Unleashing a New Web-Slinging Adventure: Why Spider-Man Game Fans Need a Fresh Perspective

Highlights

Spider-Man has had plenty of video game adaptations over the years, but Insomniac Games' 2018 release took the hero to new heights.

Insomniac's Spider-Man series continues to be successful, but it could be beneficial for another studio to take on the challenge of reimagining the iconic web-slinger. This would allow for the introduction of fresh concepts and a new perspective. Spider-Man has the potential to excel in various genres and gameplay environments, creating opportunities for distinctive and diverse gaming encounters that deviate from Insomniac's established open-world approach.

Spider-Man is a superhero who is well-suited for video game adaptations, and there have been numerous games featuring him since 1982. These games range from appearances in fighting games and team-ups to starring roles in original games and tie-ins to movies. However, the 2018 release of Marvel's Spider-Man took the hero to new heights.

Insomniac Games, known for creating Spyro the Dragon and Ratchet and Clank, successfully created a AAA Spider-Man game that received high praise. Despite the success of Insomniac's Spider-Man series, perhaps it is time for another studio to take a fresh approach to the beloved Web-Head.

The Case for a Spider-Man Game Under a New Developer

Insomniac Games has consistently delivered with its Spider-Man series, specifically with Marvel's Spider-Man and Miles Morales. These superhero titles successfully captured the essence of the source material while introducing fresh spins on familiar characters and plot elements. Marvel's Spider-Man 2 appears to follow the same successful formula.

While Insomniac seems capable of producing Spider-Man games indefinitely, it may not be the wisest choice. Despite positive previews, some fans are a little disappointed by the similarities between Spider-Man 2 and its predecessors. Although the game is likely to still be enjoyable, adhering too closely to the original 2018 game could result in a stronger sense of repetition this time around, which could amplify with each subsequent installment from Insomniac.

It might be time for another studio to take on the Spider-Man license. While Spider-Man is typically associated with big, action-packed open-world games, there are other genres that would suit the character well. Recently, Firaxis demonstrated with Midnight Suns that Spider-Man can excel in a turn-based strategy setting. Additionally, Crystal Dynamics showed that Spider-Man can thrive in a larger multiplayer environment, utilizing his unique abilities alongside other superheroes in Marvel's Avengers.

While Insomniac Games has proven their ability to create fantastic open-world Spider-Man adventures, introducing different gameplay settings in between their entries would add variety. With a wealth of comic book source material spanning over 60 years, there are numerous opportunities for a fresh and unique Spider-Man game. For example, Firaxis could develop a turn-based strategy game centered around the character, or Crystal Dynamics could redeem themselves with a multiplayer Spider-Man game set in the Spider-Verse. These are just a few possibilities for Spider-Man in the world of gaming.

IO Interactive, a studio with expertise in creating immersive experiences, has the potential to develop a captivating Spider-Man Noir stealth game. On the other hand, The Game Kitchen, an Indie developer known for their innovative games like Blasphemous, could take on the challenge of creating a nostalgic 2D Spider-Man side-scroller. Alternatively, a different studio might explore the idea of an open-world Spidey action-adventure, drawing inspiration from Insomniac's successful game but with a unique twist. This alternate universe could introduce us to Spider-Man 2099, offering a fresh perspective and a diverse cast of characters.