Spider-Man 3

Thankfully, Peter Parker and his mean–people–suck attitude get a major overhaul in the third Spider–Man movie. As you likely know by now, the plot involves black alien goo that takes over Spidey’s spandex and turns him into something resembling an actual New Yorker: dastardly and prone to violence. In video–game terms, that means you get to play a black–suited­ antihero capable of tossing thugs from rooftops and grinding a villain’s face into a passing train.

Spidey alternates from black suit to red suit at set points in the plot. The red suit works fine for taking out colorful New York street gangs (including a band of rocket­–launcher­–­wielding ninjas), while his black duds add a strength boost and come in handy for fighting the film’s villains Venom and Sandman. Between battles, your friendly (or not so friendly), neighborhood Spider–Man can take in the sights, moving freely around a fairly realistic re–­creation of Manhattan. In fact, you may find that the plot takes a backseat to the sheer thrill of soaring through the city streets by web–line. Which isn’t to say the fights aren’t gripping: The controls are tight, and Spidey has a deep arsenal of hand–to–hand combat moves with which to dispatch his foes.

Movie tie–in games are usually as exciting as a date with Peter’s Aunt May, but like its two previous installments, Spider–Man 3 is worthy of your hero worship.