Activision recently unveiled its new Spider-Man video game (coming to PS3, Xbox 360, and Nintendo Wii this Fall) called Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensions, and the premise is this: A strange object has torn through the fabric of space and time and Peter Parker must visit multiple versions of himself in order to restore order. This gives the game makers free reign to explore Spider-Man's fractured comic book history.
Two of the game's four "worlds" have already been revealed, with two more being kept under wraps for now. The first is called "Amazing" and it's based on the Amazing Spider-Man comics line (in other words, the traditional Spider-Man we've all known and loved since the 60s). The second is called "Noir," and it's based on the recent Marvel "Noir" line which re-imagined several heroes (including Spidey and the X-Men) as gritty, 30s-era crime fiction characters. That leaves two slots and a lot of possibilities. What will the other two worlds be? Let the speculation commence!
The 60s TV Show
How great would it be to play around in the bright, primary-colored world of the original Spider-Man cartoon? They could give you the same featureless city (every building is a windowless orange block) and the same "the animators stopped webbing halfway through" costume Spidey used to sport on the show. We'd be up for it.
The 70s TV Show
OK, if you won't give us the bargain-basement animation of the 60s, at least give us a chance to play in the no-budget 70s soap opera masquerading as a super hero show. Players can unlock different sweaters for Peter Parker, and every single enemy and puzzle can be overcome by simply crawling up a length of rope and standing on a rooftop. Hey, if nothing else, this level will have the funkiest music.
Spider-Man: Legend of the Spider Clan
Also known as "Manga Spider-Man." This Japanization of webhead would, in all seriousness, make for a kick ass game level. It's basically a ninja Spider-Man fighting other ninjas—if you fail to see the sheer awesomeness of that you clearly are new to video games and the planet Earth.
SpiderGirl
What better way to liven things up than with a little gender-swappage? This alternate-universe character is actually the daughter of Peter Parker, but we're confident that the Activision guys can come up with a way to make her a feasible part of the game. Maybe Peter finds himself trapped in his daughter's body? Ew. You know, we grossed ourselves out just typing that. Still, don't give up on this idea, Activision. Two words: Web boobs.
1602 Spider-Man
An English Spider-Man in pre-Jamestown America? This is like that Last of the Mohicans fan fiction you've been writing since junior high. The game play would be unique, to say the least (press X to dodge musket fire), and the environments (woods, Native American camps, more woods) would certainly be unlike any other superhero game. Well, at least until someone finally greenlights our New Amsterdam Avengers idea.
Marvel Zombies
This weird horror crossover was insanely popular recently, so playing as a half-undead Spider-man is not out of the question. It could combine the best of Left 4 Dead with the traditional Spider-Man game, but we have a feeling that replacing web-slinging and stealth attacks with "lumber slowly" and "bite" options will work against the game.
Peter Porker: The Spectacular Spider-Ham
PLEASE, Activision. Do this. We will love you forever. Seriously.
