit to ensure Spidey doesn’t die. The incorporation of quick-timed events portrays a sense of urgency in Spidey.
Some of the side missions are well thought-out, and we can see what the devs were going for. Unfortunately, the execution of all gameplay elements feels sloppy.
Why Is Spiderman 3 The Worst Spidey game on the PS3?
The characters in Spiderman 3 feel flat in terms of the writing, and the graphics are downright horrendous. Even the voice-acting feels like it’s phoned in, which is never a good sign. Also, the world feels empty and lifeless despite the side-quests and open-world map. The breathtaking feeling of the ambiance when players control Spidey for web swinging from Spiderman 2 is missing.
A shameless copy mechanic of GTA Vice City is the territory capture, in which Spidey runs protection of an area. If players beat enough gang members from a particular section of the city, the gangs move away from there. It’s uninspired, feels tedious, and creatively lazy, which was put into the game for the sake of having side activities.
The combat is sometimes fun, but not as much nor as fluid as the Spiderman 2 game. The wonky camera movement adds to the player’s frustration and ruins the overall experience. Let’s not forget that boss fights are entirely one-dimensional and not as fun or engaging as the last game. Oh, and there’s no Bruce Campbell narrator role this time around, which is grounds for an instant dropping in the ranking.
It’s mind-boggling that Spiderman 2 got canned for the PS3 because Spiderman 3 is a heap of mess. Spiderman 3 is the worst game on our ranked list of Spiderman games on the PS3.
5. Spiderman: Edge Of Time
Spiderman games have always had the edge in storytelling, and Spiderman: Edge Of Time is no exception. Having comic writer Peter David at the helm is a surefire way to get us invested; the hype was real. The trailers showed dramatic music and an epic high-stakes adventure for Spiderman and Spiderman 2099.
We were getting to play as two Spidermen, and it was a dream come true for many old-school Spidey fans. We were ecstatic, and when we got our hands on the game, we didn’t hesitate to play immediately. The game is split into two segments; in one, we play Peter Parker, the original Spiderman. In the other segment, players fill in the shoes of Miguel O’Hara, the Spiderman of the year 2099.
The stylistic diversity in Spiderman: Edge Of Time is fun and quirky enough to make both characters stand out. Peter Parker is fun to play because of the time delay dodging mechanic. The hyper-sense mode allows Spidey to attack enemies faster and thin their numbers while avoiding intricate laser patterns in Alechamix labs.
Miguel O’Hara, on the other hand, is much more tech-focused. His ability to create holograms is handy for creating distractions and useful for goading enemies to attack the locked doors. The game isn’t open-world and follows a linear structure with story beats.
Why Is Spiderman: Edge Of Time So Lowly Ranked On Our List Of Best Spiderman Games On PS3?
Spiderman: Edge Of Time has gorgeous graphics for segments with the 2099 version of Alchemax. The aesthetic of the classic timeline disappoints hugely. The levels and enemy designs feel generic and boring, and the game length is extremely short. If there is a delay, it’s because of glitches and bugs or annoying enemies constantly getting in the way of progress.
Both characters, Peter and Miguel, have witty banter, and the writing for the narrative is top-notch, but the villains feel flat by comparison. The antagonists feel like mindless drones, and the motivation for the main bad guy feels like a generic mustache-twirling cartoon. It’s the gameplay that let us down, and lost potential is an apt description of our feelings toward the game.
Another negative of Spiderman: Edge Of Time is that combat with both characters feels like a chore instead of fun. The boss fights, in particular, have these monotonous rinse-and-repeat patterns of dodging and QTE. The lack of open-world exploration and proper web-swinging sections leaves us pining for them.
The game’s entire base feels like its hollow, and something is missing. The fun factor is low, and that’s not something that should ever be in a Spiderman game. The linear structure of the story can work, but in Spiderman: Edge Of Time, it feels too forced. We were left wanting more from the game. Hence it’s in the bottom tier on our list of best Spiderman games on PS3.
4. The Amazing Spiderman 2
To say we felt like we got ripped off after playing The Amazing Spiderman 2 game on the PS3 would be an understatement. The Amazing Spiderman 2 launched alongside the Andrew Garfield Sony Spiderman movie of the same name. The move tie-ins generally aren’t that great, minus a few exceptions, namely the PS2-era Spiderman 2 game.
The Amazing Spiderman 2 has tainted our perception that movie tie-in games are bad and we shouldn’t buy them. The reason why we don’t like the game is because of the numerous bugs and half-measures that it has. Players continue the story of Peter Parker from the movie, but with more variations as the plot progresses. Speaking of plot, the game tried to juggle everything at once and accomplished very little as a result.
There’s the Sinister 6 subplot from the movies and the last game. Suddenly, Harry Osborne is sick, and that comes out of nowhere. The Kingpin is making moves and introduces the most annoying gameplay mechanic in a Spiderman game. The plot twists to reveal shock value come across as shallow, and if players have a keen eye, they can detect them early.
As comic book geeks, we tend to feel antsy when we notice huge deviations within villains’ origins. Having an iconic Spiderman rogue like Carnage handled poorly feels underwhelming and aggravating.
Why Is The Amazing Spiderman 2 Such A Mediocre PS3 Spiderman Game?
What really irks us is that the potential for the game is visible, and it’s clear that the devs were on the cusp of achieving it. If only the greedy executives at the top didn’t interfere with the creative side, The Amazing Spiderman 2 would be a fantastic Spiderman game on the PS3.
The Amazing Spiderman 2 is a colossal flop, in our opinion, because it changed the fun aspects of the previous game. The creative team didn’t add anything that remotely made the first game successful. There’s not enough gameplay-wise to hook players to finish the game. The morality system that’s universally loathed by everyone who’s played The Amazing Spiderman 2 hinders players instead of giving them freedom.
The story of The Amazing Spiderman 2 feels depressing, and the game’s traversal system still has awkward angles. The web-swinging is an improvement over the first game, and combat stealth is much more versatile. Having said that, the brutes leave no choice for Spidey to use silent methods against them as it’s impossible.
The game has no sense of urgency and consequences, and the plot feels boring. It’s one of the main reasons that The Amazing Spiderman 2 is mediocre and at the halfway position on our list of best Spiderman games on PS3.
3. The Amazing Spiderman
Okay, now we’ve entered the top-tier category. The final 3 titles on our list of best Spiderman games on PS3, coming in at number 3, is The Amazing Spiderman. The movie tie-in game is more than just a blatant cash grab; the developer’s passion is clearly present. The web-swinging from the first-person perspective was a new take that we loved.
Players use the web-swinging traversal and the Web-time mechanic to reach anywhere in the game’s open-world setting. Web-time is a wonderful way to experience Spiderman’s agility as the game slows, allowing players to select a target or location. Once the destination is chosen, Spidey leaps there, and in stealth segments, it helps take out enemies without altering others.
The game adds a visual flare to Spiderman’s suit; the more damage he takes, the more signs of his suit ripping appear. It’s a nice touch that makes the experience feel immersive. The storytelling is terrific by mixing plot elements from the comics and the movie brilliantly mixing them to tell a unique story. Plus, the game’s graphics look fantastic; the mech enemies especially are our favorite.
The conspiracy sub-plot of Oscorp has many side missions, which is a unique way to tie story missions together. The free-flow combat style is reminiscent of the Arkham games, and the game director has stated this inspiration on record.
Why Is The Amazing Spiderman One Of The Greatest Spiderman Games On PS3?
The Amazing Spiderman revitalized our love for an open-world Spiderman game. As avid fans of the wall-crawler, it was a long wait for us after the PS2-era Spiderman 2 to see a game that definitively portrays Spiderman. The traversal and combat feel fun and engaging, and the side missions have depth. The game captures Spiderman’s heroic personality, and the character’s essence is on full display.
The Amazing Spiderman is the game that handily accomplishes crafting the best Spiderman open-world experience, at least until Spiderman PS4 came about. The supervillain fights are unique and challenging; using the Lizard to create animal-themed foes feels fresh. The tracking mechanics where Spiderman looks for vibrations underneath the sewers is an excellent feature.
Gwen Stacy in The Amazing Spiderman doesn’t feel like a damsel in distress, which is another welcome addition. She actively plays a role in the story to help Spiderman fight against the major threat the city is facing. The level of polish in the game is superb, and everything feels awesome.
Random crimes are happening all around the city, and Spiderman must put a stop to them. Completing any mission gives players experience points for unlocking new moves and web attacks. The Amazing Spiderman is one of the greatest Spiderman games on PS3.
2. Spiderman: Shattered Dimensions
If you’re wondering what it would feel like to play a game with multiple Spiderman variants, then wonder no longer. Spiderman: Shattered Dimensions answers your curiosity with its fantastic and epic dimension-hopping saga. Players assume control of not 1, not 2, not 3, but 4 different and unique Spidermen from alternate realities.
The classic Spiderman returns, and he’s the first one we get to play as. When the tablet of order and chaos shatters during a scuffle between Spidey and Mysterio, a villain, realities start to merge. A central figure in Spiderman’s extended canon, Madame Web, appears and tasks Spidey to recollect the shattered fragments. She also enlists Spiderman 2099 from the future reality to go after the villains possessing one of the fragments.
Spiderman Noir, a dark and broody variant of Spidey in the steampunk era, also gets handed the same assignment. Lastly, Ultimate Spiderman is granted control over the Symbiote suit then he goes after the villains who have the shard. All 4 characters play differently, with specific level designs to cater to each Spiderman’s playstyle.
Spiderman: Shattered Dimensions silenced all the previous notions about the linear style of games. People used to think linear games were boring, but Spiderman: Shattered Dimension’s epic story, crisp visuals, interactive gameplay, and highly enjoyable boss fights proved the opposite.
Why Is Spiderman: Shattered Dimensions The Runner Up On Our List Of Best Spiderman Games On PS3?
Each level for a Spiderman variant feels like a breath of fresh air and matches the tone and visual aesthetic of the character. Spiderman Noir has a dark tone and mature feeling, and he is a wise yet visceral type of character. The world is constantly black-and-white, and Spiderman Noir must silently use the shadows to subdue enemies. His entire garb is inspired to look like an intimidating spymaster.
Spiderman 2099 is in a futuristic Cyberpunk setting, and appropriately, the Alchemix labs feel colorfully bright and technologically oriented. Free-fall segments require proper timing to reach the flying villains with the tablet’s shards. He also has a bullet time mechanic, which slows down time and allows Spiderman 2099 to attack faster.
Ultimate Spiderman is our favorite one, mainly because of the Symbiote-infused suit. The attacks are more powerful, and the tendrils of the Symbiote come in handy to inch closer toward enemies. One of his boss fights is against Deadpool; the devs are after our hearts. Classic Spiderman plays out the traditional Spiderman experience.
The game offers immense replay value because, most likely, the majority of players will not have completed the challenges. The side activities uniquely play alongside the main story missions, making Spiderman: Shattered Dimensions one of the best Spiderman games on PS3.
1. Spiderman: Web Of Shadows
Okay, time to cap things off on our list of best Spiderman games on PS3. Spiderman: Web Of Shadows is the game that topped Shattered Dimensions for us with the most fun, exciting, and impressive presentation. The level design, unique combat, and proper implementation of a morality system make Spiderman: Web of Shadows excellent.
Spiderman: Web Of Shadows is an extraordinary and original tale that will leave you with goosebumps. The central theme is regarding the corruption conjured by the symbiotes. The infestation of New York escalates by the Symbiote virus, turning people into feral and menacing creatures, and it’s up to Spiderman to save the day. Many characters from the Marvel Universe, including the organization S.H.I.E.L.D., appears and play a role in Spiderman’s journey.
In Spiderman: Web Of Shadows, the choices Spidey makes will influence the type of outcome players will see. For example, after defeating villains, there is an option to let the cops arrest them or allow them to flee; both come with consequences. Arresting them is morally just, but allowing them to leave will give Spidey a chance to call in on them for assistance in the future.
Players also learn new fighting moves by leveling up and purchasing them from the menu. The players get access to the black suit of the symbiote for Spidey pretty early in the game, and now they must balance things by using or not relying on it.
Why Is Spiderman: Web Of Shadows At The Top Of Our List Of Best Spiderman Games On PS3?
The black suit is powerful, has more range, and looks cool, but the classic red suit isn’t too shabby either. The classic Spidey moveset is faster, more agile, and can land quick series of strikes in the time it takes for the black suit to land one. The physical combat with the black suit is also great, giving Spidey access to tendrils of the symbiote to launch multiple attacks and heavy blows.
Fan-favorite characters like Wolverine and Black Cat appear in Spiderman: Web Of Shadows and play a key role in the story. Each of them has a boss fight, along with other notable villains from Spiderman’s rogue’s gallery, like the Vulture, The Tinkerer, and of course, Venom. Players also receive help from heroes like Luke Cage, his love interest Mary Jane Watson, and our personal favorite, Moon Knight.
The side-missions incentivize players to explore beautiful iconic locations of New York, like Central Park, Times Square, and Manhattan. The graphics and color scheme of Spiderman: Web Of Shadows is outstanding, making the story cutscenes, in particular, feel cinematic. The emotions and regrets in the painful scenes feel heartfelt, and Venom’s voice, in particular, feels menacing.
The morality system ensures that there is great replay value for players. There are critical moments in the game where Spiderman’s choice will determine whether he’s corrupted or overcame the Symbiote. We can’t praise Spiderman: Web Of Shadows enough, and it’s a modern masterpiece. Hence it’s number 1 on our list of best Spiderman games on PS3.
Final Thoughts
Phew~ Well, there you go. Our list of the best Spiderman games on PS3 is finally complete. As tempted as we were to include other titles, we’ve only included the ones for the PS3, where Spidey is in the leading role. We hope you enjoyed reading our thoughts on the individual Spiderman games. Let us know your opinions in the comments below; we’re always happy to hear from you all.
If you’d like to see other similar lists of ranked games, check out All Uncharted Games Ranked, From Worst To Best.
