Marvel release spins web of stunning graphical prowess as Spider-Man 2 amazes
THWIP! THWIP! Swinging onto the scene once more, Insomniac Games has returned with a brand new installment in their Marvel video game universe, bringing the highly-anticipated sequel to 2018’s Marvel’s Spider-Man with the appropriately titled Marvel’s Spider-Man 2. Peter Parker (Yuri Lowenthal, Ben 10: Alien Force) and Miles Morales (Nadji Jeter, Grown Ups 2) team up to, as the game’s tagline suggests, “Be Greater. Together.” As the two navigate the city that never sleeps, new threats emerge from abroad and arise from the shadows… as well as the sewers.
Announced alongside sister title Marvel’s Wolverine during a Playstation Showcase event in late 2021, Spider-Man 2 flaunted first teases of a dastardly duo of infamous Spider-Man baddies: the alien symbiote Venom and the ravenous for a challenge Kraven the Hunter. Silence then ensued with few developments as to the status of the game, leaving many fans fearing it would be pushed back or end up delivering an end-product reeking of developer crunch. However, by the time May, 2023 rolled around, the silence finally broke with a whopping 13 minutes of both gameplay and cinematic footage shown off, displaying new additions to the combat, a closer look at what the story would be like, and the infamous Symbiote suit (first appearing in The Amazing Spider-Man #252). Even from the scant amount shown, players knew how brutal Peter would become due to the symbiote’s corruption.
Yet again, time would crawl by with few updates as to the game’s release, and Lowenthal’s next outing as the web-slinging, wall-crawling menace wouldn’t take place until a surprise appearance in Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, while Lyla (Greta Lee, Past Lives) is taking Miles (Shameik Moore, Wu-Tang: An American Saga) through the Spider-Society headquarters. At Summer Game Fest, Insomniac Games Creative Director Bryan Intihar showed off the first full official look at Venom (Tony Todd, Candyman) as well as an official release date for the game of October 20. Additionally, Intihar revealed that instead of going with the usual Eddie Brock incarnation of the symbiote wielder, someone else would be behind the gooey veil, a key focal point in the game’s lore.
The story picks up a little under a year after the events of the Spider-Man: Miles Morales game released back in the dark ages of 2020, as Peter attempts to find a new normal after the untimely death of Aunt May. Along with this, Peter has yet another run-in with his typical “Parker Luck,” attempting to find a stable source of income after his previous mentor had become the villainous Doctor Octopus and nearly killed the whole world with a bioweapon known as Devil’s Breath manufactured by his ex-partner, Norman Osborn. Meanwhile, Miles sets off to begin his college essay, while dealing with the aftermath of his father’s death at the hands of Martin Li, the villain known as Mr. Negative. However, when Sergei Kravinoff and his band of hunters commence their “Great Hunt,” things are shaken up for the Spider-Men as they must face threats unforeseen to them.
Around the Big Apple lies a multitude of brand new activities for players to explore among the newly expanded map to the boroughs of Queens and Brooklyn, nearly doubling the size of the original map from the first two games. In order to get around districts of New York, a huge improvement compared to the first two games has been the new traversal options and fast-travel system. Due to the power of the PS5, load times have become essentially non-existent, at most taking a few seconds; however, even then, players have opted to take the long route with traditional web-slinging as well as the newest addition to the game, the Web-Wings. Stemming all the way from Amazing Fantasy #15 and making its initial on-screen debut in Spider-Man: Homecoming, the addition of the Web-Wings in Spider-Man 2 makes zipping through the “City So Nice, They Named it Twice” lightning-quick, giving the adrenaline rush expected from a character who is supposed to have the agility and speed of an arachnid.
Similar to Miles Morales, Spider-Man 2 offers two graphical playmodes to fit most player’s playstyle. One of them, known as Fidelity mode, utilizes the PS5’s visual capabilities to enhance the player’s experience, capping out at 30 frames per second. This increased quality in resolution enables the player to feel as though Insomniac’s NYC is a real, lived-in environment rather than just a simple sandbox for the game’s sake.The other choice, Performance mode, allows the game to run at a smooth 60 fps in return for compromising the game’s graphical beauty and visual effects.
Within its first 24 hours alone, Spider-Man 2 sold more than 5.5 million copies, making it the fastest-selling Playstation Studios game in history, which is no small feat. It is clear the amount of love and attention to detail the developers have put into the game. It easily became the king of the hill for the best-selling game in October, and has already been nominated for seven separate categories for the 2023 Game Awards (an event held each year to celebrate the year in gaming). The nominations include the following: Best Game Direction, Best Narrative, Best Performance (for Yuri Lowenthal as Peter Parker), Best Action/Adventure Game, Innovation in Accessibility, Best Audio Design, and the ever-so coveted title of Game of the Year.
However, the lack of the New Game+ mode and changing the time post-game at launch has left Spider-Man 2 feeling lackluster without any true replay value other than just experiencing the story. Usually, along with New Game+, comes the Ultimate mode difficulty, a game mode that packs an extra punch for players “Kraven” a challenge. Though it is a guarantee that these features will be available at a later date, in the meantime, it is up to players to remain as patient as they can.
Along with web slinging, any piece of good Spider-Man media is never complete without its soundtrack. From the iconic 1960’s animated Spider-Man theme to Danny Elfman’s spine-tingling composition for Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man trilogy to Daniel Pemberton’s spectacular leitmotif for Miles Morales throughout both Spider-Verse flicks, John Paesano’s take on the iconic webslinger brings all the gusto and grandeur reminiscent of the previous takes on the character while still setting itself apart. Instrumental music isn’t just where the soundtrack shines, as alongside the game was released a single by artist EARTHGANG featuring Benji titled “Swing.” This serves as the game’s opener song similar to “Alive” by Warbly Jets for the first game. The track is a hip-hop beat, similar to the ones found in the Spider-Verse movies and the Miles Morales game, perfectly fitting for the two Spider-Men as they begin a new journey.
Spidey Sense is Tingling! Spoilers Ahead!
Amidst Kraven’s thirst for a worthy opponent to put an end to his life of hunting, he viciously ends the life of a multitude of supervillains both on- and off-screen. Some of those- “those” being Shocker, Electro, and Vulture- were entirely skipped over during the mainline story, only finding out about their deaths after the fact while MJ is snooping around the Hunter’s stronghold.
Compared to the first two games, Spider-Man 2’s story is a bloodbath. Where Spider-Man and Miles Morales deliver on heart-felt, emotional storytelling and Easter eggs galore (not that Spider-Man 2 lacks either), there is no lack of violence in the slightest, making the game feel more grounded and setting the stakes higher than ever before. As players progress throughout the game, they find out that Kraven’s reason for a hunt is not just for the thrill, but rather because he’s dying. This sets up a clear juxtaposition between Kraven and Peter, due to the fact that Peter’s no-kill rule is what stops him from being Kraven’s true equal; however, after Peter dies and is resurrected (recreating a scene similar to that shown in the storyline that the game is inspired by known as Kraven’s Last Hunt), he acquires the Venom Symbiote from Harry, setting him on his own path of vengeance.
As of yet, a DLC has neither been confirmed nor announced, but considering the many storylines that have not been wrapped up, it is almost a given at this point. With the teasing of Cletus Kasady acquiring the Carnage symbiote in “The Flame,” side missions featuring former-police captain turned vigilante Wraith (voiced by Yuri Lowenthal’s wife, Tara Platt), players quiver at the thought of just how much anarchy the Symbiote in red can cause, as Insomniac’s Venom was one of the strongest adaptations of the character seen in media thus far. In other side quests, players learn about the purging of Kraven’s own family except his daughter, as well as his half-brother, the infamous villain Chameleon (the first villain Spider-Man ever faced in the original Steve Dikto-Stan Lee run of Amazing Spider-Man). These baddies combined in a DLC expansion would not only tie up the Symbiote saga and Kraven’s legacy, but also set the stage for the next installment of Insomniac’s universe, wherever they may take it next.
Meanwhile, in the ending scenes of the game, it is revealed that Miles’ mother, Rio Morales, is dating none other than Albert Moon. Although the name may not ring a bell, the introduction of his daughter, Cindy, really got fans clamoring. Cindy Moon in the comics is yet another well-beloved Spider-themed hero, but seeing as Insomniac can take the lore nearly anywhere at this point, time will only tell in regards to their plans.
On the opposite side of the spectrum, as Norman comes to terms with Harry being put in a coma after being purged from the Venom symbiote, he calls a mysterious figure over the phone to bring him the “G-Serum”, which can only be assumed to be some variation of the formula that gives Green Goblin his powers. In a final post-credit scene, Norman Osborn sets out on his quest for vengeance against the Spider-Men for “ruining his son,” going to none other than the good doctor himself, Otto Octavius, where he is seen writing in a journal. Osborn inquires what Otto is doing, where he replies that he is writing “the final chapter,” fueling the fires for a final installment of this version of Peter Parker’s journey.
As fans (im)patiently wait with baited breath for the next chapter in Insomniac’s Spider-Man franchise, and with The Game Awards set to occur on December 7, 2023, there’s no telling where the quip-making friendly-neighborhood wall crawlers could go next. Whether that be going up against foes that are considered to be most sinister, or even going to space (as seen in the Spider-Man: Life Story storyline), Spidey supporters are sure to be hopeful for whatever comes next.
Grade: A+
Spider-Man 2 swings into the big leagues with compelling storytelling, adrenaline-pumping action, and heart wrenching stakes, providing the ultimate Spider-Man experience.
by Evan Parfitt
Published November 27, 2023
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