Marvel's Spider-Man 2

I played Spider-Man 2018 on PS4, and it quickly became one of my all-time favorite games. It was incredible, and I had absolutely no complaints. This year, I played Spider-Man 2, which was also amazing. However, over time, I found myself getting bored. While it introduced a lot of new features and was packed with action, it felt repetitive. I started to miss the simplicity of Spider-Man 2018, along with its better story and perfectly paced rhythm. So, after beating Spider-Man 2, I decided to go back and play Spider-Man Remastered. Despite it being my third playthrough, I'm actually enjoying it more.

Spider man 2 should be a 10, but it's not. It has higher highs than the first game, but lower lows.

In terms of combat, if you enjoyed the previous game than you'll love this because it's even better, in fact, most mechanics in this game are great and improved from the first game. Something that doesn't improve are the puzzles, and, considering that the puzzles are so prominent in this game I'm honestly so suprised at how bad they are. They are easy, dumb and pointless. They are literally filler with no individuality. In fact, that goes for most of the saide quests in this game. Some hint at other villians and have fun teasers, plus the flame missions are genuinely worthwhile and fun, but the rest is a little bit plain and monotonous. Not bad, just, not good. Traversal is also like the best out of any other game of all time here so there's that I suppose. Boss fights are a major improment over the first game, even if I feel the spectacle was inconsistent between some of the battles.

In terms of story, there is much to love, but a lot to hate. I fell like Kraven is severely undercooked, he's the main villian in the game and yet you spend hours on end fighting his stupid goons and only see him for 6 scenes. I feel like they played his cards wrong considering that his actual charachter was really well made and his themes and concepts were riveting. Venom is underused, there's no doubt. He's in it for 5 missions and is totally wasted in this game. His motives don't make sense and whilst Harry's could have been really good, there isn't much sense in his motivations. Now, this is because of the symbiote effect on people in the game. It doesn't expand in inner problems from the characters, but makes them up when they have the symbiote. Therefore, there is no tension at all, because the stakes aren't there. Miles has the best arc in the game by far, it's well developed and makes a lot of sense. Peter (who is predominantly the protagonist in the game) isn't well developed however, for when he's in the symbiote there are no stakes, as I mentioned earlier. The writing is corny at times, but it's okay because the voice acting is spot on.

I don't dislike the game at all, it improves so much and core aspects are really good, but it has its gaps in its greatness where the first game doesn't. I still prefer this one, however.

Over the last few years Insomniac have released two fantastic Spider-Man games. This has led to much anticipation for the sequel to the original game and its spinoff Miles Morales. I have played through this entire game and here is my review for Spider-Man 2. The premise of the game is set a few years after the original game, both Peter Parker and Miles Morales are Spider-Man and using their powers to help New York but not succeeding in their personal lives. However, the return of an old friend and a new powerful enemy forces them to work together to face their biggest enemies.

Characters Yuri Lowenthal reprises his role as Peter Parker and he is fantastic, to me he is an absolute perfect choice for this video game Spider-Man. He plays the experienced version of the character well and this game pushes him in different ways that the previous one does. He is brilliant here and I think he deserves to be in the same discussion as the iconic film versions of the character. I have even got used to his new face here and I am totally fine with it.

Nadji Jeter also reprises his role as Miles Morales and he is also great in the role. We have really seen his journey over the three games and the chemistry between him and Peter is fantastic. He is given a really interesting story here and it shows a more serious side that maybe his game slightly missed. The game does ebb and flow but it does feel like two equal lead characters and that is fantastic to see.

Laura Bailey is back as Mary Jane Watson and she is once again great in her role. She supports both the Spider-Men really well and they give her a story herself but it doesn't overshadow the main plot and she does the character real justice.

Graham Phillips is here as Harry Osbourne and he is fantastic, it feels like these characters have known each other for years and credit to Phillips who has joined the cast and felt like he has always been there. He also has a really interesting character arc and it follows up really well with what we have been told about him in the previous games.

Jim Pirri plays Kraven The Hunter and I love this portrayal of the character. He is physically intimidating but you see how his mind works throughout the game and what his motivations are for the actions that he takes. He is a great villain that is perfect for the story that is being told here.

Also he was in the trailer so I will say Venom is fantastic when he is used here and that is all I will say.

Story This story is fantastic, it does a fantastic job of showing Peter and Miles in their own difficult situations but also situations that affect both of them in their personal life and as Spider-Man. It weaves characters into the story and provides plenty of emotion throughout with a solid ending here. Personally, I actually think I preferred the story in the first game but that doesn't mean this one isn't fantastic in its own way. Some are arguing that it isn't long enough and I kind of get that, but I think it uses everything effectively and it still took me around 18-20 hours to complete which for me is plenty for a video game.

Side Activities The game has plenty of side content and it is a bit of a mixed bag. There are some excellent side missions, one in particular really hit me and made me realise that the game developers really cared. They also do a really good job of setting up future threats for Peter & Miles which is something a bit fresh here. But the majority of the side missions end up seeing either Spider-Man doing the same activity multiple times and it just gets a bit repetitive. I know most open world games has this but it felt like it here and I wasn't a huge fan of it this time.

Gameplay Insomniac decided to go with a more revolution over evolution of the gameplay. It is pretty similar to what we received in the previous two games. This game is pretty clear that Miles & Peter play differently and it provides fresh gameplay in different activities. It provides fantastic action and web swinging along with the web wings allowed for easier traverse across New York. Also yes the MJ missions are back and at first I sighed but they are way better here and I didn't actually mind them and appreciated that Insomniac decided to improve this factor instead of just getting rid of it.

Graphics This game looks beautiful. The character models are great and I love how both Spider-Men look in their costumes and it is great to see them in action. The other villains also look fantastic with Kraven, Lizard and Venom all being beautifully represented here. It shows New York in a fantastic way and made me care about it, overall it is a great looking game.

Overall Overall, Spider-Man 2 is a fantastic game and one of the best superhero games that has ever been made. It tells an amazing story and manages to showcase both Peter Parker and Miles Morales in a really great way. It falls a little short with its side content and overall length but It is still absolutely worth a purchase and anyone with a PS5 must give it a playthrough.

Rating - 9/10.

Spider-Man 2 takes everything that was great about the first game, and expands upon it; bigger map, grander story, more characters, improved mechanics, etc. The game also has spectacular set pieces, and a good variety of missions that help speed up, and slow down the pacing when necessary, including one when you go on the rides, and play carnival games at Coney Island, which is unironically one of my favorites missions in any game ever. Overall, after 100% the game, and achieving the platinum trophy, I can confidently say Spiderman 2 is now one of my all time favorite games; its gameplay is fast, fun, and has the best combat system I've ever experienced. If you're a Spiderman fan, it's definitely worth the money.

Now for the things I don't like: first off, Im not a huge on the wingsuit, as I think it takes the focus off of web slinging - seeing Spiderman soar through the skies like Superman just doesn't feel right... (although, I know Insomniac probably thought it was a necessary addition, to make traversing the larger map easier, especially since there's now a river you have to navigate across) They also brought back the dreaded forced stealth MJ missions from the first game. I know they don't want MJ to be your typical damsel in distress, but giving her an OP taser and forcing you to navigate through enemy territory while neither Spiderman is in sight for assistance, just isn't it... I'm also not a fan of the "Danacast" that returns in this game after being introduced in Miles Morales. I don't care about some random, liberal college student's opinions about what's going on in the story, just give me J. Jonah Jameson.

Performance wise; In my 24+ hours of playing the game so far, I've only suffered from one crash, but there is some gltiches that need to be patched. Like, a pivotal part of the game's narrative was ruined for me, because character models were either completely invisible, or they were just floating heads... (both in cutscenes and gameplay) There's also this really odd bug where your character model is just a small, white box? It tends to happen when switching quickly back and forth between suits.

Finally: Just like the first game, there's no option for New Game+ at launch - although, I heard that its coming before the end of the year - also, there's currently not an option to change the time of day like in the previous 2 games, (not even after beating the story...) which is disappointing. So hopefully they add that, soon, too.

In conclusion, Spiderman 2 isn't perfect, but it's pretty close. 9/10.

Perfection In my eyes. I'm autistic, so I'm not great with words. I'll keep it short and simple.

1. Beautiful, stunning and breathtaking graphics. The lighting is gorgeous, the environment in itself is amazing (especially outside during the day).

2. Brilliant story and character development. Not only do the characters stand on their own, they also grow together. I absolutely adore the journey.

3. Fantastic machenics (old&new) are back ... My new favourite addition would be the spider wings. Gliding around New York is such a breeze, and is so satisfying.

4. I love the simple things. Like when you're in combat as Pete, and Mile's joins in to help. It makes me happy.

Definitely 10/10 ... Insomniac have done it again.