Spider-Man: Edge of Time
by Justin Snyder
previewed on X360
Different times call for different Spideys (cntd)
2099 also lacks the trademark Spidey Sense that Amazing is known for. Instead, he has enhanced vision and hearing. He can see in utter darkness and can also zoom-in on people and objects at a distance. This enhanced vision allows him to see clearly what a normal human would see simply as a blur, which improves his reactions to oncoming attacks greatly. They utilize this ability in the game fora mode called "accelerated decoy." 2099 can activate this ability and drop in what is essentially a ghost of himself, making it seem to his enemies like there are suddenly two of him.
Amazing Spider-Man plays from distance, but details on his play style are a little scarce. One can imagine he has a number of web-based ranged attacks, as well as some melee moves intended for quick hit-and-run attacks, or for keeping an enemy busy for long enough to get away again and resume the barrage. As more details are released and we start to see gameplay footage, the nuances of Spidey's play style will become clearer.
Familiar Spidey banter
Despite the seriousness of the situation in general, there's some great banter between the two heroes, according to Dennis Bernando, an associate producer on the game. Speaking with Jenna Busch of superherohype.com, he said: "If you heard any of the dialogue in the game, it's this great back and forth. Their characters really come across through his writing. He knows the personality of these characters. Amazing Spider-Man is a little bit younger. He's been a hero longer. Whereas Miguel O'Hara, Spider-Man 2099 is a little bit older. They both think they have that experience and they know more than the other. They kind of butt heads."
In both trailers that have been released for the game, we see Spider-Man 2099 holding the apparently lifeless body of Amazing Spider-Man. The idea that the game may ultimately be a pointless struggle against one hero's inevitable death is very intriguing. It is also possible that the game will start us out with the death of Amazing Spider-Man when 2099 was too late, and he'll go back again in order to try and truly fix things, and that's where the game really picks up, leading to a final battle with Anti-Venom that Amazing can actually win.
For the true Spidey fans
For the casual or old-time Spidey fans who only know the original Spider-Man, the time-travelling future Spider-Man may sound a bit far-fetched. However, after the success of the Shattered Dimensions, it is clear that there's a big market for more confusing Spidey stories and that the old-time fans have to either adapt to the changes or perish. But given that the Edge of Time has proven talent behind it, it would be wise for also the old-timers to at least give these new stories a chance, before they choose the latter option.