Exclusive Sneak Peek: Brace Yourselves for an Unforgettable Mary Jane Moment in Marvel's Spider-Man 2

Highlights

In an intriguing sequence, the trailer reveals Mary Jane Watson in a seemingly concealed state, evading the symbiote-infected Peter Parker. This reintroduction of divisive gameplay adds a thrilling element to the experience.

Playing as Mary Jane in a pursuit sequence where Peter transforms into a terrifying enemy can create a high-stress gameplay experience, especially if it transitions to Miles Morales for a boss battle.

The story trailer for Marvel's Spider-Man 2 shown at SDCC 2023 drew numerous intriguing connections to other Spider-Man media. The revelation of Harry Osborn as a character, released from his stasis chamber, bears clear similarities to his portrayal in The Amazing Spider-Man 2. Just like in that sequel, his role seems crucial to the plot. There may be intentional misdirection in certain shots from the trailer, and the abundance of quick montage shots near the end is bound to spark speculation.

One such shot depicts the altered appearance of Mary Jane Watson in Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, leaving fans puzzled. In this particular moment, she swiftly takes cover, seemingly hiding from Peter Parker, who descends into view while wearing the symbiote. Lasting only a second, this scene strongly suggests that she purposefully evades Peter in light of the negative effects the symbiote has on him. Insomniac now has the opportunity to reintroduce the franchise's most controversial moments through a terrifying new perspective, potentially making this sequence truly distressing.

Mary Jane Being Playable Again Could Turn Peter into a Horrific Pursuer Enemy

Insomniac creatively showcased characters without superpowers through the inclusion of a vulnerable Miles Morales and a reserved Mary Jane in the gameplay. This approach added an extra layer of dynamism to the game, although it could be argued that it occasionally became less captivating due to its heavy reliance on stealth mechanics. In contrast, playing as Spider-Man allowed for exhilarating moments of quietly eliminating foes one by one. However, an enjoyable aspect was found in Mary Jane's section set in Grand Central Terminal, where she arranged for isolated Inner Demons to be incapacitated by Peter.

Otherwise, it would be challenging to find instances where playing as Spider-Man was less enjoyable than playing as MJ or Miles. It would be surprising if Insomniac chooses to include these types of sequences in the sequel. However, Marvel's Spider-Man 2 ironically presents a perfect opportunity for such moments. For instance, while maneuvering through Tombstone's garage or a Sable outpost, MJ's stealth gameplay was basic and unexciting. On the other hand, an exhilarating pursuit sequence, where she has to flee from Peter in a terrifying manner, could be a game-changer.

If Marvel's Spider-Man 2 incorporates a concept similar to Mr. X from the Resident Evil 2 remake, where Peter becomes a sinister pursuer enemy, playing as Mary Jane could offer intense and spine-chilling experiences, with well-timed jump scares and an appropriate length. Mary Jane wouldn't be able to easily outrun Peter, but evading him by hiding here and there could create nerve-wracking gameplay. The tension could reach its peak when Miles unexpectedly appears to rescue her, resulting in a boss fight where players take control of him. It will be intriguing to discover why Peter is pursuing Mary Jane, assuming that this sequence occurs. Alternatively, it could turn out that she is simply hiding, unknown to Peter's presence as he arrives at the location.

Regardless, Mary Jane probably sees him as a dangerous presence now. This is apparent from the separate lines of dialogue attributed to her while the shot is shown: "He's not himself" and "Go help him," spoken to Miles. It has already been strongly hinted that Miles' bioelectricity will be the force that drives the symbiote away from Peter. However, in the interim, a chase sequence where Mary Jane tries to escape from Peter, with his tendrils in full display, could be a moment of terror that the franchise should fully embrace.

Marvel's Spider-Man 2 is set to launch exclusively for PlayStation 5 on October 20.