Spider-Man 2 Challenges God of War: Ragnarok in Epic Showdown

Marvel's Spider-Man, developed by Insomniac in 2018, surpassed all expectations with its captivating storyline and innovative gameplay. It outshone the 2004 movie tie-in with its impressive mechanics, narrative elements, and a world that truly captured the essence of the beloved character. The game's success can be attributed to its inclusion of iconic characters such as Otto Octavius, Mr Negative, MJ, and Aunt May, who were brought to life in a way that felt like they were ripped straight from the comic book pages. The addition of an origin story for Miles Morales was a delightful surprise and a testament to the game's monumental achievement. Miles Morales was later given his own game in 2020, where he battled Roxxon and the Underground in a personal fight. The game offered players insight into Miles' personality and showcased his unique skill set, which will be reintroduced in the upcoming Marvel's Spider-Man 2. While having two playable characters can be challenging, Insomniac will have to ensure that both characters feel distinct to justify their inclusion. However, the game must be careful not to fall into the same trap as God of War Ragnarok, which struggled with pacing and gameplay while quickly switching between two distinctive characters.

God of War Ragnarok Made Atreus Playable, but Very Different

In God of War and its sequel, God of War Ragnarok, controlling Kratos is a dream with the newly implemented over-the-shoulder perspective that intensifies combat and rewards well-executed combos with high damage and a satisfying gameplay experience. However, the 2022 successor takes it a step further by allowing players to control Atreus at various points in the story, providing a fresh perspective and a break from Kratos' gameplay loop. Atreus' gameplay style prioritizes speed and distance over brute strength, making for a unique and enjoyable experience.

While this addition adds diversity to the gameplay, it also presents a challenge as the difference in play style between Kratos and Atreus is significant, requiring time to readjust to the controls of both. Additionally, Atreus' sections are often lengthy and the combat encounters are just as challenging as Kratos', making it difficult to switch back and forth seamlessly. This is not a simple, fleeting addition like Ashley in Resident Evil 4, but rather a robust and involved gameplay experience.

Spider-Man 2 Needs to Strike a Balance Between New and Familiar

Insomniac's challenge in Spider-Man 2 is to ensure that Miles and Peter, both exhibiting similar strengths and abilities, are distinct enough to warrant the switch between them. While the seamless switching showcased in May 24's PlayStation event is impressive, it could face the same hurdle as Kratos and Atreus did in their dual protagonist game. Insomniac needs to minimize the learning curve for players stepping into the shoes of a new character, whether through shortened sections or more universal controls, to prevent Miles and Peter from feeling like entirely different characters with separate abilities and controls.

Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 launches fall 2023 on PlayStation 5.