Spider-Man: Edge of Time is the sequel to Shattered Dimensions, and it, too, stars more than one Spider-Man. In this story, it’s the standard, traditional “Amazing” Spider-Man, as well as Spider-Man 2099, in a tale rife with time travel, temporal fights, and Anti-Venom.
The backbone of this plot appears to be more like a Spider-Man 2099 story, as he is the only character aware of what is going on in the game and the changes that both Spider-Men face. Things look gloomy for Amazing Spider-Man, who starts the game practically dead, and 2099 is the only one who can help. Walker Sloan, a new villain, enters the picture with a scheme to reconstruct the past (from 2099) in his image and design, which affects both Spider-Men. From here, anarchy ensues in traditional comic-book form, with gameplay evenly divided between Amazing Spider-Man and Spider-Man 2099, with every other level intertwining with the events of one Spidey to the other.
The gameplay is a standard arcade-style, comic book beat-em-up formula, similar to modern beat-em-up games. There are many additional moves to learn and buy in the Upgrades menu and various unique strikes and combos because each Spider-Man plays differently and demands distinct strategies for fighting and use. Amazing Spider-Man, for example, plays a little stronger and has longer-range distance attacks, whereas 2099 is primarily on speed. Players can improve the health and defense capabilities of the Spider-Men by collecting Golden Spiders, and they can enhance the combat abilities of both characters by gathering Portal Energy strewn throughout the levels and from combat.
Both characters have a stamina meter that allows them to use a quick-evade move and considerably more powerful combat methods. Aside from the life and stamina bars, an icon fills as players pass past foes during combat, allowing them to employ an ability known as the Time Paradox, which stops time and enemies in an area immediately surrounding either Spider-Man.
Aside from the main tale, there are other extra features. The Web of Challenges is a secondary gameplay feature that places players in specific areas of the game to complete various tasks such as collecting all of the Portal Energy in a room in a set time limit, defeating several enemies within a hard time limit, building combos, and fighting without getting too beat up. Web of Challenges events are highlighted during ordinary gaming, and players can view the challenge’s information in-game or continue playing. In either case, their outcomes are recorded during the initial playback. Other galleries and features include an action figure (character model) gallery with character history notes, a concept art gallery, a movie gallery (for the game’s FMVs), collected newspapers (with timeline-adjusted headlines), and Walker Sloan memoranda.
