April 17, 2008 - Like a streak of light, he arrives just in time -- Spider-Man is coming back to videogames.

Activision announced today that Spider-Man: Web of Shadows is currently in the works from Shaba Games and Treyarch for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 2, PSP, Nintendo DS, Wii and PC. Although it wasn't ready to say too much about the action-adventure game, Activision did tell us that Web of Shadows will be set in a free-roaming, open-ended New York that combines web slinging with customizable superpowers. There will be the traditional combo attacks on the ground, but the game will also feature a brand new emphasis on vertical combat as gamers take Spidey to the skies and duke it out with bad guys.

However, it might not just be foes who are getting socked in the jaw. According to Activision, Spider-Man's latest adventure will let players choose how they want to play -- if folks want to be the friendly neighborhood superhero, they can, but they can also ignore missions and be the anti-hero who is only looking out for himself. Marvel heroes and villains will pop up in the adventure, and gamers will have the ability to change sides as they see fit.

Activision is keeping its lips sealed about what Spider-Man is up against in the new game but we know it's a threat to the entire world and that it can do some real damage to New York. From the one screenshot and teaser trailer, it looks like Spidey's up against a number of villains who can redecorate buildings and create giant oozing black tendrils. The black gunk and the alien-looking dudes crawling on the side of the building in the teaser makes us think symbiote, but there's no way to know what's going on at this point.




Still, you might be able to get some inside info if you're lucky enough to be at the New York Comic-Con this week. At Activision's booth, the company will be holding voiceover auditions for the title. Videos of the performances will be posted on the Spider-Man: Web of Shadow's website where the community will vote for who they want in the game.

I'm really looking forward to this. From the few details released so far, it sounds like it could easily be one of the best Spider-Man games yet.

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