Spider-Man Total Mayhem (iPhone)

CNET Editors' review

by: Jason Parker on September 07, 2010

Spider-Man: Total Mayhem brings the famed comic-book web slinger to the touch screen with a high-action oriented game that's fun, though a bit mindless. The controls include a directional joypad on the left and buttons for jumping, attacking, and web skills on the right. You'll also be presented with extra buttons under specific circumstances, like when Spider-man uses his "Spidey sense" to get the jump on bad guys, for example. You also have a super move that can only be used once you fill up an action bar, dealing big damage using multiple hits and kicks. You also have some light RPG elements, with the capability to upgrade your strength, defense, and specialty moves, paid for with orbs you pick up as you progress through levels.

The game plays out with you moving from area to area on a rail--your path is always going to be the same every time you play. You have freedom of movement in each area, but there is always only one way to the next stage of the game. Though it may seem limiting, with the fun and cool looking fight scenes and varied moves, you quickly forget that the path is set out for you.

Levels in Spider-Man Total Mayhem follow a pretty standard formula, fight through several groups of lower-tier bad guys, solve self-explanatory puzzles, and use your web slinging capabilities to swing past obstacles. You don't get to swing from building-to-building like in the cartoon or movie variations; rather, your web swinging opportunities are more about timing to avoid falling or swing over obstacles in certain locations. At the end of every level, you'll have to fight a boss like the Sand Man or The Rhino, as examples, each requiring you to figure out the best set of moves to beat their unique fighting styles.

While Spider-Man: Total Mayhem for iPhone will disappoint those who were hoping for a open-world sandbox game, even with the fixed path, the fighting action is fun and challenging enough to keep players entertained. If you're a fan of the Spider-Man franchise or just want a fun action game with lot of variation, definitely download this game.