Spider-Man 2 [Review]
2018 was an amazing year for Playstation exclusives. First, God of War revitalized the franchise with a sweeping, epic story that brought the infamous God-killer to a new world, and a new pantheon. Then, just five months later, Insomniac games delivered one of the greatest superhero games ever made with Spider-Man. Universally praised for the amazing voice acting, emotionally impactful narrative, and incredible traversal, Spider-Man helped to elevate the already respected studio to new heights.
In the 5 years since, Insomniac has stayed busy, releasing a PS5 launch title with Spider-Man: Miles Morales in 2020, and announcing their next Marvel title: Wolverine.
With rave reviews for both Spider-Man and Miles Morales, the question lingered for many fans: could Insomniac pull off a hat-trick? Would Spider-Man 2 be able to deliver on what gamers have come to expect from the franchise?
The answer for this gamer?
Yes.
To begin, I will say that Spider-Man 2 is extremely similar to the original game. Fans of the franchise will be able to get comfortable with the gameplay in a flash, swinging through New York and dispatching baddies (after an over-the-top introductory stage, of course). There have been some changes, but they are largely centered on quality-of-life, such as the simplification of the gadgets and skills in combat, as well as the addition of web-wings for gliding and maneuvering through busy streets of the city that never sleeps. There are wind tunnels throughout the city to aid you in getting some extra speed when using the wings…though I have to say flying through the circles gave me some chilling Superman 64 vibes.
You can always just use standard web-swinging as well. Nothing like a good loop-de-loop to remind you why playing this game is so damn fun.
When it comes to combat, it can be as simple or as complex as you wish: you can mash square (with the occasional circle button to dodge incoming attacks/projectiles) and navigate your way through swarms of baddies, or you can deftly web up foes, launching them into the air for stunning feats of aerial combat. As the game progresses, standard goons begin to fade away and more specialized enemies will encourage you to explore your wider skill-set.
Of course, a major departure for Spider-Man 2 is your ability to play not one, but two Spider-Men. Peter has taken on the role of mentor for the younger Miles, and each has a slightly different feel and moveset. Later on you are introduced to an additional suit, which further diversifies your gameplay experience.
Between zipping through the city streets and battling criminals, we are treated to a top-tier narrative worthy of the most iconic and memorable stories from the comic. With Aunt May gone, Peter is navigating his relationship with MJ, the return of his best friend, Harry Osborn, and trying to nail down a career (as it turns out, being a superhero doesn’t pay the bills in Peter Parker’s case). At the same time, Miles is working on getting into college, juggling his own social schedule and trying to grow closer with Hailey. So why wouldn’t Kraven decide to make New York his new hunting ground, seeking out both Spider-Men for a proper “hunt”, while an even greater threat looms beneath the surface?
Yuri Lowenthal’s performance as Peter Parker is iconic once again - capturing the sardonic tone of your friendly neighborhood hero, while layering in the nuance of a young adult still trying to figure things out. The Peter we know has experienced a lot of grief and pain already, and Lowenthal brilliantly captures a hero pushed to his breaking point.
Nadji Jeter’s work as Miles Morales is similarly fantastic. While Peter leans more into the punny, groan-worthy comedy during his banter with villains, Miles has more of the sharp humor we would expect from a high schooler. Jeter also brings an emotional richness to the character, revealed in the moments when he honors his father’s memory the best way he knows how, or watches as his mentor struggles despite the gifts he’s been granted.
I could work my way down an extensive list of extremely talented voice actors (Laura Bailey’s MJ, for example), but suffice it to say the aggregate performance is cinematic in quality.
Adding to the cinematic nature of the game is its superb aesthetics. Visually, Spider-Man 2 is stunning. From the detailed reflections in puddles throughout the city to the hustle and bustle of the crowds and traffic that now fill the streets of New York, to the clean animations in combat, your moment-to-moment appreciation for the game is hard to overstate. While there has been some buzz regarding the quality of the character models, I had no such issue with the characters. It’s a departure from the original games, but the more realistic depiction of the mocap actors helped to elevate the cutscenes in my opinion.
A certain symbiote is also vividly depicted - with one of the best models/designs for the character we’ve seen in quite some time. Spider-Man 2’s Venom is a harrowing and intimidating enemy, and a visual gem in the game.
In terms of length, the game moves quickly - or at least it certainly feels that way…and that’s not a bad thing. You can likely complete the core story in 20-25 hours. Perfectionists looking to add another platinum trophy to their digital walls will only need a few extra hours to complete the task. All in all? Around 30 hours will give you everything there is from this title.
At just over $2/hour, for the quality of game that Insomniac has created…I’d say it’s well worth it.
Once again, Insomniac has proven that it has earned the trust given by both Playstation and Marvel when handling a character as notable as Spider-Man. Playing Spider-Man 2, you cannot deny it delivers everything you would expect from a AAA title, and reminds you just how far gaming has come.
In the stacked year that 2023 has been, Spider-Man 2 achieves a high watermark, and will certainly be in any conversation around game of the year. Where it will ultimately land for me remains to be seen…but it’s a superb game that should be in every PS5 owners library.
