Here's How to (Successfully) Fight Huge Criminal Mobs in "Spider-Man" On PS4

Because even Spider-Man can't button-mash his way out of a gang of unruly criminals.

Yes, homework can be stressful. Same with exams, catching the bus on time and keeping up to date with intensely popular TV shows.

But you don't know real stress until you've dealt with more than 10 unruly thugs coming at you (Spider-Man) with lead pipes, shields, guns and who knows what else.

The PS4's Spider-Man is very good at this exact thing and it will most likely cause Spidey to die a number of times.

To help you on your quest to save NYC and those closest to you from the baddies around the place, we're going to offer a few tips on how to successfully overcome groups of bad guys without resorting to dodge too much.

Okay, dodge is the first tip.

Dodge is usually the easy way out of most fights when you're swarmed but in Spider-Man, it's also completely crucial. 

That's because the criminals hit with impossible accuracy and if you don't dodge, they won't miss. To dodge, press O, it's pretty simple.

To dodge perfectly, however, requires a little bit more precision. Your Spidey sense (the web halo above your head) has two phases: the initial, which is a whiter halo, and the imminent, which looks more blue. If you tap dodge (remember, O) just when Spidey's sense turns blue, you'll dodge and automatically shoot webs on their face, rendering them temporarily incapacitated. 

Web Zip to your targets (especially gun-wielding crims).

This next one is important because it might be the difference between getting shot or not. Web Zip to your target using △ and you'll not only zip straight to them but stun them as well. Pretty handy if they're just about to shoot you.

Web 'em up.

Another no-brainer but it's easy to forget when you're trying every other move. Your Web Shooter is a handy tool in situations where there might be more than one powerful or heavy foe. Hit R1 repeatedly to immobilise them while you take a few jabs or just so you can limit the amount of foes hitting you.

Use vertical combos.

While vertical combos won't save you from ranged attacks (those pesky gunmen), it will allow you to avoid unwanted punches from other mere ground-wandering criminals. When taking on a criminal, hold down ▢ to launch them into the air and continue your combos up there.

Save your Finisher for the tough ones.

Once your Focus Meter fills up, you'll be gifted with a handy Finisher move. This is basically a stylish knockout of one enemy and it's recommended you save them for the tough guys in the crowd. These are usually brutes (you can use the Finisher on them later in the game), shielded enemies and baton-wielding enemies. You'll know to use it on them when a prompt, showing △ + ▢, appears during fights.

Use all your gadgets.

At the start of the game, you'll have considerably less options in terms of gadgets but later on, once you upgrade, you'll have a few ranged options like Web Bombs and Concussive Blasts, which will help disperse those big enemy swarms. Hold down L1 while in combat to select from your gadget wheel and use like there's no tomorrow.

Don't forget to heal.

With everything you're doing to overcome this rude barrage of enemies, you'll often forget to heal. It's important that you keep an eye on your health meter during fights because a few shots and a brute punch is all it takes for Spidey to die. He's not Superman after all. Heal mid-battle by pressing the down button on the directional pad.

Escape when all else fails.

If you're getting totally overwhelmed by the hordes of bad guys, swing away, my friend. There are a lot of moves to remember and when there's just too many baddies, use Spider-Man's best weapon: his ability to rapidly swing away.

Once you're recovered and you feel like you remember all your button-mashing combos, swing back into action.

Spider-Man is available now on PlayStation 4. You can grab it in stores or on the PlayStation store.

Header Image: Insomniac Games