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What you need to know
- What is it? An action-adventure set in the world of superhero, Spider-Man.
- Reviewed on: PlayStation 5
- Developer: Insomniac Games
- Publisher: Sony
- Release date: October 20, 2023
- Available on: PlayStation 5
Following the exclusive release of Marvel's Spider-Man for PlayStation 4 in 2018, there were widespread expectations that this masterpiece would easily secure the Game of the Year title. However, another Sony hit, God of War, got involved, and the title of Game of the Year slipped through Spider-Man's grasp.
This year, the competition remained fierce, primarily with the arrival of Starfield, the notable Xbox exclusive. However, as Starfield didn't quite meet expectations, it appeared that Spider-Man 2 was poised to secure numerous awards, including potential Game of the Year accolades.
However, the question remains: Is Spider-Man 2 worthy of the Game of the Year title, and can it justify and surpass the high quality set by its predecessor, which set the bar quite high? Let's explore these aspects in this slightly delayed review.
The story of high emotions and rehabilitated villains
Let's be honest: if we solely consider the story, Marvel's Spider-Man 2 would undeniably receive a perfect 100/100 rating. It's not only one of the best narratives in Spider-Man games but also stands out among games in general.
The narrative of Spider-Man 2 is incredibly emotional and profound, with moments that will deeply resonate with you. This impact isn't limited to the main missions; even the side missions weave small but powerful stories that have become a consistent strength in each Spider-Man game. Playing Marvel's Spider-Man 2 promises a genuine emotional rollercoaster.
The narrative unfolds as events transpire for the two Spider-Men, Peter Parker and Miles Morales, who find themselves facing a new threat—an organisation known as the Hunters. This group has arrived in New York with the intent to hunt down the most perilous of the criminal underworld, specifically targeting the villains that both Spider-Men had apprehended in the preceding years.
It's intriguing that nearly all the villains have undergone rehabilitation; whether compelled by the imminent threat they face or for other reasons, they display a notable willingness to cooperate with both Spider-Men heroes.
To avoid spoilers, I'll limit my discussion to this, but be prepared for numerous character introductions, hints at new villains, and several unresolved cliffhangers that will leave us eagerly anticipating what the next installment has in store. Based on what we've witnessed in this installment, there's certainly ample material and potential for exciting developments in the future.
Regarding character development in Spider-Man 2, you'll witness some truly impactful moments where the maturity of seventeen-year-old Miles shines through, surpassing Peter's occasionally perplexing behaviour. These instances offer a glimpse into the remarkable growth and character Miles has truly attained.
Their personalities are vividly portrayed, and you'll distinctly feel the difference when playing as either one—not merely due to varied powers or moves, but through their body language, distinct comments, and more.
The primary focus of the story revolves around the main mission—to uncover the true motives behind the Hunters' attacks on villains. However, intertwined with this narrative are elements of Peter's personal life, including challenges with employment, the reappearance of an old friend, and the ebb and flow of an ordinary New Yorker's life, all contributing to make the story truly grandiose.
Beyond the main storyline, the side missions also pack an emotional punch that brought tears to my eyes, particularly the one involving Howard, the pigeon person. A distinct narrative arc is reserved for Yuri, Peter's former acquittance who departed from the police force due to a quest for revenge, embarking on a personal vendetta. Each of these storylines typically concludes with the revelation of a new supervillain.
Summing up the narrative, it's evident that Insomniac deliberately aimed to deliver a vastly improved and more profound story in the new Spider-Man, and they have truly succeeded. The story stands on par with the narratives found in games like God of War or The Last of Us. However, it's crucial to note that the story alone doesn't define the entirety of the gaming experience.
Gameplay
Regarding gameplay, it seems like Insomniac may have been cautious about high expectations and opted for the tried-and-true principle: "If it ain't broke, don't fix it."
All the mechanics from the previous games were essentially replicated, and while Spider-Man: Miles Morales might be forgiven given its initial conception as DLC, subsequently released as a separate game, Spider-Man 2 needed and was expected to offer improvements. Not that the gameplay is lacking—it remains arguably the best superhero game (apologies, Batman), but innovations in Spider-Man 2 were undeniably necessary.
When I mention innovations, I'm not suggesting a need for an overhaul of the fundamental fighting system or anything of the sort—there's no need for that. However, if they were to introduce some new elements, it would have been a welcome addition. For instance, the only innovation in the traversal system is the introduction of the wing suit as a new mechanic, and that's about it. Everything, from the menu and skill tree to gadgets and the complete interface, appears to be directly copied without significant changes.
The only notable distinction lies in the addition of new powers for Peter, likely glimpsed in the trailers, but I'll refrain from detailing them to avoid spoilers. Similar abilities were already featured with Miles, leading me to believe that these were introduced to maintain balance, preventing Miles from becoming overpowered compared to Peter.
The controls have undergone some simplification, making it much easier to utilise powers and gadgets. Meanwhile, for Peter, these special attacks can be modified through a dedicated menu.
The mission structure remains consistent, and through the FNS App, you can track both main and side missions, giving you the freedom to choose your preferred path. There have also been minor adjustments to collectibles. Unlike the previous two games, where scanning viewpoints unlocked all collectibles on the map, the approach is slightly altered now. When in proximity to a collectible, it unlocks on the map, with some only appearing on the minimap. This thoughtful change enhances the exploration experience.
The side content is a letdown as it's entirely recycled with hardly any differences. For instance, challenges introduced by Taskmaster in the first Spider-Man game were later presented by Peter as holographic training in Miles Morales and now by Mysterio in Spider-Man 2 as simulations. It's essentially the same thing presented in three different ways.
Moreover, nearly every piece of side content feels like a rehash of what we've already encountered in the previous two games. I would dare to assert that Spider-Man: Miles Morales showcased more innovation than what we observe in Spider-Man 2.
The map has been expanded, incorporating five new districts within New York: Astoria, Downtown Queens, Little Odessa, Williamsburg, and Downtown Brooklyn. However, it's worth noting that these new districts are considerably smaller than the existing ones from the previous games, constituting one-third of the overall map.
It's crucial to highlight that the entire city layout remains unchanged, with alterations arising from the evolving narrative. Essentially, the entire map from the first two games is copied and expanded, with the action unfolding in both the pre-existing and newly added sections.
An integral aspect of the Spider-Man games throughout the years has been the plethora of unlockable suits. In this game, there are 68 suits in total, with 34 each for both Spider-Men. Similar to various elements, the suits have been replicated from previous games, albeit with the addition of a few new ones.
The final aspect of the gameplay I want to address is the duration, which, to be frank, left me somewhat disappointed. According to my official PlayStation 5 counter, I spent 17 hours in the game, though I believe it was more than that. However, I doubt I played more than 25–30 hours, and within that timeframe, I managed to complete the game 100 percent and unlock the Platinum trophy. In my opinion, this duration seems rather short for a game of this calibre, especially considering the $80 price tag.
Graphics and Sounds—The Beauty of New York City
In terms of graphics, Spider-Man 2 exhibits both advancements and drawbacks. There is evident progress in the depiction of the city and the showcased details, yet a setback is noticeable in the character models, which appear notably more unrealistic and doll-like compared to the previous games.
While New York in the preceding games was already impressive, Spider-Man 2 elevates everything to a higher level. Witnessing the meticulous effort invested in perfecting even the smallest details of this concrete jungle called New York, it becomes evident that the developers truly deserve significant praise.
Real-time ray-traced reflections from every building provide an unparalleled sense of realism. While these effects were present in the PlayStation 5 versions of the prior two Spider-Man games, they have been elevated to a new level in Spider-Man 2. The textures exhibit remarkable detail and sharpness, and even in performance mode, prioritising 60 FPS, the visuals remain exceptionally detailed and smooth.
However, the same positive impressions can't be extended to the character models, which appear to have undergone a slight downgrade. Firstly, I won't comment on the change to the MJ character, as I'm not aware of the reasons behind it. Nevertheless, the character model for the new MJ seems somewhat stiff and robotic.
Additionally, Peter Parker's facial animations are almost nonexistent. Despite Yuri Lowenthal's stellar voice-acting performance as Peter Parker, the corresponding emotions fail to reflect adequately on his character's face (fortunately, many emotional moments occur when Peter is wearing a mask and are not visible). The downgrade is also noticeable in characters like Rio Morales and Ganke, suggesting either time constraints in refining these aspects or a perceived lack of importance given to them.
Make no mistake, Marvel's Spider-Man 2 stands as one of the most visually stunning games you'll have the chance to experience this year. However, as with all other aspects, a persistent question emerges: How much progress has been achieved compared to the previous Spider-Man games, and if so, is it sufficient?
To illustrate, let's draw a comparison between the Spider-Man games and the Batman Arkham series, as they are often subject to comparison. When playing any of the Arkham games, a keen enthusiast of the series can easily discern which game it is, as each installment shows noticeable improvement over its predecessor. However, when playing any of the Spider-Man games on the PlayStation 5, it becomes challenging to distinguish the differences, prompting us to question the extent of progress observed in the Spider-Man games.
The soundtrack, encompassing the sounds of battles, web shooters, the ambiance of New York, and all other in-game elements, along with the quality soundtrack that guides you through the game, attains a top-tier level—exactly as expected. Kudos to the team for their outstanding work. A considerable portion of the soundtrack is sourced from previous games, a practise that is both normal and commendable. Additionally, new melodies have been seamlessly incorporated, enhancing the atmosphere without being intrusive.
Conclusion
Marvel's Spider-Man 2 delivers a captivating narrative enriched with powerful emotions and unexpected plot twists, placing its story in contention with the most significant narrative achievements in gaming. The gameplay remains as enjoyable as ever, featuring incredibly fluid combat and a plethora of diverse moves and superpowers. When coupled with impressive graphics and sound presentation, the game undeniably qualifies as potential Game of the Year material. However, there is one huge "but" hidden here.
All of this has been previously witnessed, and with minimal innovations, one unmistakably gets the impression that Insomniac opted for a cautious approach, avoiding potential risks associated with introducing significant innovations. With few new additions and nearly all segments replicated, Spider-Man 2 feels more like Spider-Man 2.0—a similar experience with some minor variations.
Once again, Marvel's Spider-Man 2 stands as a nearly perfect game that would undoubtedly receive a much higher rating and secure my Game of the Year title if only the developers had taken a more daring leap. Despite this, it remains one of the best games I've encountered this year and is a straightforward recommendation for both dedicated fans and casual gamers alike.
The Good
The best Spider-Man story yet- Very enjoyable gameplay
- Impressive graphics and sounds
- Very good side missions
The Bad
Lack of innovations in all aspects- Short duration
- Similar side content
