It's been a long five years since Insomniac Games' take on everyone's favorite web-slinger hit the PS4, and now the studio is ready to show off what they can do with the power of the PS5.
The generational leap in power between Sony's two latest consoles has resulted in some truly impressive games with the likes of Returnal and Insomniac's own Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart showing what the PS5 can do, and Marvel's Spider-Man 2 looks like it's set to create a new benchmark. Like any good sequel, Spider-Man 2 needs to create thrilling new experiences and improve upon its predecessor.
As we celebrate the game's launch, let's take a look at some of the awesome new features that will surely make this massive sequel a Game of the Year contender.
Two Protagonists
Just a couple of Spider Buds! (Image Source: PlayStation.com)
Perhaps the biggest change for Marvel's Spider-Man 2 is the addition of a second playable Spider-Man - Miles Morales. Following his successful, bite-sized story in his PS5-exclusive adventure, Players can now switch between two main characters - Miles and Peter - at will.
The structure of the game's story means that there are missions that will be exclusive to either character, while there will also be missions that either can tackle. Which Spider-Man you play as the most will largely be up to you outside of narrative-critical missions, and that kind of freedom is going to make a lot of Spider-Man fans very happy.
Both Miles and Peter will have their own sets of skills and skill trees as well as shared abilities, which seems like it will strike a good balance between familiarity and uniqueness throughout the game.
More to Explore
There's much more to see in Spider-Man 2. (Image Source: Insomniac.games)
To facilitate the exciting new adventure and make sure that there are still some surprises for fans that combed the map in the previous two games, Marvel's Spider-Man 2 has a much larger Marvel's New York, complete with new and iconic villains to engage with. We don't quite know exactly how many new villains will be on the loose in this Spider-Man story, but we can already tell that it's going to be a worthy follow-up to the 2018 original.
Improved Traversal
Web Swinging Upgrades
Miles always swings in style. (Image Source: Insomniac.games)
Aside from 2004's Spider-Man 2 on the PlayStation 2, finding a way to nail what it feels like to swing through the streets of New York in a fun way has been an elusive feat for every Spider-Man game. Insomniac was the first studio in over a decade to crack the code, and it looks like they've found a way to improve upon perfection.
Early looks at the game from some very lucky fans has revealed that the web swinging system in Marvel's Spider-Man 2 has received a few upgrades over its predecessor. It's now possible to build up speed by completing loop the loops! The extra centrifugal force can launch Spidey with a huge speed boost, making getting from place to place even faster and more stylish than in the first game.
But that's not all in terms of traversal improvements.
Web Wings
He can fly! Almost! (Image Source: Insomniac.games)
Marvel's Spider-Man 2 also features a way to take advantage of that velocity to glide gently through the air: the brand-new web wings!
At the press of a button, both Peter Parker and Miles Morales can deploy their web wings to do their best Rico Rodriguez impression. While there is precedent for Spider-Man to have web wings from the comics, their implementation here is undeniably inspired by Just Cause 3 and 4.
At any rate, the new web wings system is sure to be a fan favorite, and it'll definitely get some use in the expanded Marvel's New York that Insomniac Games has created for us.
(Crazy) Fast Travel
Be anywhere in just a blink. (Image Source: Insomniac.games)
Another thing that has been shown off in the days leading up to release is a new fast travel system. In Marvel's Spider-Man 2, you can select absolutely any point on the map - not just landmarks and designated fast travel points - and be transported there almost instantly.
You have to hold down the fast travel button for maybe 2 seconds, but after less than a second of loading, the Spider-Men will swing into frame, ready to go for some more action. It's incredibly impressive, and it really shows the power of the PS5's NVME SSD. It's probably on par with the inter-dimensional madness that was achieved for Rift Apart by the same mad lads at Insomniac.
New Villains and an Even Greater Threat
Venom is here, and he means business. (Image Source: PlayStation.com)
Good thing that you have two Spider-Men teaming up in Marvel's Spider-Man 2, because good old Pete is going to need the help, especially with multiple enemies wreaking havoc.
The cornerstone of the marketing of this game from its first reveal trailer is the fact that a legendary Spider-Man villain and fan-favorite character will be playing a prominent role in this game: Venom. The Symbiote-fueled killing machine is on the loose in Marvel's New York, and only the Spider-Men can stop it. Who Venom actually is has been kept under wraps, so it's highly likely that Insomniac is going to play with fans expectations in this outing.
Aside from the iconic villain Venom, we also know that the ruthless Kraven the Hunter will also be in the city, stirring up some trouble along with the volatile Lizard, Dr. Curt Connors. There's going to be plenty to do, and this is all in addition to the inevitable open world side missions that will be sprinkled throughout the city.
The Symbiote Suit
Don't make him angry. (Image Source: Insomniac. games)
If you know anything about Spider-Man lore, you know that wherever Venom is, a Symbiote waiting to infect Peter is not far behind. Marvel's Spider-Man 2 keeps to that tradition, giving players the chance to feel the true power of the Symbiote throughout the main story.
The Symbiote forces Peter to fight with more brutality as well as interact with his loved ones more aggressively, making him act out of character. We'll have to see how this causes the story to play out, but the epic new powers provided by the new Symbiote suit look awesome. Incredible power, advanced combat abilities, and a huge power boost over previous games is exactly what Peter Parker needs to take on the monstrous Venom.
The Wait is Over
By now, Marvel's Spider-Man 2 is out and playable on PS5 consoles all over the world. Whether you're playing the standard edition or enjoying the five unique suits that came included with all pre orders, we at Gameflip wish you good luck in this new Spider-Man adventure.
And, if for some reason you don't have Marvel's Spider-Man 2 yet or even a PlayStation 5 to play it on, we can help with that!
Make sure you check the Gameflip marketplace for deals on PlayStation Store gift cards as well as gift cards for major retailers like Best Buy and Target so you don't miss out on the newest installment in the Marvel's Spider-Man franchise.
