"Highway Robbery"
The first of this game's DLC's, "The Heist", had some promise in my eyes. I was hoping that the frenetic action setpieces, somewhat interesting side quests, interesting story, and awesome Spidey action from the main game would carry over into this first experience...and I was sorely disappointed. While the Spidey action changes little (which is a bit better than the alternative of ruining it altogether), the setpieces and side content dip dramatically in quality while the story sees a decrease in intrigue.
The gameplay in this title is pretty much identical to the main game with the only real addition of Gatling gun mobsters as an enemy type. These dudes are pretty annoying to deal with, and involve copious amounts of webbing to stun in order to take them down, Besides them, there aren't many new additions that are substantial, though its still the same solid action as before.
However, the side content and setpieces suck in comparison to the main game. The side content is boiled down to random crimes which are less interesting than in the main game (bomb defusal, car chases, muggings, etc.), hideout raids (you take down X amount of dudes and win), or shudders Screwball challenges. These abominations involving the worst character from the original game are just complete slogs to play through, and were really, really buggy for my playthrough of it in the "remastered" version of the game. I hated these missions and only completed them due to my compulsive need for 100%'ing this game and its DLC, but I would not recommend playing through them if it sounds unappealing. As for the setpieces, they feel more like throwaways that didn't make the final cut in the main game rather than something original. The only real examples here are two instances where you chase Black Cat - initially through the rooftops of the city, and later through a subway system against a moving train. Both of these segments are weak, and pretty much involve basic movement techniques with a few obstacles thrown in your way. Visually, they aren't even close to the helicopter/crane scene, let alone the other smaller setpieces from the original game such as the armored car chase. Insomniac really dropped the ball here and failed to deliver a spectacle that matches the original game.
Finally, the story is disappointing. While there is some intrigue most of the way throughout the game, especially with the dynamic between Spider-Man and Black Cat, it all culminates in a big switcharoo where everything built up during the story is a fat lie. I HATE this type of storytelling since it eliminates all stakes, regardless of if it ties into the character's personality or not. Nothing is really added or solved throughout the campaign, and it is pretty much a wild goose chase following Black Cat and her father's clues throughout the city. Really disappointing entry for this reason alone, but barely something I can recommend with the other issues added in.
Honestly, I can still Recommend this title, but its a huge dip in quality compared to the base game. It lacks interesting side content, quality story bits, and the same amount of spectacle that exists in the main game, but it at least keeps the solid combat system intact. I can recommend this one if you were a big fan of the base game, but you should ignore it if you weren't.
Final Verdict: 6/10 (Above Average)
The first of this game's DLC's, "The Heist", had some promise in my eyes. I was hoping that the frenetic action setpieces, somewhat interesting side quests, interesting story, and awesome Spidey action from the main game would carry over into this first experience...and I was sorely disappointed. While the Spidey action changes little (which is a bit better than the alternative of ruining it altogether), the setpieces and side content dip dramatically in quality while the story sees a decrease in intrigue.
The gameplay in this title is pretty much identical to the main game with the only real addition of Gatling gun mobsters as an enemy type. These dudes are pretty annoying to deal with, and involve copious amounts of webbing to stun in order to take them down, Besides them, there aren't many new additions that are substantial, though its still the same solid action as before.
However, the side content and setpieces suck in comparison to the main game. The side content is boiled down to random crimes which are less interesting than in the main game (bomb defusal, car chases, muggings, etc.), hideout raids (you take down X amount of dudes and win), or shudders Screwball challenges. These abominations involving the worst character from the original game are just complete slogs to play through, and were really, really buggy for my playthrough of it in the "remastered" version of the game. I hated these missions and only completed them due to my compulsive need for 100%'ing this game and its DLC, but I would not recommend playing through them if it sounds unappealing. As for the setpieces, they feel more like throwaways that didn't make the final cut in the main game rather than something original. The only real examples here are two instances where you chase Black Cat - initially through the rooftops of the city, and later through a subway system against a moving train. Both of these segments are weak, and pretty much involve basic movement techniques with a few obstacles thrown in your way. Visually, they aren't even close to the helicopter/crane scene, let alone the other smaller setpieces from the original game such as the armored car chase. Insomniac really dropped the ball here and failed to deliver a spectacle that matches the original game.
Finally, the story is disappointing. While there is some intrigue most of the way throughout the game, especially with the dynamic between Spider-Man and Black Cat, it all culminates in a big switcharoo where everything built up during the story is a fat lie. I HATE this type of storytelling since it eliminates all stakes, regardless of if it ties into the character's personality or not. Nothing is really added or solved throughout the campaign, and it is pretty much a wild goose chase following Black Cat and her father's clues throughout the city. Really disappointing entry for this reason alone, but barely something I can recommend with the other issues added in.
Honestly, I can still Recommend this title, but its a huge dip in quality compared to the base game. It lacks interesting side content, quality story bits, and the same amount of spectacle that exists in the main game, but it at least keeps the solid combat system intact. I can recommend this one if you were a big fan of the base game, but you should ignore it if you weren't.
Final Verdict: 6/10 (Above Average)