Marvel's Spider-Man

Marvel's Spider-Man is undoubtedly the best Spider-Man videogame ever made, but it could have been a lot better.

A spectacular cinematic presentation and sensational core mechanics help Insomniac's take on a Spider-Man game shine, in spite of some unimaginative open-world activities.

A rare harmony of developer and licence makes Insomniac's open-worlder a total treat.

Filled with heart-pounding, high-flying action, Spider-Man is a polished, fun and sometimes frustrating PS4 exclusive

An immensely enjoyable and fun to play superhero adventure.

The story shines as brightly as the gameplay – both deliver heart-pounding excitement

Spidey swings through the canyons of Manhattan in eye-popping style, but the set-piece supervillain showdowns are confused and messy

The overall result is a spectacular experience that wins with varied play, humor and amusement park-like excitement. But the experience is lessened, too, by predicable narrative, and the limited reactions of the non-playable denizens who populate this open world island of Manhattan.

That's when it feels most special, and it's then that what Insomniac has achieved here is most plain. Much of its design is familiar, but it appears here in a refined, polished form that makes it an easy recommendation.

Spider-Man isn't just a great superhero game, it's a proof of concept for Insomniac as a company. This project shows that they can basically handle pretty much any universe, because if you can accurately recreate Peter Parker's nimbleness and gentle heart you can do anything: and with multiple teasers at the end, I think they'll get that chance.