Spider-Man : Friend or Foe

Spider-Man: Friend or Foe for PlayStation 2 is a 2007 action brawler from Next Level Games, published by Activision. It takes Marvel's web-slinger into a light, stylized adventure that draws on the characters and visual language of Sam Raimi's Spider-Man films while telling its own separate story. Rather than another open-city Spider-Man game, the PS2 release is built around self-contained combat stages, a comic-book cast of heroes and villains, and a central idea that lets former enemies become temporary partners.

The story begins after Spider-Man faces Green Goblin, Doctor Octopus, Sandman, and Venom. An attack by P.H.A.N.T.O.M.s—holographic creatures empowered by symbiote technology—scatters the conflict in a new direction. Nick Fury and S.H.I.E.L.D. bring Spider-Man aboard the Helicarrier and send him after meteor fragments connected to the threat. The mission carries him through locations around the world as he searches for the shards, confronts brainwashed opponents, and uncovers the figure directing the P.H.A.N.T.O.M. army.

Combat is the foundation of Spider-Man: Friend or Foe on PS2. Spider-Man uses close-range attacks, web-based techniques, jumps, and evasive movement to clear groups of enemies and take on bosses. The game also lets players change between Spider-Man and the accompanying sidekick during ordinary stages, so each mission can be approached with two different fighting styles. Spider-Man's web abilities can be expanded with unlockable web modes, while the other playable characters have their own special moves. Tokens earned while playing support purchases and character upgrades aboard the Helicarrier.

The sidekick system gives the game its title and provides much of its variety. S.H.I.E.L.D. allies such as Prowler and Silver Sable join the operation, while familiar Marvel characters including Black Cat, Iron Fist, Lizard, and Blade can become part of the roster. Defeated foes such as Doctor Octopus, Green Goblin, Sandman, and Venom can also be freed from control and recruited. These pairings allow Spider-Man to fight beside a hero or one of his usual adversaries, and their shared Hero Strikes provide a powerful way to clear clusters of enemies.

The Helicarrier functions as the campaign hub between missions. From there, players select destinations, manage upgrades, and prepare their chosen companion. Collectibles found in stages unlock extras such as character biographies and concept art, while secret areas can open arenas for the local versus mode. The PS2 edition also supports drop-in two-player cooperative play: a second player can take control of Spider-Man's current sidekick and join the action alongside the first player. That makes its level-by-level progression suitable for either solo play with character switching or couch co-op.

Spider-Man: Friend or Foe is part of the wider Spider-Man game line that followed the 2007 Spider-Man 3 film, but its plot is not a direct continuation of that movie's events. Its movie-inspired versions of the characters are used in a more playful team-up premise, with Mysterio behind the larger scheme. Next Level Games developed the PS2 version as well as the Wii and Xbox 360 editions; the handheld PSP and Nintendo DS releases were made separately and differ in content. For PlayStation 2 players, Friend or Foe stands apart as a cooperative Spider-Man adventure focused on recruiting allies, upgrading a team, and battling through a globe-spanning story.