Spider-Man has swung over to different art mediums with various degrees of success. From movies, video games, comics, books, to even a Broadway musical (which was a great disaster). However, it seems everyone’s favorite web-slinger is having troubles sticking the landing when VR is involved. So far, he’s received two VR games: Homecoming and Far From Home. Both I would say falls a little flat when delivering an authentic Spider-Man experience.
Homecoming was mostly a shooting range with no exploration. So, I’m not sure why people were stoked about it. The excitement and praise from Far From Home was understandable because it had free roam and web-swinging. Yet, it still wasn’t the ideal Spider-Man VR game.
Everything that made web-swinging great from previous Spider-Man games were missing. At first, it’s fun and exhilarating, but that’ll quickly fade away. Once you realize your swings barely have an arch to them and momentum doesn’t carry to each swing; you’ll get bored. Boring web-swinging is the ultimate deal breaker when it comes to Spider-Man games.
Far From Home’s dull web-swinging experience is what drove me to seek other games to fill this empty hole. This led me to two particular games: Windlands and Stride. Both games doing a better job simulating Spider-Man, than the official product.
Quick Summary
Windlands is a relaxing VR game that focuses on explorations and no combat. You swing from platform to platform in the high skies. The standard way to play is using a hook shot to zip to points, but you can turn on advanced rope mode. This mode makes momentum based swings crucial and way more fun. Something Far From Home is lacking.
Stride is the opposite of relaxing. It’s a fast paced parkour VR game that will give you a decent work out. Spider-Man does have the capabilities to perform parkour. I know many wouldn’t bother with it, but adding gameplay elements from Stride to a Spider-Man VR game would an extra layer of immersion.
If you care to hear my full thoughts and analysis, then please check out the video above.
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