Web-Slinging Reinvented: Spider-Man 2 Takes Familiar Ideas to Uncharted Heights

While playing Insomniac's Spider-Man 2 and trying to express my overall impressions, I continuously found myself thinking of the phrase "more of the same." However, it's crucial to emphasize that in this case, "more of the same" refers to an even more accomplished, exhilarating, and authentic superhero experience like no other. It means an expansion on a game that allows us to fully embody the fantasy of being a friendly neighborhood Spider-Man, surpassing any other form of media. In my opinion, Insomniac's games are the sole platform where devoted Spider-Man fans can truly grasp the significance of the iconic phrase "with great power must come great responsibility," experience its weight in its entirety, and actively partake in upholding Uncle Ben's profound principle.

The magnitude of this responsibility has never been more evident or burdensome than it is in Marvel's Spider-Man 2, which introduces a considerably larger neighborhood for Spidey's friendly adventures. With the inclusion of Queens and Brooklyn, the sequel's open-world is twice the size of its predecessor. Moreover, by harnessing the capabilities of the PlayStation 5, Insomniac ensures that players are constantly aware of the immense reliance that New York City places upon them.

From atop the Avengers Tower, I, Miles Morales, was astounded by the vast expanse of the city spreading out before me. In today's world, expansive video game realms are no longer novel or thrilling, yet there is something uniquely captivating about Insomniac's Spider-Man universe. It possesses a realistic familiarity, especially now with the capabilities of the PS5, which can portray buildings extending into the distance and incorporate subtle but significant details. Mundane as they may be, these details breathe life into the world: a plane soaring overhead, boats gracefully cruising along the Hudson river, flocks of birds gracefully darting between towering structures, and individuals bustling through the streets, among other things.

However, despite being overwhelming, it intensifies the thrill of stepping out into this new realm. When it comes to traversing open-world environments, only a handful of games compare to the excitement offered by Marvel's Spider-Man and its sequel. This became abundantly clear as soon as I departed from the Avengers Tower as Miles, hurtling through the air at an exhilarating pace, with the iconic outline of Spider-Man slicing through a luminous golden sunset during its final fleeting moments.

In this moment, my relief was palpable as I experienced "more of the same." As Miles descended towards the street, the exhilarating rush of the wind filled my ears. The anticipation of shooting a web and attaching it to a nearby anchor point grew, until I pressed the button and the powerful beats of a trap music track shattered the silence. Instantaneously, I was swung back up into the sky, spinning wildly yet maintaining the controlled grace that only Spider-Man possesses. A smile formed on my face, and within seconds, the muscle memory from Insomniac's previous Spider-Man games kicked in, filling me with thrilling familiarity. Without realizing it, I found myself propelling across rooftops, skimming the ground before shooting a web that allowed Miles's feet to graze the pavement on the upswing. I swiftly zipped around buildings, my arms brushing against windows as I sprinted along their surfaces and maneuvered through fire escapes.

Within moments, I was back in the rhythm of swinging, but this time, Insomniac had incorporated some new features to account for the larger landscape in the sequel and provide players with more options. Some additions were small yet incredibly cool, such as a slingshot launch. This maneuver involved Spider-Man firing webs onto two surfaces on either side, propelling himself into the air to quickly gain momentum and distance. On the other hand, there were more significant enhancements, like the Web Wings. At any given moment, both Peter and Miles could deploy web-powered wings beneath their arms, allowing them to glide over long distances and effectively granting them the ability to fly. This unexpected addition eliminated those moments from the previous game where you found yourself careening over vast parks or bodies of water without anything to swing from. With the Web Wings, you could gracefully glide back to densely populated areas and seamlessly continue your swinging adventures.

The addition of Web Wings to Spider-Man's traversal skills is a fantastic enhancement. However, it raised concerns about the impact it would have on swinging. Why swing when you can fly? Well, Insomniac pondered the same question and made sure that gliding or flying didn't diminish the functionality and excitement of swinging.

"We approached the development of Web Wings in the same way as we do with all traversal mechanics," explained Doug Shehan, Senior Programming Director. "We always strive for a cohesive experience, considering traversal as a whole. As Spider-Man, you have a wide range of moves at your disposal during traversal. Swinging is undoubtedly a significant aspect, but there's also wall-running, web-zipping, and point-launching. When we introduced the Web Wings, we aimed to address a couple of challenges. One was how to navigate the lower areas of the new boroughs. The other was crossing the river. The Web Wings effectively solve these issues. Our goal was to create something engaging and enjoyable while maintaining a balance with the rest of the traversal mechanics."

The world of Spider-Man 2 has been redesigned to prompt players to consider the various opportunities for traversal and how Spider-Man's abilities can be utilized. One notable addition is the implementation of wind tunnels and updrafts, which provide a speed boost as Spider-Man traverses the city. These features also play a role in activities such as chasing down drones that belong to the sequel's main antagonist, Kraven the Hunter. Another exciting change in the game is how these opportunities, as well as other missions and activities, are presented to the player. Taking inspiration from Rocksteady's Batman: Arkham Knight, Insomniac has focused on minimizing menu usage and keeping players immersed in the game world. To achieve this, visual cues have been incorporated into the environment to indicate available opportunities. Crimes in progress can still be intervened, and other side missions will now appear and be highlighted in the game world. However, the key difference is that these markers are only visible when the players activate the augmented reality vision that Spider-Man possesses. This approach allows players to easily access available options with a simple button press, while ensuring that the game world remains free from distracting visual clutter.

As someone who deeply enjoys embodying the character of Spider-Man and exploring his world, I am already highly excited about the sequel. Even now, I find myself loading up the previous two games just to swing around and experience the thrill of it. With the addition of new abilities for both Peter and Miles, navigating through New York feels even more fast-paced and captivating.

The enhancements to movement and traversal are just one aspect of the many tweaks and additions in Spider-Man 2. While some of these changes naturally build upon the foundation of the previous games, others bring about more significant differences. One notable addition is the introduction of new combat options unlocked by the emergence of the symbiote, which has bonded with Peter, for better or worse. These new abilities create a perceptible distinction between the two Spider-Men, as the symbiote-powered combat style exudes a more aggressive and destructive approach. This results in a Peter who possesses a formidable yet reckless power, creating a sense of unease for those accustomed to seeing him as a heroic and considerate figure. On the other hand, Miles showcases precision and embodies the classic Spider-Man qualities in his fighting techniques. However, underneath this seemingly confident facade, he grapples with a genuine crisis of confidence and struggles with his own identity throughout the game.

During the gameplay session, my primary focus was on the traversal. However, I also spent a significant amount of time engaging in combat, taking down goons, and advancing the storyline. The preview video above discusses both the combat mechanics, including the separate and combined development of each Spider-Man, as well as the story of Marvel's Spider-Man 2. However, I won't delve too much into the details of the game to maintain a sense of freshness.

For avid Spider-Man fans, the previous two games have presented the pieces of the puzzle, and even with the limited glimpse I had, it became evident that Insomniac is attempting to put their own twist on the well-known symbiote Spider-Man story. They are positioning characters in roles that offer new interpretations of familiar narrative beats, much like they did with Doc Ock. Additionally, lesser-known characters like Kraven the Hunter appear to be utilized effectively in driving the overall narrative while also having their own smaller story arcs. This is also true for Martin Li, who makes a return from the first game and becomes a key focus for Miles in his current turmoil.

Most importantly, my time with Marvel's Spider-Man 2 hinted at the exploration of themes that are integral to both Spider-Man and symbiote stories. Both Peter and Miles are experiencing underground changes and facing challenges that question their own identity, beliefs, and what is right. One has found a sense of family, while the other has lost it, and the game appears to be keen on exploring the impact of this through the lens of superhero fiction. It is an exciting prospect, especially considering the impressive performances that have already been showcased. Peter's new gravely voice and aggressive demeanor are appropriately unsettling, while Miles's vulnerability is heart-wrenching. Supporting characters like Genki, MJ, and Rio Morales also delivered memorable performances in the brief time I interacted with them.

To learn more, I encourage you to watch the preview video where Lucy James and I discuss our extensive experience with the game. However, for those seeking a quick overview, rest assured that Spider-Man 2 seems to be building upon the strengths of its highly acclaimed predecessors. Serving as a true sequel to Marvel's Spider-Man and its Miles Morales-focused pseudo-sequel, this game appears to combine all of Insomniac's previous achievements into a fresh and innovative gaming experience. Furthermore, Insomniac's exceptional storytelling prowess in this world and with this character has been further refined, promising yet another unforgettable Spider-Man narrative.