In 2018, Insomniac Games delivered an exceptional superhero game, Marvel's Spider-Man, followed by the highly praised Spider-Man: Miles Morales. These games introduced storylines that fans have eagerly awaited resolution for, which will finally be addressed in Marvel's Spider-Man 2.
Spider-Man 2 brings together Peter Parker and Miles Morales as they join forces to protect New York City while navigating the challenges of their everyday lives, true to the classic Spider-Man style. The reappearance of Peter's childhood friend, Harry Osborn, following years of absence, raises intrigue as his terminal illness seems to have been cured by a mysterious symbiote. Meanwhile, the menacing Kraven the Hunter has turned his attention to the Big Apple and its super-powered inhabitants.
What unfolds is an exceptional Spider-Man narrative, presented in the form of a video game, featuring memorable moments and thrilling encounters with Kraven, Venom, and other iconic adversaries from Spider-Man's Rogues' Gallery.
A major highlight in Spider-Man 2 lies within the epic and multi-stage boss battles. These confrontations pit Spider-Man against some of his most infamous villains. As the game progresses, the intensity of these fights, as well as the other battles, amplifies significantly. Players are granted access to new abilities and gadgets for both Peter and Miles, opening up numerous options for each encounter. With the Spidey-Sense at their disposal, players can skillfully parry or swiftly evade enemy attacks. Both Spider-Men effortlessly maneuver through enemies in a remarkable and cinematic fashion. Playing as both Peter Parker and Miles Morales proves to be an absolute thrill, as each character's distinct powers bring forth a plethora of combat variations, ensuring that every impactful battle leaves an indelible mark.
Most combat encounters in Marvel's Spider-Man 2 involve direct fights with enemies, but there are instances where staying silent is more beneficial. The game brings back the Batman: Arkham-style stealth sections from the previous installment. This time, Spider-Man has a new Web Line tool that significantly expands stealth options by allowing players to create a perch wherever they desire. Some may argue that the Web Line makes stealth too simple, while others will enjoy the amusement of webbing up a room full of Kraven's henchmen.
While a significant portion of gameplay in Spider-Man 2 involves defeating villains, players also have the freedom to explore the open-world New York City, brought to life with astonishing detail. The city itself is vast and brimming with fascinating sights. Traversing the city effortlessly using webs is possible, but the newly introduced Web Wings add an extra layer of excitement to exploration. Exploring New York City in Spider-Man 2 is incredibly thrilling, to the point where players will never want to utilize fast-travel, even if their next mission is on the opposite side of the map. Opting not to fast-travel allows players to engage in side activities and collectible hunting while progressing towards main quest objectives. However, those who choose to fast-travel in Spider-Man 2 will be amazed by how instant the process is, including switching between Peter and Miles.
One of the initial tasks that players ought to undertake upon entering the expansive world of Spider-Man 2 is to make their way towards the tallest edifice within reach, allowing them to experience the breathtaking vistas. The exceptional combination of impeccable lighting, extended draw distance, and intricate level of detail culminate in the creation of an unparalleled visual masterpiece within the realm of video games. Furthermore, in addition to the colossal and bustling metropolis, players will also be captivated by the meticulous attention to minutiae, such as the remarkable phenomenon of characters' pupils dilating in moments of fear.
Players should also pay attention to how certain areas of the city are affected by the game's events. Battles in Spider-Man 2 can cause significant destruction, which leaves a lasting and visible impact on the game world. As players progress through the game, they will still come across remnants of early boss fights.
Spider-Man 2 is visually stunning and the attention to detail extends to almost every aspect of the game. However, despite its overall polish, there are occasional hiccups. There were instances where cut-scenes failed to trigger at the end of quests, requiring a checkpoint restart. Fortunately, the game's generous checkpoints alleviated any major frustrations. It's unfortunate that such issues exist in an otherwise technically flawless experience.
Players should also be wary of cramped interior sections where the camera struggles to capture the action, enemies occasionally glitching into objects and becoming invincible, and a particular encounter at Coney Island with Mary Jane Watson, where Peter may end up trapped on a bench without any means of getting up except by reloading the previous checkpoint.
With the presence of two Spider-Men to choose from in Spider-Man 2, one would expect the frustrating MJ stealth segments from the first game to be left behind. However, disappointingly, a few of these missions manage to find their way into the new game. Similar to before, they serve no real purpose other than to hinder players from fully enjoying the game as Spider-Man. Mary Jane's sections halt the momentum of Spider-Man 2, accompanied by other time-consuming activities such as repetitive puzzles that unnecessarily slow down the gameplay.
The main story has its ups and downs, with some slower moments that are hit-or-miss. One particular flashback with Peter and Harry sneaking into their high school brings a lot of fun and creative stealth moments, taking advantage of Peter's new spider abilities to avoid being detected. While some of the slower moments between Peter and Harry are emotionally engaging, there are also instances that seem like time-wasting and lack depth, such as the Coney Island segment and its repetitive mini-games. Unfortunately, these pacing issues also affect the game's side quests.
The side quests in Spider-Man 2 can be dull and uninspiring. They often recycle objectives from the main quest but at a smaller and less impressive scale. In particular, the series of Miles side quests can become quite tedious. However, this doesn't mean that there aren't any enjoyable side quests in Spider-Man 2. Some of them have intriguing endings that hint at future games, and the motivation of earning more XP and unlocking new suits makes completing everything in the game worthwhile, even if players aren't always fully engaged with each side quest.
There are moments when the side content in Spider-Man 2 feels like a typical open-world collect-a-thon, with players ticking items off checklists without much narrative reward. However, the inclusion of various suits makes the experience truly worthwhile. Spider-Man 2 offers an astonishing assortment of suits for both Peter Parker and Miles Morales, ranging from clever throwbacks to other Spider-Man media to breathtaking original designs. What's more, many of these suits come with four color variants, providing players with even more possibilities to customize their Spider-Men in the game.
Players can expect to spend around 25 to 30 hours in Spider-Man 2 collecting suits, maxing out skill trees, and completing quests. While some have criticized the game for being too short, adding more side quests would have only made it feel bloated. Most players will finish the main story in about 10 to 15 hours, and those aiming for the Platinum trophy can expect to double that time, which is suitable for this type of game. Spider-Man 2 doesn't need to be a massive 100-hour experience, and its shorter length actually enhances the overall gameplay.
If anything, Spider-Man 2 could have benefited from removing the Mary Jane sections and trimming some of the side quests to create a more streamlined and well-paced experience. Despite its flaws, Spider-Man 2 is still an incredible game and the best in Insomniac's Spider-Man game series thus far. It provides everything that hardcore Spider-Man fans desire, including epic battles against iconic villains and a stunning open-world New York City to explore. It is undoubtedly a strong contender for Game of the Year and a must-have exclusive for PS5 players.
Introducing Marvel's Spider-Man 2
Embarking on the legacy of its predecessor, the critically acclaimed Spider-Man from 2018, along with its remarkable Miles Morales spin-off, Marvel's Spider-Man 2 is an exclusive PS5 console experience. This groundbreaking open-world game by Insomniac showcases the incredible journey of Peter Parker and Miles Morales, both sharing the spotlight as dual protagonists. Together, they courageously confront formidable adversaries such as Kraven, Venom, and Lizard.
Marvel's Spider-Man 2 launches October 20 for PS5. Our website was provided with a PS5 code for this review.
