Swing both ways in DS/PSP brawler Spider-Man: Friend or Foe

What's a publisher to do when it has the licence for a huge movie series, but said movies only come out once every two years? Make a game based on the latest big movie but change the name a bit is Activision's response.

And so to Spider-Man: Friend or Foe, a game that extends the good/bad theme of Spider-Man 3.

The hook this time is that Spider-Man: Friend or Foe can be played throughout in a two-player co-operative manner, with Spider-Man always linked up with a trusty sidekick. Of course, if you're just playing as a single-player, you'll have the option to hotswap between the two characters at any point to make use of their different attributes and powers.

The interesting rub is that while you'll start out with the option to buddy up with good guys such as Blade and Iron Fist, as you make your way through the game, you'll get to convert defeated enemies to your cause. By the end then, Spidey could be partnered with the likes of Doc Ock, Sandman, Venom or Green Goblin. Spider-Man 3's Black-Suited Spider-Man is the final unlockable character.

Odd plot aside, Spider-Man: Friend or Foe should be all about battling. A new combat system is promised that will enable you to pull off combo moves, as well as making the most of each characters' special fighting styles.

Activision is hoping this sort of mix-and-match approach will encourage replayability – something it will highlight with secret areas containing special tokens and hidden items scattered throughout the game, which will unlock collectibles, powers and mini-games.

Playing through the game in the two-player co-op mode will also unlock special battle arenas where you can try out some head-to-head brawling.

Spider-Man: Friend or Foe is due for release on DS and PSP sometime during the autumn.