When Marvel’s Spider-Man made its debut in 2018, Insomniac Games captured the exhilarating essence of being a superhero through its remarkable web-swinging mechanics and dynamic combat. However, the game fell short in delivering engaging content within its visually captivating yet somewhat barren open world. This trend appears to have continued with the release of Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, which, despite its compelling narrative and impressive presentation, seems to echo some of the same shortcomings.
While the sequel introduces a wealth of new features—such as additional collectibles, expansive skill trees, and the inclusion of two Spider-Men—it arguably does not redefine the franchise. Critics might liken this approach to “reheating nachos,” as it feels more like a rehash than a fresh innovation. Nonetheless, Insomniac has attempted to weave an intriguing Venom subplot into the overarching Kraven’s Last Hunt storyline, which can provide moments of enjoyment, albeit while juggling multiple narratives.
A Lifeless City
The dual protagonist mechanic, while slick, ultimately feels superficial. The two heroes share similar gameplay styles, with only minor variations in combat mechanics. Miles retains his unique electrical abilities, and both characters can now glide across the city with newly introduced wings. Yet, even at higher settings, the city itself often feels devoid of life. Despite its stunning visuals, the non-playable characters (NPCs) lack depth, and side activities quickly become repetitive, offering little substance beyond the main storyline.
Tasks such as testing electric bikes or helping students with prom plans seem like remnants of an outdated open-world design, recycling elements from the previous game. The thrill of catching a speeding getaway car loses its charm after the umpteenth attempt. While the game initially captivated players, the absence of excitement becomes increasingly apparent over time.
A Buggy Experience
The PC port has compounded these frustrations, introducing frequent crashes and performance issues that disrupt the overall experience. Although the game’s autosave feature alleviates some of the annoyance associated with crashes, the constant need to reload detracts from immersion. Despite a series of patches from the studio Nixxes, the persistent crashes remain a significant concern.
It is challenging to pinpoint the exact moments when these issues arise, as they occur with unsettling regularity. Approximately every 25 minutes during gameplay, the game tends to bug out and crash, abruptly returning players to their desktop. This experience has proven to be one of the most frustrating encountered in recent memory, reinforcing the argument for dedicated consoles like the PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 5 Pro, which are designed to ensure smoother performance.
Final Thoughts
Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 successfully refines the core mechanics of swinging and combat, yet it squanders this potential with a lackluster narrative and uninspired world design. On the PS5 and PS5 Pro, it stands as a commendable technical showcase; however, its flaws are more pronounced on PC. This raises questions about whether the issues stem from the port itself or the original game design.
This sequel feels less like a significant advancement and more like a regression for PC ports of PlayStation titles.
THREE STARS (OUT OF FIVE)
Highlights: Great follow-up from the previous title in terms of story and satisfying gameplay and traversal
Lowlights: Consistent crashes; Brings with it flaws from the previous game
Developer: Insomniac Games, Nixxes
Publisher: Playstation Studios
Platforms: Windows PC, PlayStation 5
Available: Now
Review conducted on PC with a release code provided by the publisher.
