Insomniac Games' Best Yet

There are few releases that come as high-profile as Insomniac Games' Marvel's Spider-Man 2, the much-anticipated sequel to the 2018 blockbuster that turned heads and set a new standard for superhero games.

On paper, this sequel promises to take all the elements that made the original a hit - gripping narrative, compelling characters, and immersive gameplay - and elevate them to new heights. But does it manage to swing beyond the shadow of its predecessor, or does it merely swing in circles? Early into the gameplay, there's a sense of deja vu that's hard to shake. For those who have been following Spider-Man's gaming journey, especially with the 2018 title and its Miles Morales spin-off, you might initially question the need for another round in a very similar New York City playground.

Even the story, at first, seems a tad repetitive, introducing Kraven the Hunter as another supervillain in a city that’s no stranger to them. Kraven’s hunt for the ultimate prey turns towards our friendly neighbourhood Spider-Men after a few dramatic sequences, but his inclusion in the narrative initially feels like a placeholder.

You can’t help but think, “Where’s Venom?”, especially since Insomniac was far from coy about Venom’s presence in prerelease teasers.Your patience will be tested, yes, but it does pay off. As the game progresses, Peter Parker gets entangled (literally) with symbiote powers, marking a tonal and gameplay shift that’s nothing short of exhilarating.

And when Venom finally makes his grand entrance, the narrative gains an unstoppable momentum that culminates in a third act that’s gripping and deeply rewarding. One could argue that the pacing issues in the early stages are a serious drawback, but they also make the explosive climax that much more impactful.