Summary
Marvel’s Spider-Man 2for the PS5 is a continuation of both the firstMarvel’sSpider-Mangame released in 2018, and its spin-off game,Marvel’sSpider-Man: Miles Morales. As such, the new installment in the series has players following two protagonists rather than one. Players pick things up asPeter Parker is trying to deal with the death of his Aunt Maywhile mentoring Miles as a new hero, while Miles starts the game as a student who is still struggling with the consequences of his father’s death at the hands of Martin Li, and balancing life as Spider-Man.
Although both protagonists start in a very similar place, they each have some shared and separate story arcs. These involve eithertheir life as a superhero,their friends and family, or the slew of supervillains out in New York causing trouble. All this action leads to some great storytelling moments in the game.
7Mysterio’s Mysterium’s
A Side Quest For A Reformed Villain
When players bump into Quentin Beck during the game’s main story, they find that the former villain is trying to put his life as Mysterio behind him. At least that is what the character wants players to believe. What follows is Miles entering Beck’s virtual reality dome to play some music as a virtual DJ, but things go wrong as enemies soon turn up. The only way to escape this reality is by taking out all the goons. There are ten more of these Mysteriums spread around New York, with average citizens trapped in each one, and completing them all as Miles will unlock a boss fight with Mysterio.
While the combat challenges in the realms are fun, it’s the reveal of the true culprit behind the Mysterium kidnappings that makes this questline worthwhile. The obvious assumption is that Quinten Beck is not reformed. However, as it turns out, his former friends Betsy Schneider and Cole Whittman are behind the kidnappings, and are using Beck’s Mysterio persona as a patsy for their crimes. The moment when Miles not only stops Betsy and Cole, but rescues Beck as well, forces introspection on the part of the player as they reflect on their assumptions about what kind of person Beck really is.
6The Spider-Men
A Student-Teacher Dynamic Fans Were Waiting For
When the lastSpider-Mangame left things off, players knew that Miles Morales was destined to become Spider-Man in the future. However, when Miles gets his powers in the comics andSpider-Versemovies, Peter Parker is already dead. This leaves him as the one and only Spider-Man and the only person able to pick up the mantle. In this universe, though, there are two Spider-Men working together at the same time.
Having Miles Morales working alongside Peter in this way could easily have left the new Spider-Manfeeling more like a sidekick than a true hero. Fortunately, the developers handle this relationship so well that both feel like they are Spider-Man in their own right. Peter listens to Miles, and takes his advice when he needs it. Miles, meanwhile, feels jilted by Peter when the other Spider-Man starts to consider a life spent working with his best friend Harry, but is still there for him when Peter is in trouble. The trust they develop, especially after Miles frees Peter from the symbiote suit, allows Peter to feel at ease about setting aside the mantle and living his life with Mary Jane while Miles takes on the role of Spider-Man for a bit.
5Lizard
Kurt Conners' Alter-Ego Is Back For More Than Just A Boss Fight
Whenever scientist Kurt Conners shows up in a Spider-Man story, fans can expect him to turn into the uncontrollable Lizard soon after. That is why it is no surprise when Kraven targets Conners during his hunting escapades. The Lizard’s presence does lead to an exciting chase and boss fight, but that is not why this story arc is so memorable.
The player gets deep insight into how Conners deals with his double life as someone who could become a rampaging monster at any time. Peter learns that the scientist’s family has abandoned him, but a brief look around his house reveals that Conners has left his children’s bedroom perfectly preserved, showing he still hopes to have them return home to him. Also, the two sinks in the bathroom and the laboratory in his basement show just how desperate Conners is to keep The Lizard under control for the sake of his family. It makes the player feel for Conners, and feel that much angrier at Kraven for forcing Conners to transform when the man so desperately wants to get his condition under control.
4Kraven
Kraven the Hunter is portrayed as this game’s big bad when he first shows up. He is the reason why New York becomes populated by hunters, and why Peter and Harry Osbourne start working together as superheroes. Throughout the story, it is revealed that Kraven’s ultimate goal is to test himself in combat against some of the most powerful people in New York, so that one of them can defeat him before he dies of cancer. That is, until he discovers how powerful Spider-Man is with the symbiote attached.
In the end, it is the introduction of the symbiote that ends up being the downfall of Kraven and his story. The character’s motivation and bloodthirst are both justified well in the game, but eventually, Kraven’s desire for combat ends up coming home to roost. After Peter removes the symbiote suit, and it bonds with Harry, Kraven’s main target becomes Venom. The hunter was more than capable of handling some of the other villains around NYC, but the fully-formed symbiote proved too much for him. Venom handily defeats Kraven, leaving his body in Time’s Square as a message to Kraven’s fellow hunters.
3Peter and MJ
Ugly Truths Revealed By The Symbiote
When players first meet MJ inSpider-Man 2, she has just started a new writing job while still trying her best to support Peter as a superhero. On the surface, this all seems like a normal path for the character. However, a few story hints early on, and symbiote possession in the late game,reveal that MJ’s lifeand relationship are not everything Peter thinks.
Venom eventually breaks into May’s house and turns MJ into the symbiote Scream. The subsequent boss fight in the suburbs is difficult gameplay-wise, but the things that the symbiote drags out of MJ are probably harder to bear for Peter than the multiple kicks and punches. The symbiote pulls out all of MJ’s insecurities as taunts, revealing to Peter that the love of his life has had to constantly put her dreams on hold to look after him after he repeatedly fails to find balance between his two personas. These taunts are, in the end, what prompts Peter to give up the role of Spider-Man to focus more on MJ and their life together.
2Miles and Martin Li
Exploring Grief In A Superhero Battle
One of Kraven’s first targets when he arrives in New York is Mister Negative. While releasing Martin Li is dangerous for everyone in the city, it is especially troubling for Miles, as Li is the man who killed Miles' dad. Throughout the story, Miles often finds himself struggling with the reappearance of Martin Li, and even tries hunting the man down on his own. However, the two are finally brought together in Kraven’s hideout, forcing Miles to confront some of his demons.
Lee uses his powers to invade Miles' subconscious and begins digging up all of the pain and trauma Miles has taken on since he became Spider-Man. However, when Lee discovers that he is responsible for the death of Miles' dad, his whole demeanor changes. Lee realizes he has some wrongs he needs to right, and proceeds to help Miles free Peter from the symbiote. Meanwhile, thanks to the trip inside his psyche (and some wise words from his mother),Miles learns to let go of the hatehe carries for Li. While he admits he can never forgive Li, Miles is willing to let go of his need for revenge and let Mister Negative attempt to redeem himself.
1Venom
A Story Of Friendship That Could Not End Well
The story of the Venom symbiote inSpider-Man 2is one most fans will recognize. An evil alien symbiote attaches itself to Peter, causing him to act violently and out of character. It is only through disposing of the alien can it find a new host and create Venom. However, the developers decided to change things hereby making Harry Osbourne the host body for Venom.
By doing this, the game can explore the pair’s relationship, showing players how Peter and Harry grew up together, Harry getting sick, Harry being “cured” by the symbiote, and the two friends starting an enterprise to heal the world. It is also through this storytelling that the developers can make Harry’s downfall so tragic. Harry’s illness makes it essential that he bond with the symbiote, yet he relinquishes it to save Peter’s life. Peter, meanwhile, would do anything to save his friend but, sadly, his actions when being controlled by the symbiote make Harry resentful of him. By the time Harry gets the symbiote back, he is so weak that he is almost immediately consumed by Venom, and Peter has no choice but to kill his friendto stop the alien threat.Miles revives Harry, but whether there is another cure for Harry’s life-threatening illness remains to be seen.
