Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 — An extensive, spoiler-free review
It’s great to be back in my element, discussing something I truly love talking about: games. In this review, I’ll be diving deep into my experience with one of the most highly anticipated PlayStation titles of 2023, Marvel’s Spider-Man 2. I want this exploration to be an extensive one, examining everything from the new features it introduces to the beloved elements we’ve come to cherish since Marvel’s Spider-Man (2018).
Before we get into the details, I must confess that I may carry a bit of bias, given my long-standing adoration for the comics, animated series, and various Spider-Man games, both good and not-so-good, that have paved the way for this latest installment. Nevertheless, I’m aware that no game can be flawless, and I’ll be candid about any aspects that I found less appealing or minor problems I encountered during my gameplay. Rest assured, I’ve made every effort to keep this review spoiler-free. You won’t find any story revelations here, and the characters I’ll be discussing are the same ones featured in the numerous trailers released so far. While I will touch upon some fresh gameplay mechanics, these have also been showcased in the trailers. I recognize that everyone’s mileage for spoilers varies, so consider this your fair warning if you prefer to go into the game with a completely blank slate. Without further ado, let’s swing right in (pun definitely intended, there are many more spidey references peppered throughout this article; see if you can catch them all).
I’m going to break this review into smaller sections, making it easier for you readers to navigate to topics of your specific interest or skip those that don’t pique your curiosity. To kick things off, I firmly believe that a truly great Spider-Man game should, at its core, tell an amazing…
Story
What truly captivates us in any Spider-Man release, whether it’s a movie, a comic, or a game, is its unwavering focus on storytelling. Regardless of the quality of the villains or the gameplay mechanics, if the narrative falls splat, it fails to meet the exceptionally high standards set by numerous Spider-Man releases in various media. From my perspective, I’m delighted to affirm that Insomniac Games has wholeheartedly embraced the essence of Spider-Man, particularly through its outstanding storytelling.
I must admit I had reservations prior to the release of Spider-Man (2018), given the mixed history of Spidey games that preceded it. However, the 2018 game solidified Insomniac’s status as a frontrunner in not only creating the ultimate Spider-Man simulator but also in crafting a compelling Peter Parker story. Since then, Insomniac has spread its webwings, and their confidence in delivering a captivating narrative has only grown. Having established a strong foundation for Peter and Miles in their earlier games, Spider-Man 2 has given them the opportunity to delve deeper into these characters, drawing on their pasts and intertwining the two Spider-Men stories seamlessly. And I must say, they’ve executed this with remarkable finesse.
If I were to rate this game exclusively on its storytelling, it would easily earn more than a perfect score of 12/10 in my book. I can’t speak for the die-hard Spidey fans, but personally, I found the story to be meticulously crafted and executed, presented in the form of elaborate set pieces. Each main mission boasts blockbuster moments where you soar through skyscrapers, plow through hordes of enemies, and engage in heart-pounding chases that couldn’t have been executed any better. Completing each main mission leaves you with a sense of exhilaration and a burning desire to uncover the next chapter of the story. The game isn’t afraid to thwip you into high-intensity missions right from the start, setting the tone for what you can expect throughout the rest of the game.
Initially, I did have some concerns regarding the story’s pacing. At times, after a thrilling mission, you might find yourself immersed in a more personal exploration of Peter and Miles before being thrust into another intense battle. However, I firmly believe that delving into the personal lives of these characters is just as crucial as telling a Spider-Man story, so I wholeheartedly embrace this approach. I mention this merely to convey that not every mission is a blockbuster, and occasionally, you’ll experience a slower-paced mission that allows for a deeper understanding of each character, much like how movies do it. This doesn’t hold true for the second half of the game though. In the latter part, each mission feels like a self-contained narrative, and it’s as if Insomniac simply asked their engineer to find the “intensity” dial and crank it up to the maximum. There are certain story elements that were a complete shocker to me, and I’m itching to discuss them, but I’ll hold off on that until a potential spoiler-filled discussion when most players have had the chance to experience the game.
Rest assured, even if nothing else in this game manages to impress you, it’s challenging to find fault with the story. The narrative serves as the bedrock of this game, and in my opinion, Insomniac has not only stepped into the formidable shoes of Spider-Man storytelling but has executed it with unparalleled excellence.
Characters
In Spider-Man 2, the well-established trio of Peter Parker, Miles Morales, and Mary Jane makes a triumphant return and they manage to maintain a high level of chemistry between the three. While the focus is primarily on Peter in this game, Miles emerges as the true MVP in my opinion. Peter makes some errors that could have had consequences, but Miles never falters to step in to assist his fellow Spider-Man whenever the need arises.
While we all anticipated that Harry Osborn would finally get some screen time, I had my reservations about how well they would develop the chemistry and character arc for Harry, especially since we knew so little about him from the previous games, except for the fact that he was sick and was being kept alive in a tank of goop.
However, it’s safe to say that Insomniac excels in crafting character arcs, and they seamlessly spun Harry into their existing web of characters. They not only provided ample context about Peter and Harry’s past relationships and shared experiences but also delved into his motivations, aspirations, and struggles, which adds depth and complexity to his character. Insomniac introduced their own take on Harry, making him distinct from his comic book counterparts. I’m all for game developers putting their own spin on superhero plotlines, and in this case, it works quite well.
Shifting gears to the antagonists, this installment featured exceptionally well-crafted villains! They absolutely knocked Kraven and Venom out of the park, and the choice of voice actors for these characters was absolutely spot on. Once you’ve heard these voice actors bring the characters to life, it’s hard to imagine any other voice fitting the roles better. Credit is due to Insomniac for their meticulous attention to detail, not only when it comes to our heroes but also the villains. Insomniac’s portrayal of Venom is arguably the best rendition of the character, surpassing even the third Sam Raimi Spider-Man movie and Tom Hardy’s Venom, which, to be honest, didn’t quite resonate with me as a fan. Once Venom enters the scene, best believe the game is shifting into high gear, and you’d better have your best Spidey outfit on to join the party.
Kraven, even though he is introduced fairly early in the game, exudes a lingering sense of foreboding throughout the story. The excellent background score consistently instills a feeling of unease in the player whenever he’s around. Kraven’s presence is palpable throughout New York, and aside from being a formidable hunter, his technology surpasses that of our friendly neighborhood heroes, casting him as something of a scientist himself.
Insomniac once again masterfully weaves together multiple villains’ story arcs, much like they did with the Sinister Six in the 2018 game, and this game is no exception. These characters come together in a brilliant tapestry of storytelling and action sequences, providing a deeply satisfying experience for Spidey fans everywhere.
Side content and collectibles
What kept my gameplay experience engaging was my approach of alternating between main missions, side missions, and collectibles. Instead of immediately jumping from one main mission to the next, I allowed myself some breathing room for exploration and a much-needed break from the story’s constant intensity. This break afforded me the opportunity to seek out and gather the various items scattered throughout Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens, as well as partake in some intriguing side content. This approach not only added depth to Peter and Miles’ characters since Spider-Man, at heart, is someone who helps those in need, but it also contributed to keeping the game fresh.
Now, everyone has their own unique gaming style, and I’m not here to dictate how you should play your game (you do you!). However, I highly recommend trying the approach I adopted for a couple of compelling reasons. Firstly, it prevents the game from becoming monotonous. If you leave all the side content until after finishing the main story, you might end up feeling overwhelmed by repetitive tasks and may even choose to skip them entirely. By weaving some side activities in between main missions, you can unwind after an intense story segment and simultaneously make progress in clearing various parts of the map, thereby unlocking features like fast travel more quickly. Additionally, engaging in side activities provides substantial XP and the essential resources needed to enhance your tech and acquire new suits. This, in turn, ensures that you’re well-equipped and adequately leveled up for the subsequent main mission. Trust me, as you progress, the main missions become increasingly challenging, so having your gear and abilities up to par is vital.
One aspect of this game that I genuinely appreciate, which was not as prevalent in its predecessors, is that the collectibles and side missions come with their own captivating stories. Allow me to illustrate this with an example. In the 2018 game, one of the collectibles was the scattered backpacks throughout New York, which you had to retrieve. While they contained interesting tidbits, there wasn’t a cohesive narrative attached to them. You were collecting them mostly to clear the map or because the game instructed you to.
However, in this game, collectibles are part of a larger story. Trying to keep this as spoiler-free as possible, for instance, someone leaves certain items around the city, and your task is to locate them. As you collect more of these items, you gradually uncover clues regarding the motive behind these placements. Once you’ve gathered all the collectibles of that type, you unravel the full story, often accompanied by a captivating cutscene that has some cool Easter Eggs. If you are a Spidey fan, these moments are a must-not-miss one.
Moreover, some of these side missions introduce new villains that aren’t part of the main storyline, making them worth exploring as they could potentially lay the groundwork for future DLCs or expansions. There’s a four-part side mission that particularly stands out; it initially appears quite innocuous like any other side quest but culminates in a jaw-dropping revelation. If you’ve played the game, you likely know which one I’m referring to, and if you haven’t, you’re in for an exhilarating experience.
The collectibles themselves don’t deviate significantly from those in the original game, although the specific items you’re collecting may differ. The process of navigating the map to retrieve them remains largely unchanged. I’m aware that one of the reasons this game didn’t receive a perfect score from several prominent studios is due to the potential repetitiveness of some of these collectibles. However, from my personal standpoint, I believe the game incorporates just the right number of collectibles. Moreover, if you intersperse them between missions, I can guarantee they’ll be enjoyable, rather than feeling like a tedious collect-a-thon at the game’s conclusion.
Perhaps it’s an unpopular opinion but I, for one, appreciate Spider-Man games featuring a plethora of collectibles (even though it falls into the Ubisoft open-world formula that isn’t favored by a lot of gamers). This approach makes sense for a Spider-Man game, especially when you’re swinging through the city most of the time. Having small items scattered around for you to collect as you revel in the act of swinging enhances the overall experience, giving you a good number of activities to do during traversal. I wholeheartedly recommend delving into everything the developers have crafted for us; after all, it’s all there for a purpose. Enjoy the Easter Eggs while you are at it!
Traversal
Even if you’ve indulged in numerous other games since playing Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales, the game instantly hits you with a wave of familiarity, almost as if navigating New York City with a pair of web-shooters is second nature to you. While the new-car smell might not be there as many of the mechanics remain largely the same, the game excels in reigniting that sensation of flying and free-falling as you gracefully swing through the city’s nooks and crannies. I found myself instantly sitting up in my seat — an upright posture I typically assume only when my buddy smashes one against me in FIFA (or should I say EAFC?). Insomniac masterfully succeeds in making you genuinely feel like Spider-Man, a sensation many of us have yearned for ever since we witnessed Tobey McGuire’s Spider-Man swinging across the big screen, executing a perfect swing that brings him tantalizingly close to the road as he maneuvers between two New York yellow cabs. This game is truly the best Spider-Man simulator ever!
We also see the introduction of some new web-swinging mechanics like loop-de-loop and sharp 90-degree turns which are a welcome addition. However, the newest addition to an already excellent traversal system is the introduction of web-wings, which facilitates Peter and Miles to traverse swiftly through the city, almost Superman-esque. I must admit that I didn’t utilize the web-wings as extensively as the game might have intended, largely due to my personal preference. Spider-Man to me is a superhero that swings around the city with exceptional finesse. Seeing the web wings bypass the primary mode of traversal didn’t quite sit well with me, although I completely understand why they put it in the game. Swinging can become repetitive or slow for some players, and the web-wings offer a quicker way to travel from point A to B, especially if you take advantage of the various wind tunnels scattered throughout the city. Don’t get me wrong, I did use the web-wings when necessary, particularly for crossing the East Riv… I mean, the Salt Water Tidal Flats. But I often found myself reverting to swinging whenever the opportunity presented itself.
My stance on fast travel in the game is even more steadfast than my view on web-wings. As you progress through each district of Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens, you unlock the ability to fast travel to these locations. Personally, I firmly believe that a game like Spider-Man should never include a fast travel option because it contradicts the essence of what makes the game exceptional — embodying the role of Spider-Man. I do acknowledge why Insomniac integrated fast travel into the game; it undeniably expedites the process of collecting items. However, it doesn’t significantly impact the overall experience, and I did some tests to validate this. Swinging and web-winging across the city, from Harlem to the far end of Coney Island, can be accomplished in under 2 minutes. While fast travel might have reduced this time to a fraction of a second, I would still prefer those 2 minutes of being Spider-Man rather than simply catching a cab to the other side of town.
Once again, this is a personal opinion, albeit a strong one. It’s somewhat ironic that this game boasts some of the fastest fast-travel load times with nearly zero downtime, yet it feels entirely unnecessary. Fast travel would be a valuable addition in a game where it is a necessity, like ones where galloping on a horse to the far end of the map isn’t as enjoyable as web-slinging through the city. All things considered, web-swinging is undeniably the most gratifying traversal system introduced in any game, and it’s even more exceptional in this one.
Combat
The combat experience in this game feels both familiar and refreshingly new where it counts. While the core combat concept remains largely unchanged, the developers have revamped how you can utilize your abilities and gadgets. In previous installments, you had to select a gadget from a gadget wheel and were limited to using only that one until you opened the wheel and made a new selection. Although it functioned well, it could occasionally disrupt the flow of combat as you constantly had to access the gadget wheel.
In this latest installment, they’ve done away with that system and instead, allow you to swiftly use gadgets and superpowers by pushing down either L1 or R1 and then hitting one of the face keys. I’m a strong advocate for this change, even though it limits gadgets to just four slots. This alteration enables you to seamlessly employ a variety of gadgets and abilities in combination, creating opportunities for chaining multiple combos and keeping combat engaging.
For instance, pressing down R1 and then ✕ lets you unleash your Ricochet webs, which bounce off multiple enemies. By holding down R1 and cycling through △, O, ✕, and ☐, you can quickfire four different gadgets. The same principle applies to L1 but for special abilities like Miles’ venom shock. This enhancement to the combat system adds a layer of fluidity and excitement to the battles. For those of you who enjoy stealthily eliminating enemies, the game introduces a neat addition with the use of web lines.
Spider-Man 2 marks the introduction of boss fights, a feature largely absent from the previous two games. While the earlier games did have boss encounters, they didn’t include distinct boss fights with their own health bars. This addition also brings a completely new combat mechanic to the game, one that’s a common feature in countless other titles — the parry system. Parrying proves especially useful when facing formidable brutes and larger bosses with special attacks that can’t be effectively dodged. Adapting to this new combat dynamic took a little time, as my muscle memory often directed me to dodge, but I quickly acclimated. It’s worth noting that the parry window is generously forgiving, so precision timing isn’t essential. As the game unfolds, combat does become more challenging, but it never reaches a point where it feels overly difficult to the extent that you need to lower the difficulty level. If you’re a fan of the combat system in the previous games, you’ll swiftly adapt to this one and soon find yourself executing multiple combos and finishers with ease.
Performance
There isn’t much more to add about how this game fully leverages the capabilities of the PS5. Insomniac Games has consistently been at the forefront of technical innovation for a while now. They demonstrated this with Spider-Man (2018) for the PS4, pushing the limits of what was achievable with the console. They continued to raise the bar by releasing Spider-Man: Miles Morales and a remastered version of the 2018 game during the PS5 launch, proving that they were already ahead of the curve. Another Insomniac title, Ratchet and Clank, showcases the DualSense controller’s capabilities, along with impressive particle effects and visuals, making it one of the standout PS5 showcases on the market.
With Spider-Man 2, Insomniac has taken things even further. There was some initial controversy about why this game wasn’t made available for the PS4, but after playing it, the decision to go all-in on the PS5’s SSD became clear. There’s a substantial improvement in performance in various aspects of the game. Notably, ray tracing is consistently active, whether you’re playing in fidelity mode or performance mode. In the previous game, enabling ray tracing would impact frame rates. The attention to detail is evident in the reflections, even in the puddles on the streets of New York. I found myself just crawling on reflective surfaces simply to see the light bounce off them to form perfect reflections.
The SSD also enables nearly instantaneous load times for features like fast travel and loading environmental assets. This, in turn, allows the developers to increase Spider-Man’s swing speed. The power of this technology shines in certain set pieces, where everything loads and streams seamlessly during high-speed chases, even with multiple effects running concurrently on the screen. The PS5’s capabilities are fully harnessed, delivering a visually stunning and smooth gaming experience. Insomniac continues to amaze with their technical prowess, and their achievements in this regard never cease to astonish me.
Platinum experience
I’ll keep this section brief, for my fellow gamers out on the great hunt for the platinum. If you’re aiming to achieve 100% completion and earn that platinum trophy, you’re in for an easy ride. This is, hands down, the easiest platinum I’ve ever obtained. Insomniac Games is known for making platinum hunting relatively straightforward, as seen in their previous Spider-Man games and Ratchet and Clank. With this game, they went the extra mile by eliminating any missable trophies and ensuring that you’ll acquire at least 90% of the trophies by simply completing the entire game. The few miscellaneous trophies that remain are tied to specific activities that can be pursued even after finishing the main game. So, the chances of missing the platinum are quite slim. Looking at the percentage of players who have already achieved the platinum trophy, it’s quite likely that this game will set some record-breaking platinum numbers for a AAA game in a matter of months.
That said, the entire experience is enjoyable, so I recommend playing everything the developers have designed in the game and then reviewing the trophies you may have missed, which should be only a handful. If you’re aiming for your very first platinum, this is an ideal game to make it happen; it couldn’t be easier. If you’re not particularly into trophy hunting, feel free to play the game in the way that brings you the most fun. After all, the primary purpose of a game is to enjoy it!
Bugs
The game actually had a surprising number of arachnids during its launch, most of which I personally encountered. If you’re reading this and haven’t played the game yet, it’s likely that these bugs have already been fixed, and I hope you have a smooth experience. However, it’s worth mentioning some that were particularly amusing.
One of the most common bugs is what many players have dubbed “The Amazing Spider-Cube.” This bug resulted in certain assets failing to load properly in the game, and they were replaced by what appeared to be a white cube. I experienced this towards the end of the game and swinging around New York as a cube was quite a comical sight. Strangely, you could continue playing for a good amount of time until the game eventually crashed. This bug seemed to occur when you’ve played Spider-Man for hours on end, which I am definitely guilty of. If it happens to you, quitting the game and then restarting it should resolve the issue. It only occurred once for me, but given the number of people who experienced it, I assume Insomniac has squashed this like a bug right now. I didn’t capture a screenshot or recording of my own experience, but here’s an example pointed out by @kushgoku on X.
Another surprising bug I encountered was the ability to accidentally get stuck inside building assets. This may be a result of the introduction of faster swing speeds and web wings, which propel you at high speeds towards buildings. It’s not a frequent occurrence, but if, while swinging very close to the ground at high speeds, you miss your next web swing and end up colliding headfirst into a building, you can sometimes clip through the building’s walls and end up inside. However, the interiors of these buildings have not been designed, so you’ll find yourself trapped in darkness, surrounded by four walls with no way home. Once again, restarting the game will spawn you back into the open world, but for a brief moment, you are genuinely trapped inside someone else’s house, transforming you from a friendly neighbor into an unwelcome guest. Here’s an example, credit to @FailedHeatsink on X.
I also experienced some unexpected crashes, but it’s highly likely that Insomniac has already addressed and resolved these issues. Day-one bugs are not uncommon in many games, but it’s important to mention them in case you happen to encounter any of these issues. Nevertheless, it’s safe to say that, for the most part, the game ran smoothly.
Final thoughts
In conclusion, Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 swings into action as a worthy addition to the beloved franchise. Insomniac Games has once again demonstrated that they were the canon event that Spider-Man games needed, with their mastery in delivering a compelling narrative and showcasing their deep appreciation for the Spider-Man universe. The storytelling here is nothing short of exceptional, with captivating set pieces and an engaging pace that keeps players hooked from start to finish. Witnessing a studio undertake a Spider-Man project that comprehensively covers the aspects of the story we’ve grown accustomed to from the comics, series, and movies is truly heartening. This underscores the deep love and reverence that Insomniac Games holds for New York’s hero, a sentiment that resonates strongly with long-term Spidey fans like us.
While Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 may not be a groundbreaking departure from its predecessors, it proves that sometimes building upon a solid foundation is just as satisfying. My expectations were never set on a subversive sequel, and I’m perfectly content with a continuation of the story featuring iterative enhancements in every aspect, which Insomniac delivered. If anything, I do wish there was more to the game. It felt a bit short and I found myself kraven for more at the end, but that’s just a minor gripe.
While some players may find fault with the repetitive nature of the collectible system, it’s important to remember that in the context of a Spider-Man game, I think this formula aligns perfectly with the web-slinging experience. The thrill of mindlessly swinging around the city and snagging collectibles as you go fits well with the overall gameplay. Of course, individual preferences vary, and not everyone may share this sentiment.
In the end, whether you’re a hardcore Spider-Man fan or just a lover of open-world action games, Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 is a must-play title that effortlessly captures the essence of the web-slinger, immersing players in the heart of an iconic superhero’s world. Despite a few minor hiccups and personal preferences, Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 confidently earns a 9/10 rating in my evaluation.
Kudos to the team at Insomniac Games for their remarkable work, and we have unwavering trust in their ability to craft one of the finest Spider-Man stories ever told. Easily one of the best PlayStation game developers in the industry today and I believe I speak for many of us when I say this: thank you for filling the spidey-shaped hole in our hearts and keep up the extraordinary work!
To all my readers, I hope you enjoy this game as much as I did, and if you’re not a gamer, thanks for reading through this entire article, you’re a real one! Cheers!
