A second Marvel Comics-based video game hit stores this fall with another in the Spider-Man series. There tends to be two distinct styles that Spider-Man games take. Some, like "Web of Shadows," are open-world based, whereas others, like "Shattered Dimensions," are more linear. "Edge of Time" is definitely more of the latter, with a defined story and level design. I personally prefer the open-world style; even if the linear games have a neat story, the open-world games tend to play better since they allow you to just enjoy being Spider-Man without forcing objectives down your throat. However, "Edge of Time" has lots of extras, unlockable features, and an extremely fast-paced story that helps to make up for any boring linear parts you encounter.

"Edge of Time" takes place during the reign of two different spidery super-heroes, allowing you to play as both amazing Spider-Man Peter Parker, as well as 2099 Spider-Man, Miguel O'Hara. Thanks to a crazy corporate scientist who is messing around with time travel in 2099, Peter faces death at an unexpected rate, triggering a chain reaction that results in a really messed up future for Miguel O'Hara. In order to solve this little paradox issue, O'Hara telepathically communicates with Parker and they begin to work together to fix what has happened.

You jump back and forth between these two characters pretty rapidly, and each one has their own abilities and specialties. This aspect makes for a pretty fun style of play, as each character fights differently, each one handles bosses differently using their separate skills. Each character can upgrade, customize, and purchase new abilities and costumes throughout the game using collected points. This adds a fun customized aspect to the game, as you can do things like really overcharge a fighting ability or add things like regenerating health.

Probably the most interesting aspect of this game is how fast you're thrown into things - and the game never slows down. When I popped this game into my system and booted it up, I was thrown immediately into a boss fight. There was no start or menu screen to start the game, just BAM!, you're in a boss fight. After that I expected some sort of menu or "welcome to this game" sort of intro, but instead you get a really cool interactive cut scene where the story begins to unfold while credits of the game-makers are artistically displayed in the environment as you crawl around. I felt like I was watching a movie. I love this stuff; I wish more games had this kind of introduction.

The fast pace doesn't slow down once you get into the story. I felt like I was on the verge of an anxiety attack at times with how fast the game was throwing life-threatening problems that have to be solved as soon as possible to avoid killing off either Spider-Man, or other important characters like Mary Jane. You run down a hallway and suddenly all the doors disappear and you're in a room with a radiation leak that's going to kill you in about a minute? Yeah, sorry, that's other-Spidey's fault, but you better fix it within just a few seconds before you both die. That type of stuff happens quite a bit thanks to the cause-and-effect story element in this game.

As for the rest of the game, it felt a little mundane and stale. The game spoon-feeds you objectives at some points, while other parts are confusing as to what you're supposed to be doing. There is also a lot of fighting, almost too much. As much as I love beating up baddies as two different Spider-Men, the squabbles get to be a bit annoying. You can't open almost any door without defeating a load of enemies first. And then there's the free-falling stages when you have to dodge objects. I'm pretty sure that the building this game takes place in must go through the entire diameter of the planet if it really includes all those stories that Spider-Man falls through.

But overall I found "Edge of Time" to be a fairly pleasing Spider-Man game. The mundane or obnoxious bits were alleviated by options and a fast-paced story, the game has some decent re-play value too with all those extras. So even if you're like me and prefer the open-world style games a bit more, try this one out for size as it offers a little bit more than the average Spider-Man game aimed at kids.