Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 PS5 Review
| Game: | Marvel's Spider-Man 2 |
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| Publisher: | Sony Interactive Entertainment |
| Developer: |
While Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 may not be connected to Sam Raimi’s rendition, it follows in the footsteps of its cinematic counterpart as an enhanced sequel. From refined gameplay to a compelling heroic narrative, every aspect is expertly crafted. Much like how Spider-Man is an indispensable hero in his universe, Sony and Insomniac played an equally vital role in resurrecting the web-slinging hero from gaming hiatus with their original Spider-Man title, which was followed by the brilliant Marvel’s Spider-Man Miles Morales spin-off game.
In Spider-Man 2, a compelling and heroic narrative unfolds, featuring the dynamic duo of Peter Parker and Miles Morales as the dual protagonists. The interplay between these two Spider-Men is executed seamlessly, offering a plethora of memorable moments that showcase their unique dynamics. The story delves into a myriad of themes such as love, loss, regret, struggle, corruption, and power, weaving a multifaceted tale that resonates with depth. Iconic villains such as Kraven and Venom make their presence felt, contributing to the complexity of the narrative, but avoids becoming a muddle. Similar to the character of Miles Morales, this rendition of the Spider-Man universe establishes its own distinct identity, and the storyline is once again a strong point in this sequel.
When it comes to gameplay, Spider-Man 2 swings into action within an expanded version of New York that now features the districts of Queens and Brooklyn in what is said to be twice as large as the previous map. The fluidity of both web-swinging and combat reaches new heights, creating an even more seamless experience. It’s a superhero power fantasy that captures the essence of feeling like an iconic hero making a significant impact across every inch of the featured New York. Indeed, it’s fitting to experience an extraordinary game from an exceptional developer, featuring a character that was branded ‘amazing’ long ago.
Swinging through the environment in Spider-Man 2 is once again one of the best traversal methods in any game. The ease and fluidity with which you navigate the cityscape undermine the undoubtedly complex system implementation. Performing stylish tricks mid-air is once again a thrilling feature, and as you upgrade the heroes, the array of traversal options expands. In this installment, both Spider-Men not only swing but can also glide through the air, courtesy of a new wingsuit (or Web-Wings). The sheer joy of combining the wingsuit with the swinging adds even more fun to travelling around New York.
Spider-Man 2’s combat bears a striking resemblance to its predecessors, although the inclusion of a parrying option in a Spider-Man game might be a subject of debate. However, it does introduce an additional layer of variation to combat scenarios, providing you with an opportunity to capitalize on a successful parry by exploiting the brief window of vulnerability left in its wake, and parrying is even encouraged when fighting certain enemies. Elsewhere it is business as usual, the animations remain exceptionally smooth, the combat repertoire steadily expands throughout the game, thanks to individual skill trees for each Spider-Man, as well as a shared skill tree that allows for a diverse range of abilities and enhancements. Beyond the standard kicking, punching, web and air attacks, both Spider-Men showcase a variety of powerful moves and share a set of useful gadgets. In every conceivable aspect, this sequel masterfully captures the essence of making you truly feel like Spider-Man, although it has to be said that it could have benefitted from being a bit more streamlined in terms of its upgrades.
It’s not a spoiler as such to reveal that Peter Parker’s Spider-Man eventually acquires the powerful black symbiote suit. This addition brings about a more aggressive and hard-hitting fighting style, introducing a level of violence uncommon in traditional Spider-Man narratives. The inclusion of the black suit injects a refreshing dynamic into the game, leaving you intrigued about the potential return of the classic Spider-Man and when this grand moment might unfold in the storyline. Additionally, many will anticipate that the introduction of the black symbiote suit will likely pave the way for the appearance of the popular villain Venom at some point in the game.
Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 is a game that might stretch to about 40 hours for completionists diving into activities beyond the main story. There’s a wealth of things to do here, from tackling random crimes and exploring side stories—like uncovering robotic spiders in each area—to engaging in Mysterio simulations, snapping photos, uncovering memories of Sandman, solving puzzles set by Morales’ uncle, and more. The larger story missions, epic in scale, deliver some truly impressive spectacles as well as some memorable boss fights. Notably, when it comes to all the content presented here, nothing feels like pointless filler; everything has its place. With that said, aiming for 100% completion will be a realistic goal for many, which certainly can’t be said for a lot of other open-world games, with some offering an exhaustive amount of content.
Addressing the less favorable aspects, it must be acknowledged that Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 surprisingly suffers from a notable number of bugs. While I didn’t encounter many game-breaking issues, the experience was marred by occasional instances where I had to restart from a previous checkpoint due to peculiar camera problems causing me to get stuck. Additionally, I observed minor bugs involving New Yorkers standing in the sky or sinking into the ground, disrupting immersion. Although Insomniac has already rolled out several patches, the persistence of these bugs remains a concern, and one can only hope that future updates will swiftly eliminate these issues.
Visually, Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 stands as a pinnacle of artistry and is undeniably one of the most visually stunning games released on the PS5 to date. The adept team at Insomniac Games has not only harnessed but pushed the limits of PS5 technology, introducing ray tracing reflections across every graphical setting. The inclusion of a 40fps option adds flexibility and is likely to be the preferred choice for many players with compatible TVs. The two Spider-Men are exquisitely detailed, boasting beautiful animations, while the lighting is both striking and dynamic, evolving based on your location and the time of day. The city of New York is presented in unparalleled detail, with intricate elements visible up close and remarkable clarity extending even into the distant horizon. Spider-Man 2 truly stands as a visual masterpiece.
Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 effortlessly earns its place among the best superhero games ever crafted. The swinging traversal, a hallmark of the series, remains one of the most enjoyable means of exploration, now enriched with the Web-Wings wingsuit for airborne gliding. Combat is very similar with changes that will be welcomed or can be regularly ignored, depending on whom you may be. The game seamlessly captures the power fantasy of embodying an iconic superhero. With its stunning visuals, entertaining gameplay, fluid mechanics, and an overall amazing experience, Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 encapsulates the essence of superhero gaming. Here’s hoping that the occasional bugs are swiftly addressed to enhance an already outstanding experience.
