Spider-Man and Venom: Maximum Carnage
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| Spider-Man and Venom: Maximum Carnage | |
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| Developer(s) | Software Creations |
| Publisher(s) | LJN |
| Designer(s) | John Pickford & Mark Flitman |
| Platform(s) | SNES, Sega Mega Drive/Genesis |
| Release date(s) | September, 1994 |
| Genre(s) | Beat 'em up |
| Mode(s) | Single player |
| Rating(s) | VRC: MA-13 |
| Media | 16-megabit cartridge |
| Input methods | Control pad |
Spider-Man and Venom: Maximum Carnage is a scrolling fighting game for the Super NES and Sega Mega Drive/Genesis, developed by Software Creations and published by LJN (a subsidiary of Acclaim) in 1994. The game, based on a sprawling comic book story arc of the same name, featured numerous heroes, including Spider-Man, Venom, and their allies from the Marvel Comics fictional universe like Captain America, Black Cat, Iron Fist, Cloak and Dagger, Deathlok, Morbius the Living Vampire, and Firestar, all teaming up to battle an onslaught of villains led by Carnage, including Shriek, Doppelganger, Demogoblin, and Carrion.
Maximum Carnage is notable as one of the first video games to be directly based on a comic book story, rather than simply using comics characters in a standard video game "action/adventure" plot. Many of the game's cut scenes feature semi-animated versions of art taken directly from the comics. It was also notable as being the first Spider-Man video game to receive a teen rating(That being the Genesis version in particular; the SNES re-release version had a rating of K-A).
The game received mixed reviews from critics[1] and gamers[2], with many reviewers commenting on its repetitive, generic gameplay, Although this can be considered LJN's best video game, due to the fact that most LJN games were labeled unplayable by most gamers.[citation needed]
The game featured a colored cartridge. Both the Sega Mega Drive/Genesis and Super Nintendo versions were red. They were later released in the normal catridge colors (black for Genesis, gray for SNES).
The game was followed up by a sequel called Spider-Man & Venom: Separation Anxiety.
The game's soundtrack was provided by American rock group Green Jellÿ. The title screen theme song appears as the first track on the band's 1994 album 333 as "Carnage Rules." However, due to the state of video game music technology at that time the soundtrack was not recorded music, but a computerized rendition of the songs.
[edit] Gameplay
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In this single-player side-scrolling beat 'em up (with a format similar to Final Fight, and Streets of Rage) the player controls Spider-Man (but in some levels have the option to play as Venom) through various levels in an effort to stop the supervillain Carnage and his gang, as well as hundreds of criminals they inspire in their wake, from taking over the city. The two 16-bit versions are virtually identical, aside from the quality of the sound and music.
Spider-Man's wallcrawling plays an important part in the game. It can be used to find secret items, temporarily escape from difficult enemies and is even the basis for the second level.
The other Marvel heroes can be summoned by collecting appropriate items hidden within certain levels. Their effects vary greatly, and some of them have different effects depending on who the player is. Of note is the rarity and set locations of the power-ups necessary to summon aid, and that each character has a unique set of music to accompany their appearance.
In order of appearance, the other characters and their powers:
- Cloak stops all movement and removes all enemies on screen.
- Black Cat (for Spider-Man) hits all enemies on screen, (for Venom) lands on one enemy and hits all enemies between herself and the far edge of the screen.
- Dagger hits all enemies, but the animation differs between Spider-Man and Venom.
- Firestar (for Venom) blasts all on ground enemies, (for Spider-Man) hits all enemies (aerial enemies included).
- Spider-Man/Venom (depending on the player character) fires the Sonic Gun.
- Morbius the Living Vampire (for Spider-Man) distracts all enemies, (for Venom) reduces all enemies to low health.
- Deathlok hits all enemies on screen.
- Iron Fist (for Spider-Man) completely heals him, (for Venom) kicks all enemies on screen.
- Captain America throws his shield, (for Venom)often hitting only one or zero enemies.(for Spider-Man) Hits all Enemies.
It should be noted the damage they inflict is considerably lessened for the super-villains (for example, Cloak's power) farther into the game. The effect of the heroes on villains can vary depending on the character used against. Spider-Man's Morbius, for example is useless against bosses. Black Cat is a terrible choice to kill Carrion because he flies. Conversely though, certain heroes can have dramatic effects on some villains. For example, Firestar and Spider-Man/Venom deal considerable damage to Carnage as both Carnage and Venom are extremely susceptible to fire and/or sonic blasts. Also, the use of the Sonic Gun while in control of Venom is more harmful to Venom than Carnage as you continue on later into the game. This is due to the fact that at this time in the story, Carnage has developed an immunity to Sonic weapons, while Venom has not.
[edit] External links
- Spider-Man & Venom: Maximum Carnage at GameRankings
- Spider-Man and Venom: Maximum Carnage at GameFAQs
- Spider-Man games on Marvel.com
- Spider-Man and Venom: Maximum Carnage at MobyGames
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