Retrospective: Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 Excels at Gameplay but Stumbles With Story Choices

by

Discussion among gamers about Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 has been quite diverse. Some consider it one of the PlayStation 5’s standout titles, while others view it as an overrated open-world game or a letdown compared to its predecessor. Given the swiftness with which fans express and adjust their opinions online, views on this comic book video game can shift rather frequently.

Previously, I’ve shared that this specific game serves as my go-to title on the Steam Deck, managing well despite lower settings and occasional drops in frame rate. It’s worth mentioning that it performs even more smoothly on the PS5, offering a consistently superior visual and performance experience.

Upon completing the game, I’ve reached a point where I can confidently say that Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 boasts exceptional gameplay. Nevertheless, its narrative falls short for me, with some poignant emotional scenes and hasty story arcs that seem underdeveloped.

Does whatever a spider can (again)

Playing either Peter or Miles in Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 is an absolute joy, as both characters excel at moving around with ease. The traditional web-swinging, leaps, and dashes are still present, but they’re now enhanced by the addition of the new gliding web wings. Soaring into a long glide after a sequence of swift swings and dashes has never felt more satisfying.

In addition to their earlier moves, these two characters have been enhanced. A fresh trick reminiscent of a yo-yo provides them with increased speed following a dive, resulting in an impressive vertical leap that’s delightful to execute. Moreover, the beloved actions from the previous version are still present, making this gameplay experience nothing short of enjoyable.

Catches thieves, just like flies

In Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, it isn’t only movement that’s been refined; the game offers some of the finest combat reminiscent of the Arkham series that I’ve experienced. The dodges and strikes now come with upgrades, thanks to new parrying mechanics, web swings that pull enemies nearer, and unique attacks for both characters.

In the new game, Miles Morales continues to use his electric-based abilities from his standalone title and gains fresh ones such as a teleporting leap and a powerful thunderous grab for multiple enemies. On the other hand, Peter Parker receives novel attacks that are either based on his mechanical spider-arms or his symbiote tendrils. Whether gamers favor Miles or Peter, they’re all set for an action-packed time dishing out beatdowns to thugs.

Venom?

Despite boasting impressive combat and movement mechanics, Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 falls short in its main narrative. Initially, the plot is engaging, focusing on Harry overcoming his chronic illness with the symbiote, and the interactions between him and Peter are well-executed. The idea of a superhero duo is intriguing, but it’s not fully developed, eventually devolving into Harry’s Venom character becoming a stereotypical supervillain.

In this story, the development of Peter and Harry’s friendship seems to overshadow Miles’ personal journey. It gives an impression that the writers aren’t certain about the struggles Miles is facing, whether it’s writing a paper, searching for Mr. Negative, or managing his dual life. While Miles was well-developed in the initial game and his standalone spin-off, here his character arc feels rushed and unjustified.

Oh, uh, the Kraven stuff is serviceable, but nothing special. Not much more needs to be said.

Stick with the side villains

The main Venom story is perceived as underwhelming because Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 offers compelling villain narratives in its side missions. Among these, “The Fire” stands out as an especially impactful tale that fans are eager to see developed further in Spider-Man 3 or Venom. Moreover, Mysterio’s arc in this game is also captivating, featuring a clever twist that even left this writer surprised.

In a more leisurely pace, the story might have been more satisfying if the side plots involving Peter’s black suit insanity and Harry turning into Venom were more seamlessly integrated into the main narrative. While this could potentially make the game messier, the hasty resolution of these key elements seems to diminish the overall enjoyment.

I’m still thoroughly enjoying Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, and I find myself revisiting the game for a second time. The quality of the gameplay is exceptional, but I can’t help but feel that the epic narrative falls short compared to the first game’s story. While the events in the first game seemed to escalate naturally, the current story feels somewhat rushed.

Stick with us here at Gfinityesports.com: the best place for gaming retrospectives.

Read More

2025-07-20 18:12