Marvel's Spider-Man 2
- Release Date: 30 Jan 2025
- Platforms: PC
- Rating: 7/10
Did Insomniac Need to Make Spider-Man 2?
A few hours into the game, I wasn’t sure Insomniac needed to have made *Marvel’s Spider-Man 2*. I kept wondering if it may not have been better to skip this exercise and go straight to something more interesting, like *Wolverine*. It seemed like re-treading familiar *Spider-Man 1/Miles Morales* territory, and I wasn’t sure how it could break past that.
Well, it did, eventually. I just wish it had done it sooner.
A Strong Core Held Back by Early Pacing
*Spider-Man 2* is a great game held back by its early pacing and a largely superfluous open world. The main storyline is gripping, the voicework is top-notch, the visuals are excellent, and the fighting is fun. There’s a lot to love here, but much of it you probably already loved in the original.
Kraven’s Hunt and the Wait for Venom
This expanded vision of New York City opens with the unfortunate fact that Kraven has come to town, hunting down current and former supervillains as he seeks the fight of his life. Soon, his attention turns to the Spider-Men after literally killing some of their old foes.
Kraven is… fine. His shockingly large band of hunters occupies chunks of the city, orchestrating kidnappings to round up villains and heroes for his bloodlust. It’s a storyline that often leaves you wondering, “Okay, but where’s Venom?”
You will wait a long time for Venom. Peter’s symbiote powers mark the turning point where the game shifts from a bit dull to much more fun. When Venom finally arrives (in a truly wild sequence I won’t spoil), the game floors the gas and becomes incredible in its third act.
A Bigger City, But at What Cost?
One of *Spider-Man 2*’s weakest aspects is its open world. The expanded map, including more boroughs like Brooklyn, mainly means things are more spread out. Unless you’re a New Yorker familiar with the landmarks, the beautifully rendered city tends to blend together as you speed through various locales. The new “spider wings” feature for gliding through airflow tunnels is fine, but it feels odd to be swinging far less than before.
Early on, the game overwhelms you with “points of interest” and minigames. There are “science” tasks like splicing genes, decoding molecules, and using bee drones to combat bad bees. Miles tackles puzzles from his reformed Prowler uncle and even has a rhythm-matching beat segment. Otherwise, you’ll find standard fare: similar crimes, fighting arenas, and minibase takeovers.
Fun Combat, But Overlap Between Peter and Miles
Combat is as fun as ever, mixing powers and gadgets for both Miles and Peter. However, the two heroes feel a bit too similar. While Peter’s symbiote powers eventually distinguish him, the overlap in gadgets and general abilities can make the switching feel forced, especially since only specific heroes can tackle certain missions.
Miles stands out in this game. Unlike Peter, who is primarily dealing with symbiote issues, Miles remains the friendly neighborhood Spider-Man, helping his community through some of the most memorable side missions. His bonus electro-zapping makes him more fun to play as, in my opinion.
Strong Voicework and an Exceptional Venom
The character models have some quirks—Peter and Harry look younger than Miles, while Mary Jane resembles a younger Aunt May. Despite this, the voicework is excellent, with standout performances from Miles and Harry.
Peter’s struggle with the symbiote is a familiar tale, but this might be the best rendition I’ve seen. The game’s twists won’t shock seasoned Spider-Man fans, but the Venom segment is astonishing. From his character design to his horrifying effects on the city, Venom elevates the game to new heights.
A Mixed Bag
While the expanded map adds bloat and the dual hero system could use more differentiation, *Spider-Man 2* delivers an exceptional main story and thrilling combat. Kraven feels like an overlong distraction, but Venom’s arrival is worth the wait. It’s a solid game, even if it occasionally swings in the wrong direction.
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