Two Spiders, One City
Marvel's Spider-Man 2 is the game that proves Insomniac is the definitive superhero game studio. Building on the already excellent foundation of the first game and Miles Morales, this sequel delivers a larger, more ambitious, and more emotionally resonant Spider-Man experience that sets a new benchmark for the genre.
The dual-protagonist structure is the game's masterstroke. Seamlessly switching between Peter Parker and Miles Morales — each with distinct combat styles, abilities, and personal storylines — creates a rhythm that keeps the experience constantly fresh. Peter's symbiote-enhanced aggression contrasts beautifully with Miles' bioelectric finesse, and the game smartly leverages these differences in both combat encounters and narrative beats.
New York City has been expanded to include Brooklyn and Queens, creating the largest open world in the series. More importantly, it's the most alive. The city teems with dynamic events, NPC interactions, and environmental details that make web-swinging through Manhattan feel like inhabiting a living world. The new Web Wings gliding mechanic adds another layer of traversal that feels fantastic, allowing you to soar through wind tunnels and between skyscrapers with a sense of freedom that never gets old.
Venom: A Terrifying Presence
The Venom storyline is handled with remarkable care. Without spoiling the details, the symbiote's corruption of Peter creates genuine tension and emotional stakes that elevate the entire narrative. The transformation sequences are horrifying and beautiful, and the way the symbiote affects gameplay — granting devastating new abilities at the cost of Peter's humanity — creates a compelling ludonarrative harmony.
Boss battles are a massive step up from the first game. Each major encounter feels like a setpiece from the best Spider-Man comics, with dynamic arena changes, phase transitions, and spectacle that make you feel like you're playing through a blockbuster film. The final confrontation is one of the most emotionally charged boss fights we've experienced in any game.
Technical Showcase
Running on PS5, Spider-Man 2 is a technical marvel. The near-instant fast travel, the seamless character switching, and the dense open world with no loading screens showcase the SSD in ways that genuinely feel next-gen. Ray-traced reflections in Performance RT mode add stunning visual fidelity while maintaining a smooth 60fps. Character models and facial animations are incredibly detailed, making cutscenes cinematic in quality.
The game's accessibility options deserve special mention. Insomniac has included an extraordinary suite of accessibility features, from speed and timing adjustments to audio and visual customization, ensuring that this Spider-Man adventure can be enjoyed by everyone.
✅ Pros
- Dual protagonists keep gameplay constantly fresh
- Venom storyline is emotionally powerful
- Best-in-class web-swinging and traversal
- Spectacular boss battles
- Technical showcase for PS5
- Outstanding accessibility options
❌ Cons
- Open-world activities can feel repetitive
- Story pacing rushes in the final act
- Some side missions lack depth
- MJ stealth sections remain divisive
The Verdict
Spider-Man 2 is Insomniac's masterpiece — a sequel that improves upon its predecessors in virtually every way. The dual-protagonist structure, the Venom storyline, and the sheer joy of swinging through an expanded New York create a superhero experience that has no equal in gaming.
"This isn't just the best Spider-Man game ever made — it's one of the best superhero stories told in any medium."