Our spider senses tell us that this sequel is going to be a big hit with the comic strip/videogame crossover demographic. In Spider-Man 2 for PlayStation 2, gamers get to go everywhere – wherever a spider can, if you will – in a big change from the previous game in this series, as Peter Parker’s alter-ego roams free and climbs to the top of skyscrapers and dives down to the busy New York streets. Spider-Man 2 gives you and the web-slinging superhero free rein over the city. The free-roaming nature of the game is the most notable change in Spider-Man 2. Where the original was a linear experience with a fair number of stand-alone levels to propel the story, Spider-Man 2 is a whole and seamless new game world in a GTA: Vice City stylie, for example. Unsurprisingly enough, the storyline involves the diabolical duo of Doc Octopus and The Lizard and their collective intention to take over New York for their own evil ends. Unsurprisingly (again) your task as Spidey is to foil the gruesome twosome and their minions in a series of good ol’ swinging ‘n’ slinging missions. These missions include ‘Citizens in Distress’ (CID) and ‘Random Crimes’. A CID mission can be initiated by approaching a civilian with a question mark over their heads. They will tell Spidey that someone somewhere needs help. Then it’s up to you to guide our hero to the crime scene and do what’s right. Given the vast expanse of the new game’s geography, there are no arrows to point you in the right direction this time around. Instead, there is a transparent map of the city that makes locating certain events and areas quicker and easier. ‘Random Crimes’ can earn Hero Points, which in turn can be used to buy upgrades. Intervening in a random crime isn’t mandatory, but if you have some time to kill between missions, why not save an innocent civilian or two? It’ll do you a power of good in the Upgrade Store, as you’ll be able to use your Hero Points to purchase what we still refer to around here as power-ups. More swinging and web-slinging power means a deeper, more satisfying game experience. So, if you should ever get invited to a swingers party, play innocent and take along a copy of Spider-Man 2 – top quality entertainment and a complete lack of embarrassment guaranteed.