The Astonishing Connections Between Spider-Man 2 and Doctor Strange

Highlights

Insomniac's Spider-Man games have a reputation for including Easter eggs and references to the wider Marvel universe.

The Sanctum Sanctorum, the residence of Doctor Strange, made a memorable impression in previous games and makes a comeback in Marvel's Spider-Man 2 with some notable alterations. During a mission that includes Black Cat, players have the opportunity to explore the Sanctum Sanctorum and come across portals, solidifying the presence of Doctor Strange within Insomniac's game universe.

Insomniac's first two Spider-Man games were praised for their extensive collection of Easter eggs and references to the Marvel universe. From Avengers Tower to Nelson and Murdock's attorney office, fans were delighted to discover these familiar Marvel locations. However, Marvel's Spider-Man 2 goes beyond expectations.

Among the numerous Easter eggs found in the first game and Miles Morales, the appearance of the Sanctum Sanctorum stood out as a true fan favorite. Recognized as the dwelling place of Doctor Strange and other New York sorcerers, stumbling upon the Sanctum Sanctorum added excitement to players' initial playthroughs. Even swinging by it casually served as a constant reminder of Insomniac's connection to the wider Marvel universe. Marvel's Spider-Man 2 continues this trend, teasing fans with a near-cameo from Doctor Strange, but stopping just short.

Every Doctor Strange Reference in Marvel's Spider-Man 2

The Sanctum Sanctorum reappears prominently in Marvel's Spider-Man 2, retaining its exact location from the previous two Insomniac Spider-Man games. While the building's overall appearance remains largely unchanged, the iconic stained-glass window has been subtly altered, now featuring a brighter yellow hue instead of the previous games' darker orange/red shade. However, this is not the only nod to Doctor Strange in this installment.

At the beginning of Marvel's Spider-Man 2, players assume the role of Miles Morales as he embarks on a mission to locate and warn Black Cat about Kraven and his group of hunters. After tracking Black Cat's movements to a rooftop, Miles stumbles upon a safe that offers a clue about the whereabouts of the beloved antihero. Inside the safe, he discovers a piece of paper referencing a mysterious artifact called the Wand of Watoomb. Even casual Marvel enthusiasts can likely speculate that this artifact has ties to Doctor Strange, setting the stage for an exhilarating adventure.

Arriving at the Sanctum Sanctorum, players are given the task of defeating all of Kraven's hunters who are hiding in the surrounding area. While dealing with Kraven's henchmen, players will witness and hear loud bangs and otherworldly sounds emanating from inside the Sanctum. These noises are presumably the sorcerers inside attempting to stop Black Cat from escaping with the artifact. Once the players have taken down Kraven's gang, Miles notices Black Cat at the pinnacle of the Sanctum, leaving through an orange portal that will instantly be recognized by MCU fans.

From there, Black Cat leads the player on a thrilling pursuit through the New York City of Spider-Man 2. Along the way, she opens numerous portals that instantaneously transport both Black Cat and Miles to different parts of the city and even beyond. The mission concludes as Black Cat explains that she required the wand to teleport herself to Paris as a means to evade Kraven and reunite with her girlfriend. Though somewhat reluctantly, Miles agrees to assist her.

After ensuring it was safe, Black Cat fulfills her promise by creating a portal to Paris and returning the Wand of Watoomb to Miles. As soon as she departs, the wand unexpectedly vanishes from Miles' grasp, accompanied by a dazzling display of vibrant orange sparks. Left in its stead is a note penned by Wong, expressing gratitude to Miles for recovering the wand and explicitly acknowledging the presence of Doctor Strange in Insomniac's universe.

Marvel's Spider-Man 2 can now be enjoyed on PS5.