Insomniac has been killing it lately with keeping a 3D platforming mascots (Ratchet and Clank) alive for over 20 years now when they could’ve easily let it fizzle out several console generations ago. Their newest release in that franchise is widely considered now to be the most innovative and best entry.
I’m glad they’re able to balance keeping such a golden age franchise alive while also tasked with making one of Sony PlayStation’s biggest current properties. Spiderman 2 doesn’t necessarily have the same magnificence in terms of innovative gameplay mechanics as the original 2018 release did, but it doesn’t need to. New York City has expanded. Adding now areas of Queens and Brooklyn to the already established Manhattan map. If you’re a fan of the web slinging hero and enjoyed the 2018 game, I see no reason as to why you won’t have a great time immersing yourself into this.
One thing that has always stuck out to me from developer Insomniac, is that a key important function they have to approaching their games ever since Spyro the Dragon on PS1 has been it has to be fun and satisfying to simply control the character on screen. A lot of game developers miss this. I think this approach has worked well for them and has been a significant reasoning behind all their game’s success. Simply running around the main hub world castles in games like Spyro 2 Riptos Rage, not to mention the most satisfying swimming mechanics in a game to date.
Spiderman 2 is the same. Now we have an even larger playground to freely swing around in with many gadgets and gizmos as our disposal. The game has such a breezy and satisfying feel to it even when you’re mindlessly running, bouncing and swinging around. It scratches that fidget spinner itch.
Now, the story is pretty well made just like the first one, but it has a few drawbacks, like whenever it arbitrarily decides to take control away from you as Spiderman (Peter Parker) and instead you have to play as one of Peters friends. I get for story beat reasons why its done but this time around it feels even more shoehorned at times. There’s an entire mission you play as a deaf girl and while the mechanics and use of the PS5 motion sensor is impressive during this, I can’t help but shake the feeling of, can I please just get back to being Spiderman?
Anyway, if you can look past a few mild interruptions in the story for the sake of ticking off some AAA Hollywood trope boxes and want a good Spiderman game, this one truly is the best. There are a few surprises when playing as other characters that are actually some of the highlights of the whole thing. I would recommend going for the Platinum trophy in this one just like in the first as its a pretty straightforward unmissable feat.
Verdict: 9/10 (Best depiction of the Big Apple)
https://opencritic.com/game/15052/marvels-spider-man-2
Aye,
Mikhail