Unveiling the Spectacular Evolution of Collectibles in Marvel's Spider-Man 2

Highlights

Collectibles in the "Spider-Man" series have been highly praised for their personal and engaging nature, such as Peter Parker's backpacks and Miles Morales' sound samples.

The inclusion of a dual protagonist system in the upcoming game "Spider-Man 2" presents a unique challenge in creating collectibles that offer personalized experiences for players who can switch between Miles and Peter.

To address this challenge, "Spider-Man 2" could incorporate collectibles that acknowledge the shared adventures of both Spider-Men, enhancing the sense of personal connection and offering distinct voice lines based on the chosen character.

Collectibles are a common element in open-world games, whether they fall under the action-adventure or RPG genre. They serve as additional items for players to collect, ranging from new pieces of equipment to artifacts that delve deeper into the game's lore, or even flowers that unlock new cosmetic options. Insomniac's Spider-Man series follows this trend, with both Marvel's Spider-Man and Miles Morales featuring a wide array of unique collectibles. However, as Marvel's Spider-Man 2 incorporates a dual protagonist system, there may be a need to modify the formula for its collectibles.

Marvel's Spider-Man 2 Can't Just Reuse its Predecessors' Collectibles

Insomniac's initial collaboration with the Wall-Crawler introduced some of the most captivating collectibles ever integrated into an open-world video game. Unlike many other open-world games, where collectibles generally lack substance and provide little more than progress towards earning a platinum trophy, Marvel's Spider-Man revolutionizes the concept of collectibles in a remarkable way. Taking place eight years into Peter Parker's tenure as the Web-Head, Marvel's Spider-Man has much ground to cover and effectively accomplishes this through its Backpack collectibles.

Scattered throughout the entirety of New York City, players will stumble upon a multitude of backpacks, each one having been left behind by Peter Parker at various points throughout his illustrious career as Spider-Man. Discovering a backpack unlocks a collectible that fills in the gaps within this extraordinary Spider-Man universe, shedding light on pivotal moments in Peter Parker's life, such as his inaugural encounter with an iconic villain. As players scrutinize these items, Yuri Lowenthal's portrayal of Peter Parker provides a succinct and engaging personal narrative of the event, imbuing the collectibles with a heightened sense of authenticity and involvement.

Despite the absence of backpacks, Spider-Man: Miles Morales introduced its own special collection of personal items. Throughout the game, players can participate in a side activity where Miles gathers various sound samples from different parts of the city. This side mission not only helps establish Miles Morales' character and his close bond with New York City, but also delves into his intricate relationship with his father and uncle. Although the final sound clip became popular as a meme, the collectibles themselves hold the same personal significance as Peter's backpacks.

However, Marvel's Spider-Man 2 may not be able to replicate the success of its predecessors when it comes to collectibles. Marvel's Spider-Man 2 presents a dual protagonist system, allowing players to switch between Miles Morales and Peter Parker as they explore the even larger open-world of New York City. With the ability to control both Spider-Men, it becomes more challenging to create collectibles that evoke a personal connection. For example, if players stumble upon a collectible closely associated with Peter Parker while playing as Miles, it may not resonate as deeply.

Marvel's Spider-Man 2 could adopt a fresh perspective on collectibles, diverging from the traditional approach. While it may be convenient to introduce a range of generic collectibles, it would be more captivating to maintain the personalized essence of previous games while adding a unique twist. For instance, collectibles in Marvel's Spider-Man 2 could intertwine with the shared exploits of both Spider-Men, forging an intimate connection between the characters. Furthermore, discovering each collectible could even trigger a distinctive voiceline, tailored to the player's chosen character at that moment.

Scheduled for release on October 20, Marvel's Spider-Man 2 is set to launch exclusively on PlayStation 5.