Getting the web-swinging right is paramount to any Spider-Man game, as the superhuman ability is one of the comic book character's most defining features. Fortunately, developer Insomniac Games designed the web mechanics in Marvel’s Spider-Man in a way that most players of any skill level can try to swing throughout New York City without smashing into walls. This kind of ageless inclusivity has led to a viral video of a young fan picking up the controller and beaming with infectious amazement to the in-game web-swinging.
To catch the uninitiated up to speed, Spidey uses a pendulum-like mechanic to give the feeling of forward momentum in Insomniac's Spider-Man. Therefore, when players hold the bumper trigger to sling a web, Spider-Man begins a downward freefall, and if players release at the top of the pendulum arc, the hero is propelled out, gaining velocity. However, unlike various prior titles, zipping from point A to point B was improved with modern technology, as Spider-Man can seamlessly pull off tricks like flips, launches, and ziplines.
Now, Reddit user Dianses has shared a wonderful brief clip of a child deeply immersed in Marvel's Spider-Man's web-swinging mechanics as they play the game for the first time. Recorded in real life on a mobile device, the video shows the kid hollering with laughter as they take control of everybody's friendly neighborhood web-head. Amazingly, like a scene straight out of the movies, Spider-Man effortlessly swings high above the big apple before sprinting alongside a building wall to maintain momentum.
Soon after the clip was shared, Dianses' post went viral, with over 2000 upvotes as many fans of Marvel’s Spider-Man could relate to the child's first-time awed reaction to the web-swinging. While most talked about the latest game, a few older users shared memories of being introduced to Spider-Man's web-shooters but on earlier titles, such as the console defining Spider-Man 2 on the Playstation 2. Although, that entry was published by Activision and primarily developed by Treyarch.
Overall, the amount of positive attention Marvel's Spider-Man community has shown the wholesome video perfectly demonstrates how Insomniac Games created one of the first true superhero games that delivered on the promise of making the player feel as though they are the titular hero. So, while a captivating narrative with refined gameplay plus excellent cinematic scenery does help, it's clear that one of the most important qualities of Spider-Man that needs to be perfect for immersion's sake is his trademark web-swinging.
Marvel’s Spider-Man is available now on PS4 and PS5.