As you swing through Manhattan, random crimes pop up in real-time. If you ignore them, your "Hero" meter drops, and the city turns against you. If you intervene, you are celebrated. While some gamers found the time limits on these side missions annoying, it added a layer of authenticity to the character—Peter Parker has to balance his real life with saving the city, and sometimes, you have to let a robbery slide to get to the main mission.