Marvel delivers super sequels

Ultimate Spider-Man

Your friendly neighborhood Spiderman is swinging into action once again, but this time he is in your hands instead of on the big screen. Ultimate Spiderman is the third Spiderman video game released in the past three years, but this game sets itself apart from its two predecessors, and it's much better for that fact.

An adaptation of the Ultimate Spiderman comic book, the game's best feature is the ability to play as Spiderman's greatest foe, Venom. Every true fan of the Spiderman story will salivate at the chance to play as the symbiote-wearing behemoth. Ultimate Spiderman is able to weave the stories of Spiderman and Venom smoothly, fashioning a fantastic and unique video-gaming experience.

Ultimate drops the realistic graphics of the other two movie-inspired games and chooses to utilize the latest in cell-shading technology to make you feel like you are actually playing in a comic book. The game's cartoony graphics are jaw-dropping enough to keep any gamer glued to the controller for hours on end.

One of the most developed features of the game is the control system. Web-slinging around the huge map of New York is easy and fun. Try swinging around Queens and the rest of Manhattan for a few hours to unwind after a long day. Venom, on the other hand, doesn't wield webbing ability but instead, can jump extreme distances (much like the Incredible Hulk in recent games), providing the player a thrilling rush. The combat system is simple but rewarding. Watching Spidey take out seven bad guys in one fluid combo attack will give you gamer goosebumps.

With hundreds of secret tokens to find and mini-challenges to attempt, Ultimate Spiderman will take even the experienced veteran 25-plus hours to complete. However, these mini-challenges are probably the weakest part of the game. There are only so many times you can race through spider-hoops or save a citizen from falling off a ledge before it gets old.

Ultimate Spiderman is a must rent for any kid who pretended to websling around his or her neighborhood back in the day. It is uncomplicated, beautiful and exhilarating. Now, you can finally prove to your friends that you actually would make a better Spiderman than Tobey Maguire.