The Ultimate Spider-Man Gaming Experience: Must-Play Titles before Marvel’s Spider-Man 2

Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 will continue the story from Marvel’s Spider-Man and Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales, adding its own unique elements while still drawing inspiration from other Spider-Man stories. The inclusion of Kraven, Venom, and Lizard in the game may remind fans of their appearances in the Spider-Man 3 game adaptation. Additionally, longtime fans of Spider-Man games will likely feel a sense of nostalgia seeing these iconic villains once again.

With the abundance of Marvel characters in various forms of media, it's inevitable that fans have their preferred versions of Spider-Man villains. It will be intriguing to witness how Insomniac Games develops Kraven, Venom, Lizard, and any other new antagonists in the franchise, as well as how they compare to previous interpretations. To fully appreciate the upcoming Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, fans should consider playing several key games that serve as important references. The game is set to launch in October.

Spider-Man (Neversoft)

Spider-Man is renowned for being one of the most beloved games featuring the titular character. However, its inclusion here is primarily due to the prominent and iconic presence of Venom. Those who are fans and seek a faithful portrayal of this anti-hero, complete with a blend of deviousness and attitude, will find the PS1 and N64 classic Spider-Man to be an absolutely essential experience. Additionally, Spider-Man serves as an excellent reference point for those unfamiliar with the web-slinger's gaming history. Notably, the game also incorporates lizard enemies within a vast sewer network, potentially serving as inspiration for new adversary types in Marvel's Spider-Man 2.

Ultimate Spider-Man

Ultimate Spider-Man garnered mixed reception due to its erratic control scheme and excessive focus on mundane open-world activities. However, its unique cel-shaded comic book aesthetic sets it apart from other Spider-Man games. What truly distinguishes it, though, is the opportunity for fans to play as Venom for half of the game. While Venom's gameplay and missions can feel repetitive and routine, there is still an undeniable thrill in bounding and scaling buildings as a hulking brute. Moreover, the need to consume innocent bystanders and enemies for health regeneration adds an intriguing dynamic to the experience.

Spider-Man: Web of Shadows

Spider-Man: Web of Shadows undoubtedly faces a contrasting issue compared to Ultimate Spider-Man. While many fans continue to praise its gameplay, the presentation and acting in particular have received criticism ranging from lackluster to awful. However, the game excels in its ability to switch between the iconic red-and-blue suit and the menacing black symbiote, adding a fantastic dynamic to combat. Moreover, the inclusion of narrative choices that allow players to embrace their darker side adds an extra layer of entertainment, with potentially significant consequences.

Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensions

Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensions differs in two significant ways—it lacks the presence of Venom but extensively showcases the symbiote as the defining element of Ultimate Spider-Man, where this version of Peter Parker unintentionally becomes its host. Additionally, the game introduces Kraven as the initial antagonist. The symbiote abilities of Ultimate Spider-Man revolve around a crucial Rage meter and allow for wide-ranging area-of-effect attacks, which mirrors the capabilities of both Ultimate Spider-Man and Marvel's Spider-Man when utilizing their own symbiote powers. Moreover, there have been speculations that Marvel's Spider-Man 2 might incorporate a multiverse concept, thereby creating a parallel with the central premise of Shattered Dimensions.

Honorable Mention - The Amazing Spider-Man 2

Marvel's Spider-Man 2 is set to release on October 20, exclusively for PlayStation 5. It will be interesting to see if the sequel can surpass The Amazing Spider-Man 2 in terms of presenting a memorable portrayal of Kraven, as the previous movie barely had any connection with the character. Currently, Sergei's motivations in the game appear to be straightforward.