Marvel's Spider-Man 2 Nails Fan Anticipation with a Familiar Trailer

Highlights

First-party PlayStation games receive significant marketing pushes, including cinematic trailers made using the game's engine, like Marvel's Spider-Man 2's trailer.

Marvel's Spider-Man 2 defies convention by recreating a scene from its predecessor's cinematic trailer. This gesture not only appeals to fans' nostalgia but also highlights the remarkable development and prowess of Peter Parker and Miles Morales as Spider-Man.

First-party PlayStation games are known for receiving extensive marketing efforts within the industry. In addition to prominent advertising on bus stops and billboards, high-budget PlayStation titles often release numerous trailers during their launch period. These trailers can take various forms, ranging from live-action skits like the Ben Stiller God of War Ragnarok trailer to more memorable cinematic trailers created using the game's engine. The purpose of these cinematic trailers is to provide fans with a glimpse of the game's action and story, similar to the recent "Be Greater. Together" trailer for Marvel's Spider-Man 2.

Typically, these cinematic trailers do not directly impact the actual gameplay, serving more as an overall presentation of features and characters that players can expect on the release day. For example, the recent cinematic trailer for Marvel's Spider-Man 2 showcases the two Spider-Men battling Venom in daylight, utilizing their various gadgets. Although this specific sequence may not be part of the final game, all of its individual components are present in the gameplay. However, Marvel's Spider-Man 2 deviates from this tradition by incorporating a sequence that brings one of the original 2018 game's cinematic trailers to life.

Marvel's Spider-Man 2 Makes Perfect Use of the Be Greater Cinematic Trailer

Marvel's Spider-Man had an impressive range of trailers and gameplay reveals leading up to its September 2018 release. However, the most iconic and memorable piece of marketing came in the form of the "Be Greater" cinematic trailer, which was released just a day before the game's launch. In this trailer, viewers witnessed a gripping scene where the main character, Spider-Man, found himself being knocked off a towering skyscraper by the game's main antagonist, Mr. Negative. As if that wasn't enough, Spider-Man further endured relentless attacks from each member of the Sinister Six, as he plummeted towards the ground. However, instead of succumbing to defeat, Spider-Man decided to fight back, embarking on a remarkable ascent back up the skyscraper to face Mr. Negative confrontationally, one villain at a time.

Not only did the "Be Greater" trailer captivate audiences with its visual grandeur, but it also effectively encapsulated the hero's fundamental ethos in just one minute. It showcased Spider-Man's unwavering determination to never back down and allow the villains to emerge victorious. Moreover, the trailer adeptly introduced the majority of the game's antagonists, while also establishing that this iteration of Peter Parker had a greater level of experience compared to other contemporary versions of the character. Although subsequent trailers for Marvel's Spider-Man 2, like the "Be Greater. Together" trailer, may pay homage to this iconic marketing campaign, the original "Be Greater" trailer remains unparalleled and continues to be regarded as one of the finest promotional materials ever created for the Spider-Man franchise.

Emulating a culmination of Insomniac's past work, Marvel's Spider-Man 2 naturally includes moments that reminisce the 2018 original. However, there is one particular sequence that takes this a step further by remaking the Be Greater cinematic trailer shot-for-shot. In this sequence, Miles Morales and Martin Li enter Peter Parker's mind to sever his connection with the symbiote hive. Miles finds himself in a dream-like recreation of the RAFT prison, where he endures a beating from each member of the Sinister Six, just like Peter did in the original trailer.

This recreation of the Be Greater trailer in Marvel's Spider-Man 2 serves multiple purposes. On the surface, it provides a nostalgic experience for fans who still hold the original trailer dear to their hearts, serving as a homage from Insomniac to its dedicated fanbase. However, upon closer inspection, the placement of this sequence holds deeper significance.

Peter perceives this as one of his lowest moments, and the symbiote seizes the opportunity to demonstrate how it could enhance Peter's life. However, fans are aware that Peter has already triumphed over the Sinister Six without relying on the symbiote, highlighting his inherent strength. Moreover, the fact that Miles is now taking a stand against them signifies that the young hero is more than deserving of the Spider-Man mantle, possibly even without assistance.

The PS5 version of Marvel's Spider-Man 2 is currently accessible.