Exploring the Depths of Spider-Man's Most Sinister Foes

Highlights

Marvel's Spider-Man 2 is a highly anticipated sequel to the 2018 game and its Miles Morales spin-off, and has been well-received by fans and critics alike.

In the upcoming Spider-Man 3 game, the tone is much darker than in previous installments. The main villain carries out brutal executions of reformed bad guys, and the game delves into Peter Parker's internal battle with the symbiote and Venom. Following the successful formula, Spider-Man 3 will introduce more sinister characters like The Green Goblin and Carnage, ensuring that players continue to enjoy the unique and immersive experience the series offers.

Insomniac Games and Sony recently released Marvel's Spider-Man 2, the highly anticipated sequel to the 2018 hit Spider-Man and its canon spin-off, Spider-Man: Miles Morales. As expected, this newest addition to Insomniac's impressive game lineup has received praise from both fans and critics. While the game builds upon the success of its predecessors, there are also notable elements in Spider-Man 2 that set it apart.

The 2018 Spider-Man game brought a mix of familiar and surprising story elements to devoted superhero fans. Rather than retelling the origin story of Peter Parker, Insomniac's game introduces a more mature version of Spider-Man in his early 20s. The well-known aspects of Spider-Man's origin, such as Uncle Ben's demise, have already occurred and been addressed. Instead, players experience a confident Peter Parker who grapples with the challenges of balancing his career, personal life, and heroic responsibilities. In a twist, Peter takes on the role of mentor to Miles Morales, who becomes the second Spider-Man.

Spider-Man 2 Darkened the Tone of the Franchise

Although Spider-Man and Miles Morales have experienced some dark events in their stories, their narratives align with the standard tone of the broader Spider-Man franchise. In contrast, Spider-Man 2 delves into a darker territory compared to its predecessors. The primary antagonist, Kraven the Hunter, embarks on a global pursuit of more formidable prey, usually super-villains. Despite some of his targets having reformed, Kraven mercilessly eliminates them. Additionally, Spider-Man 2 explores Peter's internal struggle with the symbiote and Venom, which presents a personal challenge for the character.

The darkness depicted in Spider-Man 2 significantly alters the overall tone of the series and greatly affects its characters. Consequently, Spider-Man 3 must also embody this darker tone and prominently feature the most threatening villains in Spider-Man's rogues' gallery. The most logical choice, one that the series has been indirectly setting up since its inception, is The Green Goblin. With the close ties Peter Parker shares with the Osborn family, the presence of Green Goblin would seamlessly follow as a pivotal antagonist. However, a successful Spider-Man game requires more than one villain. Therefore, Spider-Man 3 should also consider including some of the franchise's other menacing adversaries to expand its roster.

Spider-Man 3 Has Plenty of Villains to Pull From

One potential antagonist that could be featured in the upcoming Spider-Man game is Carnage. Carnage is a symbiote who takes control of the infamous serial killer, Cletus Kasady. Known for his pure evil nature, Carnage derives pleasure from feeding on innocent people. With the introduction of Kasady in Spider-Man 2, incorporating Carnage into the game's narrative seems like an obvious choice. Furthermore, embracing a darker direction could also pave the way for the inclusion of other villains such as Morbius.

Despite achieving meme status, Morbius failed to captivate the hearts of moviegoers. However, Insomniac Games could capitalize on this by reintroducing the character with genuinely horrifying motives and terrifying vampiric abilities. Embracing Morbius' supernatural essence would also allow the game to incorporate elements of horror, setting it apart from previous entries.

Insomniac's Spider-Man game is not going for the same dark feel as Arkham Asylum and its sequels, but introducing darker villains and sticking to the tonal shift in the second game would solidify the series as a unique addition to the franchise. The contrast between the darkness in Spider-Man 2 and its emphasis on the friendly neighborhood Spider-Man concept in side missions is a great combination. This mix of aesthetics and tones has made it one of the most immersive Spider-Man experiences overall and the ultimate game series for the hero.

You can get Marvel's Spider-Man 2 now on PS5.

Marvel's Spider-Man 2 is the highly anticipated sequel to the acclaimed 2018 Spider-Man game and its popular Miles Morales spin-off. This thrilling open-world adventure, exclusive to the PS5 console, brings together the iconic superheroes Peter Parker and Miles Morales in a dual protagonist experience. Prepare for epic battles as they face formidable foes like Kraven, Venom, and Lizard.

Spider-Man franchise

Platform: PS5

Release date: October 20, 2023

Developed by: Insomniac Games

Published by: Sony Interactive Entertainment

Genres: Open-World, Action-Adventure

ESRB rating: T for Teen - Contains blood, drug reference, mild language, and violence

Estimated playtime: 20 hours

Metascore rating: 91