With Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, Insomniac faces the challenging task of following up on two thrilling superhero adventures brimming with excitement and heart. While that might sound like a good problem to have, it raises the question: where do you go from here? The answer is clear: double down. Double down on Spider-Man, the size of the map, and the explosive action sequences. In doing so, the studio has crafted another consistently exhilarating rollercoaster ride and arguably the best story in the series yet. However, when you compare the original to this sequel, it can feel like two Spider-Man games pointing at each other.
The excellent combat remains engaging, but it’s largely the same fun as before. Despite the larger map, many open-world activities desperately need innovation. The result is a blockbuster in the modern sense: undeniably thrilling for long stretches but somewhat formulaic at times.
Spider-Man 2 brings a familiar combat style. It may lack that “new suit smell,” but it feels incredibly comfortable to slip back into. The rhythm of precision dodges, new perfect parries, and acrobatic finishes is highly satisfying. You can string together stylish high-hit combos with fluid movement, and the impacts feel significant. Power and elegance merge in a ballet of action, as enemies are tossed around like dolls, juggled in the air, and slammed against concrete floors. Of course, they never die—each foe might suffer broken bones and punctured organs, but they’ll live to commit crimes another day.
There’s slightly less emphasis on stealth encounters this time around compared to Spider-Man or Miles Morales. As someone who found the stealth mechanics in previous games a bit simplistic, this new, louder approach is refreshing. There are story missions where Miles or Peter must sneak around, but Spider-Man 2 encourages more direct engagement, with abilities designed to group enemies for massive damage rather than taking them out one by one. When Peter dons the symbiote suit showcased in trailers, the gooey, powerful abilities add a brawler element to combat, giving him tools to match Miles’ electric skills.
One notable improvement is the increased variety in enemies, ensuring you won’t just face the same five balaclava-clad bullies. Different enemies have weaknesses to specific abilities, such as electric or symbiote attacks, adding an enjoyable layer of strategy to fights. While there are benefits to stealth, including new takedown options and the Webline tool that lets you create high wires to ambush enemies from above, MJ’s playable sequences return but feel a bit underwhelming. Though they’re more involved this time and serve the story well, they don’t add much excitement beyond simple stealth missions and basic third-person shooting.
Outside of combat, our Spider-Men can navigate their neighborhoods in more stylish ways than ever. The new web-wings allow for smooth gliding through the city, enhancing the already gratifying web-swinging experience. The story transitions effortlessly between lighthearted moments and deeper reflections, showcasing the humanity behind these superhumans.
The central narrative revolves around Kraven the Hunter, an apex predator with super-strength who has set his sights on New York as his hunting ground. This dynamic creates interesting tension between heroes and villains. While larger threats loom, smaller personal stories unfold, exploring themes of work-life balance, relationships, and loss—issues that resonate with everyone, super-powered or not.
The story is the best-written in the series so far, albeit with some cheesy moments. Primarily focused on Peter Parker, it delves into his relationship with MJ and the reintroduction of childhood friend Harry Osborn. Watching Peter navigate his past and future is compelling. He always has a quip ready, expertly delivered by actor Uri Lohenfeld. Miles also has standout moments, especially toward the campaign’s conclusion, though some interesting explorations of his culture are relegated to side missions.
On the surface, Spider-Man 2 offers another thrilling superhero narrative packed with surprises and Easter eggs, but deeper meanings emerge as it tackles adolescence and the accompanying uncertainties. We follow Miles as he faces strained family ties and new challenges in friendships, all while actor Najee Jeter brings depth to the role. For Peter, these themes manifest in a more physical sense; he navigates his early 20s while grappling with the changes brought on by the symbiote suit.
Venom looms over the main characters like a specter, representing grief and personal demons that, if not addressed healthily, can lead to unintended consequences for those they care about.
As for the villains, Spider-Man’s rogues’ gallery is nearly unmatched. In addition to Venom, Kraven, and Lizard, Insomniac has kept several surprises hidden. The game opens with an adrenaline-fueled sequence that tests your combat skills and introduces new side-story threads. While these optional missions don’t reinvent gameplay, they add valuable narrative depth.
Boss battles have also seen a noticeable improvement, featuring evolving confrontations that challenge your skills. Dodging, parrying, and using environmental tools become crucial, especially in the later stages, which feel like a boss rush mode. Although the challenges aren’t overwhelmingly difficult, the sheer volume of button-mashing can be demanding.
Despite its roughly 18-hour story, Spider-Man 2 adheres to a classic approach to open-world design. While the ability to highlight side objectives is a welcome improvement, the world itself feels less dynamic compared to other superhero games. You won’t encounter surprises like Man-Bat swooping in, which diminishes the sense of immersion. Standard open-world activities like collectibles and basic street crimes remain prevalent, and while they’re slightly more interesting this time, they still lack the excitement that would make prioritizing them over saving lives feel justified.
There are exceptions, with a couple of more involved questlines, such as the Flame questline, which begins with assisting the Fire Brigade and evolves into a complex narrative.
All of this contributes to the fight against crime across New York, which has doubled in size. With 14 unique districts, each with its own objectives, unlocking fast travel becomes a rewarding challenge. The decision to delay fast travel encourages exploration, and swinging through the city is far more enjoyable.
Gliding is especially effective for traversing long distances, thanks to numerous wind tunnels that traverse the city’s streets, flanked by stunning architecture. There are also numerous suits to unlock, catering to fans of all generations, featuring modern takes on classics and returning favorites.
Insomniac’s track record for stellar music continues, with signature themes for Miles and Peter and a standout score accompanying Kraven that echoes Howard Shore’s work in The Lord of the Rings.
Spider-Man 2 is a technical marvel, running smoothly at 60fps and allowing for visually stunning moments filled with explosive action and vibrant effects.
In conclusion, Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 is both blessed and cursed as a sequel. Its story of two Spider-Men is a joy to experience, bringing comic book pages to life while balancing humor and heavier themes. Insomniac refines its successful formula without revolutionizing it, making the combat and web-swinging familiar yet fresh. However, the open-world design feels bigger but not necessarily better, plagued by repetitive side activities. Nevertheless, this thrilling Spider-Man adventure delivers Insomniac’s best narrative yet, offering a fun superhero power trip despite its shortcomings.