Summary
Marvel’s Spider-Man 2has arrived, and it has pleased almost all fans on PlayStation 5 with reviews. Doubling down on the impressive aspects of the 2018 entry, the sequel provides a pleasing experience all around, especially with some of Marvel’sbest villainsin Venom.
With improvements to combat and traversal,Marvel’s Spider-Man 2pushes the series closer to the list among PlayStation’sall-time classicsin the eyes of fans. While this is the case, there are still certain aspects of the title that an inevitable third entry must develop and improve upon, as its potential success will be dependent on them.
1Combat
Both Miles & Peter Share The Same Skill Tree
Marvel’s Spider-Man 2expands on the initial combat experience, with new skills for both Miles and Peter and immersive audio when engaging in intense squabbles with enemies. This is one of the aspects that stood as a pivotal aspect of fans' expectations in the lead-up to the game’s release, and Insomniac managed to adhere to this well enough. Threedifferent skill treesbetween the two characters help to keep the experience fresh while passing through each chapter or side mission within the narrative.
Taking this into consideration, aMarvel’s Spider-Man 3title must keep up with this evolution by expanding the combat even further for either Miles or Peter, or both of them together. Maintaining the current combat while adding additional move sets or skills will take it to its potential of outdoing its predecessors.
2Villains
Marvel’s Spider-Man Series Contains Multiple Villains In Each Mainline Entry
Just as the first title did,Marvel’s Spider-Man 2includes multiple villains, some of whom are on a path of redemption, such as Mister Negative. While this does not massively affect the narrative as a whole, it does cause a few pacing issues with some of the arcs in the game transitioning at an incredibly fast pace. This is evident in the transition from Symbiote Peter’s confrontations with Kraven, Lizard, and then Venom.
Insomniac still managed to fit all these characters within the narrative without it feeling too cramped, but for a third entry, it is best if the focus is streamlined. With the ending setting up the presence of at least two villains in cooperation, unlike Kraven and Venom as the main two here,Marvel’s Spider-Man 3has the opportunity to create the best narrative in the series yet. It will enable Miles or Peter and thevillains to be fleshed outfully.
3Story
Peter & Miles Experience Many Different Twists And Turns In The Narrative
While many have mentioned the first game’s story being better than this time around, Insomniac managed to provide a strong narrative here. Coming off the back of the events of 2018’s title with Harry Osborn’s sickness, it becomes the front and center of this title that is focused more on Peter Parker. The mix-up of theVenom Symbioteand Kraven throws a spanner in the works of Peter and Miles' search for balance in their two lives as the only Spider-Men.
A third title could keep the same pattern as the focus transitions to Miles Morales, giving him a real test and challenge of what life is like trying to be New York’s hero. Insomniac will need to toppleMarvel’s Spider-Man 2in its narrative quality, which will help it reach the heights it will likely aim for.
4Character Development
Miles Is Due To Have A Full Game Focused On His Journey
Between all three games, a large amount of the character development has revolved around Peter Parker more than it has Miles. This includes both the main and side missions, withMarvel’s Spider-Man 2featuring more impactful side missions for Peter placed alongside Yuri, now known as Wraith.
With Insomniac’s mention of the focus now shifting to Miles Morales as the series' main Spider-Man, this is the perfect opportunity to develop Miles unlike anything seen before. Alongside theSpider-Verseanimated movies,Marvel’s Spider-Man 3must expand on its characters much further, and push more of that toward Miles than Peter.
5Marvel Characters
Multiple References To Other Marvel Heroes Have Been Made Across The Series
Within three differentMarvel’s Spider-Mantitles now, there is yet to be a full-fledged appearance from any of the well-known Marvel heroes in New York. Despite the presence of the Avengers tower, Daredevil’s Nelson & Murdock signpost, and much more, it has primarily been Miles and Peter’s loved ones that are present. Given the magnitude of the threat Venom poses in the narrative, the immersion is slightly broken when it is only Miles, Peter, and Mary Jane present to stop the mayhem.
While it is still very possible for at least one ofEarth’s Mightiest Heroesor other street-level heroes to appear in one ofMarvel’s Spider-Man 2’s inevitable DLC expansions, with hints of Doctor Strange or Daredevil present, a third title must address this. Since there is a possibility of one of the Spider-Men appearing in the upcomingMarvel’s Wolverine, it would be a huge omission for other New York heroes to not appear yet again.
