Highlights
Insomniac's Marvel's Spider-Man 2 is making a big change to how Venom is usually depicted.
The size of the symbiote creature Venom, initially thought to be influenced by its host's physique, has been found to be independent of the host's build. As a result, the potential host of Venom in the game becomes more uncertain.
In the game, Insomniac's portrayal of Venom seems to take cues from Ultimate Spider-Man, featuring a muscular Venom and an ordinary frame for its potential host.
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One of the most captivating aspects of superhero media that has spanned decades is the evolution of characters over time, often resulting in significant changes in their costumes or physical appearances from one continuity to another. Throughout Peter Parker's history, he has rarely sported truly alienating looks, at least not ones that remained for long. However, the various costumes he has donned have sparked both adoration and disagreement among fans. In Insomniac's Marvel's Spider-Man 2, though, a notable departure from the usual depiction of Venom may be taking place.
Remarkably faithful to the source material, Insomniac has crafted Venom as a hulking and monstrous figure, complete with an unhinged jaw, jagged teeth, and a long tongue. The only distinct feature of this interpretation is the white spider emblem stretched across Venom's torso, which still retains a faithful essence. While this could be seen as a departure from the norm and a testament to Insomniac's innovation, it is worth mentioning that depending on the host of Venom in Marvel's Spider-Man 2, the character's size alone could undergo a substantial transformation, further distinguishing this iteration from previous versions.
Eddie Brock Jr. was Originally Part of Why Venom is a Hulking Brute
The lore surrounding symbiotes in comics has undergone multiple revisions, but the initial design choice for Venom was straightforward. Todd MacFarlane aimed for Venom to be significantly larger than Spider-Man. To achieve this, Eddie Brock Jr. was given a muscular physique, connecting the symbiote's form to its host's physicality. Although Spider-Man's build in these comics was still considered bulky, it was intended for him to have a leaner figure.
However, recent iterations of the symbiote's form have disregarded the correlation with the host's body. Eddie has appeared in various forms, including as a slender individual in Ultimate Spider-Man, yet as Venom, he remains massive. Consequently, the symbiote's reliance on a specific host build is no longer universally applicable. Nevertheless, it is still a significant characteristic that influences the selection of potential hosts. While it is still uncertain whether Harry Osborn will become Venom, Insomniac Games seems to be utilizing this uncertainty to create a impactful revelation. The storyline seems to suggest that an unwell Harry, lacking definite muscularity, will reunite with the symbiote once Peter disposes of it in Marvel’s Spider-Man 2.
Harry Osborn is Nowhere Near the Size Venom Traditionally is
Insomniac appears to be drawing inspiration from Ultimate Spider-Man by depicting a muscular Venom and a less remarkable host, giving the developer more creative freedom in portraying symbiote creatures. It will be intriguing to discover if Venom's size serves a specific purpose or if the close bond between Harry and the symbiote allows them to access its full potential sooner. The gameplay shown so far illustrates that the symbiote possesses substantial substance beyond the suit it creates for Peter, using thick tendrils to attack enemies or traverse the environment.
The symbiote possesses the ability to assume any shape it desires, similar to its shape-shifting capabilities in the animated series. Additionally, it is unnecessary for Harry to engage in weightlifting in order for the symbiote to adopt a muscular form, although this correlation was present in Venom's initial appearance with Eddie as the host, as well as in Marvel's Midnight Suns' portrayal of Venom and Eddie.
Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 launches on October 20, exclusively for PlayStation 5.