Unraveling the MCU's Major Dilemma: Clues Found in Marvel's Spider-Man 2
Marvel's Spider-Man 2 may have the answer to a persistent issue in the MCU With its compelling approach to villains, the sequel offers a promising solution that could finally address the franchise's long-standing struggle
Highlights
By reintroducing familiar villains in a less malicious role, Marvel's Spider-Man 2 grants them a fresh opportunity to redeem themselves, thus immersing players in an authentic comic book adventure.
Unlike the MCU, which often kills off villains, Spider-Man 2 ensures that its villains leave a lasting impact and their actions hold greater significance.
Insomniac's treatment of villains in the game creates more potential for their utilization in future narratives, setting it apart from how the MCU manages their villains.
Insomniac successfully integrated Spider-Man's notorious villains in a seamless manner in Marvel's Spider-Man. This resulted in a fresh portrayal of the Sinister Six, while also introducing smaller-scale villains to enhance the city streets of New York. In Marvel's Spider-Man 2, these villains make a return, but with a less villainous role. This decision adds a true comic book feel to the game and stands in contrast to how villains are typically portrayed in other forms of comic book media.
The Marvel Cinematic Universe has undeniably become a significant force in comic book-related media. However, it is not without flaws, and one of the most common criticisms is its treatment of villains. In most Marvel movies, both major and minor villains are killed off after a climactic battle, thus eliminating them from future storytelling. Many fans view this as a missed opportunity, especially when a compelling villain like Killmonger from Black Panther emerges. Marvel's Spider-Man 2 presents an alternative approach that could potentially benefit the films.
The MCU's Frequent Villain Problem
The MCU has made a conscious effort to faithfully adapt various aspects of the comics throughout the years. However, they still struggle when it comes to effectively portraying villains. The reason why characters like Ultron and Ronan the Accuser are so well-known is because of their frequent appearances in the comics, which adds to their perceived threat level. Unlike heroes such as Spider-Man, who have a wide array of formidable adversaries to choose from, the villains in the MCU are only as menacing as the frequency with which they pose a genuine danger.
In the MCU, villains have been undermined to some extent due to the fact that they are frequently killed off. Even if their actions cause significant harm to a hero or their allies, once the credits roll, the threat they presented is often permanently resolved. Only in cases where a villain spans multiple films, like Thanos, or undergoes significant character development, like Loki, do we see an MCU villain given the opportunity to fully evolve. The majority of other antagonists receive a mere two hours of screen time before being unceremoniously disposed of, eliminating any chances of further growth.
Marvel's Spider-Man 2 Offers Better Options For Villains
Rather than following the MCU's approach, Marvel's Spider-Man 2 takes a different route by giving some of its villains a second chance. This is evident in the Coney Island sequence, where Tombstone and Mysterio appear to have reformed and are functioning as normal members of society. This not only adds to the sense of a bustling city in Insomniac's New York, but also creates a stronger connection to Spider-Man's past.
Instead of being forgotten, these villains remain a part of the story and their actions carry more weight. However, it should be noted that Marvel's Spider-Man 2 does still eliminate certain villains, but this is done to highlight the power and threat posed by Kraven.
Insomniac's Marvel's Spider-Man series excels in various aspects, and its treatment of villains is a key factor in its success. Whether it's reimagining iconic characters like Venom or allowing villains to persist after causing havoc, the game takes a distinct approach compared to the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). This doesn't mean that the MCU lacks compelling villains; rather, Spider-Man 2's handling of its villains presents more potential for their future utility than the renowned film series.
Marvel's Spider-Man 2
Marvel's Spider-Man 2, the highly-anticipated sequel to the popular 2018 Spider-Man game and its Miles Morales spin-off, is an exclusive title for the PS5 console. Developed by Insomniac Games, this open-world action-adventure game features both Peter Parker and Miles Morales as main characters. Together, they face off against formidable foes such as Kraven, Venom, and Lizard.
Franchise: Spider-Man
Platform: PS5
Release Date: October 20, 2023
Developer: Insomniac Games
Publisher: Sony Interactive Entertainment
Genre: Open-World, Action-Adventure
ESRB Rating: T for Teen due to blood, drug reference, mild language, violence
Estimated Gameplay Length: 20 hours
Metascore: 91
