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Spider-Man: Web of Shadows DS - Metroidvania + intense combat!
Zauron
Registered User regular
Registered User regular
Greetings! Some of you know me as the gameplay programmer of Minebot Arena and the GBA version of Spyro: The Eternal Night (http://forums.penny-arcade.com/showthread.php?t=29570).
Wanted to let you all know about my latest project, Spider-Man: Web of Shadows for the DS.
Those familiar with Spyro GBA may recognize my handiwork in this title, as the combat and controls are in a similar style. If you liked the controls and combat design of that game you will probably like the way this game plays as well.
It is not a clone of Spyro though! Not only is it on the DS this time, which enables things such as a handy mini-map on the bottom screen, but of course Spider-Man as a character is much different than Spyro which means a completely unique set of moves. I'm particularly proud of the new unique web swinging mechanic, which I put a lot of work into to make it feel just right. Also, its much more Metroidvania-ish than Spyro was, with the entire game world being linked together in a large game map instead of being divided into separate stages, and the only factor limiting you from getting to a new area is what abilities you have.
This was my first real experience working with 3D graphics (although its still 2D in gameplay), and it was actually a different team than Spyro with the exception of myself, which means a new level design mentality and art direction. This time I was responsible for designing Spider-Man's moveset and overall combat design, as well as the programming for Spider-Man, the enemies & bosses, general game physics, and some other minor gameplay stuff.
I hope anyone interested in this style of game will give it a shot and let me know what you think! It should be in stores now.
Here is the trailer for it (not made by me this time):
Here's an apparantly fan-made trailer posted on YouTube (also not from me) that uses some (but not all) of the combat moves not shown in the main trailer. The music it uses is a bit...interesting...and definitely not from the game
.
Here's some reviews:
http://ds.ign.com/articles/922/922817p1.html
http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/reviewArt.cfm?artid=17178
http://nds.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r35243.htm
http://www.cheatcc.com/ds/rev/spidermanwebofshadowsreview.html
http://www.pocketgamer.co.uk/r/DS/Spider-Man%3A+Web+of+Shadows/review.asp?c=9839
Wanted to let you all know about my latest project, Spider-Man: Web of Shadows for the DS.
Those familiar with Spyro GBA may recognize my handiwork in this title, as the combat and controls are in a similar style. If you liked the controls and combat design of that game you will probably like the way this game plays as well.
It is not a clone of Spyro though! Not only is it on the DS this time, which enables things such as a handy mini-map on the bottom screen, but of course Spider-Man as a character is much different than Spyro which means a completely unique set of moves. I'm particularly proud of the new unique web swinging mechanic, which I put a lot of work into to make it feel just right. Also, its much more Metroidvania-ish than Spyro was, with the entire game world being linked together in a large game map instead of being divided into separate stages, and the only factor limiting you from getting to a new area is what abilities you have.
This was my first real experience working with 3D graphics (although its still 2D in gameplay), and it was actually a different team than Spyro with the exception of myself, which means a new level design mentality and art direction. This time I was responsible for designing Spider-Man's moveset and overall combat design, as well as the programming for Spider-Man, the enemies & bosses, general game physics, and some other minor gameplay stuff.
I hope anyone interested in this style of game will give it a shot and let me know what you think! It should be in stores now.
Here is the trailer for it (not made by me this time):
Here's an apparantly fan-made trailer posted on YouTube (also not from me) that uses some (but not all) of the combat moves not shown in the main trailer. The music it uses is a bit...interesting...and definitely not from the game
.Here's some reviews:
http://ds.ign.com/articles/922/922817p1.html
http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/reviewArt.cfm?artid=17178
http://nds.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r35243.htm
http://www.cheatcc.com/ds/rev/spidermanwebofshadowsreview.html
http://www.pocketgamer.co.uk/r/DS/Spider-Man%3A+Web+of+Shadows/review.asp?c=9839
Zauron on
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That looks hot.
EDIT: Eerie how alike my response was.
I am a huge Spider-Man whore and that just made me consider buying a DS!
I'm glad you were able to do this with a more interesting and more popular license than Spyro.
Steam ID: slashx000______Twitter: @bill_at_zeboyd______ Facebook: Zeboyd Games
I still remember getting the launch Spider-Man game bundled with my DS phat - perhaps this can wash the bad taste away.
dream a little dream or you could live a little dream
sleep forever if you wish to be a dreamer
except better!
Steam ID: slashx000______Twitter: @bill_at_zeboyd______ Facebook: Zeboyd Games
Damn, both the 360/PS3 and DS versions of Spidey look fantastic.
Ridiculous amounts of hits in attacks are always fun.
That's what you get when you are not tied to a bad movie license!
Yeah, that was one of the first attacks I came up with when trying to think up neat moves to do. I was really happy with how it turned out in the game. It always gets a good reaction when people see it, and the max number of kicks you can do with it is based on how awesome your combo has been up to that point which I think is pretty rewarding.
Spider-Man's animator and I tried to come up with attacks that fit Spidey's unique style (he's agile with super-human reflexes, but he has no formal training in martial arts) and still looked and felt awesome, which was harder than it sounds. We worked closely together to perfect Spider-Man's look and feel as much as possible.
Author of Minebot Arena and some other stuff
Please keep making video games.
Web of Shadows looks even better.
You are a wonderful man. Never stop.
I could look at this for hours.
That looks good, man. I remember hearing good things about the Spyro combat...
What will be the best way to procure this game? Will it be available at your average big box retailer?
I'm not made privy to that kind of info through internal sources, but from what I've seen around the internet, its likely going to be a much less limited release than the GBA version of Spyro was and should be readily available at all retailers. According to IGN the release date is the 21st of this month.
Author of Minebot Arena and some other stuff
Well, no. My wallet hates you. Seriously, that video, and the fact that you're working on it convinced me to buy this.
I was going to say the same thing, like seriously holy fuck that's some crazy animation.
I could be wrong. I hope I am.
My wallet also hates you.
This looks amazing
PSN ID : DetectiveOlivaw | TWITTER | STEAM ID | NEVER FORGET
Another preview goes into a bit more detail about the Metroidvania nature of the game, found here:
http://talkingaboutgames.com/content/view/2324/94/
I'll add that Metroidvanias are my favorite genre ever, and although I was not in charge of that aspect of the design (it was the lead designer's excellent idea to combine a Metroidvania with my combo-based combat system), I certainly wouldn't claim it was one if it wasn't. For those that played Spyro GBA, I will say this one is much more Metroidvania-ish than Spyro was.
Author of Minebot Arena and some other stuff
I'll buy seven, just so I can play one and stuff the other six down my pants when I'm feeling lonely.
the "no true scotch man" fallacy.
Will the different difficulty settings be handled as well as Spyro?
I guess it goes without saying that I'll be picking up this game as well. You realize PA expects great things from you by now?
I want this more than the new Castlevania game. I love Metroid as much as the next person that loves metroid and I love me some beat em up combat too. But I really love fast there is not enough fast games. This game seems almost old Sonic fast in places, give a big pat on the back to the clever clogs who said "we need to make this faster" and then keep repeating himself. There is nothing cooler than clearing out 3 or 4 screens like the flash!
Nice work!
http://3WiiD.com
Zauron stop being so cool. Save some cool for the other developers geeze..
I never asked for this!
Are there unlockables? As in, costumes or characters? Even concept art? A simple yes or no will suffice.
Sweet. That relieves my fears a bit. Thanks Zauron.. a) for improving upon the metroidvania formula and b) being radical. gnarly. wicked. etc.
But my wallet hates you with a burning passion =P
The Pipe Vault|Twitter|Steam|Backloggery|3DS:1332-7703-1083
Also second half of this preview goes into it a bit, and says some other nice things (I particularly appreciated the line that says "...the graphics time perfectly with the controls, something a lot of developers just can’t seem to get right."): http://www.4colorrebellion.com/archives/2008/10/02/4cr-preview-spider-man-web-of-shadows-wiids/
I'd also like to add, that one of the things that I think makes a good Metroidvania is to have some power-ups that you can get early if you are very skilled, or you can get the obvious way later when you have the correct ability. For example, in Super Metroid you can get many things using wall jumps and bomb jumps very early in the game, or you can come back later when you have ability upgrades and get those same items much more easily the "intended" way. Just sayin'
I'm sorry I can't answer some of your questions, I can't really touch on anything that hasn't been brought up by other sources.
Author of Minebot Arena and some other stuff