Marvel's Spider-Man 2: Unleashing the Power of Diverse Villains

Highlights

Marvel's Spider-Man 2 takes a refreshing approach by focusing on an older Peter Parker who has already been Spider-Man for a while, providing a unique take on the character.

However, this results in players not being able to witness some of Spidey's most iconic villains and their previous connections with Peter, which could have added depth to the storytelling.

Despite the potential for a prequel adventure to address these gaps, Insomniac Games currently has no intentions of creating one. Instead, their focus lies on further expanding the Marvel universe through projects such as a Venom spin-off and Marvel's Wolverine.

A major aspect that sets Insomniac Games' Marvel's Spider-Man 2 apart is its deviation from the typical origin story. Instead of following the familiar narrative seen in countless films, the game focuses on an older version of Peter Parker, an established Spider-Man. This unique approach has resonated deeply with fans. However, this choice also means that players miss out on significant moments in the character's journey.

While Marvel's Spider-Man 2 delivers a superb gaming experience, players are unfortunately deprived of witnessing some of Spidey's most iconic adversaries. Although they learn about the intriguing history of these characters, they are unable to witness it firsthand. It would be incredibly rewarding and fulfilling for players to have the opportunity to explore the past of these beloved characters. Fortunately, there is always potential for a prequel or spin-off adventure in the future, even if current indications suggest otherwise.

Many of Marvel's Spider-Man's Villains Have Yet to Shine

Most recent adaptations of Spider-Man have primarily focused on exploring the hero's early experiences. This has resulted in three different movie series showcasing a high school-aged Peter Parker. Alternatively, some adaptations have chosen to follow high school-aged Miles Morales in the absence of Peter. While both storylines offer significant potential, some fans have grown a bit tired of the familiar narrative. In response, Insomniac Games took a fresh approach.

Marvel's Spider-Man introduced players to an already-established Peter Parker, who had been functioning as Spider-Man for quite some time. He had already encountered and defeated many of his well-known adversaries and had successfully navigated the challenges of high school. This unique storytelling approach garnered a positive reception from fans, who thoroughly enjoyed the captivating journey from beginning to end.

Players miss out on the opportunity to experience Spider-Man's iconic villains and their history with Peter, as they have already been defeated or are not showcased in the new tale. Marvel's Spider-Man 2 has introduced more of Spider-Man's rogues' gallery, all of whom have intriguing stories involving Peter waiting to be told. However, players have essentially skipped over much of Spider-Man's life in this iteration. They haven't witnessed his victories against Mysterio, only heard about his early battles with Sandman, won't see his struggle to cure the Lizard for the first time, and won't explore the beginnings of his rivalry with Kingpin. Despite the potential for incredible adventures, it is unlikely that players will ever get the chance to witness them.

While a prequel could potentially fill in these gaps to some extent, Insomniac doesn't appear to have any intention of revisiting the past. Instead, their focus seems to be on either a Venom spin-off or the development of the third game following Marvel's Spider-Man 2. Additionally, Insomniac plans to expand the Marvel universe by releasing Marvel's Wolverine. With all these future projects in the pipeline, it seems there's currently no room for a prequel adventure, which is disappointing. Despite the excitement surrounding these upcoming games, it would be great to delve deeper into Spidey's history. Hopefully, Insomniac will deliver such a storyline in the future.

Marvel's Spider-Man 2

Franchise: Spider-Man

Platforms: PS5

Release: October 20, 2023

Developer: Insomniac Games

Publisher: Sony Interactive Entertainment

Genres: Open-World, Action-Adventure

ESRB Rating: T for Teen - Includes blood, drug reference, mild language, violence

Estimated Gameplay Time: 20 Hours

Metascore: 91